The Preacher's Outlaw Bride

by Mildred Colvin

Michael soon had Fireball saddled. He led them to another gate and opened it. “This is unsettled land where I usually ride. Fireball’s familiar with it, and it won’t take long for Pistol and Snowball to learn it, too.”

  The sparkle in his eyes caught KodyAnne’s attention as she mounted Pistol. “How often can we ride out here, do you think?”

  He grinned with a shrug. “Hard to tell if you’re going to be working daylight to dark at that diner and boardinghouse. What are they used to?”

  “Three or four times a week, I guess.” She patted her horse’s neck. “But the sheriff isn’t going to like me going for rides, is he? Besides, he’s keeping Pistol in jail.”

  “Not anymore.” Michael turned away and mounted Fireball. “You ladies ready to go?”

  “Wait.” KodyAnne called out when he acted like he was about to take off. “You better explain what you mean by that. Why isn’t Pistol in jail anymore? And if not, where will he be?”

  Michael grinned. “Right here, of course. Fireball needs the company, and I’ve got plenty of room for three horses. You can come ride any time you want as long as you let me know ahead of time.”

  ~*~

  Michael watched emotions chase across KodyAnne’s face. Looked like she didn’t know whether to be indignant or grateful. He chuckled when she cleared her face of expression and gave a brisk nod.

  She lifted her chin. “Well, that’s an improvement from his earlier attitude.”

  “How about you coming to dinner with the sheriff and me?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Michael figured he’d messed up.

  He wanted KodyAnne to go with him. Not as a ward of the county, but as his future wife. He’d fallen in with her father’s request for him to marry her because he wanted to take care of her. But in the short time since the idea had been planted in his brain, his wants had changed. He still wanted to take care of her, but more than that, he wanted her. As his wife, working in the church beside him, meeting him at the door when he came home from a drawn-out vigil with one of the members of their church. It seemed right for them.

  KodyAnne looked at him as if he’d sprouted a horn. “Why would I want to eat with the sheriff? I’m trying real hard to forgive him for what he did, but I don’t think that means I have to socialize with him.”

  “Are you coming?” Charlotte had ridden ahead and stopped while they talked. She turned in the saddle and looked toward them.

  “Yes, we’re coming.” KodyAnne urged her horse forward.

  “I didn’t mean that.” Michael held Fireball back from running. He needed to get this settled before he lost the chance. “I want you to go to dinner with me. The sheriff will be with his fiancée. You know Mary Sue Taylor from The Emporium. He asked her to marry him and she said yes. She’s fixing dinner for us at her place.”

  “I like her. Why would she marry the sheriff?” KodyAnne caught up with Charlotte, and they nudged their horses into a run while he sat watching.

  How was he supposed to answer if she ran off and left him? Not that she could for long. Fireball could outdistance Pistol without half trying. He let Fireball catch up then slowed him to keep pace with the other two horses. “KodyAnne, I want you to go to dinner with me Friday evening. Will you, please?”

  The wide smile she turned on him melted his heart and left him wanting more than a dinner date. If only their first wedding had been legal, then she wouldn’t be fighting him on the idea of marriage now. Of course, that didn’t make sense, but not much did anymore.

  “I’d love to, Mike. I’d rather not include the sheriff, though. Maybe when he stops trying to arrest my brother, I’ll work on forgiving him. I know I need to, so if you want to pray for me about this, I’d appreciate it.” She leaned forward and patted Pistol’s neck. “Let’s enjoy the ride now. When you tell him I won’t be joining your dinner, be sure to thank him for letting Pistol and me have a ride.”

  KodyAnne took off, leaving her rejection floating back in his face. Frustration mounted within Michael’s chest until he felt he might explode. How was he supposed to marry a girl who wouldn’t even go out to eat with him? Take care of her and hers. As if he could. KodyAnne and Charlotte raced across the pasture ahead of him while Fireball stretched for the freedom to catch them. Might as well let him. There wasn’t much else he could do.

  ~*~

  “How’s your first day going so far?” Melanie stirred the beef stew simmering on the range and turned, raising her eyebrows.

