Romance: My First Time With The Tycoon

by Ally Nelson

  "What is this?" she asked, her face slack with fear. The rattle of the preacher’s rig grew louder and louder till it came to a halt. The preacher parked the rig out front. Galen came around behind her. He gripped her beneath her armpits and encouraged her to stand. Addie locked her legs but Galen scooted her out the door, in front of their house, to her place beside him in front of the preacher.

  "This here's a wedding," said Galen answered finally.

  Emory framed her in. Between two big brawny men there was no escaping. Addie shook her head.

  "Oh yes. You're going through with this ceremony. You're taking your medicine," said Galen.

  Addie resisted.

  "Do I need to turn you over to the magistrate?" scolded Galen.

  Addie's lip trembled but she remained silent.

  "Then behave," said Galen.

  Pictures of the moments she shared with Galen played through her mind like a salve to her broken heart. She felt she had fallen in love with him at the height of their passion. It was a bitter pill to swallow indeed to know that such tender exchanges could be made so callously. Galen was playing her. Sort of like the promises she made to Emory Calhoun without a second thought.

  “What’s my name going to be?” she whispered.

  “Calhoun,” he said with a scolding glare.

  Addie decided that no matter her fate, she was going to take her vows to heart. If it made her right with God, she would not take her vows in vain. It was bothersome that the magistrate was shackled just off to the side of the ceremony venue. He and Addie looked one another in the eye a few times.

  With a few words and promises, Addie Filcher was a married woman. Every other waking thought was a prayer. As soon as the brief ceremony was through and Emory loaded the magistrate into the preacher’s rig, Addie gripped Galen’s rock hard arm and begged him for mercy.

  “If you take him back to town, they’ll hang me. Please at least let me tell you what happened,” she said.

  Galen mulled it for a moment.

  “Emory gets to hear. He has a right to listen to this,” said Galen.

  “Fine by me,” she said.

  “Hey preacher,” Galen called. “Hold up. We need an impartial witness.”

  Then he looked to the magistrate. “You run off on me while I have words with the preacher, I will skin you alive.”

  The magistrate’s eyes flared with fear.

  Emory, Galen and Addie sat at the meal table. The preacher leaned in the doorway, a pistol on the magistrate in case Galen’s threat did not hold. Addie folded her hands, gathering her thoughts.

  “My father disappeared for a week. We had a little bit of farmland left just on the edge of the city proper. Just enough for a cow, chickens, pigs. Daddy was all the time getting offers on it. He had no intentions of selling. Anyhow, he disappeared. The next thing I know this man - the magistrate -- shows up at my door, explaining how daddy was strung up by a group of angry people -- “

  Emotion broke her words. She drew a deep breath and continued.

  “Said daddy sold the farm twice,” said Addie.

  “Runs in the family,” Galen said acidly.

  “So he showed me papers saying I had to pay back one of the buyers and vacate the property so the rightful owner could take possession,” said Addie.

  “Mrs. Calhoun,” said the preacher. “You ever attend a formal proceeding? Were you ever arrested or meet these people who your father allegedly swindled?”

  Addie searched. “No sir. I just only met the magistrate He said I had to come up with the money or they would hang me too,” she wept. “I had to do something.”

  Galen and Emory and the preacher made the same face as though struck by the same thought. The brothers’ jaws popped and flexed intensely with a new fury.

  “Are you going to kick his ass or am I?” growled Galen.

  Both brothers rushed the door. The preacher blocked them.

  “Now boys, you don’t want to be doing something foolish. Don’t want to be leaving this poor creature bereft of the only family she has now, do you?” counseled the preacher.

  “I don’t understand!” cried Addie. “Will someone please explain to me?”

  “Mrs. Calhoun,” said the preacher. “You were swindled. There was no double buyer or likely even a buyer for the farm.”

  Addie brightened. “Then daddy –.”

  The men shook their heads.

  Emory charged. He said more in the next sentence than Addie heard the entire time she had arrived. He flew into a rage.

  “You son of a bitch! I’m going to knock the living stuffing out of you!” he shouted.

  “Now wait a minute!” protested the magistrate. “I didn’t figure on her going and being so stupid.”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what you figured on,” said the preacher.

  Addie staggered. Had her father been murdered for his prime real estate? Had she really been swindled? How could she be so dumb and not see the game? And then to flee thinking she was getting away from it all only to have been duped again.

  “What you think preacher, think we should run his likeness by the sheriff and see if he’s wanted for something?” asked Emory.

  “Might be reward money in it,” said the preacher coolly.

  “How much did you take off of my wife?” asked Galen.

  “I took no money,” insisted the magistrate.

  “Try that again. How much?” growled Galen.

  “I am a magistrate,” insisted the magistrate. “I am legitimate.”

  “How the law can come after her for someone’s alleged crime? You ever see a body, Addie? Go to a burying?” asked Galen.

  “They took care of all of that,” she said, her heart breaking just thinking about it.

  The pain made her crumple where she sat. Galen braced a powerful arm around her.

  “It’s not any kind of a weddin’ day to have us go back in town but I don’t think the preacher here should be left to fend against him by himself,” said Galen. “What’s say we drop him off at the jail and stay the night in Great Falls. Might be a nice place for a honeymoon.”

