by Ciara Knight
From Salter’s words, his twisted expression of greed, and his aggressive arrogance, Adelaide got the impression he was used to getting his way. He probably owned half the town as well, and if her experience with Horst had taught her anything, it was that most people could be bought. Even politicians and law enforcement. She either had to be married or gone by sun up. If she returned home, she had no doubt she’d be scorned by society and disowned from her family for running off. If Horst still wanted to marry her under those circumstances, it'd be a hellish marriage. He'd make her pay dearly for ruining his reputation.
The strong hand slid from the small of her back to her arm then John tugged her a step back from Salter and guided her around to face him. His touch felt gentle, like a breeze off the bay on a warm afternoon. “Ms. Adelaide Baker, I reckon you’re a bit confused about now. But if you would like to see the pastor, I’d be obliged to marry you this very evening.”
He made no promises of what their life together might hold, nor did he brag of his worth. He simply told her he would honor whatever decision she made. It was the first time since her father that a man had ever cared what she thought. Yet she saw through the blank expression he painted on his face. The golden cast of the setting sun highlighted the twitch of his right brow. Was he nervous? Did he want her gone? Or was he afraid, pleading with her to choose him over Salter?
For all his insistence she'd noticed his reluctance, too. Adelaide opened her mouth, about to tell him she would return home on the next train and free him from his obligation, yet she hesitated. She glanced at the crowd around them, staring, waiting for a gunfight or some sort of brawl that wasn’t coming. John had seen to that. He’d done everything he could to diffuse the situation, yet keep her safe from Salter at the same time.
This was what she came to do, to marry a man who wouldn’t beat her or belittle her. She’d come to marry John Rivers, hoping he was the man she'd been looking for. Hoping he was as he'd been described in her letter.
She looked up at John and took in a quick breath. “Yes.”
Chapter Four
John’s heart finally began to beat again. It had felt like the longest few seconds of his life as he'd waited for her answer. Now, relief flooded through him. Salter wouldn’t win this fight. None of his threatening or bribes wouldn’t sway the fair woman. And once they'd married, no amount of blackmailing the sheriff would change that.
Then his heart sped up faster than a bucking bull. What the hell had he just done?
Adelaide was a beauty for sure, but marriage? He didn’t even know the girl. The way she stood up to Salter had won his admiration. He’d never seen a woman walk straight toward the barrel of a gun before. Heck, he’d never seen a man do it either. And certainly no man in Glendive had ever stood up to Salter before, besides himself.
His heartbeat slowed once again, but his breath caught in his lungs at Salter's lingering sneer. He isn't going to let this go, is he?
“I think we’ll be sticking around to witness this fine affair, boys,” Salter called to his men standing outside the saloon. He stuffed a wad of chew in his lip then patted one of his men on the back. “Guess we need to make sure that pastor ain’t gone off no where.”
“Nope, he’s still waiting at the saloon.” One of Salter’s men pointed at the swinging doors. The same doors John swore he’d never enter again.
Stella took Adelaide by the hand. “Come. Let’s get you ready.”
John kept his attention on the ladies following them across the dusty street toward the saloon. He didn’t like Adelaide going in that place without protection. As if sensing his unease, Billy followed close behind them and they all disappeared into the saloon.
“Aren’t you going to go claim your woman?” Salter smirked and smacked John on his shoulder. “Tell you what. I’ll buy the first round a drinks. Then when you get tired of the girl, since we both know you will, you can send her over to me.”
John fisted his hands, but Salter slithered away into the group of his men laughing, leaving John standing at the doorway to the saloon.
The usual exuberant piano music changed to something mellower, but still his pulse rapid-fired in his throat. How could he go in there? He hadn't stepped foot in there since his sister's death.
One of Salter’s men held the door open and waited for John to enter.
“You change your mind?" Salter called out to him. "I guess I better take the girl then.”
John willed his feet forward and didn’t stop until he stood by Adelaide’s side. The pastor was just finishing up with another couple, so they stood side by side without touching, waiting for their turn.
“Try not to look like you’re in front of a firing squad,” Stella whispered in his ear. “You gonna be with this woman a long time. You don’t want to start your life together with her mad at you.”
Salter’s men nudged one another, laughing at John’s expense.
He ignored them and straightened, removing his hat from his head. “Sorry it ain’t more of a proper ceremony.”
Adelaide fluttered her dark eyelashes up at him, and the hint of a smile tugging her lips nearly drove a bullet to his heart. When the corners of her full pink mouth drew up further, it took what remaining breath he had and sucked it right out of his gut. “It’s fine. I don’t require, nor do I like, a big fuss. This is perfect for me.”
She sounded refined, and for the first time since she’d stepped off the train he had time to really look at her. Her dress was made of a black silk cloth. Her hair, a shiny deep brown, was loose and ran in gentle waves down to the middle of her back. The girl obviously didn’t belong in this part of the country, yet her courage and strength would get her far out here. So, why had she contacted the agency to search for a husband? She didn’t even know if he would be able to provide for her.
