Shotgun Grooms

by Susan Mallery

  Dixie secured another petticoat around her waist. “I like you, Emily. You don’t put on airs.”

  “I like you, too.”

  They both smiled. Emily realized that she hadn’t had a real friend since coming to Defiance. It felt good to have one now.

  “Cherry’s right about the colors you should wear,” Dixie told her, reaching for a blue dress and pulling it over her head. “Throw away those ugly gray clothes and start over.”

  When the dress was smoothed over Emily, Dixie walked behind her and fastened the buttons. Emily glanced at herself in the mirror and was shocked to see actual curves thrusting up above the low-cut bodice.

  “Is that all me?” she asked in amazement.

  “See. Those tucks and lace can push you right up. Lucas won’t know what to think.”

  Emily didn’t know what to think, either. She loved the deep blue of the gown and the way the soft fabric felt against her skin. It wasn’t practical and she wouldn’t be able to wear it very much, but for the first time in her life, she saw that she had possibilities. Maybe she could order some wool dresses in blue or even rose. While she had to be practical when she was working, there was no reason she had to be unattractive.

  “Now sit,” Dixie told her, pushing her toward the low, backless sofa facing the mirror. “Let’s see what we can do with your hair.”

  Thirty minutes later, Emily barely recognized herself. Dixie had secured her hair at the nape of her neck, but unlike her usual tight bun, this style allowed her hair to wave slightly. There was a row of curls across her crown, and two loose curls by her ears.

  Between the feminine hairstyle and the beautiful new dress, she was transformed. Her cheeks glowed with color and her eyes were huge.

  “I love it,” she said fervently. “You’ve made me pretty.”

  “You always were,” Dixie told her. “You just didn’t know it.”

  A moan came from the next room, followed by a rhythmic thumping against the wall. Emily frowned.

  “What’s that?”

  Dixie laughed. “Catherine is working.”

  “But—” Emily caught her breath. “Oh.”

  Dixie smiled at her in the mirror. “You’re a virgin, aren’t you, Emily?”

  “I, um, yes.” Emily ducked her head.

  “I thought so. Lucas married you because of the will. You married him for a different reason.”

  Emily kept her eyes tightly closed. “I wanted to turn the upstairs into a hotel.”

  “I see. So it was strictly a business arrangement. Except now you want it to be a real marriage.”

  Emily risked looking into the mirror. She studied her new friend. “Do you think that’s wrong?”

  “No. I think it’s very right. Lucas needs someone like you in his life. The problem is he doesn’t know it and, even if he did, he would resist. Although looking at you now, I’d say he’s going to have a little more trouble.”

  Emily smiled. “Really? I didn’t know much about him when we married, but now that I’ve spent more time with him, I quite like him. He’s very kind and he teases me. No one has ever done that before. I’m not really the teasing kind.”

  “That’s all going to change. Once Lucas sees you in that dress, he won’t be able to think about anything else.”

  Emily regarded her finery. “I can’t wear this for everyday.”

  “True, but you can still keep your hair like this and you can get more sensible dresses in flattering colors.”

  “That’s what I thought, too.” She rose and turned to Dixie. “How can I thank you?”

  “Go see your husband and try not to laugh when his jaw hits the floor.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lucas looked up when a woman entered his office. She was at once both familiar and a stranger. Tall, slender yet with a delightful expanse of bosom displayed. The blue of her gown matched her eyes and she—

  “Emily?” he asked in disbelief. He rose to his feet and came around the desk. “Emily?”

  “Hello, Lucas. I just stopped by to say good-afternoon. I haven’t seen you yet today.” She looked past him and raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t realize you had company.”

  “Huh?” He followed her gaze to the young woman sitting in front of his desk. “Oh. Emily, this is Molly Malone. Miss Malone, my wife.”

  Emily smiled. “Welcome to Defiance. Did you just arrive?”

  “Yes. On the stage. Your husband was kind enough to meet me.”