  It was the first time since he was angry with her that he looked in her in the eye, gently. Vivid memories of him above her in their bed, flooded her mind’s eye. Her face was hot in an instant. Galen’s eyes twinkled. Once again, Emory could not look at her.

  Emory. He had sent such tender letters and she in response. It was an ugly but necessary game she played or so she thought to save her hide. If had been another place and time, Addie might have been married to him instead of Galen. But Galen had her heart. She was in love with him and there was no turning back.

  Though she had genuine feelings for both men, there was one thing for certain. If this magistrate turned out to be con, Addie vowed she would kill him. No matter what Galen told her to do, if he told her to wait outside while he talked to the authorities, she would disobey. She was going to hear for herself what kind of man had her so afraid. And took her father from her.

  “I can ride in with preacher,” said Emory.

  “No, no,” insisted Addie. “We can ride together. I like the idea of staying the night in town.”

  She cozied up to Galen, leaning against his mountain hard form.

  “No sense in you being burdened by my stupidity any further,” said Addie. “This is my mess. If I hadn’t been so dumb—.”

  She choked.

  “You’re a woman,” said Emory. “You should have had someone protecting you.”

  He kicked the ground and stomped off. The magistrate laughed. He was reveling in the drama caused by trying to avoid him all this time.

  “Did I interrupt a love triangle?” he asked.

  The preacher drew back his boot and kicked him hard.

  “Ow!” complained the magistrate. “You call yourself a man of God?”

  “You call yourself a man of the law?” retorted the preacher. “Let’s get while the getting is good. We ought to be there in time for y
ou all to settle in nicely for the evening.”

  They took two rigs into town. Galen and Emory quick made sure that all the animals were watered and fed even though they did so, on a daily basis. The plan was to be back after breakfast in the morning.

  Chapter Five

  Galen sandwiched Addie in between Emory and him. It was the darnedest thing that Emory made her feel the same way that Galen made her feel. She felt all wishy washy inside. And she had thoughts of laying down on the bed for him as well.

  It was just because she was worked up, she told herself. She was not in her right mind because of the news of her dad, she said. But sitting next to Emory gave her tingles. Tingles so comforting and pleasurable that made her eyes close tight and drift a little.

  The bumps of the rig didn’t help at all. With her body humming and knowing what she now knew about what exactly went on between a man and a woman, having her body jolted in a similar way that Galen slammed into her the night before, did not calm her any.

  The buzz of the Black Eagle Falls was now not a bothersome thing. They were alluring. Captivating. Addie liked them this time as their sound got the strongest.

  “The falls are right there, Galen. He’s not from here. Who’s to say he didn’t have himself a little greenhorn accident?” said Emory.

  Galen’s shoulder shook with laughter.

  “You mean dump him? No. I want to see what he’s done with the money and who has the farm. I want those things back.”

  Addie straightened up. It never occurred to her that she might get those things back.

  “You mean it?” she asked her husband with wonder in her eye.

  “Don’t doubt it,” he said to her sure. “You be straight with me and I will return the favor. You understand me?”

  “Yes Galen I do,” she said.

  Chapter Six

  All the way out to the sheriff’s, the magistrate bargained. He did everything but offer Addie her money back. Galen didn’t budge. Finally, Emory ordered him to shut up.

  “I’m just saying,” said the magistrate. “If you take me to the sheriff and they decide I am a crook and they hang me, you’ll never find Addie’s father and there goes any chance of Addie getting her money back.”

  The preacher shook his head.

  “Don’t listen to him, boys,” said the preacher. “He is the devil.”

  “Are you even a magistrate?” asked Galen.

  “You’re running the risk of your wife going to jail, you know that don’t you?” said the magistrate. “It could go either way.”

  “The devil,” said the preacher.

  When they arrived in town, to the sheriff’s office and laid out the story, the sheriff had another proposition. He suggested he send a wire to Chicago to learn everything there was to learn about the situation from the Chicago police. In the meantime, the sheriff could only charge the magistrate with trespassing and rustling if the brothers wanted to prefer charges.

  “Can you ask about Addie’s father?” inquired Emory. “See if there is any record of his double dealing and getting hung?”

  “If they authorities hung him --” began the sheriff.

  But Addie’s shook her head and interrupted him.

  “It wasn’t a legal hanging. He was lynched,” Addie barely managed to say.

  “Ah, extra judiciously,” said sheriff. “Well if they are on their game, the authorities will know about that as well.”

  “If there are people residing in the farm have any claim? You know like squatters?” asked Emory.

  “Don't worry Emory,” said the sheriff. “We'll sort it out. Let me send this wire and see what's what. Go enjoy your weddin' day."

  "It's not my wedding day," growled Emory.

  Addie shrank. For the first real time, she felt truly horrible about how she played with Emory's feelings. It actually confused her she cared that much. Even though Galen himself was toying with her when he held her the night before. She only had to close her eyes and feeling lingering effects of his magic.

  Chapter Seven

  Many things were out in the open and that changed how it was between all concerned. The three invited the preacher for a drink at the restaurant at the inn where they were to stay.

