“That’s it, Molly. The more you shiver, the more your body is recovering.”
“I’m so cold,” she chattered.
“You’ll be warm soon. After this, I’ll make sure you’re never cold again.”
Molly nodded. She nestled against him. “I thought you didn’t want me,” she whispered.
“I was a fool.”
She shifted, lifting her arm to bring her hand between them. Her head raised to look up at him with startled eyes. Storm grinned.
“I think as soon as you’re able, we’d better get to town to see Chase Hammond.”
Chapter 10
The Fourth Day of Christmas, December 28, 1876
“I’m going to send my grandfather to fetch Doc Deane to look at you, just to be sure you’re all right.”
The mattress creaked as Storm sat up and left the bed. A bright ribbon of sunshine shone through the bedroom window. Somewhere outside, a rooster crowed. Molly buried herself deeper under the warm covers. How was she going to face Storm after what had happened the day before?
What about last night?
“There’s no need for the doctor,” she stammered. “I feel fine. My toes and fingers hurt a little, but you completely warmed me up again. You saved my life.”
Molly’s face grew hot. She snuck a peek out from under the covers. Storm grinned. Her heart flipped and turned in her chest. The man was breathtaking when he smiled and looked relaxed, and when he didn’t wear that surly look all the time.
What had changed about him? Her face heated some more. They’d lain under the covers all night like a married couple, his bare skin pressed to hers. Storm hadn’t said or done anything that was improper.
Except we were both completely nude.
Molly shook her head. She wasn’t completely nude. She still wore her chemise. Besides, they hadn’t been intimate. Storm had merely held her in his arms, giving her his body heat to save her life. If he hadn’t come along when he had to pull her out of the pond, she would have frozen to death.
Molly poked her head out from under the covers again. Dare she look? He was partially dressed, of that she was certain. Clutching one of the covers to her neck, she raised her head and stared.
Storm bent over to grab his shirt off the ground. When he straightened, his bare back was to her. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. She’d admired his broad back before, but this was the first time she’d seen him without a shirt. Her eyes fell to the deep scars that covered him from the top of his right shoulder to nearly halfway down his back on the right side of his spine.
“What happened to your back?” The rude question was out before she could stop herself. Molly smiled hesitantly when he glanced over his shoulder.
“I’m . . . I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so forward.”
“It’s all right.” Storm clutched his shirt and sat back on the edge of the mattress. Molly shifted to sit up. He hesitated, looking at her and letting his eyes roam over her face as if trying to come to a decision.
“I used to be a miner. I worked for Charles Hardt’s gold mine here in Noelle.” He paused and ran a hand through his hair. “There aren’t many jobs available for…men like me. One day, there was an explosion at the mine.” He paused again, this time running his hand over his face. Talking about this was clearly difficult for him. The muscles along his jaw clenched and his voice took on a cold edge. “I was left for dead. I told myself it’s because they didn’t think the life of a half-breed was worth saving.”
“What happened?” Molly whispered. Clearly, someone had cared enough to come to his rescue.
“A man named Zeke Kinnison was foreman at the time. Even though he lost his brother in the explosion, he made sure someone found me.” He scoffed. “The other miners would have left me to die if Zeke hadn’t ordered them to get me out. He saved my life.” Storm shook his head. “His brother’s death devastated him. He disappeared into the mountains and only comes to town occasionally.”
Molly smiled. “Sort of like you.”
“If it hadn’t been for my grandfather, I would have done the same as Zeke. I simply wanted to disappear. Kunu talked me into building this ranch. He always said I had a knack with horses and was better suited for life on a ranch than being a miner.”
“Is that why you’re so bitter against the people in this town? Because only one man came to your aid?”
Storm stared at her for what seemed like forever. She didn’t break eye contact, either. There was so much pain and loss written in his eyes.
“I’m not proud of my heritage, Molly. Wherever I go, people look at me with mistrust. My father’s family wanted nothing to do with me because they saw him as a traitor to his people. White folks are scared of me because they think I’m going to come and scalp them.”
Molly wormed a hand out from under the blanket. She reached up to touch his shoulder, where his scar started. “I know there are men in town who think highly of you. Liam Fulton was glad to hear you were getting married.” She narrowed her eyes. “Even though you aren’t getting married.”
Storm’s eyes never wavered from hers. Molly held her breath. Yesterday, when she’d barely been conscious, he’d said they needed to see Chase Hammond. The reverend. Did that imply that he did want to marry her? She’d been too weak at the time to think about what that meant, or to ask him to elaborate.
“Who says I’m not getting married?” His smile faded. “Molly, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought, and I wanted to talk to you about it on the way home from town. I…I’m sorry for deceiving you. My grandfather and I should have been honest with you from the start.”
“I understand, but –”
He held a finger to her lips to quiet her. “Let me finish. I’ve come to realize what a remarkable woman you are. You stand up for yourself, you care about what you believe in, and you’re incredibly beautiful.”
He leaned forward. Molly’s eyes widened. He’d called her beautiful. Her heart pounded up into her throat. No one had ever called her beautiful.