  They continued talking, but Lucas wasn’t listening. How could he with Emily standing there looking so different? He told himself it was just that the dress was much prettier than the usual gray garments she wore and that her suddenly fuller appearing bosom was more because of padding and stitching than due to any increase in her feminine gifts, but none of it seemed to matter. His brain wasn’t listening, and neither was the sudden throbbing in his groin.

  He wanted her.

  That wasn’t anything new. He’d wanted her from their first kiss and his attempts to stay clear of her had only increased his longing. Now she’d gone and gotten herself all fussied up. He studied her softer hairstyle and the long curls tickling her cheeks. His fingers itched to unfasten the row of curls and release her hair until it tumbled down her back. He wanted to bury his face in the golden length, inhaling the scent of her as he—

  “Lucas?”

  He shook his head and turned attention to his wife. “Yes?”

  “I thought I’d show Molly to her room.”

  “Yes. I’ll send her things upstairs.” He thought of Molly’s traveling companion and knew that Emily would enjoy the surprise. “The ceremony is at ten in the morning.”

  Molly glanced at him. “Are you sure Jackson is too ill to attend the ceremony?”

  “He was when I saw him a couple of days ago. A fever, I think.”

  She didn’t look convinced but didn’t ask again. Emily glared at him. She thought she knew the truth about his brother. Lucas knew different. However if Emily understood all about Jackson’s past, she would never let Molly Malone head up that mountain. He eased his own guilty conscience by reminding himself that as soon as he was able, Jackson would head down the mountain to beat the hell out of his brother. Lucas figured a beating would be worth it. As soon as Jackson and Molly were married—by whatever means necessary—the terms of the will would be met.

  Emily led the way up the stairs toward the hotel. Jackson’s bride wasn’t anything like she’d imagined. Emily supposed she’d expected a young timid woman afraid of her own shadow. Instead Molly Malone was at least twenty-five. Obviously she wasn’t afraid of very much, because she’d just traveled across the country by herself to marry a man she’d never met.

  “You must be tired,” Emily said as they reached the reception area in the hotel. “It was a long journey.”

  “I’m fine.” Molly turned in a slow circle, taking in the desk, the worn wallpaper and sitting area. “Well then, isn’t this fancy.” She glanced at Emily. “Your husband was tellin’ me that you run the hotel yourself.”

  “Yes. We have an arrangement whereby I rent the space from him.”

  “A woman ownin’ a business.” Molly smiled. “I’m impressed. I thought I was being brave traipsin’ all across the back of beyond to find a husband, and you’ve gone and made the kind of life that doesn’t even need one.”

  Emily thought about the last time Lucas had kissed her. She was starting to think she needed her husband very much. “I have a head for business,” she said, “but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to be married.”

  “I suppose not. Most women want a family.” Molly brushed at the front of her dress. “So I’m to spend the night in this fine establishment. It’ll be far nicer than anywhere I stopped on the journey.” She leaned close to Emily. “I thought fishermen smelled bad at the end of the day, but they’re positively doused in perfume compared to some of the people on the train and stage.”

  Emily laughed. Molly was exceptionally pr
etty with copper-colored hair that tumbled down her back to her waist and beautiful green eyes. When she’d first seen her, she’d been a little put off by her beauty, but now she found herself warming to the other woman.

  “We try to keep the smells down to a minimum,” Emily assured her. “I can even arrange for you to have a bath in your room, if you’d like.”

  “That sounds like heaven. I can change my dress as well. I have a special one I’ve been saving for the ceremony.” Molly’s mouth straightened. “And a new hat, although from what I hear, my husband won’t be there to see it.”

  Emily felt a flicker of guilt. She suspected there was more going on than either she or Molly was aware of. Jackson could very well be ill, but she wasn’t sure that was the only reason he wouldn’t be at the ceremony.

  Before she could decide if she should say something or not, Perry appeared carrying a trunk. Perched on top of it was a very large, very brightly colored bird in a cage.

  “What is it?” Emily asked in delight.

