by Rita Hestand
“Your pretty upstandin’.” Tucker acknowledged. “Marryin’ this gal ‘cause you got a baby.”
“Don’t pin any medals on me. And I’m not marryin’ her because of the baby.
Although I love that little tyke more than I can ever say. But…I love her, Tucker.
That’s why I’m doin’ this. Her and the baby.” Jesse’s eyes narrowed on his friend.
“We’re gonna be a family.”
“That’s what I mean. I never figured you as a family man.” Tucker smiled again and slapped Jesse on the shoulder good-naturedly.
Reverend Daniels must have heard them and came to see what was keeping them.
“We’ll be starting very soon. Are you ready for this, Jesse?” the reverend asked, his cheeks shaking as he spoke.
“More than ready, sir,” Jesse replied as they moved into the church, seeing the Jenkinses already sitting in a pew. Helga was playing with Abby in her lap, and the boys were all spruced up and smiling. Doc Mabanks would whisper over his
shoulder at them every now and then and made faces for the baby. Abby just chuckled.
Jesse marveled at how beautiful the wooden pews were. Reverend Daniels went all out to see that the church had the best to offer its people. What with the stained glass windows , the mahogany pews that the local carpenter George Peabody had carved special, and the beautiful cross above the pulpit, the church was something to behold.
Old Hattie Newsom sat at the piano and nodded to Jesse. She smiled grandly.
Hattie must be over a hundred years old, Jesse figured. Her face wrinkled, her body bent over, but her bright shining eyes spoke of a young heart, her fingers knew those keys without even looking. Jesse marveled.
“What’s she doin’ here?” Jesse bristled for trouble.
“Hattie? Why she ain’t missed playin’ at a wedding since this church was built.
I had to let her come or she would have started a ruckus. I’ve talked with her and told her the only way she could play at this one was to keep her mouth shut. She agreed. Said weddings were a joyful thing and she wasn’t about to miss a one of them in her town.” The reverend glanced over at Hattie and smiled.
“Lord, I hope so.” Jesse whirled about as Hattie began the wedding march.
The reverend instructed them all where to stand. Mr. Jenkins sat in the front pew with his four sons and wife, and little Abby. He waved at Jesse.
Then a cloud of white came down the aisle slowly, tentatively. Jesse’s breath caught in his throat. Maggie—his Maggie—looked lovelier than ever. The white of the dress floated like a cloud about her. Baby’s breath held her veil in place. Her dress was long and wide and took up most of the aisle. Jesse’s smile spread across his face. He never expected the Jenkinses’ generosity, but he wouldn’t deny he enjoyed every moment of it.
His heart swelled with pride. He loved Maggie with all his heart and somehow he had to convince her of it.
When Maggie reached his side, he grabbed her hand in his and held it tight.
She was shaking. He squeezed it tighter and felt the dew on her hands. He met her gaze. There were unshed tears in her eyes. He hoped happy tears.
The music stopped and the reverend stood before them.
As he spoke the solemn words, Jesse listened to every word. Honor, obey, till death do you part. When the preacher pronounced them man and wife, Jesse slowly lifted the veil from her face. He stared long and lovingly into her eyes.
Then he pulled her into his arms. Without waiting for Reverend Daniels to grant permission, he kissed his bride with all the pent up longing of a man too long without his woman. Maggie didn’t stiffen in his arms. Instead, she gave into it and kissed him back, as though hungry for him.
It was a full minute or so before he turned loose and the Jenkinses all clapped and hollered.
Helga held Abby in her arms. “They done it, sweet pea. They done it!”
Jesse felt a stab of jealousy when all the Jenkins boys lined up to kiss Maggie, and Tucker took his turn along with Mr. Jenkins. The kiss had sparked all the pent up emotions in Jesse. He wanted his wife more than anything.
Maggie hadn’t said much yet, but her eyes sparkled with life again, and Jesse could hardly wait to get her home.
Their relationship still crawled on unsteady ground, and somehow he had to get it back to where it belonged. He had no idea how long it would take to get to that point, but it would be worth it.
