The Runaway Bride

by Noelle Marchand

  He watched her carefully. “Do you always talk out of your head in the morning?”

  “No, I usually try to talk out of my mouth. However, today there are extenuating circumstances.” A quick glance at Sean’s nearly smiling lips reminded her of why she’d dictated that letter in the first place. “What are people going to think when we show up without a chaperone?”

  His green eyes flickered warily. “Hopefully nothing, but the less time we’re alone in the wilderness, the better. It’s time to pick up the pace.”

  Chapter Three

  Lorelei paced in front of the Western Union office as she waited for a response to the telegram she’d sent her father. The anticipation she felt knowing she would soon hear from her family confirmed she’d made the right decision about going back to Peppin. Just the thought of seeing her home again suddenly made her so excited she couldn’t get herself to sit down. Then again, she’d been sitting down—or rather, sitting up, on the back of a horse—for three days, and she wasn’t about to do it again if she could help it.

  For the past few minutes, she’d been testing out different walks. Originally, her purpose had simply been to stretch her legs. To her fascination, she’d discovered that it didn’t matter how many different ways she walked past Sean. He simply would not look up from that piece of wood he’d been shaving with his pocketknife for the past half hour.

  She literally waltzed by his bench. He still didn’t notice, but a little girl with beribboned braids stopped to watch. Lorelei winked at her before the child’s mother urged her on. The girl looked over her shoulder and beamed, causing Lorelei to do the same. Sean’s horse neighed a welcome when she danced toward his hitching post. “Hello, Jericho. You know, you’re much friendlier than your owner.”

  “Lorelei.” She jumped at the sound of Sean’s voice and turned to see him gesture to the seat beside him on the bench. She reluctantly sat down. He handed her the piece of wood and tucked his knife back in his pocket. “I made this for you.”

  A miniature replica of her stolen valise sat in her hands complete with tiny handles and a floral pattern. She stared at it blankly, then realized he expected a response. “This is nice.”

  “Thanks.” He leaned back on the bench and covered his face with his Stetson.

  She looked at it for another minute, then turned toward him to sharply ask, “Why would you do something this nice?”

  “I was bored.”

  “You should be bored more often,” she suggested.

  He pushed his hat up slightly to meet her gaze. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

  “Oh, I won’t. I hate you. You hate me. Isn’t that how this story goes?”

  He turned to level her with his sincere green eyes. “I don’t hate you.”

  She stared back at him. She believed him. In fact, she’d known it all along. It was just nice to hear him say it. For a moment she saw all the things that had once made her fall in love with him. She allowed a hint of a smile to reach her lips.

  She could almost imagine that he began to lean toward her. The Western Union operator interrupted the tenuous moment by finally calling her into the building. She immediately stood. Sean trailed after her because apparently that’s what he did.

  “Miss, your father sent the money with a message and special instructions.”

  “What was the message?”

  “I love you and am glad you’re safe,” he read in a nearly monotone voice.

  “Thanks, but I hardly know you,” she replied calmly. The man looked up sharply and frowned. Sean turned away with a sudden coughing fit. She smiled weakly. “That was just a little joke.”

  Sean stepped up beside her again to ask, “What were the instructions?”

  “I am to place all of the money in your care, sir. You are instructed to take care of Miss Wilkins’s needs and your own from these funds. You are not to let the young lady run off under any circumstances.”

  “Papa, you didn’t,” she moaned.

  The man surveyed her shrewdly. “He obviously doesn’t trust you with the money, Miss Wilkins.”

  “Smart papa,” Sean added with a smile.

  She frowned at them both. “Now y’all are just rubbing it in. Sean, get the money from the man and let’s get on with this.”

  “What now?” Sean asked once they left the building.

  “We both need a change of clothes, food, a room at the boardinghouse and a train ticket for tomorrow.”