  Beside her Molly laughed. “Captain Blood. He’s a parrot. He’s all that I have left of my family. Which, when you think on it, is a mighty sad statement to be makin’.”

  Perry set down the trunk and stepped back. “I don’t think he likes me.”

  Molly sighed. “The captain isn’t too fond of anyone.”

  “Ahoy, maties,” the parrot squawked. “Abandon ship.”

  “Not just yet, Captain,” Molly said, running a finger along his red, yellow and green back. “I’m thinkin’ we might just find a home here in Colorado.”

  As Perry hurried down the stairs, Emily cautiously approached the bird. “I’ve never seen anything like him.”

  “He belonged to my uncle, God rest his soul. Now he’s mine. He didn’t much care for traveling, I can tell you, but I’m hoping he’ll settle down now that we’ve arrived.”

  Emily thought about asking if she could hold the bird, then she studied his sturdy beak. Perhaps Captain Blood was best admired from a safe distance.

  “Your room is in here,” she said, motioning down the hallway. “You should have a quiet night. I don’t have many guests this evening, and they’re all at the other end of the hotel.” She eyed the bird. “Does he need a perch? I have a coat rack. Would that work?”

  Molly smiled. “How kind of you. The captain’s too ungrateful to say thank ye, but I’ll do it for him.”

  “Good. I’ll bring it in shortly.”

  She opened the door to Molly’s room and stepped back to let the woman enter. This room was done in greens, with thick drapes to block out the morning sun. The walls were plain and Emily rubbed them with her fingers.

  “Maybe I should paint,” she murmured more to herself than her guest.

  Molly set Captain Blood on the footboard, where the bird slid back and forth, squawking softly. “It’s pretty,” she said, fingering the coverlet. “I like the green.”

  “It matches your eyes. They’re a lovely color.”

  Molly ducked her head and smiled. “Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “But I’m thinkin’ a little paint on the walls might brighten up the place.”

  “Yes, I agree. I wanted to get the hotel open quickly so there was only time to clean, not decorate.” She touched the walls again. “Maybe a soft yellow.”

  “That would be nice.” Molly walked to the window and glanced out at the street, then she turned back to face the room. “Have you seen Jackson’s house? Do you know what it’s like?”

  Emily realized her guest was nervous, and why not? She’d traveled more than halfway across the country to marry a stranger.

  “Molly, why don’t I have your trunk delivered to your room? You can freshen up and I’ll make tea. You can join me in my office in a few minutes and we’ll talk.”

  “I’d like that,” Molly said.

  Twenty minutes later Emily finished brewing a pot of tea. She set fresh tea cakes on a plate and put them and the pot onto the small table in her office. She’d also changed back into one of her gray dresses, not wanting to spoil the new blue one. She wanted to wear it tomorrow, to the wedding. She only wished she’d had it when she’d married Lucas.

  She glanced at the clock and thought there might be time to go to the mercantile this afternoon. If not she would go first thing in the morning. Either way, she wanted to look over the ready-made dresses they had in stock, plus buy some length of cloth. She would get two or three dresses made up in a week or so. However much it cost, she didn’t want to be wearing her gray gowns any longer than she had to.

  A light knock on the open door caused her to look up. Molly stood in the doorway.

  “Please come in,” Emily said, pulling out a chair. “I have tea and cakes. Are you hungry for something more? We’ll be dining at six and I thought the cakes would hold you, but if you’d like something more…”

  “No. The cakes are plenty.” Molly took the chair Emily offered.

  Emily served them both, then returned to the conversation they’d been having in Molly’s room.

  “I’ve never seen Jackson’s house,” she said. “I know he lives in the mountains, some distance from town.” She frowned. “It can’t be all that far, because he comes to town at least once a week.”

  “I’m hopin’ he’s a good man,” Molly said.

  “I’m sure he is. He and Lucas were raised by their uncle. Lucas runs the saloon here in town and Jackson works the family mine. They have some land outside of town. Their goal is to start a ranch and sell horses to the army.”

