Brides of Durango: Tessa

by Bobbi Smith

  “Damn it, woman, you’re coming with me!” Marshal Jared Trent was tired of being ignored. He took Tessa by the arm and pulled her from the porch.

  “What are you doing?” Tessa demanded.

  “Taking you someplace where we can talk privately,” he said in a growl, looking around for a nice, quiet, dark spot where he could have to her to himself. He spotted a wooden swing in the tree at the back of her yard. He stalked toward it, dragging her along with him.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Back here,” he said as he pointed to the swing. “Sit down.” His tone was imperious and brooked no argument.

  Tessa was smart enough to do what he said.

  “Steve made this for Clara and Mark,” she told him, unable to resist swinging just a little bit.

  “I didn’t bring you back here to talk about Steve.” He was standing over her, wondering how the situation had gotten so out of control. “I brought you back here because I wanted to have a moment alone with you, but if you keep resisting me, I may have to arrest you for interfering with a lawman trying to do his job.”

  “Your job?” She looked up at him as he loomed powerfully over her, so tall and broad shouldered and handsome. For all that he appeared angry, she felt no threat.

  Jared was glaring down at her in the moonlight and all he wanted to do was kiss her. He was tired of verbally sparring with her. He just wanted to hold her and tell her that he loved her.

  “Tessa, I’ve been waiting all day for this moment.” His expression softened a little.

  “You have?”

  “Melissa means nothing to me. You, of all people, should know that. You’re all I’ve been thinking about. There was nothing I wanted more than to be with you tonight, so I could tell you that I love you—and so I could ask you to marry me.” Jared sounded very frustrated as he blurted out his proposal in a less-than-romantic manner.

  Tears filled her eyes at his words. “You want to marry me?” she repeated in disbelief.

  Jared’s voice grew husky as he reached out to stop the swing’s slight motion. “Very much.”

  He bent down to her and kissed her. Tessa met him in the kiss and delighted in it. She’d been holding on to the ropes of the swing, but let go to link her arms around his neck. He drew her up to him and held her close. She fit perfectly against him, and he never wanted to let her go.

  “Marry me, Tessa.” It was a command.

  “Would you threaten to arrest me if I said no?” she asked.

  He grinned at the teasing note in her voice. “I may threaten to arrest you if you say yes.”

  “Then yes, Jared. I’ll marry you,” she answered sweetly.

  His mouth settled over hers in a possessive exchange that let her know she was his. Her response to him was eager.

  “I liked the trespassing charge you brought against me last time,” Tessa whispered as her lips left his to press kisses along the hard line of his jaw and then down his neck. She smiled to herself when she felt him shudder. It gave her a feeling of power to know that she could evoke such a reaction in him.

  Jared needed no further encouragement. He began to caress her, his hands tracing arousing paths over her slender curves.

  “Do you want to elope tonight?” he asked as the idea came to him suddenly. He wanted her and didn’t want to wait any longer. “We could find a justice of the peace to marry us right away, I’m sure. I do have a few connections around town.”

  Tessa looked up at him and smiled, thinking of her dream and knowing that she’d truly found her dream man. He wasn’t faceless anymore. “I would love to marry you tonight, but I’ve always dreamed of having a real wedding.”

  Jared bit back a groan. “How long will it take?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s go talk to my mother and tell her the good news. She’ll know what to do.” She started to move away from him.

  “Wait.”

  Jared snared her wrist and pulled her back into his embrace. His mouth captured hers in one last, devastating kiss before he released her.

  “Now let’s go see your mother.”

  Tessa was almost laughing in delight as they headed, hand in hand, back to the house.

  “Mother!”

  “I’m in the parlor,” Maggie called out.

  They entered to find Maggie and Jim talking. The two looked up when Jared and Tessa stopped in the doorway.

  “Mother, Jared and I have something to tell you.” Tessa gazed up at the man who would soon be her husband. All the love she felt for him was shining in her eyes.

