“I will.” She didn’t think it would be so hard to fake a marriage, but she truly believed in these vows and she was committing to a life alone, for she’d never break them.
Once they said their vows to each other, Steve produced a ring and gave it to Ford, who slipped it on her finger. She was so shocked, a tear came to her eye, for she didn’t know when he’d had a chance to buy a wedding ring for her.
Reverend Jones cleared his throat to get their attention. “Forasmuch as Manford Daily and Polly Friday Bird have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be—”
Bea let out a shrill scream that could’ve melted the paint off the walls as she jumped up and down, scattering her bridesmaid bouquet all over the dais and even into the pews, where one petal settled onto Mayor Collins’s spectacles. “An earwig—get it off! Get it off!”
Ford grasped Polly by the waist, moved her aside, then flicked the earwig off Bea’s arm. “So you’re still scared of earwigs?” He laughed.
“Oh, you!” She bopped him over the head with her one remaining flower.
But Polly had a hard time concentrating on the goings-on because her waist still felt the heat of his touch, which nearly took her breath away.
Mr. Jones cleared his throat again. She’d have to make him some lemon tea with honey later. “Are you quite ready to continue?”
Everyone got back to their spots, and Ford guided Polly to hers.
“I now pronounce you man and wife.” To Ford, the reverend said, “You may kiss the bride.”
Kiss the bride? Polly stifled a gasp. She’d never even given that a thought, but now anticipation mixed with wariness raced through her thoughts. Ford had to be the most kissable man she’d ever met, but it would’ve been nice to have had some practice before the wedding. On the other hand, a kiss really did seal the vows. Vows taken under false pretenses.
Ford put his hands on her waist and pulled her close enough that she could smell the manly scent of shaving soap—he must’ve gone to the barber on the way to the florist and the jeweler. He smelled so good—she’d remember that scent until the day she expired.
“Are you ready?” he asked quietly, his low voice settling around her like a warm blanket. “One kiss. That’s all it takes.”
She took a deep breath and nodded. He leaned in and tilted his head to the left, but she tilted her head to the right so their noses bumped. Then he tilted his head to the right and she went to the left, and their noses bumped again.
“Let’s try this another way,” he said. He wrapped one arm around her waist and held her chin with the other. “Right on target,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.
The second she felt his lips on hers, she thought she’d swoon for sure and she clung to him for strength to keep standing and not to make a fool of herself in front of half the town. But in truth, she wanted to kiss him back, and she wanted it to last a very long time.
“That’ll do for now,” Reverend Jones said quietly. “Turn toward the congregation, please.” When they did, he said in a booming voice, “I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Manford Daily.”
The pianist struck up the Wedding March again and Ford led Polly down the aisle to the front doors, outside, and then to the reception area on the front lawn, which was mostly dirt but a few brave blades of grass still survived. Fiona swatted at flies and other flying insects that hovered and flitted over the food that was covered in towels—except for the wedding cake, which she protected with vigorous determination.
“Would you like some sweet tea?” she asked. “I sent Dennis to the mercantile in hopes he could find some Champagne or at least some French wine. Of course we’ll say a toast to the bride and groom.” Her eyes twinkled. “Oh, what fun you’ll have tonight.”
Jessica came out of the church and made a beeline for Polly and Ford. “I’ve told my husband—that’s Dr. Bushnell—that he’ll be seeing you soon.”
Polly thought her remark was way beyond indelicate, but Ford just laughed.
“Drumming up business, Mrs. Bushnell?” He grasped Polly’s waist and diverted her toward Reverend Jones. “Fewer pests over here,” he muttered.
The reverend shook Ford’s hand. “Congratulations on your marriage, Mr. Daily, and I’m dreadfully sorry about the interruptions in the ceremony. Yancey donates time every week to do chores around the church and he had a job cancel on him, so he came today. I didn’t even think about it when Miss Polly, er, Mrs. Daily made the arrangements. It was just one of those things—my oversight, and I apologize.”
