Judith_Bride of Wyoming

by Hildie McQueen

  Judith smiled. “I’ve not heard of it. Is it a nice place?”

  He shrugged. “Not sure, we’re US Marshals after some outlaws.” He touched his hat. “I’m Lucas McKade.” He motioned to the long-haired man who waited by the door. “That’s my partner, Brogan Hage. You have a nice town here. It’s a good place to call home.”

  At his words, sadness enveloped her and she sighed. She had no home to go to. No shelter from the world in the circle of family. Being an only child and her parents both dead, she’d not had that feeling of total acceptance in a long time. “It is.” She wrapped his purchases and handed them to him. “Safe travels.”

  He touched the tip of his hat. “At your service, ma’am.”

  After the men left, she stood at the front door and looked towards Sean’s house. The only sounds were the tinny piano music from the saloon one street over and the subtle songs of crickets. In that moment, Judith felt so lonely, she stumbled to a rocker and fell into it. It wouldn’t do to cry. If anything, she needed to be strong.

  “What do you want, Judith?” she said out loud and, once again, looked toward Sean’s house. From where she sat, she couldn’t see the house, only the porch and the stables. “I want my husband and Bethany.”

  She’d given up too easily. This was not the time to whimper in a corner and hope for someone to come rescue her. As fetching as the man who’d just left was, she’d no desire for anyone other than Sean Montgomery and, by God, it was time she go and confront the situation. After grabbing her shawl and locking the front door, she rushed down the street to Sean’s home before she lost her nerve.

  * * *

  “I—I’ll live nearby…I suppose,” Angela stuttered, her eyes moving from Sean’s face to Patrick’s. “It would be much better if I lived here. Tell him, preacher. He should marry me.”

  Patrick nodded and anticipation lighted her face until he spoke. “In most cases, I’d agree with you. But you are not interested in being a wife or Bethany’s mother.”

  Angela jumped to her feet, her chair teetering backwards. “Each of you can judge me all you want. You don’t know what it’s like to be treated like trash when you’re too sick to barely make it day-to-day. I got kicked out of the only place I’ve ever lived for long. No one wants a sick woman like me around. Bad for business they said.” She wiped the back of her hand over her lips. “I don’t want to die like a dog in the street, with people stepping over me. It’s only right someone takes care of me. Sean Montgomery, you owe me. I gave you a child. Nobody cares what happens to me. I know that. I never got a chance to do better. It’s the life my momma brought me in to. She’s dead and now it’s just me trying to find a place….a place…” She collapsed into the chair, sagging like a deflated ragdoll.

  “I’ll take care of you.” Judith stood at the door. Her eyes shined with unshed tears. She went to Angela and kneeled next to the chair. She did what no one else had done up to this point and wrapped her arms around the sick woman, hugging her close.

  Angela’s sobs racked through her body, shaking both her and Judith. Through it all, Judith never let her go. Instead, she whispered soothing words that only the crying woman could hear.

  Sean watched in awe as Angela clung to Judith, soaking in the touch of a caring person and his heart expanded in admiration for the woman he loved.

  A handkerchief was pressed into Angela’s hand and she finally released Judith to wipe her face. But she continued to lean into her shoulder, not seeming to want to lose touch.

  Judith took Angela’s face with both hands. “We can work something out.” She turned to Sean. “Do you still want to marry me?”

  “Yes, more than anything,” Sean responded, moving to her, wishing he could touch her. He stopped short of it.

  “What if,” Judith looked to Angela, “Sean and I get married and you live with us? Would you accept that?”

  “What? I don’t understand.”

  Judith smiled. “I’ll take care of you while you’re sick.”

  “Why would you be so kind to me?” Angela’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “I would like that…I think.” She glanced at Sean and quickly looked away. “But he won’t let me.”

  His precious Judith looked to him. “What do you say?”