  KodyAnne flashed a smile toward her boss and carefully positioned two bowls of the stew on her tray. “Got a couple of handsome cowboys wanting to fill their bellies with your good cooking. At least, that’s what they said. Come on out, and I’ll introduce you. I’m guessing you could have your pick between the two.”

  Melanie snorted. “That sounds like Hank and Joe. No thanks. You take your pick and let the other one go.” She laughed. “On second thought, let ’em both go. You’ll be glad you did.”

  KodyAnne laughed and twirled toward the dining room. “Sounds like good advice.”

  At the table, she set out their food and drinks then turned as the bell above the door jingled.

  “Hi.” Beth, the other waitress entered and called out a greeting as she headed to the back for her apron.

  KodyAnne took orders from another table then carried them to the back.

  Melanie stopped her before she had the plates filled. “I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’ve run out of sugar, and I wanted to make sugar cookies. Would you mind running across the street to get a bag? I have an account there so it shouldn’t take long. Now that Beth’s here, she can take care of our customers until you get back.”

  “I wouldn’t mind at all.” KodyAnne untied her apron and hung it up. “I’ll hurry.”

  Melanie waved her spatula through the air. “No real big rush. We aren’t that busy yet. The crowd won’t hit for another half hour at least. Thanks.”

  KodyAnne waved over her shoulder as she headed toward the front door. She stepped outside and looked across the street at the emporium. A lone wagon stood near the boardwalk and a couple of women walked past without going in. The place didn’t look too busy. She stepped into the street and waited for a farm wagon to rumble past then set a brisk pace toward the store. The mid-day sun warmed her until she stepped beneath the awning that shaded Mary Sue’s large front display window.

  She pushed the door open, setting off a cowbell attached to the handle. It swung against the wooden door with a clang. She paused when three women looked up, their eyes wide and curious. Instead of a hat, one had a feather in her hair. Her bodice was sleeveless with straps no wider than a couple of inches. Did she have on only a shift?

  KodyAnne didn’t mean to stare, but Mary Sue shouldn’t allow women to try on clothing in plain view of anyone who might walk into the store. She averted her gaze as a memory took shape. When Mike hid her in the brothel in New York, she occasionally saw the girls who worked there. That’s what these women were. They weren’t trying on clothing. They must be from that house on the other side of the pond. Where was Mary Sue?

  “Kody, is that you?” A girl stepped around the display of ready-made clothing that separated her from the other women.

  Something about her seemed familiar. Had they met before? “I’m KodyAnne Delmont.”

  The girl’s smile brightened her entire face. “I thought it was you. I guess you don’t remember me. I’m Samantha Clore. We met—” She glanced behind her and her voice dropped. “At the willow tree with Tyler.”

  Of course. No wonder she seemed familiar. KodyAnne’s heart lurched. “Is he all right? Have you seen him?”

  “Ty?” The girl nodded. “He’s fine. I see him once in a while when he comes out.”

  KodyAnne glanced toward the other two women. They were turned away now, but even their loose hairstyles advertised their profession. Mary Sue talked with them, gathering the things they asked for.

  Samantha’s blue calico dress was worn, but clean
and decent. Her blond hair was neatly pinned in a braided coil at the back of her neck. Had she been with those women? “Ty comes out where? Where do you live?”

  Samantha’s gaze shifted as she took a deep breath. “You may as well know. I live with my aunt at the house near the tree. I don’t— I’m not— Well, you know.”

  It didn’t take a lot of insight to see that Samantha didn’t want to say where she lived. KodyAnne nodded. “I know my brother. He wouldn’t take up with just anyone, so I figured you were pretty special. If you’re not one of them,” She inclined her head toward the other women who’d moved toward the back of the store. “What do you do at the . . . at that house?”

  The air rushed from Samantha. “I cook and clean and run errands. That’s all. My aunt runs the place and before Mama passed, she promised she wouldn’t let me do anything else, as if I would. I’ve been there about six months now, and I always go to my room on the third floor when the men start coming. Ty knows about it. He doesn’t like for me to be there, but there’s nothing else I can do.”

  She sighed. “He offered me a job in his furniture store, only that won’t happen anytime soon.”

  “KodyAnne, I didn’t see you hiding over here.” Mary Sue appeared behind Samantha. “What can I do for you?”