“It’s all right, sir. You got the job done, and even managed to stay focused when the earwig crawled on Bea’s arm.”
“I’m still hard of hearing in my right ear.” Reverend Jones chuckled. “You and your new missus got off to quite a start. I wish you well and God bless.” He craned his neck to look down the table. “I don’t suppose Polly brought any of her potato salad.”
Chapter Seven
The hot, unforgiving Texas sun bore down on Noah and Evie as they ran as fast as they could from one boulder to the next. Noah didn’t know a thing about the country, but he could hide from anyone in the city. He expected he could use the same tactics—just had to find something different to hide behind.
Evie hadn’t thrown up a single time so that was lucky, and her shorter legs worked hard to keep up with him, but her hair whipped in the wind as she ran right alongside. The two men who’d given chase threw a couple rocks.
“Scram away from here, you little rascals, and don’t come back!” one man yelled.
Evie ducked behind a boulder, leaned over and rested her hands on her skinny knees, and panted. Noah did the same. He wasn’t quite as winded as Evie but a little rest wouldn’t hurt.
“I don’t think they’re chasing us anymore,” she said once she caught her breath. “Where are we gonna go? Have you thought about that, Noah?”
He shook his head.
“This isn’t a town.” She swiped at the sweat on her neck. “There ain’t a lot of towns out here.”
Noah shrugged.
“What are we going to eat?”
He cleared his throat. He’d been practicing at making his voice work without sounding like a rusty hinge, and learning to form words again. He hadn’t talked since he’d seen Master Geldart gut a man—that had been at least four years ago. Maybe five. Time passed in a different way on the streets. But if Master Geldart had known Noah could talk, Noah would’ve met the same fate as the dead man.
“I’m worried, Noah.” She straightened and used her hand for a visor as she looked across the Texas landscape. “I don’t see nothing but bushes, dirt, and rocks.”
He made the sign for pilfering and pointed back to the whiskey wagon.
“Ain’t no way I’m going back there,” Evie said.
Noah pointed to himself.
“And if they catch you, then what am I gonna do?”
With his fist clenched, he moved it to the side and walked his fingers to follow. Then he made the sign for people at the other end.
“I guess you’re right—they’ll be driving the wagon to where people are, and it could be a town.”
Evie never had any trouble deciphering his gestures—she was the only one who ever understood nearly all he tried to convey. He motioned for her to follow him, which she did.
The harsh sun leeched all the moisture out of his mouth, and he knew Evie was thirsty, too, but she’d die before she’d complain. They needed food, too.
All he could do was hope the wagon got to a town, for he sure didn’t want to sleep with rocks and rattlesnakes. The city, he knew. Texas was a whole other matter.
* * *
More people came to the churchyard. Polly estimated close to a hundred, and not just adults—little boys and girls ran around the
tables playing tag, squealing and laughing. She missed her own children but knew Merry would take good care of them. Also, the less they knew of the situation, the better. Evie and Noah were only now settling in after a month of being suspicious of her every action, so Polly wanted to make sure neither of them felt as if they were a bother to her.
Ford held her close to his side as befitting a newlywed groom. As the churchyard became more and more crowded, Polly felt more constricted to the point where her feet were telling her to get out.
“Do you think we can leave without causing a fuss?” she asked Ford.
“We’ve made it through the toast and the cake-cutting, and since we hadn’t planned on a party in the first place, we’ll go to the instigator, er, Mrs. Bushnell, and let her know we’re leaving. Then get the blazes out of here.”
He wasted no time maneuvering her through the townsfolk to the cake table where Lavinia Bushnell and Jessica stood, cake servers at the ready.
“Would you like more cake?” Lavinia asked.
“No, ma’am, but it was mighty good.”
“Maybe some of Fiona’s baked beans, then? They’re mighty tasty. She cooks them with ham and onions, then mixes in molasses and a touch of chili.”