  “Oh, a man with plans. That’s encouraging.” Molly sipped her tea. “Have you been married long?”

  Emily laughed. “Less than a month.” And she was still untouched by her husband, although she wasn’t about to share that information with Molly.

  “Are you happy?”

  Emily considered the question. Was she happy? Her husband had married her for reasons that had nothing to do with affection and everything to do with the family inheritance. While he kissed her with great intensity, he didn’t seem interested in consummating their marriage. The hotel was successful, which was good. She had a new friend and might eventually learn how to be pretty.

  “I’m content,” she said at last. “Some things are good, some things could be improved upon.” She looked at the woman sitting across from her. “If you don’t mind me asking, why did you agree to be a mail-order bride?”

  “There wasn’t anything left for me back home. So many men were lost during the war. Men became scarce.” She shrugged. “I have a bit of a temper and I’ve been known to be stubborn with good reason. However much I don’t mind those qualities in myself, some men find them too difficult. I thought someone from out West would appreciate my spirit.”

  Molly set down her cup and placed her hands on the table. “I want a family. With my uncle gone, it’s just me. I know that some would say that marryin’ a stranger is crazy, but I disagree. I think happiness in marriage is a decision both people make and I intend to be happy.”

  “I admire your courage.”

  “It’s not courage, it’s having no other choice. I didn’t want to die an old maid. Besides, if Jackson is honest and decent, I can fiddle with the rest and bend him to my will. And if he’s as stubborn as me, then we’ll never run out of things to argue about.”

  Molly bit into a cake. Emily didn’t know what to say. She’d never met anyone like the woman sitting across from her. She almost mentioned the fact that when Molly married Jackson, she and Molly would be sisters. Except Lucas intended to get the marriage annulled. So there was no point in claiming a relationship that would only be temporary.

  Molly glanced over her shoulder, as if to make sure they were alone. “I don’t suppose you’d be tellin’ me about the marriage bed? I don’t know much and I’m thinkin’ that Jackson will want to have his way with me when I get up the mountain.”

  Emily had been swallowing as Molly spoke. She choked on her tea and it was some time before she was able to s
peak.

  “The marriage bed?” she repeated weakly.

  “Yes. I don’t know very much about what happens there.”

  Me, either, Emily thought sadly. If only that were different.

  “I, ah, think it’s best if you discuss this with your husband,” she said by way of an excuse. She absolutely couldn’t confess her ignorance to Molly. It was too humiliating.

  Molly looked disappointed. “Maybe when I’ve been with my husband I’ll understand why none of you want to talk about it.”

  Maybe when you’ve been with your husband you can tell me what happens, Emily thought with a sigh.

  The wedding was delayed by Pastor Bird having to make a sick call to a nearby ranch and it was after three by the time Molly Malone had been legally wed—if only by proxy—to Jackson MacIntyre. Emily watched Molly recite her vows and felt more than a twinge of discomfort when Lucas replied in his brother’s stead.

  She consoled herself with the fact that while her husband might be saying the marriage vows to another woman, he kept stealing glances at her.

  She smoothed down the front of her new blue dress and resisted the urge to pat her hair. While she hadn’t been able to duplicate Dixie’s style exactly, she’d come close. Now she wore her hair more loosely, allowing curls to drift across her forehead and along the back of her neck. She felt almost pretty and wished she’d looked better for her own wedding.

  At least she knew what to do now. She’d gone to the mercantile that morning and had purchased two new simple dresses, one in dark blue and the other in a deep pink. She’d also purchased lengths of cloth and had taken them over to Mrs. Baker to have them made up into dresses. Just as soon as she had her new wardrobe assembled, she would offer her gray dresses to Alice and Mary to make over. Both girls had the right coloring to carry off the shade.

  Pastor Bird pronounced Jackson and Molly married. Lucas shook hands with the bride, who smiled happily. He joined Emily.

  “I’ll be taking Molly up the mountain in the morning,” he said.