An Unexpected Mother (The Colorado Brides Series Book 4)

by Carré White

  “There’s a good chance he’ll be a part of the family soon.”

  “Another Hoffman weddin’s in my future?”

  “I hope so,” laughed Jack. “As soon as I can make the arrangements.”

  “Well, congratulations.”

  “Mother might ask for a lengthy engagement.” I hadn’t thought what her response would be, once she found out I was promised.

  “Darlin’, things are done differently out west. No one cares about that stuff. Who’s got the time to wait a year to get married? A woman would have a baby before then.”

  That thought brought a pink hue to my cheeks. “I suppose you’re right.”

  “If I had to wait a year…” Jack grimaced. “It would be intolerable.”

  “It’s a good thing we don’t then.”

  He drew me into his arms, even though Nathan stood before us. His lips were near my ear. “I’m entirely fond of you, Fanny. I don’t want to leave. I’ve half a mind to throw you over my horse and take you with me.”

  “Don’t say that. I might jump on myself.”

  “I’ll miss you.”

  “I miss you.”

  “Oh, for the love of Pete,” intoned Nathan. “Ya’ll be seein’ each other soon enough. Break it up before I have to get a crowbar.”

  “He’s insufferably annoying.”

  I giggled, “He is.”

  “You’re so lovely. When I close my eyes tonight, all I shall see is your face.”

  “Oh, Jack.”

  He kissed my cheek. “Good night, my love.”

  I tingled at those words. “Good night.”

  His hand was on my shoulder, and, as he stepped away, he drifted down my arm to my elbow and further, until he touched my hand briefly. From there, we separated with agonizing slowness. With one last look of longing, he stepped into the stirrup, throwing a leg over his mount. He trotted down the lane, waving before disappearing from sight.

  Nathan asked, “So, you’re gonna marry the gospel sharp, eh?”

  “Oh, goodness. Do you have to say it that way?”

  “From the look of it, he’s smitten all right. I’m thinkin’ that wedding should happen sooner than later on account of the lusty gleam in his eye. I don’t know what happened earlier today, but somethin’s got him all worked up.”

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.” I started for the house, hiding a smile.

  “Yep, that feller is good and cooked.”

  I giggled, as I entered the front door, hurrying for the stairs.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Are you gonna marry Pastor Bailey?” asked Connor.

  “Oh, shush,” admonished Jane. “Not now.”

  “She is, isn’t she?”

  We sat in church, while families began to file out. Several people had stopped to talk to Jack. My sisters were nearby; their husbands had left already with father, but they hadn’t gone far. They waited outside, while I eyed my future husband. He perceived me, as the slight smile around his mouth indicated, but he had to attend to his flock.

  “I would like to marry him.” I held Susanna’s hand. The little girl wore her best bonnet today with multi-colored ribbons and fake flowers.

  “You should do it then, Fanny.”

  “If only we could find a preacher…” I glanced at Jane. She appeared pensive, yet more relaxed than I had ever seen her. Our relationship continued to improve by the day. “There’s Wesley Hornsby. He’s returned from the mountains.”

  Her chin went up a notch. “I see.”

  We had discussed her infatuation with Pastor Bailey, and she now understood it was inappropriate. The feelings she had admitted to were entirely one-sided, because Jack had never felt the same. Her recovery from this blow had been swift; the focus of her affections had now transferred to someone younger.

  “We’ve invited the family to brunch.”

  “You won’t rest until I’m married off.” Her lips quivered, as she fought a smile.

  “We’re only having brunch.”

  “I assume I’ll be sitting next to him.”

  “Not if you don’t want to.”

  Hannah stood, bringing Letty with her; the toddler had begun to fuss. “I’m going out.”

  “We’ll be right there.” Hannah made her way towards the aisle. “I guess we should go.”

  The church was nearly empty. We waited for Jack every Sunday. The possibility of being with him for several hours was the highlight of my week, although we were never alone. Our engagement was official now, as I wore a pretty gold Claddagh ring, an Irish design of hands holding a heart with a crown. Sally Higgins had said an immigrant had traded it for supplies at the mercantile.

