Ophelia (Bride Brigade Book 4)

by Caroline Clemmons

  He paused and clasped her shoulders as he turned her to face him. “Ophelia? Are you having second thoughts about marrying me?”

  His question surprised her and she met his gaze. “No, Elias, of course not. My only second thoughts are why an influential and important man such as you would choose to marry me?”

  He exhaled as if in relief and they resumed their ambling along the street. “Because from the moment I met you, you’ve consumed my thoughts. I didn’t believe in love at first sight until then. Now I’m a firm believer because I fell in love with you that day.”

  “Maybe love isn’t what you felt, but a… a baser attraction.”

  He grinned at her. “As with most men, I’ve experienced the ‘baser attraction’ many times and recognize the difference between that and true love. Is that all that’s worrying you?”

  She shrugged and refused to meet his gaze. “I just thought maybe you needed to be in the saloon several evenings a week.”

  “Don’t worry, my precious Ophelia, as that’s not the case. In one week we’ll be wed and I’ll be able to be at home with you every night. I can hardly wait.”

  “I look forward to that time, too. I know you have a housekeeper, but I can cook and clean to take care of you.”

  He waggled a forefinger at her. “No more than lending Mrs. Mendoza an occasional hand.”

  She’d never had unlimited leisure time. Even at Lydia’s luxurious home Ophelia was expected to help with chores. Elias had built the perfect house, but she needed to be busy.

  “Then what will I do all day? I don’t intend to be a lay about.”

  Elias squeezed her hand. “You’re intelligent and industrious so I’m sure you’ll find plenty to occupy your time. I hope soon we’ll have children and then your days will be full. You have friends here to visit and invite to our house for tea or to plan a dinner party. In the meantime, perhaps you can help me with the children’s home.”

  She gasped with pleasure. “All of that sounds wonderful.”

  “Here we are back at Lydia’s. I hate leaving you.” He pulled her into an embrace. “I confess that as well as loving you, I am filled with longings of that ‘baser attraction’ you mentioned.”

  Fortunately, the dusk hid the blush she felt spread across her face. “Although I’m not… um, familiar with the aspects, I share that attraction.”

  He kissed her fervently and she melded against him. Through her thin dress and old petticoat, she felt the evidence of his rigid attraction against her abdomen. She was lost in his arms, all fears forgotten.

  His breathing was rapid when he broke the embrace. “If I don’t send you inside now, I won’t be able to part with you.”

  “Good night, Elias.”

  She floated into the house and up to her room. Lorraine and Prudence sat sewing while Rachel read a book. Ophelia enjoyed spending time with her friends but right now she wanted to be alone and savor Elias’ kisses.

  How lucky she was to have met this man and have a future with him. Now nothing could go wrong.

  ***

  Elias counted himself the most fortunate man in Tarnation, maybe in Texas. His shy little Ophelia would soon be his wife and she displayed a passionate nature. He had imagined she would be hesitant toward lovemaking, but she’d demonstrated zeal toward his overtures.

  This Tuesday, he walked from the café toward the saloon as the stage pulled up in front of the hotel. The sheriff always met the stage to head off troublemakers. Today he leaned casually against a column of the hotel porch.

  A drummer Elias recognized disembarked and nodded acknowledgment before he hastened into the hotel. Behind him, a thin man in shabby clothes climbed from the stage. He retrieved a valise and looked around.

  Adam straightened. “Adam Pender, Tarnation sheriff. Could I be of help to you?”

  “Name’s Alonzo Shipp and you sure can. I’m looking for a runaway daughter, Ophelia Shipp. I believe she’s in this town with a woman named Lydia Harrison.”

  Adam pinned the man with a stare. “I have to ask if you’re carrying a gun, Mr. Shipp. Only my deputies are allowed to carry guns in town.”

  Mr. Shipp pinched up his face in an arrogant scowl. “I won’t need one, Sheriff. All I need is to find my daughter and teach her what’s what.”

  Elias marveled at Adam’s ability to keep his face neutral. “A runaway you say?”

  The newcomer approached Adam. “More ’n that. She stole eight dollars from me ’fore she took off. I aim to take her back home.”

