“Oh, but I do, diosa,” he admitted thickly.
“But what if I can’t ever…” she whispered. “What if I can’t stop being afraid? What if this is a huge mistake?”
“That sweet little kiss gave me the courage to ask. I will be with my friend and we’ll go through it all together. I will give you protection and be there when you need someone. And I? I could use someone that could tether me down to my home. I am so tired of traveling and ready to return to family, to home.”
“If you regret this, any of this, say the word and we’ll find a way to dissolve it,” she pledged, wholly concerned that he was making a massive mistake tying himself to her. She felt like she was cast off and unworthy.
“I appreciate the offer, but that won’t happen,” he said with a faint smile, putting a finger over her lips as she opened her mouth to argue. “However, the same offer goes for you, too. If you have regrets, tell me. Now, say that you’ll become my wife – Julio is bursting at the seams. He always had a soft heart when I was growing up.”
“Must run in the family,” she murmured shyly and nodded. Anthony turned, looking over his shoulder and spoke. Julio raced over and hugged his brother, clapping him on the back and wiping his eyes. The older man then picked her up out of the seat and hugged her, rapidly firing off in Spanish.
“I’m going to have to learn your language,” she teased as he set her down, her own eyes watering from the intensity of the emotion bubbling in her. Fear, anxiety, excitement and hope.
“Yes, yes! My Guadalupe will teach you, no? She will love you as a sister. Dinner, si? Tomorrow?” Maggie smiled hesitantly at him and nodded. The man had already asked them to dinner tomorrow at their home. Perhaps, he was a bit touched in the head and Anthony hadn’t told her. At her nod, Julio began wholeheartedly blurting out the foreign words to everyone and shaking their hands – pointing at where they sat. Maggie blushed, embarrassed at the massive scene he was making. “Is he that excited about dinner tomorrow and the fact that we are thinking of marrying?”
“Diosa, you just agreed to have us married tomorrow at his house when we arrive for dinner.”
“I did what?”
“Shhhhh,” he told her, grinning at the panicked look on her face. “I promise you, I will be good to you. And if not, you can shoot me with that gun you like to keep close to you.”
“Don’t tempt me,” she said shakily as several people came by the table to offer their congratulations to them.
The rest of the afternoon was surprisingly a lonely one. Anthony said he needed to take care of a few things, giving her time to rest and relax. She sat in the hotel room alone, staring at her surroundings until she finally nodded off. Sometime later in the evening, she heard a faint jiggle at the door and stiffened fearfully. Hearing them enter, she desperately tried to make herself as flat as possible on the bed, wishing that she was invisible.
“Maggie, relax.” Anthony whispered softly from behind the fabric panel separating the room. “I can hear your fear from here. I am just lying down. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” she whispered in return, her voice trembling. She lay there listening for any sign that he was lying to her and was moving about. Minutes later, she heard his breath even out and even a faint rumbling snore escape from him. Muffling a laugh, she turned to her side. Shutting her eyes, she breathed a sigh of relief at the fact that he had kept his word, yet again.
Six
Maggie awoke the next morning alone in the room. A knock on the door dragged her slowly across the floor. Opening it, she saw that there was a diminutive woman standing there with the widest smile on her face.
“Hola! Debes ser Maggie. Soy Guadalupe, tu nueva cuñada!” she exclaimed and flew into the room happily, whirling her large, colorful skirt. “I am new sister, Guadalupe,” she said in broken English. “I go cook today but bring… regalo – a gift – first.”
Anthony’s family seemed to be so intense and loving. They seemed to find a friend everywhere and no one was a stranger. It seemed so incredible to her. Humbling and rare. They smiled, they hugged, they offered assistance with no expectation whatsoever in return. This little woman seemed to shine brighter than most. It was hard to believe that she had so many children.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Guadalupe,” she said politely, causing Guadalupe to throw the bundle on the bed as she raced over and hugged her, kissing her on each cheek. Maggie couldn’t help but jerk her head back in surprise, causing Guadalupe to frown suddenly. “My apologies, I just woke up.”