  * * *

  It wasn’t the wedding of her dreams. Instead, the rushed affair at the church that same evening, attended by only the Browns and Sean’s family, seemed more somber than happy. Judith knew no one agreed with the decision to have Angela live with them. It was unconventional of course, but if anyone understood what it was like to be alone in the world, it was Judith.

  The fact the woman had yet to seek spending more time with Bethany suited Judith just fine. As far as she was concerned, the little girl was hers and Sean’s alone.

  They’d agreed that for as long as Angela lived, which according to the doctor would only be a few months, she’d remain in the smaller bedroom while she and Sean would share the other room with Bethany.

  Her hands shook when Sean slipped a ring onto her finger, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke the vows. She repeated her vows, the entire time her voice strong with the knowledge he was to be her husband and his strength would provide shelter from any storm life sent her way.

  Eloise and Lorna rushed to them, hugging them and wiping tears of joy from their faces.

  Angela, thankfully, had not attended, instead seeking solace in whisky and the quiet of the house. Judith was grateful the woman had been wise enough not to attend the ceremony. The situation had become awkward enough as it was.

  It was the ending of what had turned out to be a long day. As they stood in the church, however, she was filled with relief and a quiet peace.

  They’d yet to be alone and talk things through since Father O’Reilly decreed they get married that same night before anyone changed their minds. Judith knew he meant Angela, who didn’t seem stable at all. The woman had made Judith and Sean promise twice they’d not kick her out once they got married and they did. She would never do it. This was to be the price for marrying the man she loved and as far as she was concerned, a deed that needed to be done.

  “I love you, Judith.” Sean’s unexpected proclamation made her heart jump for joy.

  She smiled widely at him. “I am so very glad you do.”

  Everyone laughed and in that instant, she finally felt what it was like to have family.

  Chapter Eleven

  “It must be difficult.” Eloise tugged at the thread and bit it off the shirt she was mending. “I can’t imagine what I’d do.”

  It had been two days since marrying Sean and they’d yet to have time to be intimate. The first night it had been hard to get Bethany settled. Once the child finally fell asleep, Judith collapsed onto the bed too exhausted to do much more than sleep. When she woke the next morning, Sean had already left for work.

  Angela was a difficult woman, negative and spouting off things that made no sense, whether from drink or pain medication, Judith wasn’t sure.

  “Already I’m having doubts we made the right decision,” Judith admitted. “I think Sean feels guilty. He’s barely spoken since the wedding. Goes to bed early and leaves before I get up.”

  “I don’t know what to say. It has to be an awkward situation. Perhaps Father O’Reilly should speak with him.” Eloise looked towards the guest room and leaned in closer to whisper. “Is she always locked up in there?”

  Judith nodded. “Sleeps a lot. I don’t think she’s well at all. Has yet to spend any time with Bethany.”

  “What a shame.” Eloise frowned. “Why don’t I stay here for a couple days? You and Sean should plan a short trip. Perhaps go out to our grandfather’s cabin. It’s been empty for a few months, but I keep it up. We are saving it for when Albert gets old enough, he can live there if he wishes to.”

  The idea had merit. However, Judith felt bad to ask so much of Eloise. After all, it was she who’d decided to take on caring for Angela.

  “I will
think about it. Tonight, I’ll discuss it with Sean. We need to talk anyway. This situation is not only unconventional, but awkward to say the least. Although she makes an effort to stay away and pretty much only comes out for meals and to sit out back for a few minutes, she is not too much trouble.”

  That evening, Sean was silent during supper. Angela refused to come out for the meal, so Judith had taken a tray to her room.

  “It’s not fair for you to have to care for her. I don’t like the idea of you working so hard because of me.” He kept his eyes downcast on the plate.

  Judith’s heart hurt for him. The proud man struggled to accept the situation and she could only wonder how he felt about it while spending the day away from the house.

  “It had to be done. There was no other way to keep her from taking Bethany. I know this is not easy for you. We’ll get through this, but only if we remain united. I need your support, Sean. I feel as if you’ve been avoiding me.”

