by Etta Foster
Everything about him, from his well-muscled frame to his tidy and well-maintained beard, lent him a kind of wild charm that was hard to find among the stuffy upper class of Boston. She couldn’t believe she’d managed to be so lucky!
I can’t say that I don’t enjoy the way he looks at me. I would have hated to arrive only to have him find me disagreeable. After only having that drunkard Lucas show interest in me because he thought I would obey him no matter what, this is certainly a nice change of pace.
I need to be mindful that I barely know this man, and there will no doubt come a time when our relationship might be disagreeable. I hope he’s more like the main character of the dime novels Jessica used to tell me about than like Lucas. She said on her death bed that she hoped one day a dashing young man would come to sweep me off my feet and carry me off to live life together in the West. I guess her wish came true.
The sound of Gavin’s voice broke through her thoughts as he spoke to her, raising his voice just loud enough that it caused her attention to snap back to him.
“I hope you don’t mind if we stop in town for a moment. There are a few matters I wish to attend to before we head back to the ranch and get you introduced to everyone. I promised my mother, Viola, that I would pick up some special ingredients for dinner tonight as part of your welcoming party.”
“That sounds like an awful lot of trouble to go through for little ole’ me,” Coralee replied bashfully, blushing all the while.
“It’s no trouble at all. I wanted to help make you feel welcome. You’re part of my family now. I'm responsible for your well-being, and I'm happy to do so.”
Chapter 4
The ruckus coming from the saloon was already audible as Gavin and Coralee rounded the bend that led into the main street. The clinking of glasses was paired with the sounds of men drunkenly shouting out the lyrics to a myriad of songs to which they probably only knew half the words.
There were a couple of men who had been sitting on the front porch of the establishment, one of whom rose up from his chair as Gavin started coming into view with his buggy. Like an ant hole disgorging ants to deal with a predator, Gavin watched at least eight men flood out the front doors of the saloon to position themselves in the middle of the road.
He did his best to force a smile on his face as he pulled gently on the reins of his horse to bring the buggy to a halt, casting a mindful glance over in Coralee’s direction.
She noticed the men lining up on the road, eyes widening in alarm as she gazed silently over at him for answers. Gavin hadn’t yet had the chance to warn her about Arnold Stabler, and it seemed like fate was going to force their meeting well before he had originally intended. Arnold was one of the men standing in the group on the street.
Gavin cursed silently to himself, forcing a smile to his lips. “Is there something I can help you with, Arnold?” Gavin’s gaze was even with the middle-aged black-haired man standing in front of him. Arnold was known to be working for Virgil Gleason, which only furthered his unfavorable reputation. Virgil was one of the most backstabbing cattle barons this side of the Mississippi, and Arnold Stabler was the perfect henchman to be working for him.
“You sure can help me, if you introduce me to this pretty lady,” Arnold said, giving Coralee the kind of look a snake gives a mouse it has cornered. “She doesn't look like she’s from around these parts.”
“Yeah! If I didn’t know any better, I would say the Bachelor of Cripple Creek here has gone and sent for a mail order bride for himself. How the mighty have fallen,” called out a chubby man from the front porch of the saloon, his suntanned hand slapping across his belly with mirth.
“Tell me, Gavin, how much did it cost to find a woman who would love a man like you? Did you pay extra so she wouldn’t run off with your brother this time?” Arnold guffawed along with his men while humiliation caused Gavin’s cheeks to turn a bright red.
His hands had long been clenched into fists by this time, the vein in his temple slowly starting to throb from his rage. He could see the look of fear and humiliation that had crossed Coralee’s beautiful features, and that was only adding to his anger.
“You and your boys had best remember who it is that you’re talking to. I have just as much clout in this town as your good-for-nothing boss, and my friendship with the sheriff goes back a long time. I don’t like the tone of voice you’ve been giving me since I rode up, and I reckon you better correct it before I decide to take offense and demand satisfaction from you. I don’t suppose you forgot that I’m quite handy with a gun, and rarely travel without one,” Gavin moved his hand purposefully toward his suit jacket, as if gesturing toward the hiding place of his firearm.
The men around Arnold suddenly seemed uneasy at the mention of the sheriff, and even Arnold looked nervous. The outlaw’s hand moved over toward his hip, like he was considering an attempt to pull his pistol.
Arnold finally let out a sigh and relaxed his hand, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
“Come on now, boys. We wouldn’t want Good Guy Gavin here to raise a stink with the sheriff for us. Let’s allow him and his new missus to go on their way…for now. But don’t think for a minute that this is over. You and I will settle this one day, Woodworth.”
Arnold gave a piercing whistle and gestured back toward the saloon, his gang members casting one final glance at Gavin and Coralee before slowly beginning to clear the path in front of their buggy.