  Jack was now speaking with a couple I had never seen before. There had been an influx of homesteaders during the week, their wagons appearing in town outfitted with canvas tops and oxen. Whether they planned on staying or continuing on was an unknown factor.

  “Fanny!” called Jack. “Come here, my dear.”

  I hurried to him, with Susanna in tow. The boys had followed Paulina and Hannah out, Jane and Mary among them. My parents sat and waited. “What is it?”

  His smile was enormous. “I’d like you to meet Pastor Collins of Ohio. His family is on their way to California. They’ve decided to recuperate a few days in Denver City.”

  Elation shot through me. “I…oh, goodness!” I met their expectant faces. “How do you do?”

  “We’re fine, and you?” asked the kindly-looking gentleman.

  “You must be exhausted from your journey.”

  “We are,” said the woman. “I’m Elizabeth Collins.”

  “Fanny Hoffman.”

  “I hear you’re engaged, my dear,” said the pastor.

  “I am.”

  “Your fiancé tells me you’re in need of a minister to officiate the vows.”

  “We are.”

  Mrs. Collins eyes crinkled around the edges when she smiled. “Oh, don’t toy with the girl, John. She’s bursting out of her skin with happiness.”

  “I am. We’ve been waiting for a preacher. We were worried it would never happen.”

  “Well, I’d be happy to perform the service tomorrow, if you wish.”

  Jack grinned. “Fanny, my love, what do you think?”

  “I’m…astonished.”

  “Can you have it all planned by tomorrow?”

  “You know I can.”

  “Well, then. It looks like our wait is over.”

  “What a lovely, enthusiastic couple,” said Pastor Collins. “What time should I be expected?”

  “Six,” said Jack.

  “At night?”

  “In the morning.”

  “No,” I interjected. “He’s jesting. It has to be later than that. How about noon?”

  “I’d rather do it earlier, but…I’ll defer to my wife’s—fiancé’s wishes.”

  “Noon it is then.”

  Once they had departed, Jack took my arm, pulling me near, whispering, “It’s not too late for you to change your mind.”

  “I will do no such thing.”

  “You’re getting married tomorrow?” asked Susanna.

  “Yes, honey, we are.”

  “Can I wear the pink dress?”

  “That’s why we made it.”

  Her face lit up. “I’ve been wanting so long to wear it, Fanny! I can’t wait.”

  My dress had been hanging in the closet for several weeks. “Maria has to bake the cake, but other than that, we’re ready.” He’d yet to let go of my arm, his fingers locked securely. We’d hardly been alone at all, and I knew he was eager to kiss me again. My family wouldn’t give us a moment of peace. I suspected Nathan had told them that we needed to be watched over, which I found exasperating.

  “We should tell them.”

  “I’ll do it,” said Susanna, rushing down the aisle.

  He leaned in, whispering, “I thought I’d go mad, Fanny.”

  “Me too.”

&nbs
p; “I appreciate your family, but…I could wring Nathan’s neck.”

  “Oh, Jack. He meant well.”

  “I don’t need a chaperone. I’m perfectly capable of controlling myself.”

  I found his irritation amusing. “I know.”

  “Maybe he was worried about you.”

  “Jack Bailey!” I gasped, giggling.

  “All right. I might’ve taken advantage and kissed you a few times too many, but…those were extenuating circumstances.”

  “You’ll be able to kiss me all you want tomorrow and every day after.” That thought brought a flush to my cheeks.

  “I intend to, my dear.”

  “Fanny,” said Paulina. “I’ve been sent to retrieve you.”

  I sighed. “Yes, we’re coming.”

  “I hear there’s to be a wedding tomorrow.”

  “Yes, thank God.”

  She laughed, “You’ve both suffered long enough.”

  “Indeed we have.” Jack escorted me towards the door. “Fortune has finally smiled down upon us.” He murmured, “And put me out of my misery.”

