Destiny's Embrace

by Beverly Jenkins

  Yours always,

  Tillman Porter

  She read it again and her temper exploded.

  Chapter 19

  Logan returned home with four fat fish for dinner and a hankering for the woman he planned to marry. After unhitching the team from the wagon and turning them out into the pasture, he grabbed the bucket holding his catch and made the walk back to the house. The sight of her seated on the chair in her courtyard filled his heart with sunshine, and was a sight he hoped to come home to for a lifetime until she turned at his approach and he saw the fire shooting out of her golden eyes. Wondering what he’d done to deserve such an angry welcome, he slowed his steps, but with her he never knew, so he decided to confront her head-on. “What’s wrong?”

  She stood and thrust a piece of paper at him. “Read this.”

  He set the bucket down, and after scanning her furious face again, complied. The wording surprised him and not in a pleasant way. “Who’s Tillman Porter?”

  “A man I might have married had he the spine to stand up to his mother.”

  Logan found that surprising as well. Her anger made him wonder if Tillman had any idea what he might be in for should he have the bad sense to actually come after her. Logan read the letter again. “He’s bringing your mother here, so they can take you back to Philadelphia and make his mother a gown?”

  Her withering look told all.

  He couldn’t believe what he’d read. “Alanza won’t react well to being called a nefarious source.”

  “Is she good with a firearm?”

  “Exceptionally.”

  “Then I’ll just have her shoot Tillman when he arrives and that will be the end of it.”

  That said, she sat back down in her chair and stared angrily out at the countryside.

  Logan couldn’t wait for them to arrive so he could have the pleasure of immediately sending them packing. “You know I won’t allow anyone to harm you.”

  “I do. But even were I living elsewhere, they’d be returning to Philadelphia without me. They’ll find out that I’m not the same Mariah.”

  Knowing what he did of her, Logan couldn’t imagine her being weak or submissive enough to go along with such a ridiculous plan, but apparently, Tillman and her mother believed she would. The Mariah Cooper he’d come to love was fearless, fiery, and threw scrub water. Even though he was glad her anger wasn’t directed his way, he didn’t like seeing her so upset and wanted to lift her mood. “Are you hungry? I caught some fish for dinner.”

  “I am, maybe food will help lower my temper.”

  “Would you like to eat on the riverbank? I don’t mind driving back.”

  She gave him a smile. “I’d like that.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  After they ate, he showed her how to skip stones. It took her some time to find the right angle to send the stones skimming across the water’s surface, but once she mastered the throw, she crowed with joy and he was pleased by her happiness.

  “I’ve never done anything like that before,” she told him. “There was no time for play while I was growing up.”

  “Then I’ll have to make sure you have the time now.”

  “I always envied the lives of other children. They got to go outside after school to play, have birthday parties—”

  “You never had a birthday party?”

  She shook her head. “Waste of time and money. I was allowed to spend an overnight with Kaye on a few occasions, and I always enjoyed that.”

  Logan was so outdone by her revelation, he didn’t know what to say. Even in the lean years, his family’s birthdays were always celebrated in some way. That her mother didn’t care enough to make her day of birth a special one angered him. “When’s your birthday?”

  “The second day of October.”

  “Then expect us to celebrate.”

  “That isn’t necessary.”

  “Sure it is. Birthdays are special here. And so are you.”

  Mariah thought him very kind for wanting to grant her such a boon, but admitting she’d never had a party was embarrassing in the sense that it showed how little her mother thought of her yet again. However, she chose not to dwell on it. She had a new life now. “What other kinds of things did you and your brothers do for fun?”

  “We competed to see who could find the best shapes in the clouds.”

  He apparently saw the confusion on her face. “Come, I’ll show you.”

  Taking her by the hand, he led her away from the bank and back up to the grassy meadow where they’d eaten.

  “Take a seat and lie back.”

  Suspicion filled her eyes.

  He laughed. “You can’t see the clouds if you don’t lie back. I don’t have nefarious motives. I promise.”

  The word nefarious was becoming a running joke. She sat and then stretched out on her back in the grass. He took up a position beside her.

  “You’ve really never looked for shapes in the clouds?”

  “No.”

  “We definitely need to get you more playtime.”

  She looked his way and laughed.

  So, for the next little while, they searched the sky for cloud shapes, and she found it to be as much fun as skipping stones. She saw a horse, a castle, and a steamboat. He pointed out a tree and the face of an old man that reminded them both of Beattie McDowell. It was a wonderful carefree time together that she added to the other wonderful memories she’d accumulated so far. She sat up and looked down at him where he still lay stretched out by her side. “This was fun.”

  “Good. Part of my job as your employer.”

  “Not that I’ve done much work.”

  “No you haven’t. Let’s see. You’ve cleaned out the house, and done all the floors in under a week. You are one lazy, lazy woman.”