Helga had made a cake for them and insisted they have some before leaving the church. The reverend even enjoyed the celebration. Even though it was a joyous occasion, a sense of danger whispered about the room.
It seemed like hours before they both changed into regular clothes and pulled their wagons homeward. The Jenkinses took Abby so Maggie and Jesse were finally alone, but despite all the celebration, the tension between them stretched like a tight rope.
As they left, Lucy and Constance stared from across the street. They didn’t wave, didn’t say anything, just shot needles into Jesse and Maggie with their eyes.
“Don’t pay ‘em no mind. This is our day, and we are gonna enjoy it.” Jesse glanced at Maggie with a huge smile.
“Does she love you that much?” Maggie asked, trying hard not to look in their direction.
“She don’t love me at all. I’ve spoke to her many times comin’ into town, but I never courted her or wanted to.”
“Then it’s not jealousy. It’s the fact that I’m black, which upsets them?” Maggie asked.
Jesse shot her a crooked smile. “I don’t profess to know what women have on their minds, Maggie. Sometimes I wish I did. Well, that wasn’t so bad was it?”
Jesse asked as they rode home, admiring the beautiful pecan and oak trees along the way.
“We might as well have announced it to the town,” Maggie replied, her hands going up and down her leg as she fingered her skirt. “So the town knows….”
“Or soon will.”
“Helga and Mr. Jenkins made so much noise when we arrived, I thought the whole town would come out to see what was going on.” Maggie almost chuckled.
“They are nice people.” Jesse said, glancing at her hand.
“Yes, very nice,” Maggie agreed, and nearly jumped when he put his hand over hers. “I didn’t know anyone would be there to play music too.”
“Old Hattie, she’s played at all the weddings. She’d have stirred up the dander if she couldn’t be there,” Jesse informed her. She hadn’t moved his hand and that surprised and pleased him.
As they pulled into the yard, he helped her down, and in that instant, couldn’t resist pulling her into his arms and kissing her. She didn’t resist, either; instead she fed the flames between them, kissing him back. The first sign she was giving in.
When he pulled away, he looked into her surprised eyes. “I’ve never seen you look so beautiful before, except that day at the creek.”
She blushed. “You cleaned up pretty well yourself,” she managed in an almost whisper. “But don’t get the wrong idea, the rules still apply. This is just a special kind of day, I guess.”
“I’ll put the wagon up,” he said, giving her a once over first.
Dressed in her old blue dress again, she still looked beautiful. Not telling her she was beautiful wouldn’t be natural. The woman reeked beauty. But Jesse
understood what she meant when she said he didn’t seem to see the inner her. He did. He just had to figure out a way to show her.
He unhitched the horse from the wagon and put everything up, giving her time to relax and reflect on the day. He wanted to make this day special for her, somehow. Maybe some wildflowers. He went down by the creek and found a few and picked them then headed back to the house.
Maggie was changing into her shirt and britches when he came in. She just had her slip top on and hurriedly shimmied into the britches as he stared t her.”What are you doin’?” He came into the bedroom and stared at her.
“Well, it’s too hot and I’m gonn
a wear this to work in. That way my dress won’t get so dirty all the time. I know this is a big place and you are gonna need some help. I can be right handy.”
There were no sleeves in the slip, and her golden skin enticed him, and the rounded curves of her hips molded the tight-fitting pants. He stared and then moved slowly away. Damn, he wanted her!
He cleared his throat as she came through to the kitchen to fix them something to eat. “Good. Looks like my beans are nearly done. Are you hungry? I got cornbread already fixed.”
“What I’m hungry for isn’t in the kitchen. But…when did you do all that?” He wanted to give her the flowers.
“One of the Jenkins boys dropped it off over here while you were bathing in the creek. I cooked them yesterday at their house They’ll be good.”
“Sounds great. Oh, I picked you some flowers.” He handed them to her
awkwardly.
“Flowers? What for?” She turned to look at him with a slight frown as her hand reached out to take them.