“Lavinia!” Jessica poked her sister-in-law. “They ought not eat beans on their wedding night, for land’s sake.”
“We have to be going now,” Ford said. “The children have been without their mother all day, and while they’re fine with Miss Merry and Mrs. Koch, my bride is getting anxious to see them.”
“We understand,” Lavinia said.
“We do?” Jessica flinched when Lavinia elbowed her, likely in retribution.
“Everyone line up in two rows,” Lavinia called. “We’re sending the newlyweds home now.”
The townsfolk scrambled to make the lines. Lavinia and Jessica led Polly and Ford to one end. “You just go on through and let everyone give you their blessings.”
When she stepped back, Polly whispered to Ford, “I feel like we’re running the gauntlet.”
“I do believe you’re right.” He tightened his grasp around her waist. “Let’s get this over with.”
Polly donned her best smile and walked alongside Ford as folks greeted her. Some tossed beans or wheat, some just said, “Bless your marriage.” She thanked them by name and a few insisted on being introduced to Ford, which she did, including to Lavinia’s husband Dennis.
“You any relation to Moses Daily?” he asked Ford as they shook hands. “He comes into Mockingbird Flats now and again.”
“I’m related to him all right—grandson.”
“Thought you looked familiar. You’re a chip off the old block, for sure.”
“Dennis works at the bank,” Polly told Ford. “He and Lavinia also adopted a child from the orphan train.”
“Congratulations, Dennis. That youngster is one lucky sprout.”
As he spoke, he led Polly away. Leaving the church and all those people was a relief to her, but she didn’t begin to feel even remotely comfortable until they finally turned onto the path that led to the boardinghouse.
“I haven’t seen the children all day,” Polly explained as she picked up the pace. “I hope they didn’t miss me too much. Then again, I hope they did—that would mean they’re settling in and letting themselves be part of a real family.”
“Family’s important to you, I expect.”
“More important than anything. When you have no family, you understand that in a hurry. Orphans who’ve been shoved aside or sold often take on the opposite attitude—Merry’s boy Calvin has done that, but he’ll come around. I think Noah has a dash of that sort of hurt, also. He’s mute so that limits what we can communicate.”
Ford opened the front door of the boardinghouse for Polly.
Merry greeted them at the door. “I see you’ve met our new boarder.”
“Why yes.” She grinned at her sister. “I married him.”
“Good, there won’t be any impropriety, then. He’s staying in the third floor suite across the hall from yours.” She shrugged. “Or he was. I guess you two can pick.”
“Merry, it’s not that kind of marriage. We both have pressing reasons to be married—Ford has to have a wife before his grandfather lets him bring the herd he bought onto the ranch, and now that I’m married, Mr. Ecclestone and the Children’s Society will be satisfied. After our business is taken care of, we can get an annulment and go our separate ways.”
For some reason, that didn’t sound like as good of an idea as it had in Bea’s Confectionery that morning. Ford had been courteous as well as generous, not to mention that he was definitely easy on the eyes, and any woman would be proud to have him at her side.
And that kiss—her lips tingled still.
“If you say so.” Which meant Merry didn’t believe a word she’d said. “I’m helping Elvira serve up supper. You best get your clothes changed. Unless you have other plans, of course.”
Polly blushed, for she had given other plans some brief consideration. “I’ll be down to help in a jiffy.” Polly glanced around, and not seeing or hearing any children, asked, “Are Noah and Evie playing out back?”
“No. My three are, but yours are up in your suite.”
She hurried with Ford and they went up to the third floor. With her hand resting on the doorknob to her suite, she said, “I’ll be downstairs if you need anything. Don’t be late for supper.”
She opened her door and before she knew it Ford had lifted her into his arms as if she were a baby, and she instinctively put her near hand on his back and her other on his shoulder.
“I do believe the tradition is that the groom carries the bride across the threshold.”