She nodded and pointed at the bundle of fabric on the bed. Walking over to it, the tiny woman practically launched herself at it excitedly, grabbing it and holding it up. It was a dress, a stunning dress. A white, floor-length gown made of cotton that had been gathered in several spots to create ruffles. Varying colors of flowers were embroidered along the neckline. Brilliant blues, red and greens. Simple, yet elegant.
“That is beautiful,” she breathed reverently, looking at the gown and the woman’s smile.
“This is for you.”
“That’s too much.”
“Don’t be silly. Nothing is too much for my brother’s new wife. Take it. Julio will be hurt if you don’t accept our gift.”
“Then I accept. It’s certainly much prettier than the dress I slept in.”
“I leave to cook, but you get ready. They are bringing you a bath, so you may look and smell nice for your new husband.”
“Thank you, Guadalupe.”
A knock at the door signaled the tin tub’s arrival. Several women poured into the room carrying all sorts of linen, soap, brushes and hot water. As quickly as they came, they filed back out. “Do you need any help?” Guadalupe offered politely.
“Oh, no! I will be fine, thank you.”
“Then we’ll see you soon.”
Maggie shut the door firmly behind Guadalupe and sagged against the door frame. The woman was like a force of nature, sweeping in and taking over. And while she appreciated the gift, she definitely noticed the moment her presence left the room. Locking the door, she eagerly sank down into the tub and smiled. There had been lemon added to something. She wasn’t sure if it was the water or the soap, but the clean, fresh scent was a balm to the soul. Lounging for quite a while, she took her time in the bath. As she got out, she carefully dried off and combed her hair, plaiting it into a thick, damp braid that fell down her back. Slipping the dress over her head, she fastened the ties and adjusted how it fit. Maggie glanced at the reflection in the small, milky mirror that was perched on the stand where the wash pitcher sat. She smiled at the comfortable, yet lovely dress. It was certainly much cooler than the dresses and gowns she had worn before.
Another knock on the door turned out to be the maids returning to empty and remove the tub. They brought up a tiny serving tray loaded with fruits and a piece of cheese. Sitting down alone, she snacked from the tray and wondered if she was supposed to head downstairs. Where exactly was Anthony?
Julio was the next visitor, and to be the final one so it seemed, as he rushed her out of the door and down the stairs eagerly. The combination of Spanish and English made it tough to understand but she was getting the idea: It was time to head to his home and they would meet Anthony there.
This was it.
Maggie was getting ready to be surrounded by a large vivacious family… and marry into it. She felt quite pampered that Julio brought a wagon up for them to ride in, instead of traveling to the house by horseback. It was a quick trip from the hotel to his house on the outskirts of town. As they pulled up, Julio handed her a paper box. Pulling the lid off, she glanced up at his smiling face, confused and questioning. Inside was what looked to be filigree lace, some of the finest she’d ever seen in any window back home. Dressmakers always had displays up, but this was exquisite and intricate. Flowers were knotted into the delicate gridwork of the lace.
“What is this?”
“Every bride should have a veil,” he told her happily, blin
king back tears as he lifted the delicate lace and draped it over her head. “My brother chose well in the lace, and in the woman, I think. Yes?”
“Anthony picked this out?”
“He said he wanted you to feel special.”
Julio nodded emotionally, as if it was too much for his soft, tender heart. Maggie herself felt her hands trembling as she prepared to step down from the wagon. She didn’t want to snag the dress Guadalupe had brought her, nor did she want to disturb the long, lace veil that was perched delicately in place on her head. She was touched by the considerate gift. As she got down, an outpouring of people came from around the back of the house.
Maggie took several steps back as more and more came towards them, specifically towards her. Julio, took her arm and led her through the crowd. He pointed out people and called their names, but there was no way she’d ever remember. This was like running the gauntlet! Phillip, Miguel, Maria, Sofia, on and on the list of names went. Finally, she turned to Julio when she felt herself on the verge of breaking down. So many hugs, so many people! Their smiles, hands, enthusiastic hugs were all a bit overwhelming.