The pastor waved them forward. “Ah, looks like you’re my last couple to marry today. You want the traditional ceremony, the express, or you want to say your own words?”
John looked to Adelaide, not sure what a woman wished for on her wedding day. His little sister had once talked of an elaborate ceremony with gardens of flowers and a dress with a train longer than the chapel. But just finding a good man to marry had been her only real dream, a dream she'd never have the chance to make come true.
“I think I’d like to say something,” Adelaide said quietly. She tucked her hair behind her left ear, but pulled it closer to her chin on the right. A delicate pale finger twirled a strand before she dropped her hands to her sides and took a long breath. “I understand this isn’t a traditional marriage. I also know that traditional doesn’t always guarantee a happy future. If you are all that your letter said, then I believe we’ll do fine together. I only hope that as you get to know me, you’ll accept me for who I am and not be disappointed.” Her hand returned to her right cheek and her eyes lowered to the ground.
What could he possibly be dissatisfied with? The woman had every man’s attention in the town the moment she stepped off that train.
Pastor held the bible with one finger stuck inside, marking his page. "And you, Mr. Rivers? What would you like to say to your bride?”
“I can promise that I will care for you and your needs. There may be tough times, but I will always work hard and provide for you. You’ll have a comfortable, if simple, life. And I won’t ever overwork or abuse you.” John shrugged, not sure what else to say. Part of him wanted to get away from all these people and speak to the stranger standing in front of him. More than anything he wanted to speed this up and get the hell out of the saloon. Thank the Lord, Adelaide captured his attention, so he could stay focused on something besides the room upstairs where he’d found his sister’s body.
“I guess that’s good enough. Do you, Ms. Adelaide Baker, take John Rivers to be your husband?”
John noticed Adelaide’s fingers tremble at her sides. He wanted to give her some sort of sign to show her she’d be safe with him, so he took them gentle in his hands. No w
oman should have to suffer the fear of a man.
She looked up at him then nodded. “I do.”
“And do you, John Rivers, take this woman to be your wife?”
A thousand thoughts twisted inside his head of all the reasons this union was a farce, insane, unwanted, and a mistake, but one glance at Salter and he knew there was no choice. He only said, “I do.”
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Rivers. You may sign the document over there by the piano and be on your way. And that does it for me. I think I’ll have a drink now.” The pastor saddled up to the bar and left John and Adelaide in the center of the saloon, holding hands, their lives forever changed.
He’d saved the beauty from Salter, the way he couldn’t save his sister, but now what? He looked to Stella, who took his cue. “Come on. We best be heading back to the homestead before it gets too dark to see past the nose on our faces.”
Adelaide’s silky hand slipped from his grasp, signed the marriage document, and then followed Stella out of the saloon. John scribbled his signature on the document then rushed from the building on their heels. His lungs released the clamp on his ribs, and he heaved in the scent of horse, alcohol, and a hint of rose. He followed the pleasant aroma to Adelaide, but before he could savor it, she hopped onto the buckboard, leaving John with his hand in the air in an attempt to offer his assistance.
“Got a wild philly there," Salter said from the doorway of the saloon. "Guess you got some breakin’ in to do.” The man’s words fish-gutted him as the image of Salter taming his sister slit John from chin to waist.
Billy rounded the wagon and stood between them. “You’ve got a young bride that looks a might frightened, boss. I suggest you let this go for now. We’ll make him pay one of these days.”
A growl galloped up his throat, but he managed to swallow it back and joined Adelaide on the driver's seat. If only he could prove Salter’s involvement in his sister’s death, but Billy was right. Now wasn’t the time.
He glanced at Adelaide, trying to read her face, to know what she was thinking, but she was different than most women he'd known. The way of her movements told him she was a city girl, yet she had a strength about her. The way she seemed determined to be in control of her future, instead of just accepting things as they were the way the other women from the train had.
Billy helped Stella onto the wagon’s seat next to Adelaide then hopped into the back with the supplies. The warmth of the day had cooled. It would be close to dark before they made it back to the homestead, but he didn’t want to stay in Glendive a minute longer than necessary. The voice of his little sister singing in the saloon echoed from his past and settled into a frenzy of hatred and grief.
Dogs raced about, chasing each other through town. Couples sat outside on their porches rocking while children huddled together playing games in the dirt. He tried to settle into his seat for the long ride, but it was too small for the three of them. Too close. They were too close. Adelaide’s arm pressed against his and he could feel the heat of her thigh through her dress.
His body couldn’t help but respond. There was no doubting she was beautiful, probably the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. He glanced over to see her sitting rigid, her eyes cast straight ahead at the team of horses trudging along the dirt path.
The saloon music had long since faded in the distance, but even thirty minutes into the ride Adelaide remained quiet and stiff. He couldn’t take it any longer, but what could he say to make her more at ease, so she didn’t sit there like a coyote staring at a full moon?
“Um, so, you don’t have to cook or nothin’. We have a cook.”
Stella huffed. “What John means to say is we're happy you're going home with us this evening. I believe you’ll be comfortable and will find the people there will welcome you with open arms. Please feel free to let us know if there’s anything we can do to make you more at home. Books, yarn, fabric, anything you enjoy doing we can send someone into town to purchase for you.”