  * * *

  Sean realized things had gone too far the moment the words you hate me came out of Lorelei’s mouth. He’d nearly gotten the picture when she’d questioned why he was being nice, but it wasn’t until later that the extent of their poor treatment of each other hit home. He wasn’t perfect, but he held himself and others to a very high standard of behavior. Lorelei had failed that standard when she’d inexplicably walked away from their almost romance two years ago and again when she’d impetuously run from the altar and his best friend.

  He did have legitimate reasons to dislike her, but hate seemed like such an unchristian word. If he’d learned anything by spending countless hours with the woman, it was that she possessed redeeming qualities. She had a funny sense of humor, she hardly ever complained and she didn’t fall apart under pressure. He shouldn’t discount those things entirely—but neither should he let them skew his view of her completely. Maybe there was a balance. The trouble was that he wasn’t sure how to find it.

  “Where is everyone?” Lorelei murmured as they waited at the front of the boardinghouse she’d visited before.

  Sean glanced around, then spotted the bell on the counter and rang it loudly.

  “Mrs. Drake,” Lorelei exclaimed as the widow exited the kitchen.

  The woman smiled as she glided toward them. “My dear Miss Wilkins, it’s good to see you again. I guess you’ve given up your desire to see your great-aunt in California.”

  “Yes. I’ll be catching the morning train back home.” Lorelei gestured to him. “I think you’ve met Mr. O’Brien.”

  He nodded respectfully. “Mrs. Drake.”

  “We were hoping we might be able to stay here tonight.”

  “Certainly.” Mrs. Drake turned to survey her keys. “I assume someone else will be joining you.”

  Sean tried to act as if he wasn’t nervous. “No, ma’am. We’ll just take two rooms, please.”

  “Do you mean that the two of you have been traveling alone?” Mrs. Drake’s perplexed look changed to concern. “And for days, by the looks of you. I don’t understand how Pastor and Mrs. Brightly would allow such a thing.”

  “We had a chaperone,” Lorelei offered.

  Mrs. Drake frowned. “I’d like to talk to her then. She needs to accompany you all the way home, not just part of the way.”

  “That isn’t possible, ma’am.” He decided to state the facts honestly and very calmly. “The woman who accompanied us from the Brightlys’ camp ran off with all our money.”

  The woman was quiet for a long moment, then her gaze trailed to the package of new clothing he’d stacked on the counter. Before he could try to explain, her eyes lifted to his again. They boasted a hint of suspicion. “Let me guess. You were sleeping, and you didn’t even feel this woman pick your pocket, isn’t that right?”

  Sean stared at her in amazement. “How could you possibly know that?”

  “I’ve just heard that story somewhere before.” The woman transferred her gaze to Lorelei. “Dear, I think you’d at least use a little originality.”

  Lorelei leaned forward earnestly. “Oh, but it’s true this time, too.”

  “So the parcels in your hand just suddenly appeared?”

  “My father wired us money.”

  “I see.” The woman crossed her arms. “What did he have to say about your predicament?”

  “I didn’t tell him.” Lorelei admitted quietly.

  Her eyebrows rose. “No, I guess you wouldn’t.”

  Sean felt it was time for him to ste
p in. “Now, hold on. We aren’t making this up. The Brightlys saw her leave with us.”

  She nodded. “Yet, she isn’t here now. Do you remember where you left the Brightlys in case I write to them?”

  He named the settlement.

  Her eyes narrowed. “That’s a five-day journey. How long did you actually have this supposed chaperone?”

  He cleared his throat. “Really, Mrs. Drake, I appreciate your concern but I think this line of questioning is unnecessary. Chaperone or no chaperone, Miss Wilkins is under protective custody as per her father’s request. Now, are you going to rent us two rooms or should we take our business elsewhere?”

  The widow surveyed Sean skeptically for a moment. “Miss Wilkins, I’ll place you on the second floor. Sheriff, your room will be on the first floor. No gentlemen are allowed upstairs after dinner.”

  “Thank you,” Lorelei said.

  Mrs. Drake gave a tight nod, then sent Sean a warning look. “If either of you need anything tonight, remember that my room is directly across from the stairs.”

