What if, like the widow Sims, she lost another husband. Cora had lost three now. Claire couldn’t bear another deep loss. She glanced up at Ethan. He would be an easy man to love. Her thoughts were interrupted at the sight of Preacher Collins tapping Ethan on the shoulder.
Ethan looked at the man and then at Claire.
Claire nodded. “Preacher Collins.”
With a nod at Ethan, the preacher pointed to the front of the church. “I’d like to talk to Claire alone. Please get us a drink of punch.”
Ethan looked at her, and Claire nodded.
After Ethan left, Preacher Collins continued. “Claire Braden. You know I think that the women should be married as soon as possible. It’s not seemly for a man to live under the same roof as an unmarried woman.”
Embarrassment seared her cheeks. “Yes, sir. I know.”
“When is the wedding?”
Claire stared at him. “Ethan has only been here a week.”
The preacher tilted his head and stared at her. “That would be a week under your roof, I take it?”
“Yes. That is correct, but he stays in the guest room.” Sometimes, Preacher Collins angered her. Perhaps he was right, but what did he expect of her?
“I want you to marry him soon.” The preacher gave her his full doom and gloom stare.
Unable to turn from it, she nodded.
“I think nothing would be better than a New Year’s Eve wedding.” Preacher Collins continued to stare at her.
Sometimes, she wondered if he weren’t angry that she hadn’t agreed to marry him. He’d asked her, and she’d declined. “Tonight? I am not ready to do any such thing. I need to sit down with the children. Ethan and I have things we need to work out before we are married.”
“I took the liberty to speak to the children. They are in agreement. Shall we go and talk to Ethan?”
“We?”
“Yes, I will tell him that I will officiate the wedding tonight. To make you an honest woman.”
Claire pulled away from the preacher. “I have always been an honest woman. I resent your remark that—”
The preacher held up his hands. “Believe me, this is for your own good and that of your children.”
Preacher Collins took her hand and led her to Ethan. “Mr. Freemont, are you going to marry this woman?”
Ethan stared at the preacher, and without hesitation, he nodded. “Whenever she’ll have me.”
“Good. I believe tonight will be a great evening to start your marriage.”
Ethan stared at her. “What’s he talking about?”
“He wants us to marry tonight. He said there has been talk, and to make an honest woman out of me, you must marry me tonight.” Claire stared at him, not knowing what she wanted him to say.
Ethan took her in his arms. “I promise to hold you tight when you need it. To love you always. And to never leave you.”
Claire stared at him. He answered every fear she had. She started to speak, but he put a finger to her lips. “I won’t enter your bedroom until you ask me in. I’ll stay in the guest room until then.”
She nodded.
The music ended, and the preacher stood on a chair. “Everyone, gather around and listen.”
The room quieted. Claire could see the fear on the women’s faces as they remembered that awful night when they’d learned of the fate of their husbands.
Preacher Collins smiled. “It’s my pleasure to announce that we’re having a wedding tonight. You know the weather can be contrary, so we better make use of the nice day we’ve had and conduct the wedding for Claire Braden and Ethan Freemont. If you don’t mind, we’ll have the wedding now and then a special dance for the bride and groom.”
Cheers erupted around the room.
Claire stared at Ethan. He was smiling, a tender grin that matched the love in his eyes.
Preacher Collins pulled Ethan before him. “Ethan Freemont, will you take this woman, Claire Braden, as your lawful wife. To cherish and love her all the days of your life.”
Ethan held Claire’s hand. “Yes, I do.”
“Claire, will you take Ethan to be your husband. To honor and respect him, care for, and love him all the days of your life.”
Claire cleared her throat of the growing lump. “Yes, I do.”
“Then I am happy to pronounce you as husband and wife. Go this day in the sight of the Lord and make a new life together.” The preacher pointed at the congregation of stunned partygoers. “I appoint you all and charge you with the responsibility to nurture them in this marriage and not ever be a stumbling block to this couple.” The preacher’s eyes roved over to Cora and stayed on her for a time. “Ethan, you may now kiss your bride.”
Ethan stared at Claire and took her tenderly in his arms and kissed her.
Claire received his kiss, and her heart opened. Not entirely, but enough to let her know that somehow, this would be all right. Someday. Some night.
Chapter 12
Ethan hadn’t been prepared to marry Claire so soon. They’d only known each other a week. In one way, he was angry with the preacher, but in another, he was grateful. Claire had said yes, and they were now married.
Alex came to his side. “I’ll let the kids sleep in my hotel room. I’ll sleep in the livery. I worked out a job there with the owner. It’s just temporary, but it will bring in some money until I figure out what I want to do.”
“Thanks, Alex. Let me talk it over with Claire.” Ethan looked around. She’d been whisked away by her friends and was in the midst of the women. She’d looked so startled and scared.
Ethan thought he should have spoken up for her, but the preacher pushed his way and as much threatened her with being a ruined woman if he didn’t marry her then and there. Someday, he was going to have a reckoning with that preacher.
He made his way toward her having to stop and thank people for congratulating him. Ethan did see a lot of wistful looks on the other women’s faces as many were waiting for their men to arrive.