  “What, dear?” Maggie asked; then, seeing her daughter’s expression, she knew. She had never seen Tessa look at any man that way before. Though she had always thought Will would be the perfect man for her, she approved of Jared, too.

  “Miss Maggie, Tessa and I are going to be married,” Jared announced.

  Maggie’s smile was beautiful as she stood up and went to Jared. She had tears in her eyes when she kissed him on the cheek and then kissed Tessa.

  “I couldn’t be happier,” she told them. She thought the world of Jared. For a fleeting moment she thought of Michael and was sorry that he wasn’t there to share in the happy moment. “And I’m sure Michael would approve of your choice.”

  Jim congratulated them, too.

  Tessa hugged her. “I’m going to need your help with planning the wedding, Mother.”

  “When do you want to start?”

  “Now,” they both replied.

  “How soon do you want to have the ceremony?”

  “How fast can we arrange it?” Jared asked, his gaze on Tessa.

  She smiled, thrilled by his eagerness.

  “I don’t know. Let’s get started,” Maggie said, pleased by his desire to claim her daughter as his own. Jared certainly had good taste in women.

  “I’m going to tell the boys,” Jim said, and he hurried out into the hallway to call Sludge and Henry down to hear the news. Steve hadn’t come home yet, so he’d have to tell him later.

  By the time Jared and Tessa stood alone again on the porch, over an hour had passed. Tessa and her mother were to speak to the reverend in the morning, and if all went as they hoped, the wedding would take place in three weeks.

  “When I was leaving the lecture hall, I never imagined that the night would end like this,” Tessa said dreamily as she stood with her back against Jared’s chest. His arms were wrapped securely around her, and she felt loved and cherished and protected.

  “How did you think it was going to end?” he asked, brushing a soft kiss against the side of her neck.

  “After seeing the way Melissa was looking at you when you were with her, I didn’t think I would see you at all tonight. I thought you were going to spend the rest of the evening with her.”

  “Melissa is a nice person, and I know she would like for me to be romantically interested in her, but I’m not. You’re the only woman I want. You’re the only woman I need. You’re the only woman I love.”

  Tessa turned in the circle of his arms and splayed her hands out on his chest as she gazed up at him, giving him a half smile. “You’re not jealous of my boyfriends, are you?”

  “How many are there?”

  “I’m very fond of Sludge and Henry.”

  “I know they’re very fond of you, too, but I don’t think I have to be jealous of them. They had their chance, but I’m the one you agreed to marry.”

  She gave a throaty laugh. “And not a minute too soon, either.”

  Jared kissed her hungrily, parting her lips and delving within to taste her sweetness. Now that he’d found her, he never wanted to let her go. They stayed there in the shadows of the porch, stealing kisses and longing for the time when they could remain together.

  “I’d better go now,” Jared told her reluctantly. She was too tempting for his own good.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “I’ll come by first chance I get.”

  “I’ll be waiting for you.”

>   They shared one last embrace, and then he left her.

  Jared was in a very good mood as he made his way through town, and he decided to stop at the High Time and celebrate with a drink.

  “Evening, Marshal,” Dan greeted him.

  “Dan,” he said, smiling at him.

  “The usual?”

  He nodded.

  “You’re looking like you’re in a good mood. Things must be quiet around town.” He set his whiskey before him.

  “I am in a good mood,” he responded. “I just asked Tessa Sinclair to marry me, and she said yes.”

  “Damn!” Dan was impressed. “Congratulations! You are one lucky man.”

  “I know.”

  Suzie, one of the High Time’s Saloon girls, saw the marshal come in, and hurried up to greet him. She’d long been sweet on Jared Trent, but had had no luck luring him to her bed. He was a challenge to her, and she never gave up trying to gain his interest.

  “Good evening, Marshal Trent,” Suzie said, posing next to him at the bar and smiling brightly up at him.

  “Hello, Suzie.”

  “What are you doing out tonight?”