Storm’s hand came up to cup her cheek. He hesitated only a second, then touched his lips to hers. Molly closed her eyes as new shivers, that had nothing to do with being cold, raced down her spine. Quite the contrary. Storm’s kiss heated her insides and turned her limbs to a weak puddle of winter thaw.
His calloused hand slipped behind her neck to draw her closer, and he deepened the kiss. Molly leaned into him, her hand gripping his shoulder for support. His firm lips played gently across hers, awakening desires that should be reserved for married couples. When he drew back, they were both gasping for breath. Storm smiled first.
“Molly Norris, I’d like you to be my wife.”
Molly stared. She blinked to keep the tears from falling. She’d promised herself days ago she would not cry in front of him again.
“Despite my scar, and . . . and despite Daniel?”
Storm touched a finger to her face, gently sliding it along the length of the scar from her eye to her lip. He leaned forward again to press a kiss against it.
“Despite your scar,” he murmured. “I’ve told you how I came by mine. Will you tell me who did this to you?” There was an almost ominous, dangerous tone to his voice.
Molly swallowed. She looked into the tender eyes of the man who had asked her to be his wife. She hadn’t even given him an answer.
“I was living in Virginia City, as I’ve already told you. A man named Trent Sloacum wanted to court me.” She scoffed. “He’d been after my friend Dani for years, but she would have nothing to do with him, and for good reason. He was rude and overbearing. It was only a few weeks after the news of Dani’s death that he set his sights on me.”
It was Storm’s turn to ask, “What happened?”
Molly smiled. “When he tried to take advantage of me, Daniel went after him. He wasn’t even a fully-grown goose at the time, and already he knew that Trent was bad news. He bit him, and for that, Trent pulled a knife and was all set to kill him.” Mol
ly swallowed and looked Storm in the eye. “I stopped him.”
“You got in his way, and he cut you?” Storm’s eyes blazed with anger.
Molly nodded. “I shot him when he tried to kill Daniel even after his knife sliced my face.” She held her breath, pressing her quivering lips together.
“You killed him?” It wasn’t an accusation. Admiration shone in his eyes when Storm wrapped his hand around her bare arm to steady her. Molly clutched the blanket to her chest. She shook her head.
“I don’t think so. He fell, and there was blood, but he was yelling and cursing at me, so I grabbed Daniel and ran. I didn’t look back. I left town. I wanted to get as far away from him as possible. When I ended up in Denver, I found the Benevolent Society of Lost Lambs, and Mrs. Walters took me in. When she told me about Noelle needing women to marry some of the men, I jumped at the chance.”
Storm still held her arm. His other hand caressed her cheek, and he swiped at her tears with his thumb.
“I’m going to ask you again, Molly Norris. Will you marry me?”
Molly half-sobbed, half-laughed. She fell forward against Storm’s chest. He pulled her into an embrace.
“Yes. I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else, Storm Thornton.” She breathed in the masculine scent of his skin, then lifted her head to look up at him.
Storm’s grin chased away the anger that had blazed in his eyes a moment ago. “You won’t have to worry about men like this Sloacum fella ever again.” He winked. “But you have to promise me not to take a shotgun to me.”
Molly laughed. “But you still have to worry about Daniel. I’m sorry he’s such a protective goose.”
“I’m glad to know that my future wife has such a great protector.” Storm tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. “Although that bird will have to get used to me being near you.”
“I’m working on it. The leash did seem to help a little.”
Storm’s grin widened. “I think I have a far better idea than a leash.”
The Sixth Day of Christmas, December 30, 1876
Storm poured a cup of coffee. He nearly spilled the hot brew onto his britches. It wasn’t like him to be nervous, but his stomach churned with anticipation this morning. He glanced across the room to where Kunu sat at the kitchen table, forking a large piece of bacon into his mouth.
“I’m glad you came home in time to turn around and head back into town with us. You should have stayed in Noelle last night rather than making the ride home in the dark.”
“I told ya, I was waiting for that woman to come back with my horse. When she didn’t show up, I asked Culver to lend me one of his.”
Molly glanced up from her place at the table. Her eyes met Storm’s. He shook his head.
“What were you doing, lending Samson to a woman you’ve never met before?”
“I was at the livery, waiting for Culver to get back.” Kunu slurped his coffee and glared at Storm. “Ya wanted that hinge back for your fence, and I figured since I was already in town to fetch the doc, I might as well pick it up.”
“But you allowed the woman to believe you worked at the livery.”
Kunu laughed. “She was pretty determined about renting a horse from me. Seemed to be in an awful big hurry. I didn’t want to see her get hurt, so I let her borrow Samson. He’s a reliable mount, even in the snow.”
Storm shook his head. Doc Deane had come to the ranch to take a look at Molly despite her arguing that she was fine. The doc had put Storm’s mind at ease that there was no frostbite to her fingers and toes, or any lasting effects of exposure. Kunu hadn’t returned with the doc. Storm had convinced himself that his grandfather had spent the day with Gus Peregrine, and the two old men were having a good time at the saloon.
“If you see him in town, will you tell my grandfather that there’s going to be a wedding?” Storm had asked Doc Deane on his way out.
The doctor had smiled and nodded. “When are you planning to get married?”