  “I need a bag of sugar for the diner.” KodyAnne’s heart raced. Maybe she shouldn’t be talking to Samantha. If Mary Sue found out how they’d met, she might tell the sheriff then he’d know she met with Tyler. When had her life become so complicated?

  The clang of the cowbell announced another customer. KodyAnne stepped back and looked toward the door.

  Michael filled the opening before he pushed the door closed. His gaze settled on her as his lips lifted at the corners. “Well, look who’s neglecting her duties across the street. What are you doing here?”

  “I’ll get that sugar for you, KodyAnne, and put it on the diner’s account.” Mary Sue spoke over her shoulder as she hurried away. “She’s on diner business. Don’t be giving her a hard time.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” Michael called after her. He turned back to KodyAnne and gave Samantha a nod.

  “Mike, this is Samantha Clore. She’s a . . . friend of mine.” Maybe Mike wouldn’t notice her hesitation, but she hadn’t lied. Samantha was her friend now. Tyler cared for her, and that was good enough. “Samantha, this is Reverend Michael Wellington, pastor of Willow Springs Community Church. I’m sure he’d love to welcome you to the services on Sunday.”

  “You’d be more than welcome.” Michael turned his smile on Samantha. “I hope to see you there.”

  “KodyAnne, here’s your sugar.” Mary Sue handed her a bag.

  “Oh, thanks. I’ve got to get back before Melanie thinks I got lost.” KodyAnne took the sugar and started for the door. “Samantha, give—you know—my love.”

  “I’ll walk you back.” Michael leaned ahead of her and opened the door. He waited for her then followed her outside. “So who’s ‘you know?’”

  KodyAnne stepped into the street, glad no one was coming for once. “If you promise not to tell the sheriff, I’ll tell you.”

  “That sounds serious.”

  “Come on, Mike. It’s my brother.”

  “Okay, I won’t tell since, as far as I know, he isn’t looking for him, anyway.” Michael took the bag from her. “Here, let me carry that. What’s Miss Clore have to do with your brother?”

  “They’re good friends.”

  “Ah. I’ve never seen her in town before. I assume she lives near here?”

  KodyAnne took Michael’s arm as they stepped on the boardwalk in front of the diner. “Yes, out at the brothel.”

  The muscles in his arm bunched under her hand. He stopped and stared at her. “The what?”

  Oh, why hadn’t she thought before she spoke? The first ten years of his life was spent in a brothel, and he hated it. She frowned. But that was a long time ago. He couldn’t hold his past against Samantha.

  “She’s a—” His beautiful blue eyes darkened as his brow lowered. “You were talking to her. You invited her to church.”

  “So did you.” KodyAnne released his arm and stepped back. “I need to get this sugar to Melanie. Maybe you better go read a few verses from your Bible on forgiveness in case Samantha comes to church. Your mother did you wrong, but you can’t carry a grudge against her the rest of your life. Samantha doesn’t have a choice where she lives right now, and she isn’t a fallen woman.”

  She left him staring after her as she swept into the diner.

  ~*~

  The sheriff held the door to the diner for Mary Sue Taylor. KodyAnne’s stomach knotted same as it did every time she saw that man. Guess Michael wasn’t the only one who needed to forgive someone. She had to pray about her feelings toward the sheriff. Papa wouldn’t want her holding a grudge, not even against the man who killed him. But had he really? If Papa was dying already, maybe the sheriff’s bullet only hurried his death. She didn’t want to think about it right now.

  She forced a smile then directed it toward Mary Sue so it looked more natural. “How are you doing? Find a seat and I’ll be right there.”

  Without waiting for either of them to answer, she swung away and hurried across the diner to set her tray down and fill a couple of glasses of water. As she turned around, she almost bumped into Mary Sue. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were there.”

  Mary Sue laughed. “I guess I snuck up on you. Not your fault at all, and I apologize. I wanted to catch you where we could talk just a moment.”

  “Oh?” KodyAnne raised her eyebrows. She didn’t know Mary Sue very well, but she liked her fine. “Anything important?”

  “Not really.” The other woman looked into KodyAnne’s eyes. “I had a talk with the preacher and wanted to extend my invitation for you to come to dinner with us Friday night.”