“For you. I mean, it is a special day. You said so yourself.”
“Before you go doin’ something else foolish, let me set you straight. Just because we are married does not mean the rules come down. Understand?” She put her hand on her hip and dared him to argue.
“Yeah, I understand.” He walked away from her. Damn, he thought the
wedding might soften her up some, but obviously it had done little for her disposition.
“I put on a big show for the Jenkinses. It was the least I could do for all the trouble they went through, but you took far too much for granted in kissing me in front of them.” She huffed, blowing her hair from her eyes.
“You kissed me back, and don’t try to deny it.” He whirled about on her.
“A momentary weakness of the flesh, that’s all.” She spun around so he couldn’t see her face. “It won’t happen again.”
“Won’t it?” he called to her softly. “You kissed me again when I got you down from the wagon. What was that?”
“I was moved by the ceremony, I admit that. But until you can love something besides my body, that’s how long it will take to break all the barriers between us,”
she taunted him.
“Your body?” His face screwed up. He paced the room for the right words.
“Look, your body is part of you, Maggie. A nice part of you. A part I do want, but that’s not all. Lord help me, I don’t know why I waste my time with this. You’re stubborn, contrary as all get out. I love you, Maggie, and I don’t know how many times I’m gonna have to tell you before you believe it. I’m not protecting you ‘cause because I want you to jump into bed with me. I don’t want to see you hurt no more, Maggie. I figure you done paid for the wrongs you done. More than a lot of others have. We might have put the cart before the horse a time or two, but something about you gets in my craw and stays there. But then I guess if I can’t have your heart, then I don’t want your body. Even though I heat up from just lookin’ at ya. You’re beautiful and you’re mine, and that little girl baby is mine too, and I want to keep you here with me forever. Aw, what’s the use?”
Sure he’d lost the battle, he strode out of the house and into the barn, slamming the doors behind him.
***
The next morning, bullets whirred past his ear as he came out of the barn.
Jesse ran for cover. He glanced at the house and saw a rifle sticking out of the window, so Maggie had to be all right. He glanced about the barn area and spotted a man at the corner of the barn.
He didn’t recognize him, but he was shooting straight at the rifle and he had to get him before he hurt Maggie. He rushed in, his gun blazing. Dust flew and gunpowder filled the air with an acrid smell. Horses stirred restlessly as he neared the barn.
“What do you want?” Jesse called as he unloaded his gun.
“The woman, that’s all. Send her out. I’ll be on my way.” A man called out.
Jesse reloaded his gun and snuck up behind the man. “Turn around, slow like.” Jesse instructed him.
“This ain’t between you and me. It’s between me and that woman in there.”
The man shouted. “This is personal. Stay out unless you want a belly full of lead.
That woman is responsible for my family dying. They didn’t have a chance at Pea Ridge. There were so many deaths there and Chalk Hill. The Federals never would have gotten hold of Arkansas if it weren’t for her. She’s the cause of it. I aim to see her dead. You hear me?”
“You can ride out of here, or die. Which will it be?” Jesse cautioned. “You’re not getting the woman. She’s my wife.”
“You’re wife? You mean you married the Black Widow?” the man asked,
turning so he could see Jesse.
“That’s right. Now, I’m gonna tell you one more time. The war is over. Leave it be. Didn’t we have enough killing?”
“Maybe it’s time I tell ya we got your kid, then.” The man’s cold, dead eyes stared him down.
Jesse went white. “You’re lyin’! Wait a minute. I know you. You’re the one we let go. You planned this. What have done with her?”
A chill ran up Jesse’s spine. His anger roared through his veins like hot, liquid metal. If they hurt one hair on his baby’s head, he’d see them all dead. Rage filled him, white hot and mean. His heart seemed to turn to stone in that moment.
His Abby, gone! And he was supposed to protect her. He kicked him in the face, into the dirt. The man spat, blood spewed, and he still laughed hard.
“We seen a weddin’ goin’ on. We seen those Swede’s carrying that babe with ‘em. One of my men recognized her. Too bad about the Jenkinses though…they was nice people.”