  He barely refrained from rolling his eyes but noticed Lorelei gave Mrs. Drake a reassuring smile. He took his key, picked up Lorelei’s packages and helped her find her room. As they walked up the stairs, he saw Lorelei bite her lip to keep from laughing. “You think this is funny, do you?”

  She allowed her smile to grow. “Actually, yes, it is rather amusing. You made it sound like I was your prisoner. And you really ought to stop acting as though I’m a runaway. I’m much too old to be considered anything but an adult taking a trip, despite what my father or anyone else might say.”

  He frowned as he followed her around the corner. “When I say ‘runaway’ I am not describing your legal status.”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Then what are you describing?”

  “Your recent pattern of behavior,” he said, then paused as she found her room and tried to unlock the door. “I still think you’re just waiting for the first possible moment to get away from me.”

  “I am, but my efforts aren’t doing any good. This door won’t open.” She turned the knob and banged her hip on the door, then winced. He planted his shoulder into the door and shoved. It groaned as it sprang open. She took her packages from him. “It was my decision to come back with you, remember? I’ve already told my father that I’m coming home. I won’t run away. I give you my word on that.”

  He leaned against the threshold. “I think we all know what that’s worth, don’t we?”

  It took her a moment to realize he was referring to her engagement with Lawson. When she did, pain flashed across her face. “How dare you? If you want to be mad at me because I left your best friend at the altar, then fine. Be mad, but you should really thank me for doing it.”

  He scoffed out a laugh. “Why would I thank you? You broke his heart.”

  She lifted a brow imperviously. “He didn’t tell you that.”

  “He didn’t have to. I saw the look on his face. He was stricken.”

  “He didn’t love me, Sean. I know. I asked him. To be honest, I didn’t love him the way I should have, either. That’s why I didn’t marry him.” She lifted her gaze to his. “He deserved better than a wife who isn’t in love with him. He deserved better than me. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  Yes, but it didn’t sound as wonderful as he thought it would. Not with that thread of pain running through the words and the self-deprecating tone in her voice. He met her gaze contritely. “I’m—”

  “Save it,” she bit out, then slammed the door in his face.

  Thankfully the hinge made it close slowly enough that he could jump out of the way. He stared at the thick barrier between them. It always seemed to be there, whether visible or not. If it broke down, he wasn’t sure how he’d handle it. It might not change anything, or it might change everything. He allowed his forehead to rest on the cool door for a moment. He couldn’t lie to himself. Sometimes he wondered what might have happened if he’d fought for her even a little instead of just surrendering to someone else’s claim. He’d never know. Maybe it was best that he didn’t.

  * * *

  Sean helped Lorelei down from the train and onto the platform. She was immediately hailed by her parents who pulled her into a long hug. When her father stepped away, Sean handed him Lorelei’s new traveling bag. The man gave a nod of appreciation but said nothing more. He seemed too moved at seeing his daughter to speak.

  Sean returned his nod. He hesitated for a moment, then went to see about his horse. Once Jericho was secured, he looked for the Wilkinses again. He spotted them walking away. He watched them go, wondering if Lorelei would turn to look at him or make any attempt to say goodbye. She didn’t.

  They’d both agreed not to lie if asked about the lack of a chaperone, but they weren’t going to shout Elmira’s deception from the rooftops, either. Lorelei had already told her parents they’d been robbed but hadn’t mentioned when or by whom. Sean hoped that by not telling anyone, the subject would become a nonissue. And if that was the case, then this whole convoluted adventure of chasing Lorelei across Texas, bringing her home in spite of all the obstacles, spending every hour in her maddening, exhilarating company would be over. Relegated to the past and forgotten—like it never happened at all.

  “What do you mean he hasn’t responded?” a man’s frustrated voice bellowed, snapping Sean out of his thoughts as he passed the telegraph office that was next door to the railroad station.