  She glanced around the diner. “My place isn’t this large and the food might not be as good. In fact, you could call my apartment over the store cozy and noisy sometimes.” She grinned. “I guess this isn’t much of a recommendation, but my children will be there, too.”

  KodyAnne couldn’t keep from smiling. “Your children wouldn’t keep me away.”

  Mary Sue’s eyes narrowed. “But the sheriff could?”

  “I’m an outlaw. Ask him if you don’t believe me.” KodyAnne picked up the two glasses. “I’m sure the sheriff wouldn’t want to associate with the likes of me, not even in the company of the preacher.”

  Mary Sue held up her hand. “I’m not done here. I’m inviting you to come to my home for dinner. I want you there. I guarantee Pastor Wellington wants you there. I happen to know Clint does not consider you an outlaw. He’s only doing his job in asking you to stay close by until the U.S. Marshal can get here. He wants you to come to dinner, too, for Michael.”

  KodyAnne stared into Mary Sue’s eyes and finally spoke. “If my brother sets foot in this town, your sheriff has threatened to arrest him. If my brother, who has never in his life taken a single thing that didn’t belong to him, is an outlaw, then I certainly am.”

  “If I thought you were an outlaw, ma’am, I’d have you behind bars now.” The deep voice brought KodyAnne’s gaze beyond Mary Sue to the sheriff. “I’m seconding Mary Sue’s invitation. I hope you’ll come.”

  Michael stood beside his friend. His soft smile made her feel loved and accepted. Of course, Mike loved her. He always had. She’d never doubted for a moment his feelings toward her. She stood, holding two glasses of water while three pairs of eyes pleaded with her. She giggled when the bell above the front door rang again.

  “If you people don’t go back and sit down so I can do my job, Melanie will fire me.” She met Michael’s gaze. “Will you be eating with your friends?”

  Mary Sue and the sheriff went back to their table. Michael fell into step with KodyAnne. “So you’ll come Friday night, right?”

  He grinned, and her heart flipped. She sighed. “Oh, all right, sin
ce you’ve gone to so much trouble to talk me into it.”

  “Great!” Michael’s grin widened. “I’ll be by at six thirty to escort you.”

  Hmm, he seemed much happier than last time she’d seen him. She glanced at the sheriff holding the chair for Mary Sue and a pang of guilt struck. I’m sorry, Lord. Please help me to forgive him.

  ~*~

  “How do I look?” KodyAnne twirled in front of her sister. “I’ve got to get downstairs before Mike comes. Mrs. Clemmons would have a fit if she had to climb the stairs just to tell me he’s here.”

  Charlotte giggled. “You are so right. She would.”

  “So how about it? Is everything in place?” KodyAnne made another slow pivot.

  “You’re fine. You always look great anyway, even in black. I wish I had a fellow coming to take me out.” Charlotte looked so wistful, KodyAnne gave her a second look.

  “What are you talking about? You’re only fifteen. That’s too young to be thinking about courtship, which of course, is not what I’m doing, anyway.” She looked in the mirror for one last check. “Mike is just taking me from some sense of duty to Papa.”

  She adjusted the hat-like bonnet atop her hair and tucked the black netting deeper into the brim. She might be in mourning, but she refused to cover her face. Papa would scoff at her and Charlotte even wearing black, but she didn’t want anyone in Willow Springs to think they were disrespectful outlaws who didn’t know how to behave. In some social circles even going to a friend’s to eat might be frowned upon, but Mary Sue didn’t seem to think anything about it. Neither did Mike. In fact, they’d almost begged her to go. She smiled and turned from the mirror.

  “Well, I’m off. Will you be all right while I’m gone?”

  Charlotte sank to the bed and pulled a book out from under her pillow. “I’ll be fine. I’m going to read.”

  “Another dime novel?”

  Charlotte grinned. “What else is there to read?”

  “Your Bible, maybe?”

  “Oh, I will later.” Charlotte rolled over on her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows. “Be sure to pull the door closed on your way out. Be quiet when you come in because I may go to sleep early. Mrs. Clemmons thinks morning starts before the sun comes up.”