A whole town with mail-order grooms on the way. Ethan thought there’d have to be a book written about that someday. Maybe in his later years, he’d attempt to describe the things he was seeing and feeling.
Finally, he reached her. “Claire, I think there are a few more dances.”
Looking flushed and a bit flustered, she nodded. “Excuse me, ladies. My husband is calling me.” She walked through the crowd to him. “Thank you. I can’t answer another question.”
The fiddlers started up, and the dance area cleared.
Heather announced that the newlyweds would begin the dance alone, and then the others would join in.
Ethan took Claire’s hand. “Alex said the children could stay in his hotel room and he’ll sleep in the livery. I’m sorry the preacher forced the issue. I can go to the livery with Alex if it makes you feel better.”
She held his hand and looked up at him. “I don’t know. That may cause more nosy neighbors. I wouldn’t want the preacher to find you in the barn.”
Ethan grinned. “How about I sleep on the couch. Like I told you before when you’re ready is fine with me. I can stay in the guest room at the farm until you tell me otherwise.”
The music started, and Ethan led her in the slow waltz in the middle of the floor. She leaned into his chest. “Thank you. You’ve been a prince about all this. I couldn’t have asked for a gentler and more patient man.”
“I want us to have a life together.” He twirled her around and held her close. “You have already captured my heart. I think your first letter did that.”
She laughed. “You surprise me, Ethan.”
He looked at her. “I am a man of surprises. There will be more. All good ones.”
Claire had to admit, his arms around her were comforting and desired. She longed for him to hold her. For them to get to know one another in a deeper way.
Finally, the dance came to an end. The preacher bellowed out the last few seconds of the year, and they all welcomed in the
new year.
Ethan cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
Her lips returned his kiss, and her feelings stirred. She looked into his eyes and was confident that someday the love would come.
“Happy New Year, Mrs. Freemont.” His voice was low and pleasing.
Hearing her new name, the first feeling she had was shock. What had she done? She took in a deep breath and told herself she’d done what she had to. This would save her family. The farm. And someday she would love Ethan.
Leah ran up to her. “Happy New Year, Mama.” She looked at Ethan. “Mr. Ethan, what do I call you?”
Claire held her daughter to her. “Leah, we’ll talk about it later.”
Ethan knelt before the girl. “You can call me Ethan. Later, if you want to, you can call me stepdad or father. It’s up to you. But I want to tell you this, I will love you as if you were my own child.”
Leah blinked a coupled of times. “Thank you, Ethan. Maybe in a few days, I’ll call you, Papa.” She looked up. “If that’s alright with you, Mama.”
Claire stroked her daughter’s hair. “It’s fine with me. You and Ethan work that out between the two of you.”
Tom stood uncomfortably beside his sister.
Claire went to her son. “Tom, I know you weren’t prepared for the marriage, but you knew that was why I wrote to Ethan.”
The boy nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”
“All I ask is that you treat Ethan and me with respect. My marriage to Ethan in no way negates the love I held for your father.”
Ethan held out his hand. “I promise to treat your mother well. As far as I am concerned, you are over the farm. I’ll help and do whatever you think needs to be done. And it will be your farm.”
Tom just stared at him. Finally, he nodded and shook Ethan’s hand. “I guess you’re a good man. So far, you have been.”
Alex came over to them and laughed. “Well, the party is over. I’ve got two hotel rooms. I had to beg for them, but I got them. My present for Ethan and Claire. Kids, you’ll stay in my room, and I’ll stay in the livery.”
Leah hugged Alex. “Thank you, Uncle Alex. I was too tired to ride back to the farm.”
He picked her up and put her on his shoulders. “Let’s go.” He went off with Leah riding on his shoulders and Tom walking beside him.
Ethan looked at Claire. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, thank you again, Ethan.”
Claire walked with her new husband and contemplated what the new year would bring for her and her friends. She did see Jenna walking with Alex and her children. They did make a good couple.
They entered the hotel, and Ethan escorted her up the stairs. He opened the door and let Claire walk inside. It wasn’t a large room and hardly a bridal suite, but it was clean and warm. The woodstove to one side was already lit and emitting a nice warm glow.
Ethan looked around. “I can sleep on the couch.”
She nodded. If she hadn’t been so tired, maybe she’d have sat and talked with him, but the week since he’d arrived had kept her on edge and jumpy.
Ethan sat on the couch and pulled off his boots. He’d hung his jacket on the rack by the door. “There’s an extra blanket on the couch. That’s all I need.”
She went behind the screen and took off her dress. She hung it over the side of the screen and then ran into bed and under the covers. Claire felt embarrassed like a schoolgirl. Goodness, she’d been married for nearly fourteen years to Thomas.
Ethan stood by the lamp. “You settled in?”
“Yes.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I hope you’re not too disappointed.”
“I knew you weren’t ready. We have time. Good night, Claire.”
“Good night, Ethan.” His name rolled easily enough from her lips. She wasn’t opposed to their marriage at all. She hoped that soon, she could be a wife to him, and promised herself that she would.