  Elias ambled closer to get a better look at the man who’d beaten Ophelia. Mr. Shipp was a large man for all that he was lean. Lines on his face testified that his expression was perpetually grim.

  Adam met Elias’ gaze before glancing back at the newcomer. “You’ve come a long way to settle an eight dollar debt.”

  Mr. Shipp glowered and his face grew red. “It’s not a debt because I didn’t loan her that money. The ungrateful girl flat out stole the cash after I give her room and board and the clothes on her back all these years. By now she’s likely spent that but she’ll go back to Virginia with me.”

  “Why don’t you check into the hotel, Mr. Shipp. I’ll ask around about your daughter.”

  He glanced at the hotel then back to Adam. “I ain’t runnin’ up no big bill at the hotel. I’ll take the next stage out of here and she’ll go with me.”

  “Next stage is three days, so best settle in and relax. If I see Miss Shipp, I’ll let her know you’re here and would like to talk to her.”

  Mr. Shipp spit out, “Talk? I’ll see she gets what’s coming to her for stealing from me and leaving home without my permission,” he pointed at Adam, “which I never would have given. My daughter belongs home taking care of her widowed father.”

  Adam’s face was no longer inscrutable and now he frowned. “As I said, if I see her I’ll tell her you’re here.”

  Elias nodded at the sheriff then turned and headed for the parsonage. He hoped Grady was in today. If not, Elias had an alternate plan in mind—he’d take the buggy to Lydia’s, grab Ophelia, and they would elope. At the preacher’s house, he rapped on the door.

  When Angeline greeted him, Elias said, “I need to see Grady.”

  “He’s visiting Mrs. Eppes and then Mrs.Arrenton. You look upset. Is something wrong?”

  “Ophelia’s father is in town.” He scrubbed a hand across his face, wishing he could wipe out Mr. Shipp’s visit so easily.

  Angeline clasped her hands to her chest. “Oh, no, Elias. He was so mean to her, don’t let him hurt her again.”

  “He won’t touch her if I can stop him.” He turned to leave.

  Angeline grabbed his arm before he got out the door. “Does Josephine know?”

  “Not yet.”

  Picking up Matthew, she pulled the door closed behind them. “I’ll tell her while you look for Grady.”

  Elias hurried to where Mrs. Eppes lived. She was only a couple of blocks from the parsonage, but he had so little time before someone told Mr. Shipp where he could find Ophelia.

  When Elias raced up Mrs. Eppes’ front walk, he met Grady leaving her home. Elias gestured to the pastor. “Come with me, please. Can you marry Ophelia and me right away?”

  Surprise showed on Grady’s face. “Sure, but the date you’d set is only a few days away.”

  “Please hurry, Grady. Her father has shown up and intends to make trouble.”

  Grady increased his steps. “I’ve heard how he treated her. Terrible thing for anyone to do, but especially a father to his own daughter.”

  The two men strode toward Lydia’s home. Elias prayed they’d get there before Mr. Shipp. Not that her father had any rights now that Ophelia was of age, but the man could make her unhappy. Elias didn’t intend for her having to stand up to her father alone.

  Lydia would help, he was certain. So would the other women in the house. Perhaps Adam had gone to warn them while Elias found Grady.

  At the Harrison home, Elias ran
g the bell, although he would have liked to burst in to insure Ophelia was unharmed.

  Mrs. Greenberg opened the door. “Ah, I’m glad you’re here. She’s in a fair state.”

  He rushed past the woman in search of his precious Ophelia. He found her in the parlor, surrounded by her friends and Adam. When she spotted him, she rose and rushed to his waiting arms.

  She clutched his lapels as if they were the lifesaver and she was drowning. “I knew he’d find me. Jo told me I was worrying for nothing, but I knew he wouldn’t rest until he’d located me and made a scene.”

  He made what he hoped were soothing motions on her back. “He can’t make you do anything, my precious. You’re a grown woman and you decide your fate, not your father.”

  “I’m scared but I’m also angry. How dare he spend money on a train ticket when he wouldn’t even let me have a decent dress for Sunday.” She raised her head to meet his gaze. Tears from her beautiful blue eyes ran down her ivory cheeks. “I won’t go back with him, but he’s going to get ugly.”