  His hand was on my back. Whenever I was near him, he touched me. If I were too far away, he would close the distance and brush up against me. We had seen one another every day since that evening when we had returned from finding Jane. It had been torturous being so close, yet not being able to be nearer. The wait had come to an end…the longing…the desire, would soon be realized.

  Brunch was held at Paulina’s house, the children running around in the yard, making noise and dirtying their clothing. She had presented a buffet of finger sandwiches with Boston cream pie for dessert. A sense of excitement filled the air; the news of our impending nuptials had spread. Mother beamed with happiness, knowing that I would be married the following day. Jane sat next to Wesley Hornsby. They talked and laughed, an easy rapport developing between them. He was a miner, but he had recently put in for an apprenticeship at the millworks, wanting a job closer to town.

  Louisa leaned in, whispering, “You must be thrilled, Fanny.”

  I grasped her hand. “I am. We’ve waited long enough.”

  “What was it? Three weeks?” She laughed, “That’s hardly an eternity.”

  “Well, it felt like it.”

  “You make a handsome couple. I approve heartily. Jack’s a good man.”

  “Thank you. That’s sweet of you to say.”

  When it was time to go, I stood by my husband-to-be, gazing up at him. “You’ll be at the church tomorrow, won’t you?”

  “Yes, my dear.”

  “Are you sad your family won’t be able to attend?”

  “They know all about you. I’ve sent dozens of letters, with more on the way.”

  He had written many to me as well, despite the fact that we saw each other every day. I had quite a collection now, and I read them over and over. “Have you asked my brothers-in-law to be your groomsmen?”

  “Yes, they’ll stand up for me, and I’m honored to have them.”

  “They’re happy to have you too.”

  A sparkle lit his eye. “I’ll try my best to fit in, although I might have to start wearing denim and imbibe whiskey.”

  “Oh, Jack.”

  “And visit the saloon several times a week.”

  He was teasing. “They don’t do that anymore, well, not all the time anyway.”

  “My bachelor party’s tonight. We’re going to—how does Nathan put it—bend an elbow?”

  “No, Jack.”

  “Or maybe we’ll get half seas over and fight like Kilkenny cats.”

  Nathan’s vocabulary was rather colorful. “I think that’s correct.”

  He touched my face. “I wish it were tomorrow noon already.”

  “So do I. We’ve waited this long. What’s a few more hours?”

  “I’d take you in my arms right now, but those rascals are keeping a sharp eye on us.” He nodded towards Paulina’s front porch, where Nathan, Samuel, and Matthias sat on the steps. Father stood behind them, waiting for Jack to leave. “Not one second of privacy,” he muttered.

  “They mean well.”

  “They’re doing this on purpose. They know how difficult it’s been. They seem to enjoy watching others suffer.”

  “Oh, goodness. Be thankful you didn’t have to wait a year. Most engagements are a year.”

  “Dear Lord, no. That would kill me.”

  “Well then, make sure you’re at the church tomorrow.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  “You sound like my father.”

  “Yes, my love. Is that better?”

  “It is.” A thought popped into my head. “Will we have a honeymoon?”

  His grin was enormous. “I appreciate your line of thinking.”

  “Stop that! We’ve never discussed it.”

  “How about my apartment? We go in and close the door, and they can come get us in a week.”

  “Oh, gracious. That long? What will we eat?”

  “I’ll have food delivered. I don’t care, as long as I’m alone with you.”

  I couldn’t argue with this plan. It sounded perfect.

  “Then do you approve or would you rather go to the mountains? Matthias will lend us his cabin, if we want it.”

  “No. Let’s stay in town. I’ve had enough of the wilderness for a while.”

  “It’s all settled then. That was easy.” He waved to the men on the porch, who had taken it upon themselves to serve as my chaperones. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Have a safe trip back to Denver City,” said Samuel.

  “Thank you, I will.” He glanced at me. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  He thrust a foot into the stirrup, throwing a leg over. The horse trotted forward, the darkly colored tail swishing back and forth. I stood there, until he was out of sight, reluctantly returning to the house. My hands were on my hips. “You should all be ashamed. Not one minute of privacy? Not one?”