  “I’m celebrating.”

  “Oooh, I’d love to help you celebrate,” she said, her eyes rounding at the thought.

  “I don’t think the good marshal’s wanting to celebrate that way, Suzie,” Dan cautioned. “He’s just gotten engaged.”

  “You have?” Her surprise was real. She looked at him, her eyes wide. “Who’s the lucky gal?”

  “Miss Tessa,” Dan said before Jared could answer.

  Suzie’s expression reflected her disappointment. “Oh. Well, I’m real happy for you.”

  “Thank you, Suzie,” Jared said. “I’m happy about it, too.”

  Steve had been sitting alone at a table in the back of the saloon doing some serious drinking when he’d seen Jared come in. He picked up his glass and went to join him.

  “Must be a quiet night in town,” Steve said with an easy grin.

  Jared smiled in welcome. “I just came in to celebrate. Tessa and I are getting married.”

  “You’ve got good taste in women.”

  “Thanks.”

  Jared had come to respect Steve more and more as he watched him in the community. When he’d finished his drink, Jared was ready to call it a night.

  Steve remained in the saloon. He was happy that things had worked out for Jared and Tessa. He felt a stab of regret. As much as he loved Julie, he could never offer her what Jared could give Tessa—a safe and secure future. He lifted his drink in a silent toast to Jared as a vision of Julie swam before him.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  “I think, sweet sister, that I’m going to pay Julie a visit this morning,” Roderick announced at breakfast the following day.

  He had been pleased with the way his readings had gone the night before and was feeling very good about himself. He knew they would be leaving Durango in another day, and he had little time to make a decision about Julie. Overnight, as he’d lain in bed thinking things over, he’d realized that Julie was a good marriage prospect. She was pretty and intelligent and had money. He wasn’t concerned about love. He knew it was a highly overrated emotion. He was more concerned about his future at the university, and he believed Julie would be an asset to him. He planned to broach the subject with her today, but first he wanted to run it past his sister.

  “For any special reason?” Ellen asked, pretending to be naive. She’d always known that Julie had feelings for Roderick. When they’d been in school, her friend had always asked her about him, and the few times Julie had seen Roderick, she’d seemed in awe of him. Ellen was pleased that her brother now seemed to return that interest. She secretly believed they would be a good match.

  “Well, I’ve given it much thought, and, though I know we’re supposed to be leaving tomorrow, I want to propose to Julie.”

  Ellen smiled broadly. “I always knew you were a smart man, Roderick. Julie is a wonderful woman.”

  “I believe we could be happy together.”

  “I think so, too, and I think she’d make a wonderful sister-in-law. Go see her right away! I can’t wait to see what she has to say!”

  Julie had finally fallen asleep, but had not slept soundly. She’d awakened numerous times, her thoughts on Steve and the pain she’d seen in his expression as he’d left her earlier that night.

  When morning came, Julie lingered in bed, not eager to get up, not eager to face the new day. She was confused and unhappy, and wanted to talk to Steve again. Actually she wanted to do more than just talk to him. The thought of what she wanted to do with him brought a slight smile to her lips, but it immediately faded. She wondered when she would see him again, and what he would say to her when they did meet.

  It was midmorning when she ventured downstairs. She knew she was due to have lunch with Ellen and Roderick and so had dressed accordingly, though her heart wasn’t in the excursion. She realized she was looking forward to Saturday, when she would be putting them on a stage heading out of Durango.

  It amazed Julie that she was feeling that way about Ellen and Roderick, considering how excited she’d been about their visit a mere week before their arrival. She’d learned a lot about herself during these last few days, though, and, as surprising as the revelations had been to her, she knew they were the truth. Julie was glad she’d come to understand the desires of her heart before it was too late.

  The knock at the door was answered by her mother. Adele called out that Roderick was there for a visit. The news surprised Julie for they hadn’t been due to meet until near noon.