Gavin cleared his throat and gently urged his horse to begin moving again, keeping his eyes on the road ahead until they managed to pass out of sight of the saloon, and turned onto the road that led toward the center of town.
When he finally found the courage to gaze over at Coralee, he was not surprised to see there were tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. The run-in with Arnold would have no doubt come as a fright to her. She probably didn’t experience anything like that back in Boston. I imagine the part of town where she hails from doesn’t have much in terms of lowlifes and brigands.
He reached into his inner jacket pocket and fished out the chessboard-styled handkerchief that he carried around with him and held it out to her gently.
“I’m sorry you had to experience that, Jessica. I had hoped that we’d be able to go past without them noticing us, but I see now that was too much to hope for.”
She accepted the handkerchief quietly and gently wiped her eyes, taking in a deep, shaky breath. He was intensely bothered that her first impression had been such a rough greeting; he would have to try and make it up to her at some point.
“I hope that you’re not on such sour terms with the rest of the town,” she said after a while, rubbing her hands along her arms briskly. “You didn’t mention anything in your letters about having enemies.”
“I wouldn’t consider them enemies,” Gavin replied with a laugh, the sound coming across far more forced than he would have liked. “His employer has been quite vocal about his desire for our land, but my father has refused him time and time again. Now that my Pop has fallen ill, he has redoubled his efforts, but I’m not willing to part with the ranch. It’s my family’s legacy, and there isn’t a price he could put on that.”
They stopped at the butcher and the greengrocer, Gavin keeping the list of items that his mother had scrawled on a piece of paper held tightly in his fist. Both the elderly man who ran the greengrocer and the young brunette running the butcher’s stand proved to be far more welcoming.
Gavin almost felt guilty having to pull Coralee away from her talk with the young butcher’s assistant, but they did have people waiting on their arrival. He was struggling internally with the choices he had made and once again found himself wondering if he had made the right choice.
I suppose the first thing I need to do is make certain she knows that I’m not ashamed of her. I don’t like the way Arnold and his goons made it sound like I was just settling for her, or that she is only here at my convenience.
I mean, in a way, that is exactl
y what this was supposed to be. She was supposed to come and marry me so that I could get my portion of the inheritance, and in exchange, I’d provide for her. I could give her the kind of life she wouldn’t be able to have living with those stuffed shirt Bostonians.
He cast a casual glance in her direction as the buggy once again trundled on toward the Woodworth Ranch. The sun was just barely beginning to sink as Gavin pulled the buggy up in front of the house and brought it to a stop.
“There she is!” Gavin’s mother exclaimed as she stepped out the front door, wiping her hands hastily on the front of her apron as she rapidly descended the stairs that led on to the front porch. “I thought I heard the sound of the horse’s hoofbeats, but I was worried for a moment that it was just my imagination. I hope the trip here wasn’t too eventful.”
“Well, we did have a bit of a run-in with Arnold Stabler on the way here. I can’t say that it was a particularly positive experience, especially for poor Jessica,” he added, sheepishly peering over at his mostly silent companion.
“I admit, people are not so quick to form a group threatening violence back where I came from,” Coralee replied, tossing her hair over her shoulder dismissively. “I also didn’t fancy the way some of those men were looking at me.”
“Don’t you worry none about Arnold Stabler or his boys.
That gang of cowards wouldn’t dare set foot on our land to try and make a move against you. However, I do intend for you to go into town with more company next time,” the older woman said, helping Coralee down from the buggy and ushering her toward the front steps. “Now come on in and let’s get dinner started. You must be starving!”
Gavin was grateful for the distraction his mother provided, watching with amusement as she chattered away eagerly at Coralee. For her part, Coralee just took it all in her stride. I just can’t get over how beautiful she is. What sort of terrible family could possibly drive a daughter this beautiful away?
Striding through the living room toward the stairwell, Gavin caught sight of his father sitting slightly reclined in his rocking chair. The older man must have fallen asleep while waiting for them to return, and Gavin saw no reason to wake him until dinner was ready.
His father’s priority should be resting and recovering. Gavin could pick up the slack for as long as Isaac needed him to.
Climbing the stairs with Coralee’s suitcase, he set it in the guest room located to the right of his own bedroom.
Feels bad, having to put her up in the room that once belonged to my brother. It will only be until we can officiate everything. Wouldn’t want to sully her name by having people think she was just some harlot-for-hire. I still need to pull her aside and apologize for Arnold’s behavior earlier.
The soft sound of footsteps approaching caused him to turn in time to see Coralee entering the bedroom, nodding in acknowledgement to him as she gazed around the room slowly. “Viola told me which one was going to be my temporary bedroom, so I figured I would check out the space.”
“I apologize that I’m not quite finished with the changes required for us to share a bedroom. I do hope that you can enjoy this room for just a little while. I don’t imagine my brother will be returning, but on the off chance that things sour here with my Pop’s health and he comes back, you’ll be moved into my room right away. I wouldn’t want there to be a disagreement between you two when so many other important things will be requiring my attention,” Gavin added apologetically, closing the distance between them and rubbing his hand across her cheek.