“Tomorrow or the next day, as soon as Molly is able to go to town. I suppose you could inform Reverend Hammond that my bride and I will be at the saloon around noon, if he could perform the ceremony then.”
Doc Deane had laughed. “I’ll be sure to pass on the news to Chase. That’ll make five weddings now that I know of.”
Storm turned to Molly as he set his coffee cup on the table. “I think it’s time to show you our wedding present. Actually, I think Daniel will like it the most.”
“What is it?” Molly smiled with an inquisitive look. “I can’t believe you have a wedding gift on such short notice.”
Storm leaned over the chair from behind and kissed her cheek. “Wait right here.”
He headed for the barn and opened the chicken coop. A Canada goose sat in a corner. She honked quietly as he approached and waddled to get away, but Storm was faster. He grabbed her and lifted her to his chest, holding her close to prevent her from flapping her wings. “I think it’s time we introduce you to Daniel.”
Molly’s mouth gaped open when he entered the cabin, holding the goose he’d caught yesterday after Doc Deane had assured him that Molly was recovering well.
“Where did you find him?” Molly rushed up to him, holding out a tentative hand to touch the goose’s neck.
“Her. I found her on the pond. I knew there was a lone goose with the flock that lives there. She lost her mate a few months ago.”
“So, you decided to bring her here?” Molly lifted inquisitive eyes to him.
He smiled. “Male and female Canada geese generally stay together as long as both are alive, but will form new pairs if one mate dies.”
Molly’s brows rose. She glanced at Daniel, who craned his long neck. He rose from the blanket and waddled over to Storm, extending his neck even further.
“You think they’ll pair up together?” Molly’s eyes shone with eagerness.
“Only one way to find out.”
Storm set the young female on the ground. Daniel waddled around her, shaking his tail feathers and bobbing his head. Both geese made soft honking sounds.
“Looks like they’re willing to get better acquainted,” Molly whispered. “She thinks Daniel is a handsome goose, and is willing to accept him as her mate.” She slipped her hand in Storm’s. He tugged her closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I think they are. And I think this will finally bring peace to the house. It’s a truce between Daniel and me. I brought him a mate, so maybe now he’ll relinquish you to me.”
He smiled when Molly’s cheeks turned rosy.
Storm pulled her into his arms and murmured against her ear. “I’d better take you to town then. Wouldn’t want Daniel and his new mate to have all the fun.”
From behind them, Kunu coughed loudly. “I’ll go hitch up the team while ya two…ya four lovebirds finish up whatever it is ya need ta do before we get ta town. Ya did say ya wanted Chase Hammond at the saloon by noon.”
An hour later, Storm held Molly’s hand in front of the Christmas tree that still stood in the corner of the Golden Nugget Saloon.
“You’re now husband and wife,” Chase Hammond announced. He held his Bible to his chest and glanced up at the ceiling. “We’re halfway there,” he murmured. “Six more to go, and we’re all set for the railroad inspection.”
Storm pulled Molly into his arms and kissed her in front of several on-lookers. Behind them, Draven cheered, holding his new bride close. Apparently, he’d tied the knot last night with Pearl, one of the working girls at La Maison. Clearly, lots had been going on in town lately.
Molly sighed in his arms. “I wish Dani could have known the kind of happiness I have.”
Storm furrowed his brows. “I’m sorry about your friend.” What else could he say? This was his wedding day, and Molly shouldn’t be thinking about her deceased friend at the moment.
Molly laughed softly. “Danica told me that she fell in love with her man from the moment she first set eyes on him. As much
as I hoped it would, I never thought it would happen to me, too, but it did.” She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “He was also a man of mixed heritage, like you.” She leaned forward, and kissed his lips. “I’ve always wanted to be like Danica – strong and independent.”
“You are.” Storm returned the kiss.
Molly leaned slightly away from him. She looked up with soft eyes that made his heart swell with love. “I love you, Storm Thornton.”
He kissed her again, ignoring the cat calls from Draven and several of the others in the saloon.
Kunu’s voice was the loudest. “I knew it was the right thing ta do. Didn’t I tell ya all that gettin’ a bride for my grandson was a good idea?”
“Look, Storm.”
Molly’s softly spoken words brought his attention back to his bride. She pointed at the tree, which still looked bare, but did contain several ornaments. Molly reached her hand out and touched the ornament of a goose.
“It seems fitting, doesn’t it? In a way, Daniel is the one who brought us together,” Molly whispered, gazing up into Storm’s eyes.
Storm kissed his wife again. Who would have ever thought that he’d owe his greatest happiness to a goose?
Epilogue
Christmas Day, 1877
“They look happy, don’t they?”
Molly held Storm’s hand. Together they moved closer to the nearly frozen pond a short distance from the cabin.
“Daniel’s quite proud of his family, for sure.” Storm gripped her hand tighter when they reached the spot where, a year ago, Molly had nearly lost her life.
“Dani sure keeps him in line.”
Storm chuckled. “I think you and that female goose must talk to each other. You certainly know how to keep me in line, Mrs. Thornton.”
He pulled her into his arms. Molly leaned into him as his lips found hers.
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