After a moment of silence, Adelaide said, “Paint. I like to paint, but I have some supplies that I brought with me in my bag.” Her shoulder slid slightly down his arm and her hands loosened their death grip on the handle of her small bag, the one item she'd clung to since she arrived.
John wanted to elicit a response as well, to help her relax a little. Perhaps he should offer to go buy her some clothes. Yes, his little sister always liked new dresses. “You only brought one bag. You have anything else to wear?”
Adelaide lifted her arms and glanced down at her dress. “Is there something wrong with what I have on?”
“No, I mean…” This wasn’t going well. His tongue was all tied up.
“Excuse John. He isn’t used to much civilized conversation. He spends all his time around men and cattle. Not many women folk around besides me and a few other wives on the homestead.”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t sure what I would need to bring. And, well, there wasn’t any time for me to shop before I left.”
“I’d be happy to purchase anything you need," John said. "Just make a list and I can send one of the men into town to purchase it for you.”
“I wouldn’t be able to pick out my own clothes?” The challenging tone of her voice told him he’d said something that wasn’t good again.
“I, um, think you need to stay away from town for a few days. Once Salter sets his mind on something, he doesn’t care what he has to do to get it. And he set his mind on you the moment you stepped off that train.” His hands ached and he realized he’d been holding the reins as if they were about to slide off the side of a mountain.
“I see.” Adelaide returned to twisting the strap on her bag around her fingers. “Is that why you married me?”
Stella laughed. “You sure aren’t scared to speak your mind, are you, child? I know we're goin’ to get along just fine. You got a girl with some fire in her belly there,” she said to John.
“Is it?” Adelaide asked again.
“Yes.”
With that one word, he suffered a snarl from Stella, a slap in the back of the head from Billy, and silence from Adelaide.
After another hour, Adelaide’s head rolled to the side. Billy passed him a blanket and he wrapped it around her shoulders, tucking her into his side so she could sleep with her head on his shoulder.
Her hair smelled prettier than the flowers Stella insisted on planting outside the house. It seemed like a waste of time to him, but he never told Stella that. He knew better.
Adelaide made a soft whimper and settled deeper into his side. He rubbed her arm and enjoyed the heat of her against him, the soft sighs as she slept. He was almost disappointed when the homestead came into view, knowing their closeness would soon end. The sun lowered below the tree line, confirming the fact he’d driven too slow, not wanting to jar Adelaide awake. The fence would have to wait until morning.
They rolled to a stop before the front porch of his home and for the first time since he’d settled there and built his house, he thought Stella and Billy had a point. He should really add onto it.
Perhaps he’d look back over his original design and tweak it a little, but first he needed to sleep so he could get up early to check on the new fencing Salter had his men installing.
He reluctantly slipped his arm from around Adelaide who bolted up from a deep sleep. “It’s okay. We’re home.” He hopped down and offered his hand to her. She sat as straight as a board for a moment, and he feared she wouldn’t get down from the wagon. “I know it isn’t much, but I plan on adding onto it soon.”
“You are?” Billy asked with a hint of excitement to his voice.
“Yes.”
Adelaide looked around, her eyes dancing between the barn, the men laughing and singing by their open fire near the bunkhouse, and the larger main house. “It’s nothing like the city,” she mumbled before she scooted to the edge and took his hand.
“It might take a while for you to adjust, dear. I’
m sure it is a little bit of a shock at how quiet it is out here,” Stella said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that I wouldn’t be happy here. Actually, I like the quiet.”
The singing and laughing quickly became hooting and hollering as his men took notice of the young pretty thing standing beside him. John groaned. He’d heard his men let loose in town before, but this was different. Forced or not, this was his wife they were disrespecting. “Excuse me for a moment.” He hotfooted it over to the men. “Listen here, you’ll do nothing but respect that woman.”
“She’s his new wife,” Billy added, coming up behind him.
Charlie dropped his bottle on the ground and Noah fell off his stump.
Marcus nodded. “Well, what you standing out here for then? You best get in there and do your husband duty.”
The men roared with laughter.
Charles retrieved his bottle and held it out in a salute. “I’d be happy to help, boss.”
John shook his head at Billy. “Really? You had to share that?”
A coyote howled in the distance and the men followed suit, howling at his new nuptials to a strange woman he was supposed to bed now. Not that he’d mind. The woman was beautiful, and he never had an issue when the opportunity arose to enjoy a woman’s company, but this was different.
He took a long breath and headed back to the house. To his disappointment, Adelaide was already gone.
“I guess Stella took her inside to get her comfortable,” Billy said, halting him at the wagon. “I know every bit of this is crazy, but you have realized the worst part about all this, right?”
John shrugged. “Married when I had no plans on taking a wife? The fact that I have to worry about my ranch and her now?”
“No.” Billy shook his head. His eyes narrowed and he looked plagued by something. “By turning him down, that wife of yours unknowingly just challenged Salter to a war. And you, being her husband, will be at the front lines.”