  Though he was loathe to separate them, he grasped her arms and held her away from him. “Grady is with me to marry us right now.”

  She blinked and looked from him to the minister. “Now? Here? But the wedding is set for Sunday afternoon.”

  He cupped her precious face in his hands. “Do you love me?”

  She smoothed her hands along his arms. “Yes, you know I do.”

  He brushed a kiss across her sweet lips, uncaring that they had an audience. “Then marry me today, now. You’ll officially be under my protection as my wife.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Elias recognized from Lydia’s concerned expression that she was aware of how terrible a man Ophelia’s father was.

  Lydia touched Ophelia’s arm. “Elias has a good idea. If you’re already married, perhaps your father will realize you’re beyond his control.”

  Ophelia took one of his hands in both hers and cradled it to her face. “If you’re willing, Elias, then so am I. But, I can assure you a marriage won’t make any difference to Pa. He’s a mean, stubborn man and wrong-headed.”

  Josephine rushed into the room. “I see you already know, Ophelia. Your pa came into the mercantile. He threatened me and Michael put him right out of the store. I ran out the back door to circle around and get here before he could.”

  Adam clapped Elias on the shoulder. “You two and the preacher and the others go to the garden. I’ll watch for Mr. Shipp. He won’t be long getting here.”

  Elias and Ophelia hurried out to the formal garden with Grady immediately behind them.

  Prudence produced scissors and cut several rosebuds. “A bride needs flowers.”

  Ophelia peered at her dress, the brown one he’d seen her wear most often. “Not what I’d have chosen for my wedding, but at least it’s clean.”

  Lydia scanned the garden. “Stand under the rose arbor. It’s a perfect outdoor setting.”

  Ophelia gestured to Josephine. “Stand with me as my matron of honor.”

  Roses’ fragrant scent surrounded them as Josephine assumed her place beside his bride. Elias decided the perfume would forever remind him of this day and this special woman.

  Grady straightened his coat and cleared his throat. “I don’t have my Bible with me, but I know the words by now. Are you ready?”

  Elias clasped Ophelia’s hand. He waited for her nod before saying, “We’re ready.”

  Grady said, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and man to unite this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony…”

  Elias’ bride was shaking and he suspected he was too. They clung together as the breeze swirled around them. Flowers in Lydia’s garden blurred into an aromatic rainbow.

  Grady asked him, “Do you have a ring?”

  Elias froze. “Yes, but not with me. Can we go on?”

  Ophelia removed a ring from her right hand. “This was my mother’s wedding ring. We can use it. I know she’d like that.”

  The rest of the ceremony went in a haze. Before he realized the wedding was over, people were offering congratulations. Mrs. Murphy invited everyone to the dining room for cake and lemonade.

  Ophelia led him inside. “We’re really married. I’m so happy. Shall I go pack my things?”

  He smiled at her, so elated he thought he might explode. “Definitely, Mrs. Kendrick. Then we’ll go to our home.”

  “Our home! Doesn’t that sound lovely? I’ll hurry.” She ran up the stairs.

  He watched her go to what had been her room since she’d been in Tarnation.

  Adam stood at his elbow. “Mr. Shipp impressed me as a man who will not take a wedding as an answer. Prepare for a heated confrontation.”

  “I’m ready, but at least I can send my father-in-law on his not-so-merry way.”

  Grady set down his plate. “I’d better get to Mrs. Arrenton’s and then home.” He shook Elias hand. “I’m happy for you, Elias, and for your bride.”

  “Excuse me. I suspect Ophelia will need another traveling bag.” Lydia hurried upstairs.

  Elias took a seat then stood and paced. He dreaded meeting Ophelia’s father, but he was overjoyed that she was finally his wife. He had so feared her strict moral code would send her running from him.

  Adam said, “I’ll trail along a short distance behind the two of you. Stanton is following Mr. Shipp. Any trouble pops up, we’ll both be there.”

  “Thanks, Adam. I sure appreciate your help.”

  Ophelia was down the stairs right away. “Lydia said she’ll pack for me and Mr. Ramirez will deliver my things before evening.”