Jesse’s jaw tensed, as every nerve in his body came alive. With anger he never realized he had, he swiped at the man’s face and knocked him in the dirt again.
“You’re lying!”
“Am I? Maybe we done better than just killin’ you outright. Oh yeah, we got that little girl. The Jenkinses wouldn’t have died, but they let that wagon get out of control, and tipped over. Both of them layin’ in the dirt on the trail. I’m right sorry ‘bout that too,” the man said. “So now who’s gonna do what?”
“Where is she?” Jesse gritted his teeth.
“Guess you better keep me alive if you want to know,” the man snarled.
“Get up.” Jesse pointed him toward the cabin. “Get in there.” Jesse pulled the man by the collar, dragging him and pulling him through the dirt as fast as he could. Turning him so they were face to face, he pointed his gun in his gut .”In the house.”
“I done told you, if you want to see that kid again, you better keep me alive,”
the corporal yelled.
Maggie opened the door and had the rifle aimed but Jesse took it away from her. “What are you doing?” she protested hotly. “What’s he doing here, again?”
“They’ve got Abby,” Jesse said coldly, his mannerisms changing to one of cold hard killer.
“No!” she screamed. “Where is she?” She turned to Jesse’s prisoner now and pounded him.
Jesse reared up, and shoved him to the floor. “Now, if you want to live, you’ll tell me what they have done with my daughter.”
“And if I don’t tell you?” he smirked.
“I’ll kill you.” Jesse’s jaw moved with raw tension.
“They want to trade.” The man laughed.
“Trade. Trade for what?” Jesse demanded.
“Her!”
“No way.” Jesse moved the gun to the man’s head. “You got a minute to tell me where they took my daughter, or I’ll just blow your head off. I don’t care.”
“You’re bluffin’. As long as we got that baby, you ain’t gonna shoot me.”
“Try me. I can track ‘em or you can tell me what you did with my little girl.”
Jesse cocked the gun. “Start talkin’.”
“You’ll never find her. She’s long gone.” The man laughed.
&n
bsp; Jesse’s hand eased back on the trigger. “You’re wastin’ time!”
Maggie rushed to his side. “Wait, he has to tell us.”
“Here, Maggie. I’m gonna tie him up good and proper and you hold the gun on him. I’ll ride over to the Jenkins’s place and tell the boys. I’ll send a couple of them over here, another into town to tell the sheriff, then I’m gone. I won’t be back till I find Abby. Understand?”
Maggie took the gun and kept it aimed at the man.
Tying the man’s wrists tight, Jesse looked up at his wife. “They killed the Jenkinses.”
“No! Oh my God, tell me it isn’t so!” Maggie cried, hiding her eyes.
“Didn’t kill ‘em. The wagon overturned. Cain’t help that. Can I?” the man hollered.
Jesse got more rope and tied the man’s feet and legs. Then he glanced at Maggie. “I’ll be back with Abby. You stay put. Don’t set foot out of here till the sheriff or the Jenkins boys get here. You hear me?”
“Where will you go? How can you find her?”
“I can track ‘em. I was one of the best trackers in my unit. In a hurry, they are bound to have left tracks. If he moves, kill him,” Jesse said coldly.
“But Jesse…wait…” She followed him outside.
“I’ll send the Jenkins brothers over to help. You sit tight. Everything will be okay,” Jesse vowed.
“Jesse, be careful.” Maggie touched his arm.
Jesse whipped about to take her into his arms. He didn’t wait for her permission and as his lips claimed hers, it was more than clear, he didn’t need to ask. The kiss was hot and heavy with unspoken promises. He ached for her, but
he ached for his baby too, and what he had to do. Wrenching his mouth from hers, he looked deep into her eyes. “I’ll be back. You can bet on that.”
Chapter Twelve
Jesse found the Jenkins boys as they were carrying their folks inside the house to lay them out proper. They were mad and hurt at the same time. Unashamed tears rolled down their cheeks.