He felt her flinch under his touch for the briefest moment, closing her eyes as if she were about to be struck. “I’m not going to hurt you, Jessica. I was raised to be a gentleman, and I would never think to raise my hand to a woman in anger. You are among people you can trust, and I hope you find that this place will be one where you can feel at home.”
“It’s been a long time since anyone has said something like that to me and meant it. I look forward to being the best wife I can be, but please be patient with me. This is all new to me,” she said. Her hazel eyes were like pools of honey in the faint light of the afternoon sunshine that shone in through the windows. “I leave myself in your able hands, Mr. Woodworth. Please treat me kindly.”
Chapter 5
Viola had insisted that Gavin show their new family member around the ranch while she prepared supper, something Coralee’s husband-to-be seemed more than pleased to do.
The wind that came down from the mountains was brisk and refreshing, but the temperatures weren’t terrible. Coralee had been fortunate to arrive during the warm summer months, when she would be able to explore more of her new surroundings before winter forced them into more isolated conditions.
I wonder if Gavin would be willing to show me how to ride a horse.
“Jessica, are you alright? You seem a bit distressed,” Gavin’s voice was consistent and direct, gazing at her with so much intensity she feared he might burn a hole in her gut should he continue much longer. She shook her head no, clasping her hands behind her back gently.
“I’m terribly sorry, Gavin. It’s all so wonderful, and I’m proud to be a part of it now. There’s just a lot of things that have happened in the past few weeks that have my mind preoccupied, and it’s going to take a little while for me to get used to the thought of having a husband.
A marriage of convenience though it may be, it isn’t how I imagined I would be giving my hand away. You understand my hesitations, don’t you? With such things like that Stabler man said earlier, I would almost think my coming here is looked upon with ridicule. Like a city girl who just wanted to come experience country life for a spell. They mocked me like I was playing out some childish fantasy, and I am greatly shamed by that,” she found her voice was trembling slightly now, and she raised her arms to wipe the angry tears that were now leaking from the corners of her eyes on her sleeves.
“Their words mean nothing. You’re here because I wish for you to be here. I am not the first man in the West to have sought out a bride, and with me getting on in years, what better time than now?” Gavin paced slowly, wringing his hands gently as if trying to convince himself as much as he was convincing her.
“Does that mean you aren't bothered by what those men said earlier about you?” Jessica's voice was filled with doubt, and she was rubbing her hands together uncertainly.
“You are my wife now. That’s as plain and simple as it gets, I suppose. Unless you find something about me and mine that you just can’t tolerate, we will be enjoying each other’s company from here on out,” Gavin grinned, trying and failing to make it sound final even as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.
“Your mother is quite nice,” Coralee said after a brief silence. “She reminds me a bit of my mother.”
“You mentioned she died when you were young. Do you have memories of her?” Gavin was walking in stride with her now as they walked along the fence near the stables.
“She passed away when I was fairly young, and my father never remarried. Then I got a new maid, and she and I got along like a bear and honey. My memories of my mother are scarce, but precious to me,” Coralee said, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself from sobbing. It felt so natural to let the lies come from her lips, but at the same time, it gnawed at her as each moment passed. I’m a fraud. I don’t deserve his kindness.
“That sounds truly awful,” he sympathized, his hand wrapping around her waist gently before she had time to react. “You carry a very heavy burden. What about this brother that you mentioned in your letters? What is he like?”
Coralee took in a deep breath and swallowed, her throat suddenly feeling dry. The memories of Lucas trying to force himself on her were still vivid, no doubt souring the experience of having the handsome Gavin embracing her. “Ever since my father passed away, he has been on a reckless binge. Because he is the eldest, he was left the inheritance, though I had savings my father had set aside for me to go to university or to settle as a dowry when
I found myself an agreeable husband and married.
He has done nothing but drink and gamble with our money day in and day out. Some days he came home happy and acted like the obedient young boy I grew up with. Other nights he was a demon of vengefulness and would take it out on the household servants.”
“And that is why you left,” Gavin finished simply. “You ran away from him.”
“He was never going to allow me to leave if I tried to tell him my plan. He would have tried to revoke my dowry or pay men to find me and force me to come home. My brother Lucas is dangerous, and I don’t even want to think of what would happen if he found me again.
Thankfully there are few people who knew of my plans to leave, and I left in such a way that he wouldn’t have had the time to raise an alarm about my departure,” Coralee said excitedly, clearing her throat and doing her best to rein in her emotions.
“Your story breaks my heart, Jessica. You sound like you were a prisoner in your own home,” Gavin said uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing gently. “Your brother treated you like little more than the servants of your household.”