Soon, she heard him snoring. Not loud, raucous ones, but the soft, easy snores of a man who has worked hard and needed his sleep. The sound so familiar and one she missed. The absence of the noise had made her feel all the more alone in her room.
What would the children think if Ethan went back to the guest room? Tom was already worried about her happiness. Yet, whether she could she have Ethan in her room so soon was a question she had no answer to. Tears fell onto her pillow. Her feelings were all over the place. Angry, sad, fearful, regrets.
And about Ethan? She liked him well enough. Maybe she could even grow to love him. But the man should have stood up to the preacher and told him they weren’t ready to be married.
Yet, if they hadn’t tonight, who knows when they could get around to getting married. With the weather so unpredictable, it may have been months before they could drive back into town.
She turned and looked out the window. Silently, she prayed that tonight had not been a mistake.
Chapter 14
Ethan rode up front with Alex and let Claire and the children ride in the wagon. The day had started warm, but halfway to the farm, clouds took over the sky. They were mostly light gray and didn’t look dangerous.
“You might have to spend the night at the farm until the weather clears.”
Alex nodded. “You know, there were quite a few pretty women who still needed a man. I might just stay in Last Chance.”
“Is that so? Well, I have to say I’m glad to hear that. The kids will too, Uncle Alex.”
His friend grinned. “Yeah, I like that, and I think we’re as close as brothers anyway.”
“Yes, me too.”
Alex flicked the reins to keep the oxen going. “And if you need help around the farm, you just ask.”
“I will. Right now, I’m a bit concerned about Tom. I don’t think he was very happy about the marriage.”
“Aw, it just took him by surprise. We’ve talked it over a few times. I think he trusts you. Just be patient.” Alex laughed. “And that’s one thing I know you can be.”
“I guess so. I really love her.” Ethan looked at his hands.
“I believe she’ll love you in time. Her heart was broken, so it might take her a while.”
“Hope it’s not too long.”
Alex grinned. “Giddyap oxen.” They went around a bend in the road and Alex reined in the oxen. “Uh oh. Looks like we might have company.”
Ethan looked up to see there were two horses tied to the post outside the house. Rustler was barking at them and running from one man to the other.
Ethan looked inside the wagon. “Tom, did you bring your rifle?”
“Yes, why?”
“Let me have it.”
Tom looked warily at his mother and then brought the rifle to him.
Ethan whispered. “Do you know those horses?”
“No.”
“Stay in the back with your mother and sister, and don’t make a sound. Tell them to keep quiet.”
Tom nodded and went back inside.
Alex pulled his pistol out. “I’m glad we’re together. Even’s up the odds.” Alex drove the wagon to the side of the house to keep Claire and the children out of any gunfire.
Ethan stepped down and pointed at the first stranger standing by the hitching post. “Can I help you?”
The man nodded at his partner. “We’ve been traveling and wondered if we could stop the night and sleep in your barn. We’re cold and hungry, and the horses are tired.”
Ethan kept his eyes on the man and knew that Alex had the other one covered. “Maybe. We have room in the barn. When we make dinner, we can bring you a plate.”
The stranger rubbed his hands. “I’d sure like to be by the fire.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Al Stark, and that’s my partner, Ben Cade.”
“What’s your business? Not many people are traveling the prairie this time of the year.” Ethan wished he’d gone by the sheriff’s to see posters of wanted men. That was something he thought he’d do periodically to protect his fam
ily.
Al shrugged. “We just wanted to get out of town and see the country.”
“In January? I would think you’d be headed south where it’s at least warmer.” Ethan could feel the trouble from this pair. There was no way he’d let them in the house with Claire and the children.
Ben stepped toward his partner. “Townspeople weren’t all that friendly to strangers. So, we left.”
Alex was in front of the oxen. “What town?”
Al turned to Alex. “Kearney. St. Louis before that. Must be nice to have a farm and grow your own food. We’ve been three days without so much as a chunk of bread.”
Claire came out of the wagon. “I have food. I’ll make you some dinner.” She looked back. “Children, let’s go.”
Tom helped Leah out of the wagon, and they walked past the strangers and into the house. Claire stood by the door. “You’ll leave your guns outside. I don’t allow them in my house with the children.”
Al glanced at Ben but nodded. “No problem. We just wear them for protection.” They followed her into the house.
Ethan sent a glance to Alex. “Keep alert.”
“I’m on it. I don’t trust them at all.” After the two went inside the house, Alex took their guns and put them in the box that also served as a bench. “After you. I’ll be by the door and won’t take my eyes off them.”
“Thanks, Alex. I hope you’ll be staying tonight.”
“You didn’t even have to ask.” Alex followed him in.
Ethan entered the house and saw that Tom was starting the fire in the stove.
Al was hunched over in the chair closest to it. “These winters can be the coldest.”
“Where are you headed?” Ethan handed Tom another lit match as the first one had gone out.
“Last Chance. Thought it a fitting name for the town we’d go to. We hear there are a lot of women who need husbands. That’s what the sheriff in Kearney told us as he kicked us out of his town.” Ben attempted a grin, but it ended up looking more like a smirk.
Alex darted a glance at Ethan. “Do you two have anything to offer one of the widows?”
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