  His hand covered hers and finally Sean’s eyes lifted. The warmth in them made her happy. It was what she needed, his strength. “I’m sorry. This is not how I wanted our first days married to be.”

  “It sure has been interesting, hasn’t it?” Judith chuckled, loving how Sean relaxed and nodded.

  Judith was uncertain what would happen that night. Instead of going straight to bed, Sean rocked Bethany to sleep while she cleaned up after their meal. The fire in the hearth sent a warm glow into the room as she watched her husband put the baby to bed. They’d moved the crib next to the front room, so they could keep an eye on the baby while they ate.

  “She’s so beautiful.” Judith looked over Sean’s shoulder at the slumbering infant. “One thing Angela said was true. We do owe her for this. It’s a wonderful gift she’s given us.”

  Sean took her hand and guided her away from the crib. “Come, let’s go to bed. I’ll check on Bethany later. She’ll probably sleep until morning anyway.”

  Anticipation at his words made Judith suddenly nervous when they made their way to the bedroom.

  When Sean took her in his arms, she fell against him and at the same time, she lifted her face up to him. His mouth over hers was like nothing she’d ever experienced. The exquisite way he kissed her erased everything in that moment. He pulled the pins from her hair, kissing her the entire time.

  Urgency took over, the need for intimacy raging inside. Needing to feel his skin, Judith slipped Sean’s shirt from his pants and slid her hands under it to run her palms up his back. The smoothness of his skin over the taut muscles was a contradiction so sensual, she could barely keep from yanking at the garment, urging him to remove it.

  “Those days apart from you were like torture. I can’t promise to be a good lover tonight, I need you so badly.” Sean’s husky voice in her ear sent shivers of anticipation down her spine.

  “I’m yours.” They undressed quickly, not noticing the coolness of the air in the bedroom, their skin already overheated.

  When Sean drew her to him, Judith immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his.

  He rolled over her, his lips moved from her mouth to her neck and further down to take each breast tip. Judith bit her bottom lip to keep from making too loud a noise and raked her fingernails down his back, urging him to continue while at the same time wanting more.

  When they joined, every movement sent her higher until she could not stand it and let go. No longer able to keep from crying out, Judith turned her head and did so into the pillow as she climaxed with so much force, she was certain she’d lose consciousness.

  Sean burrowed into her throat and thrust just twice more before he spilled into her, his deep moan the most beautiful sound.

  He collapsed over her, his weight a welcome blanket of warmth and ever so sensual. Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes. Neither of them moved for a few moments, waiting to catch their breaths. Finally, Sean lifted and rolled to his side bringing her against his chest.

  Unable to keep from it and still feeling in a daze, she trailed kisses from his jawline to his shoulder. Her handsome husband’s soft moan made a wonderful sound. Feeling braver, she took the liberty of exploring his body, her hand sliding down and across his chest. Encouraged by the sounds he made, she continued to caress him until he pulled her to him and took her mouth with his. Before long he also took her body once again.

  “Judith, wake up!” The urgency of Sean’s voice scared her out of slumber. Judith sat up, her wide eyes attempting to take in the light from the windows.

  “What’s wrong?” She immediately jumped from the bed and wrapped a robe around her bare body.

  Rage shook Sean. “I have to go. Angela is gone. She’s taken Bethany.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The sheriff and Sean formed a posse and after instructions, they split into four teams, each with a couple hounds to help find Angela and the baby.

  “They could not have gone far.” Eloise wiped at her eyes, her sister-in-law’s hair hastily pulled back fell from its pinnings, but she didn’t seem to notice.

  Walking back inside Eloise’s house, Judith pulled her cloak tighter, the chill of the morning air mixed with fear and she could not stop shivering. “I don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t find her. Oh my God, Eloise. This is all my fault.”

  “Stop saying that,” Eloise snapped. “After all you did for that woman, for her to repay you and Sean this way is unforgiveable. She couldn’t have gotten far. For goodness sakes, she’s sick and probably drunk.”