  He proffered his arm and they set out. “Mrs. Kendrick, shall we go home?”

  She linked her arm with his. “That sounds wonderful, Mr. Kendrick.”

  They left amid good wishes and walked down the main street of town.

  Before they’d gone a block, he spotted the man who’d stepped off the stage. He knew Ophelia had seen her father because she stiffened.

  He sought to reassure his bride. “Don’t panic. Please let me defend you.”

  “First, I have to stand up to him. All my life I’ve been afraid to rouse his terrible temper, but I’m not afraid of him now.”

  Mr. Shipp strode swiftly their way. About ten feet from them, he shook a fist in the air. “I never gave you permission to leave, daughter. I sure didn’t give you permission to steal money from me.”

  Ophelia stiffened her spine and faced her father. “I earned that money for slaving sixteen hour days for you. I won’t go back with you, Pa. I’m married to this fine man now. Even if I weren’t married, I’d stay here.”

  Shipp’s face reddened and he narrowed his eyes. “Don’t sass me, girl. You’ll do as you’re told.”

  She raised her chin, her face gloriously defiant. “Not as you tell me. Not ever again.”

  Elias held his arm around her shoulders. “Ophelia lives here now, Mr. Shipp. You should be happy for her. She has good friends and a nice home.”

  Mr. Shipp spat in the dirt. “With you? You devil, serving drink and tempting folks to see those shows in what you call an opera house. Nothing but sin goes on there.”

  “You’ve never seen one of the shows I present to the town or you’d know differently. But your opinion doesn’t matter, Mr. Shipp. Ophelia and I are married and I intend to cherish her. Which is more than you ever did, beating her for the least thing you considered an offense.”

  Ophelia stepped forward but kept hold of his hand. “Pa, you killed Ma with your beatings and stinginess.”

  “Pshaw, she was weak. Wouldn’t work.”

  She stabbed a finger at him. “How dare you criticize Mama. She did work—usually sixteen hours a day with never a kind word from you. Never a day of joy or happiness. Never a new dress except those hand-me-downs the church folks gave her.”

  She took a step toward her father. “At the last, you know what she said? Mama didn’t think life was worth living if ha
rd work and beatings were all she had to look forward to. You’re to blame, Pa. You killed her just the same as if you’d fired a gun at her head.”

  “How dare you accuse me.” He reached inside his overalls and pulled out a coiled whip. “Ophelia Pauline Shipp, I’ll teach you to talk back to your father.”

  Elias stepped in front of his wife. “You’ll not harm a hair on her head. Ophelia is a gentle, kind woman you should have treasured as I do.”

  “So you say. ‘Honor thy father and mother’ mean anything to a heathen like you? And how about ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’?”

  “You’re misusing both those Scriptures, Mr. Shipp. Surely even you can see that beating your daughter until she’s unconscious is not what the Bible intends. And, Ophelia has honored you. Otherwise she would have killed you years ago for the mad dog you are.”

  Elias saw Mr. Shipp snap the whip, braced himself for the strike. The lash stung and tore his jacket and waistcoat. As Mr. Shipp pulled his arm back for another blow, Adam and Deputy Stanton grabbed him.

  Adam yanked the whip from the man. “You’re under arrest for assault, Mr. Shipp. You’ll come to the jail with us.”

  Ophelia’s eyes were wide as a gold piece as she watched her father being led away. The man yelled and kicked and dragged his feet, but the two lawmen didn’t falter. Instead, they dragged him into the sheriff’s office that housed the jail in back.

  People who’d gathered to witness the excitement applauded. Many offered good wishes before they dispersed about their business.

  Tears streamed from Ophelia’s eyes as she examined the slashes in his clothing then ran a hand across his cheek. “Elias, he could have blinded you or cut your handsome face. What a horrible thing to happen. The Good Lord knows I’ve tried, but I can’t find any love in my heart for Pa. He has no call to be so mean and spiteful.”

  Elias pulled her to his side with an arm about her waist. “Don’t dwell on your father, my precious Ophelia. Shall we go home or would you like to go to the café for a meal?”

  “Home with you will always be my favorite place. I love you with all my heart, Mr. Kendrick.”