  She chuckled softly. Their easy time together made her wonder if this was what it might be like for a married couple. Did they skip stones, lie in the grass, and humorously argue about whether the clouds resembled goats or elephants? She knew for a fact that this wasn’t something she would’ve done with Tillman Porter; he was entirely too proper for such foolishness, but now, because of Logan, she wanted a husband who enjoyed a bit of foolishness every now and again.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “Just thinking had I actually married Tillman, I doubt he would’ve ever done anything this silly or carefree.”

  “No?”

  She shook her head.

  “His mother didn’t approve of him courting you, I take it?”

  “No, I was too poor, and my eyes were too odd. She found the idea of having grandchildren who might look like me appalling, and Tillman didn’t think enough of me to go against her. When I left Philadelphia he was set to marry a woman from Boston.”

  “This is the same wedding he referenced in the letter.”

  “Yes.”

  “He did you a favor.”

  “I realize that now, but at the time, I was just so angry at his lack of spine and then resigned when I learned he’d proposed marriage to someone more to his mother’s liking.”

  “If he does show up here, I’ll make sure he’s sent packing immediately.”

  “Not until after I give him the tongue-lashing he’s so richly earned. He’d better hope there are no rocks lying around.”

  All humor aside, she wasn’t looking forward to the confrontation with her mother and prayed it would be over quickly so she could go on with her life.

  He asked, “What would you like to do, now?”

  She shrugged. “You’re the maestro of fun. You get to decide.”

  He sat up. “Since your cloud castle was the best shape of the day, I declare you the winner, and winners deserve a crown, so come on.”

  With her hand in his, they took off at a run. The surprised Mariah laughed and let him drag her along. They came to a stop in a stand of wildflowers a short distance away.

  “Have a seat,” he instructed her.

  She complied, and
to her surprise he began picking the blooms and tying the stems together.

  He explained. “My brothers and I used to make these for Alanza.”

  When he was done, he eased the circle of red flowers over her hair and set it to rest just above her brows.

  “I crown you, Queen of the Meadow.”

  She reached up and gently touched her crown. No one had ever done such a sweet thing for her before. Emotion thickened her voice. “Thank you, Logan.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Time seemed to lengthen. She knew he intended to kiss her and when he did, she met him gladly and without protest. They both caught fire immediately and the passion made him drag her onto his lap. Mariah felt so right in his arms that thoughts of distancing herself melted in the heat flaring her blood. His lips left hers to place a gentle kiss on each of her eyelids.

  “Your eyes are as beautiful as the rest of you,” he whispered.

  And she felt beautiful indeed. Were it her choice, she’d spend the rest of her days right where she was, so she contented herself with meeting him kiss for thrilling kiss. Soon her blouse was undone, and her corset, too, and her nipples were treated to a lazy loving that took her breath away and made her remember his vivid words: I want to love you in a field of wildflowers beneath the sun and breeze . . .

  The ardent conquering continued. Her eyes slipped open for a moment. Through the haze of desire, she saw Reverend Dennis standing a few short feet away watching them. She stiffened with alarm. “Oh, Logan, stop! Please!” She snatched her blouse closed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked against her ear.

  “The reverend.”

  Confused, he studied her startled eyes, then turned his head just in time to see Paul Dennis stalking off stiffly.

  Mariah watched him disappear below the rise and sighed heavily. “Well, that’s that, I suppose.” She’d been looking forward to their dinner tomorrow, and maybe to him courting her if things worked out between them. Now, because Logan’s loving was capable of making her lose her mind, and with it all good sense of proper behavior, Paul Dennis would take his interest elsewhere. Disappointment filled her from her head to her toes.

  Logan gently raised her chin. The sadness he saw reflected in her eyes made him say tenderly, “You didn’t want to marry him anyway.”

  Misery in her voice, she countered, “Please don’t make light of this.”

  “I’m not. There’ll be another proposal.”

  “From whom, someone like Dex Sawyer?”

  “No. Someone like me.”

  She went still and slowly searched his eyes for what he assumed were signs of trickery. “You don’t have to offer just because of this.”

  “I know. But I decided earlier today that I’m in love with you, and can’t live without you, Mariah Cooper.”

  Her golden eyes widened.

  “I want to make love to you from sunrise to sunset—wake up with you every morning and sleep beside you each night, so we can have golden-eyed daughters who’ll throw rocks at any boy who crosses them.”

  Her mouth dropped.

  He chuckled. “Don’t tell me I finally found a way to render you speechless.”

  “But you said you didn’t wish to marry.”

  “A week ago I didn’t. Now, I do, but only to you. So, what do you say? Will you marry me?”

  She searched his features again. “This isn’t a prank of some kind is it?”

  “No, querida.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. “I’d never turn something as serious as this into a prank.”

  She still looked stunned.

  He warned teasingly, “Either say yes, or I’ll have Dex Sawyer come back and serenade you with his banjo again.”

  She laughed. “Then, yes, it is.”

  He pulled her into his arms and never wanted to let her go.

  She leaned back. “Are you sure? I love you, too, Logan—but—”

  “Lord, woman, stop talking and kiss me.”