“I need a moment alone, please!” she said desperately.
Pushing them away, he held open a door. His face understanding as he gave a single nod of encouragement. Maggie darted inside, thanking the Lord above for the brief sanctuary from the chaos outside.
“They are a bit much, aren’t they?”
“Anthony! I didn’t see you!” He stood in the dim corner of the room with his arms crossed over his chest. A black coat and snug black pants made him look like a dark avenging angel as a faint beam of light streamed through a window, causing the dust motes to dance in the air around him.
“I needed a second to be alone. If my aunt or great aunt pinched my face again, I thought it might bruise for my new wife.”
“It is quite… overwhelming,” she admitted, embarrassed.
“It is, but they mean well. I just didn’t think that Guadalupe would gather everyone this fast. I actually saw several cousins out there that I hadn’t seen in years.”
“I think everyone from town is out there!”
Anthony smiled at her, his dark eyes alight with pride and humor. “You might be right, diosa. You truly look beautiful.”
“Thank you, but I think it’s the dress and the lace.”
“I think, maybe, it’s the opposite. You are making the outfit look good. I think you could wear a sack and be lovely.”
“Or a bloodied chemise full of cactus needles?”
“You were pretty stunning then, too,” he admitted with a chuckle, stepping towards her. “I want you to feel safe, feel happy here. I don’t want you to be nervous around me. Now, all of them,” he teased, pointing at the door frame. “Yes, I understand that. It’s like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. You are bound to get run over. But with me alone, I want you to be happy.”
His tender smile matched hers. She was nervous, but hearing him talk and reassuring her, that fear melted away. He was like a soothing balm to her soul. She saw him slowly pick up the edges of the veil and put it over her shoulders. “Do you want to give this a try together? My family hasn’t scared you off yet?”
“They haven’t yet, but it’s quite intimidating since I don’t have one at all. It may take some getting used to.”
“You’ll have a lifetime,” he said tenderly, touching her cheek.
“It might take that. There are a lot of them on the other side of the door.”
“That, there is. Just let me know when you are ready.”
Maggie shut her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of his finger brushing her face lovingly. This said nothing, yet said so much. The last few days, she had found more honesty, more truth, more consideration and more family than she had ever had in her entire life. While the idea of being intimate with this man made her feel things, she knew that if she needed it, he would take care of her, protect her and make her feel precious. Something she’d never had, ever. People married all the time; strangers that were in worse situations than she. Perhaps, she’d been put on his path for a reason.
Opening her eyes, she looked up at him. Her hand reached up and touched his where it sat on her cheek. Anthony’s eyes crinkled as he smiled widely. “Shall we?”
Maggie nodded, swallowing back any fears that she had. He took her hand and placed it on his arm, guiding her to the door. Opening it, the swarm of smiling faces seemed to part as he led her down a stone pathway to where a small, stone well stood.
“Father, I think we are ready.”
“Good! Good! And how many times have I told you to just call me Uncle Roberto or Tio?”
“It feels odd to call the priest that is fixing to bless my marriage ‘Uncle’,” she heard Anthony say with a smile. “Tio, this is Maggie.”
“Welcome to the family, Maggie. Now, let’s see if I can quiet everyone down, shall we?” The thin, tanned priest put two fingers to his mouth and gave an earsplitting whistle, instantly settling the din behind them. He got to his feet and pulled a bible from under his arm. As he opened it, she felt herself almost entranced by the lilting words he said though she understood none of them.
“Antonio Miguel Serrano y Mejia? Do you take this woman, Maggie…”
“Davies,” she whispered quickly under her breath, and felt Anthony pat her hand he held in approval. She glanced up at him and saw his dark eyes glisten as they shone with pride. Maggie felt her own eyes well up and tears spill over on her cheeks. She’d never had anyone look so happy or be so proud to just be with her. He truly wanted her there, as a part of his family. Her lip quivered as he reached up and tenderly wiped a tear from her cheek. She heard his uncle pronounce them husband and wife just before the cheering drowned him out. Anthony stepped forward towards her, his hand rested at her waist. He leaned his dark head towards her, hesitating just before he kissed her.