  Father chortled, “You’ll be together soon enough. What’re a few more hours?”

  “I should uninvite each and every one of you. You don’t deserve to be at my wedding.”

  “Aw, come on,” drawled Nathan. “Don’t be like that, darlin’. Tomorrow we’ll be in our best bib and tucker, shined up and ready for your nuptials. You won’t even remember this.”

  Samuel smiled sympathetically. “If it’s any consolation, your sister drove me crazy all the way from Independence Missouri to Fort Laramie.”

  “It took some convincin’ to get Louisa to marry me,” said Matthias.

  Nathan scratched his chin. “I waited a mighty long time for Hannah too. A coupla months, as I recall.”

  “I’m not listening to anymore of this.” I brushed past them, heading for the door. There was female laughter inside and children shouting in the backyard. The brunch had ended, but the celebration continued. “Good evening, men.”

  They tipped their hats. “Evenin’.”

  “My dear,” father offered his arm, “I’ll escort you in.”

  “Thank you.”

  Finding a pastor so soon was an unexpected joy. Jack had sent off numerous letters to nearby cities requesting aid, but none had responded yet. We had gotten lucky today; the long wait would soon be over. I was eager to have my own home, as we had found a house behind the mercantile that had several rooms, although it wasn’t entirely finished yet. It had belonged to a miner and his family, but they had left Denver City for California. These lodgings were intended to be temporary. We wanted to build on land, and we had put in for a grant, which would be approved shortly by the mining district. My parents had begun the construction on their house as well. All the pieces were falling together rather nicely.

  Once we had arrived at the house that evening, Hannah pulled me aside, whispering, “I should tell you what to expect on your wedding night.” Her smile was mischievous.

  “Oh, for pity’s sakes. That’s not necessary.”

  �
�Of course it is,” she giggled.

  I elbowed her. “I’m sure we’ll figure it out on our own, but thank you for your concern.”

  She picked Letty up; the toddler had a messy face. She had eaten something with chocolate, and it was all over her mouth. “Are you nervous?”

  “Not about that.”

  “Then what?”

  “I feel elated. This is completely different than my first marriage. I’m about to come out of my skin, I’m so happy. He’s perfect for me. I do adore him so.”

  “That’s how I felt when I married Nathan. I miss Frank, though. I won’t lie.” She lowered her voice. “Life is puzzling sometimes. I thought I’d be a preacher’s wife, not a farmer’s wife. I loved Frank with all my heart, but I love Nathan too. Paulina never expected to get married so soon, and Louisa was going to be an old maid. It’s quite clear that God had other plans for us.”

  “I wasn’t supposed to be with Jason. I’m dreadfully sorry he passed away, but none of that was my doing. Now I have his sister’s children to mind, and I shall do my best where they’re concerned.”

  “They’ve accepted you, Fanny. They’re lovely children.” She whispered, “Now Louisa’s.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh, goodness. What a handful.”

  “They certainly are that,” I laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Mother appeared then.

  “Oh, nothing,” giggled Hannah. “Nothing at all.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I now pronounce you man and wife,” said Pastor Collins.

  Those were the most wonderful words I had ever heard in my entire life. I stood before Jack, who wore a black sack coat with a waistcoat beneath and white shirt and necktie. His dark hair had been combed back, and he had shaved. I’d worn cream-colored lace; the dress was adorned with wide flounces and pagoda sleeves trimmed in lace.

  My husband’s eyes glimmered with appreciation, his mouth lifting in a smile. “Wife.”

  “I suppose I am now.”

  He sported a gold wedding band; the metal gleamed on his finger. I held a bouquet of purple and yellow wildflowers. My bridesmaids were Jane, Mary, and Susanna, the girls looking lovely in pastel-colored dresses and matching bonnets. My family occupied the first rows of pews, while friends and well-wishers sat further back. Jack took my gloved hand in his, smiling, while gazing at me.