  She grinned and did just that.

  They went back to the house, kissing all the way. He carried her into his bedroom, slowly stripped her of everything except her crown of flowers, and made wild passionate love to her until neither of them could move.

  Later, after a shared bath, another round of loving, and yet one more shared bath, Mariah lay beside him on his bed in the darkness. He’d fallen asleep a short while ago, but she was still too happy to do so. What an incredible experience coming to California turned out to be. She was happier than she ever thought possible. She couldn’t wait to write Kaye and tell her the news. Some might question her sanity in agreeing to marry a man she’d known for such a short amount of time, but she didn’t care. Logan Yates could be arrogant, difficult, and as pigheaded as any man alive, but he’d given her a crown of flowers today and made love to her with a tenderness and patience that spoke to who he was underneath all the things that made her chuck rocks at his head. He loved her and thought her beautiful, even her eyes, and that in itself endeared him to her. Earlier in the evening, as they were lying side by side, it was he who’d suggested she turn what was now her bedroom into her dress shop until she decided on a more permanent location. All in all, an excellent idea as far as she was concerned. That he wholeheartedly supported her dream to open her business was enough to let her know she’d chosen the right man.

  Her eyes finally closed and she went to sleep looking forward to the future.

  On Sunday morning, Mariah took great care with her appearance. The church service would be her introduction to more people in the community and now that she’d agreed to be Logan’s wife, she wanted to make a good impression, not only for herself, but for him as well. She still found it hard to believe he’d proposed and she was certain she was the happiest woman in the country. She had a few concerns, however, over how she’d be received by Reverend Dennis, and hoped he wouldn’t give a sermon on the sins of flesh in response to what he’d witnessed in the meadow yesterday. She was highly embarrassed, but since his happening upon them wasn’t anything she could change, she chose to dwell on her happiness instead.

  Logan stuck his head in the doorway. “Are you almost ready?” His nut brown suit, string tie and fancy hat made him look like the prosperous rancher she knew him to be.

  “I am. Just give me a half minute more.”

  She put the last touches to her hair and added a plain pair of silver earbobs. She donned her hat and picked up her handbag that matched the fabric and color of her navy blue walking suit.

  “How do I look?”

  “Good enough to eat. Did you make the suit?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m impressed.”

  The coat fit snugly per the fashion and allowed the high collar of her best blouse to show above it. A row of black buttons graced the front, leading the eye to the coat’s scalloped hem and the full skirt below. All in all, she agreed with his assessment; she did look nice. Drawing on her gloves, she hoped the congregation would think so, too.

  They rode to church in a fancy black buggy she’d not ridden in before. He said it belonged to Alanza and she only used it on special occasions. The leather seats were comfortable and there was a curved awning attached to keep out the sun and the elements.

  Because it was the sabbath, the ranch workers had the day off, and as he drove down the strip of road that led past Alanza’s house and to the gates, she noted how peaceful the ranch appeared. “Does Alanza attend Reverend Dennis’s church?”

  “No. She and the Gutierrezes go to the Catholic church over in Sacramento. They left yesterday afternoon and will be back this evening. Lupe and her husband have family there, so they stay with them on Saturday nights.”

  He looked her way and asked, “Still want to marry me?”

  She hooked her arm in his. “Of course not.”

  Once the gates were cleared, he headed them out onto the main road. “How far away is the church?” she asked.

  “Not very. Should be there shor
tly.”

  Mariah was admittedly nervous. She wanted the people to like her. She also had hopes that she’d find a few friends. She enjoyed Alanza’s company, but she thought it might also be nice to befriend someone closer to her age, too.

  Logan thought she looked very fetching in her blue ensemble and feathery hat, and knew the men at the church would agree. He wasn’t looking forward to the sarcastic remarks surrounding his attendance any more than all the male eyes turned her way. He did look forward to letting it be known that they planned to marry, however, and that made him smile.

  Chapter 20

  They arrived at the church shortly before ten. Logan steered the buggy into the open field adjacent to it that was filled with parked buggies and wagons and the people who owned them. Their arrival drew much interest if the way the people stopped and stared was any indication. Sighing and determined to be pleasant and not to bark at anyone, he parked and handed her down.

  The first person to approach was Naomi Pearl, the diner owner. Her gray ensemble showed off her curves and Mariah found herself admiring her very stylish gray hat. He did the introductions.

  “Welcome, Mrs. Cooper,” Naomi said, smiling. “Very pleased to meet you.”

  “Same here, but please, call me Mariah.”

  “Then call me Naomi.”

  Mariah admired not only Naomi’s hat but her clear-as-glass velvet-brown skin as well. Her beauty glowed.

  “Is Logan treating you well?”

  Mariah looked to him and received a smile. She wanted to tell her they were going to be married but decided to let him make the announcement when he was ready. “He is.”

  “I hear you cleared out the mess in his house.”

  Before Mariah could answer, they were interrupted by a voice saying, “Well, hello. You must be the new housekeeper everyone’s been talking about.”