  “Why, Roderick, this is a pleasant surprise,” Julie said as she went to join him in the parlor.

  “You look lovely today.” He was standing with her mother as she came in, and he smiled when he saw her.

  “Thank you,” she said demurely. “Did Ellen come with you?”

  “No, we’ll be meeting her at noon. I came early because I wanted to have the chance to talk with you for a while. Last night was so busy that I fear we didn’t get to spend much time together.”

  Julie wasn’t sorry at all that they hadn’t been together last night, but she said nothing.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Adele told them. “Roderick, it’s always wonderful to see you.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “Do you want to sit in here or out on the porch?” Julie asked.

  “This is fine.” He went to her and took her hand, drawing her to the sofa.

  They sat down, but he still didn’t let go of her hand.

  Julie’s thoughts were on Steve and the memory of what had happened on that very sofa last night. She was hard-pressed to concentrate on what Roderick was saying.

  “Julie, I’ve done some serious thinking these last several days, and I wanted to tell you that . . .” He paused, as if thoughtfully, then continued in earnest. “That I love you, and want you to marry me.”

  One week—a simple seven days before—those words would have left her ecstatic. She would have accepted his proposal without a thought. But she knew better now.

  Julie knew her heart’s desire now, and it wasn’t Roderick.

  It was Steve. No matter how difficult life might prove to be for them, she couldn’t imagine an existence without him. She was willing to fight for Steve’s love.

  Roderick was waiting. He’d expected Julie to be delighted and to accept his proposal immediately. He was a bit put off when she remained so quiet.

  “Julie, did you understand?” he ventured, prodding her, trying to hide his annoyance. No doubt, he reasoned, she was just overwhelmed by his proposal. That was why she was being so quiet.

  “Roderick . . . you are a very nice man, and I am honored that you have proposed to me, but I’m afraid I can’t accept.” She pulled her hand away from him and stood up.

  “What?”

  “I’m sorry, Roderick. I don’t love you, and I don’t want to marry you.”
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br />   Anger flared in his eyes. This woman had the unmitigated gall to turn down his proposal of marriage? He was shocked and outraged. He had planned to take her back east and introduce her to polite society, but no more. “I see,” he said tersely. “If you’ll excuse me, then.”

  Roderick stood and strode from the house, his head held high, his posture rigid. He did not even bid her mother good-bye, so intent was he on returning to the hotel.

  “Ellen,” he called loudly as he pounded on her hotel room door.

  “Yes, Rod? How did it . . . ?” Her voice trailed off as she saw his expression. “Oh, dear.”

  “Start packing. We’re leaving on the next stage or train out of Durango.”

  “But I should go say good-bye to Julie.”

  The ferocious look he shot her ended any thought she had of seeing her friend again. When Roderick had left her, she quickly penned a note to Julie and left it on the dresser in the room.

  They were on the noon stage out of town. Roderick hadn’t cared about destination. He’d just wanted to leave.

  When Julie went to meet them for lunch, she was shocked to learn that they had checked out and already left town. The maid who checked their rooms for them found the note and gave it to her. Julie took it and quickly read it. She returned home, her heart numb from all that had happened.

  She longed to see Steve.

  Tessa was not eager to make the trip to the mine. She wanted to stay in Durango to be close to Jared, but it was payday, and she knew Will would be expecting her. She and Jim headed out early that Saturday morning, but she detoured as they passed by the marshal’s office.

  “I have to make one short stop,” Tessa told Jim with a conspiratorial smile.

  “I think we can spare the time.” He grinned back at her, completely understanding her need to see Jared before they left. They would be gone for close to four days, and that was a long time for these two young people to be apart, now that they’d discovered their love for one another.

  Tessa reined in and quickly dismounted and tied up her horse. She was wearing her pants, and when Jared looked up as she entered the office, she could see the look of delight on his face.

  “Woman, you do look good in those pants,” Jared said, admiring her shapely form as she crossed the room to his desk. “Are you leaving already?”