  Sean stopped to watch the rough-looking older man who stood outside the door. The telegrapher shrugged casually. “I mean what I said. The message was picked up, but no response was given. That’s all I know. Now, you can check again tomorrow if you like. Until then, I suggest you stop causing trouble and leave.”

  The man muttered a few unholy words, kicked the dust and walked away. Sean watched him carefully, then went inside to speak to the telegrapher. “Hello, Peter. What can you tell me about that man?”

  “He says his name is Alfred Calhoun. He’s been coming by every day for the last week. He sends telegraphs to a Frank Bentley down in Houston. They seem to be trying to coordinate a meeting of some kind. Near as I can tell, that Bentley fellow is coming here.”

  “I don’t guess there’s anything wrong with that.”

  “No. He’s an odd one, though. I don’t think he has a job. He seems to spend most of his time in the Red Canteen.”

  Sean nodded thoughtfully. “If you find out anything that concerns you or if you want me to help you handle him, just let me know.”

  “I will. I’ve been talking to Jeff about it and I’d planned to tell you when you got back in town. I’m glad you got to see the man in person.” Peter finally smiled. “You find that Wilkins girl all right?”

  “Yes, she’s back with her family now.”

  “Wish I’d been asked to rescue her.” Peter gave him a knowing smile.

  “I wish you had been, too,” he said with a parting grin. Peter was still laughing when the door closed behind Sean. He let out a sigh. All right, so that wasn’t entirely the truth, but it was better to discourage any implication like that before it had a chance to take the form of a rumor. He only hoped that would be enough. The last thing he needed was for people to start asking questions. He planned to let this little episode in his life fade into the obscurity of nothing more than a faint memory. That was for the best. Wasn’t it?

  Chapter Four

  Lorelei pushed the long strips of bacon around her plate with a fork, then glanced up at her parents. Her father sat across from her, hidden behind a copy of the Austin newspaper he’d managed to snag on his last trip to the city. Occasionally, his hand would slip from behind it in search of food. Her mother sat to her right unconcernedly drinking her morning tea as she planned out the day on a piece of notebook paper.

  The silence was broken by the crinkle of newspaper. Lorelei tensed as her father folded the paper and set it aside. She braced herself when his gaze met hers. His blue e
yes soon dropped to his coffee cup, which he carefully blew on before taking a long drink. She felt her shoulders relax. She lifted the bacon to her lips but could not force herself to eat it. She glanced up once more, feeling tempted to glare at her parents.

  It was horrible what they were doing. They hadn’t mentioned her running away once since she’d gotten home yesterday. At first, she’d assumed they merely wanted to give her time to rest after her journey. With breakfast nearly over and her father due at the bank in less than a half hour, there’d still been no mention of her actions. She knew that they were of such a magnitude that her parents couldn’t and wouldn’t leave the subject untouched. Why were they drawing it out? They must know the suspense was killing her.

  “Lorelei,” her mother began.

  Her head shot up, and she prepared herself for battle.

  Caroline smiled. “Would you pass me the salt, please?”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  “You’re welcome,” Lorelei replied quietly.

  Coffee cup drained, Richard stood. “Well, I suppose it’s time I get over to the bank.”

  She watched dumbfounded as her father gathered his dishes and placed them in the sink before returning to the table to kiss her mother goodbye. “Have a wonderful day, you two.”

  “Shall I send Lorelei with your lunch?”

  “That would be nice, if you don’t mind, Lorelei,” her father said, then leaned across the table to kiss Lorelei on the forehead. His beard and mustache tickled her skin in a familiar sensation.

  “I don’t mind.” Tears pricked her eyes as she watched him turn away and grab his hat. She blinked them away resolutely. He couldn’t leave without talking to her. Surely she deserved a lecture or something. She stood. “Papa, where are you going?”

  He turned with a perplexed look on his face. “I’m going to the bank.”

  She gave an exasperated sigh. “I know that. What I mean is…well, I know you two want to talk to me. I’d rather you just say what you need to say now rather than drag it out by waiting until later.”