  “What if she was faking?” Judith said out loud what she suspected. “Maybe she wasn’t as sick as she pretended to be.”

  Eloise did not reply. There was no answer, at least not at the moment. No matter what they could say or contemplate, the truth of the matter was Angela had played them all for fools, had planned to take Bethany all along and she’d waited until they were distracted to do so. It was the first night they’d not kept Bethany in the room with them and the woman took advantage of the opportunity to steal away with the child.

  “She’s her mother. I’m sure Bethany is fine. She’s her mother, after all,” Eloise repeated, the words sounding hollow.

  Judith brushed her hair back and braided it with swift fingers. “I can’t just sit here. I’m going to borrow the Browns’ buggy and go look myself.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “No, stay here. If they have news, it will be the first place they’ll return to.”

  Moments later, sitting beside Lorna, the women traveled down every inch of the town. They then went to the nearby mining village and made inquiries. No one, it seemed, saw a woman to match Angela’s description with a baby that day.

  “If she left in the middle of the night, of course no one saw her,” Judith said scouring the area. “But how could she have gotten far? By foot there is no way she could have gone further than town.”

  “Several men were sent to knock on every door. If she’s in town, they’ll find her.” Lorna snapped the reins. “Let’s go look over by the river. There are a couple families there, maybe she went there pretending to be a desperate mother in need.”

  As the sun moved higher into the sky, they traveled in silence. With ever mile they covered, Judith grew more despondent. Her heart ached for what Sean went through at the time. It was sure whatever she felt was nothing like what he did. His pain had to be a thousand fold. Sean adored his baby girl and now, because of her idea, the child was gone.

  Neither family had seen or heard anything. Both were nice enough to check the barns and stables to ensure Angela didn’t hide there. Soon, Judith and Lorna returned to town. Judith crying so hard, she could barely see.

  * * *

  Rage like he’d never felt before surged through Sean’s body. His jaw hurt from clenching his teeth so hard, but nothing would calm him until he held his daughter again.

  Every tragic scene possible flashed in his mind. If Angela hurt Bethany in any way, he’d kill her with his bare hands
in spite of any consequences. The group of three men followed the barks of the dogs as they headed into a thick wood.

  “I don’t think she’s there. Nothing but woods and a ravine this way,” one of the men told Sean. “We need to head west to Casper. She could have gotten lucky and got picked up by a traveler.”

  He looked to the wooded area. “I don’t know. Something tells me she had a plan. Not sure why, but I think she had an escape set up before even arriving. Angela must have known I’d probably not marry her, so she would take Bethany. Follow through on her threats.” What a fool he’d been to believe the woman was truly grateful for the sacrifice they’d made in allowing her to live with them and care for her in her illness.

  At the edge of the woods, they found telltale signs a horse and buggy had been left there. Tracks going west proved Angela had left, probably towards Casper. If she arrived there, it would be almost impossible to find her in the large town.

  Sean looked to the men. “I’ll go after her. Get the sheriff and the others. Whoever wants to come help would be welcome.”

  “I’ll come with you,” one of the men, Garrett, said.

  Not waiting for him to catch up, Sean spurred his horse to a gallop. Angela had several hours’ head start, hopefully not enough so that he could not catch her.

  The closer he got to Casper, the more despondent Sean became. They’d lost Angela’s trail, the wagon’s tracks erased by wind and a slight drizzle. However, he continued west. If she was anywhere near the next town, he would find her.

  * * *

  Judith’s legs and back ached from walking and knocking on every door in town. Although the sheriff’s men had done the same, Judith refused to remain still, not doing anything. When she returned to Eloise’s house, news about the wagon Angela had hidden shook her to tears.

  Now Judith paced once again, ignoring the soreness. “It’s almost dark. Bethany must be hungry.” She wiped an errant tear. “I don’t know what else to do, Eloise. I’ve run out of prayers and to be honest, I’m losing hope they’ll catch her.”