“May I?” Her lips parted in anticipation of repeating the kiss they had shared the day before and that was all the invitation that he needed. Anthony held her for several moments before releasing her. He handed her a small pouch, closing her hand around it. She glanced up at him in surprise, feeling the weight of it.
“It’s an old tradition from my great grandparents. My father gave it to my mother and now I give it to you, if you accept it.”
“What is it?”
“Is called arras. I pledge to take care of you and our home. If you accept it, you promise in return.” She saw that the small leather pouch was quite worn and supple from many hands touching it over the years. Glancing up at him, she saw that he waited for an answer. The only inclination that he was nervous was that he swallowed repeatedly while time seemed to tick by.
“I accept this, thank you,” she told him, and heard several people clapping happily around her. Tradition, family, acceptance. All things she had never experienced before, and it was, quite frankly, like a drug to her. How would she ever be able to pull back, when this felt so right? There were certain things that simply made her wary or scared her. This man was different from anyone she had known. He seemed to understand the things she couldn’t say aloud. He accepted her for what she was, good, bad or otherwise. He vowed to protect her and care for her, even if she wasn’t ready.
Anthony was too good for her soiled body and broken soul.
Seven
The party celebrating their marriage went on for hours and, after several dances and drinks, Maggie was exhausted. She was not ready to be alone with Anthony. She was afraid that he would push for more than she could give. She was surprised when they prepared to leave that he leaned down and whispered in her ear a few words that gave her peace of mind.
“I won’t touch you until you’re ready.”
Maggie let out her breath in a rush. She hadn’t realized she had been holding it, but the relief she felt was immeasurable. When walking through the crowd, receiving blessings and introductions, she found that a small wagon waited for them. The wagon had bee
n loaded down with goods they had been given as well as the saddlebags she recognized from their travels.
“Our things are here and not at the hotel?”
“We’ll be heading to my home, if that’s all right with you?”
She nodded and swallowed hard. She’d be alone, away from everyone and everything, learning how to become someone’s wife. One lesson she had already learned painfully. She was frightened to have a refresher in that course, much less what other lessons would bring. How could she be so different from other women, to be scared to marry – where others were happily married for years on end? Maybe, there was something wrong with her.
She took her seat in the wagon and absently waved as she stared at her boots that peeked out from beneath the dress she’d been loaned. She was anxious. Her heartbeat matched the clopping sounds the horse’s hooves made as they jogged lightly across the land. Silently, she found herself lost in thought as she absently gazed at the landscape.
“Are you thirsty, Maggie? There’s a skin under the wagon seat.”
“Where is your home?”
“On the outskirts of San Antonio de Bexar. My land and home are between the fort and the presidio. It’s not far from Julio and Guadalupe. If you want to visit, it’s an easy ride and we can do so when you want. I need to get the supplies I brought to Fort Defiance and then we’ll be off on our own. I promise you.”
“I’m perfectly fine with going to the fort,” she said absently. She was more worried about what would happen when they were alone.
“We’ll be there shortly then. Don’t be afraid,” he said, suddenly looking uncomfortable. “I meant what I said. I won’t bother you, diosa.” They rode the rest of the way in silence. The fort was easily seen in the distance above a river. The sun setting behind it gave it an eerie luminance, like the stillness in the air before a storm. Maggie had never seen anything like it.
“Shouldn’t there be more soldiers about?” The forts and castle defenses in England had been heavily manned. It was insanity to think of entering when not allowed. The soldiers were like ants crawling everywhere. This was not the case at this fort as far as she could see. She could see no one on the ramparts, no one walking the grounds. The gateway looked to be wide open. “Are you certain we should be going there?”
Fallen Bride: A Historical Western Romance (Bride books Book 6) Page 6