  “You all enjoy your meal,” said the preacher. “I best be getting off.”

  “You won’t have dinner with us?” asked Galen.

  “No I have a fine meal waiting for me at home. The missus is expecting me,” he said.

  He tipped a phantom hat and left.

  The town of Great Falls was boisterous and lively but it was not Chicago. The party was seated at a dinner table and Galen ordered a bottle. The first round was to the marriage of Galen and Addie.

  It had been such a long twenty-four hours since Addie arrived. In that time she fell in love with a man and lay with him. Now she wasn’t so sure if she hadn’t fell out of love with him and in love with his brother, whom she had feelings for first.

  “You think they’ll find something out?” asked Emory. “Wouldn’t that be something if they did? You and Addie might be the proud owners of a Chicago farm.”

  Galen laughed. “Now that would be something. Not sure what we would do with it.”

  Addie’s insides twisted. She could go home was her first thought. She must have had a sullen look on her face for her husband touched her arm.

  “You okay darlin’?” he asked tenderly.

  She knocked her drink back in a very un-lady-like fashion.

  “I think it’s been a day,” she said forcing a smile. “And there’s still daylight left.”

  “Ah don’t be forlorn,” said Galen assuringly.

  “Probably need to get some food in her,” said Emory.

  “In all of us,” said Galen. “Let’s have our dinner.”

  “I am fine,” she replied. “Kind of anxious to get out of these clothes.”

  Galen and Emory blinked. And when the full weight of Addie’s remark hit her, she blushed from head to toe. Emory asked for waters all the way around. They ordered steaks with mashed potatoes. After Addie ate a dinner roll and had some water, she felt worlds better. Good enough to have a glass of wine with her wedding meal.

  They were finished with the main portion of their meal, about to split a piece of cake when the sheriff himself found them. His face was pleasantly animated. The sheriff’s interruption was a welcomed one.

  “Mrs. Calhoun,” he said. “The authorities have been looking for you.”

  Addie nearly fainted. She didn’t wait to hear what the sheriff had to say. She already knew it. The magistrate had been right. He had been lawfully pursuing her and she was going to be taken into custody.

  “The Chicago police have been hunting down this ‘magistrate’ fellow but he has eluded custody. They are tracking down your deed and your father though on his score, I am sad to say, may not have good news. But what I come to tell you is you are now the proud recipient for the reward for apprehending this man.”

  “Who knows, once the house is vacated, with this reward, you’ll be sitting pretty,” said the sheriff.

  “She’s sitting pretty enough,” said Galen. “Thank you sheriff. Keep us posted.”

  That was it for dinner. The three headed up to their rooms. Galen invited Emory into their room. He poured everyone one last drink.

  “You must admit, odd as this tale is, it has a happy ending,” said Galen.

  There was a knock on the door. It was the sheriff again.

  “I am so sorry to interrupt but I forgot, I need Addie to sign for the reward money. That part we do resolve right away,” said the sheriff.

  “I’ll go,” said Galen. “I’m her husband. She’ll conduct all her business through me.”

  “Very well,” said the sheriff.

  “I’ll be right back,” said Galen.

  “It will take an hour all together,” said the sheriff. “But it is five thousand dollars.”

  “I guess I can’t complain,” said Galen. “It isn’t ev
ery day a man gets married and has his wife come into found money.”

  Chapter Eight

  It was awkward and a little bit dangerous for Galen to leave Addie along with Emory. If things had been different, it might very well be Addie and Emory married. She was smoldering in her church clothes though. She was dying to change into a softer dress. There was a dressing screen in the room. Addie avoided the awkward silence by busying herself.

  “I’m switching out of my wedding clothes. Excuse me,” she said.

  “You can’t even look at me can you?” he said finally.

  Emory took hold of her wrist, not brutally. There was a kind of pleading to it.

  “Can I tell you how sorry I am about everything?” she said in a rush.

  An unexpected wave of emotion burst forth. Addie was quickly wiping her nose and her eyes.

  “Stop,” he said softly. “I can’t stand to see a woman cry.”

  He put his arm around her. Their contact was tantalizing. Both Calhoun men had a similar effect on her. They sent rushes through her that made her crave them. Whether it was the mountain-crossing nature of the last few weeks and months – the last day -- Addie wanted to lose herself in his arms. She needed comfort.

  “I should get dressed,” she said finally after enjoying the pleasure of his arms.

  “You are dressed,” he remarked gently.

  “Then I should get undressed,” she said looking straight into his eyes.

  Addie felt like a siren; a temptress. She had virtually no experience and yet she was playing the part of a seductress. She wanted this man. And he wanted her back.

  Emory took her face in his hands and kissed her. Though she had only kissed his brother, it was the most impetuous, passionate kiss Addie could imagine. His lips were so soft and warm and gentle. They had a gentleness that Galen’s did not. He kissed her like she belonged to him.

  His tongue mated with hers. He penetrated her and tasted all there was to taste. His breath was so sweet and fresh. It tasted of the whisky they just shared. He cupped the back of her head to push her closer to him. So that they could devour one another.