“We’re hardly a traditionally married couple.” But she couldn’t think of a better place to be than in his arms.
“Even so, I think one kiss is in order.”
Before she could object, his lips touched hers, and before she could stop herself, she kissed him right back.
Kissing Ford was certainly not a sacrifice.
Chapter Eight
Ford didn’t think it was a good idea to keep kissing her but when she kissed him back, well, he didn’t want to stop. Something about Polly drew him like no other woman before. He loved Bea, but more like a sister. The ladies he’d met while attending Cornell were quite pretty but all fluff and giggles. Polly, though, was beautiful, good-hearted, and smart. And irresistible.
When she pulled away, her wide eyes and thoroughly kissed lips gave the impression that she was as dazed as he was. He put her down, and had to steady her when her feet touched the floor.
“Happy wedding day,” was the only thing he could think of to say.
She stepped back. “Um, yes. Er...” She glanced about the room, then frowned. “It doesn’t look like the children have been in here at all. Not a thing has been moved.” She poked her head into a bedroom. “Evie’s not in bed.”
She rushed to the other bedroom and knocked, but no one answered. She opened the door. “They’re gone!”
“Gone? I see they’re not here but that doesn’t mean they’re gone.”
“Noah’s pillowcase is missing.”
Ford didn’t know what that had to do with anything.
Before he could ask, Polly rushed out the door and ran down the stairs with her dress hiked up around her knees. “Merry!” She ran down another flight. “Merry, Noah and Evie are gone!”
Ford chased after his new wife-in-name-only. He thought her conclusions were a mite hasty, but her distress was certainly bona fide.
By then the boarders had gathered around the dining room table.
“When was the last time you saw them, Merry?” Polly asked.
“This morning, before I left. Elvira said she’d watch them.”
Elvira came out of the kitchen with a big bowl of gravy. “What’s that?”
“Did you see Noah and vie after Merry left?”
“Sure did. Evie said she didn’
t feel well and went upstairs to rest. Noah was with her.”
“When was that?”
“Oh, maybe around ten this morning. I hadn’t started cooking dinner yet.”
Deputy Barnell raised his forefinger. “Miss Polly, er, Mrs. Ford, I saw them just before I was done doing my rounds. They were across the street from the Red Dog. I hollered at them to get on home.”
“Why didn’t you take them home?”
“On account of I was escorting a prisoner to jail, elsewise I would’ve.”
“I have to go there and see if someone else saw them. Maybe they can tell me where they went.”
“Best change clothes first,” Ford said. “I’ll do the same and saddle my rental horse.”
“Saddle my mare, too, just in case.” She headed upstairs, unbuttoning as she went.
Ford followed her. “Which horse is yours?”
“The pinto.”
“It won’t take me as long to change as it will for you. Put something on that you can move around in, for we don’t know where this adventure will take us. I’ll meet you down at the stable.”
Ford went to his room, ripped off the infernal ascot, hooked his sack suit on the wall rather than hanging it in the armoire, and dressed in his riding clothes. It had been a long time since he could wear his comfortably broken-in Texas clothes and they felt danged good. He even buckled on his chaps and strapped on his gunbelt. He was a shade rusty with the pistol but reckoned he could come close to what he was aiming at.
Downstairs, another man sat at the table and Merry called to Ford, “Please come meet Mr. Ecclestone from the Children’s Society.”
He stopped dead in his tracks, instinctively knowing that this man couldn’t be ignored lest Polly lose her youngsters, which was the sum total of the reason why she married him in the first place.
Mr. Ecclestone stood and offered his hand. “Looks as if the children are safe and sound now that Miss Polly is Mrs. Daily.”
“I hope so, for we’re happy to be a family. You just hurried things up a mite.” Which was stretching the truth, but he couldn’t say he was sorry to call Polly his wife. He only hoped she’d come around, and that could take a considerable amount of courting. But first, he had to help her round up the children.
Orphan Train Brides Page 14
