“You’re absolutely right she wants one. Good gravy! I can’t believe I had to marry you,” she breathed, stomping back to where their horses waited.
Elias laughed and watched her bottom sway in the pants she insisted on wearing as she descended the stairs. That little, blond spitfire was his wife now and he was a free man. Life was good!
6
“Well, Mrs. Jessup,” Elias grinned. “I think we should start out our marriage and our first assignment together doing some investigating. How about we stay in town for the night? We can look around, get a few goods and talk to some people to see who has seen Mahoney in these parts.”
“I don’t plan on being married to you long.” Her voice was bland. She was putting on her mask to prevent herself from being hurt. Did she think he would hurt her? Surely not! He would cherish the woman if she would let him.
“Is that a threat?”
“No. I am sure when someone recognizes you then they will do their best to take you out of the picture.” So that was it! She was afraid that being married to him would make her a widow in no time. She didn’t want to let herself get attached. Could that mean there was hope for him after all?
“Would you miss me?”
“Go away,” she muttered, looking away from him. Elias felt bad. He knew he was goading her and she was angry. He could deal with angry. It was indifference from Ellie he wasn’t sure what to do with.
“Wouldn’t you like a nice meal, a hot bath and a change of clothes?” he offered.
“With your stolen money?”
“With our money, Wife.”
“No, thank you.”
“That’s fine. We are still staying the night regardless. I will have a bath sent up to our room and if you choose to use it, well, that’s up to you.”
“Our room?”
“I will be getting a room for us. But again, it’s up to you. If you want to sleep outside…” he trailed off and shrugged. “It’s your choice, Mrs. Jessup.”
“Can you stop that?”
“Why? I like saying it.”
“I’m sure, since you feel like you have won the day,” she frowned, rolling her eyes.
“There is no winning or losing. The game is over and we are playing for keeps now.” Elias walked into a large building that was speckled with windows all over the front of it. He was surprised to see Ellie walk in behind him and the reaction on her face. He wanted to impress his new wife and it looked like staying the night at the nicest hotel he could find might be a way to win her over. Her expression looked surprised at the splendor of the parlor. Velvet settees lined the room along with large mirrors. A chandelier was lit with candles giving a warm intimate glow.
“May I help you, sir?”
“Yes, my bride and I will be staying the night. We’ll need a room and a bath sent up, please.” The saddlebags sat heavy on his shoulder, but there was no way he would allow Ellie to carry her own. She was his wife now and he would provide.
“Of course. Very good, sir.”
“Two rooms,” Holladay chimed in.
“One room,” Elias countered with a sly grin towards the clerk. “She’s a little nervous about tonight.”
“You… you… goat!” she whispered, poking him in the ribs hard.
Elias turned, resting his arms on the counter and grinned at her fiercely blushing face. “Baaaaaaah,” he said with a lecherous smile, knowing it would make her mad.
“That is what a sheep says, you idiot.” Holladay rolled her eyes and stomped off towards the rest of the room to look around.
He turned back to the clerk who was struggling to smother a smile. “Can you please send up some whiskey, too? I need to get a few items for her. Is there a mercantile nearby?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you.” Elias moved to join where Holladay stood admiring the carvings throughout the room. The banister was stunning and where there wasn’t carved wood, there was marble. The hotel had cost a pretty penny, but it was worth it to see her relaxed and happy.
“Let’s get you to our room.” He rested his hand at her waist only to see her jump at his touch. It was a good sign that she didn’t jerk away or pull her gun on him. She hadn’t even acknowledged him when he’d laid his hand on her at the courthouse. There was promise in how jumpy she was, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
They climbed the stairs and he found himself watching her carefully. Whether or not she realized it, her face revealed a lot. She was intimidated by staying in such a nice place and he understood that feeling. Putting the key in the door, he was pleased to see that they were bringing a tub to their room already. Perfect, he thought. He’d give Ellie time to relax in the bath while he picked up a wedding gift for her. Opening the door, he held out his arm inviting his new bride to step into the room first. The maids put the bath down and began trailing in kettles of boiling water. As they waited patiently, Elias watched his new wife. She avoided meeting his eyes until the bath was almost full. As the maids left, it only took a moment for her to assume the worst.
“I suppose you plan on seeing me naked,” she challenged nastily, looking to start an argument with him. He wouldn’t give in or give her any reason. He wanted things to go smoothly between them. Letting her have some time to cool down seemed like a good idea.
“No, ma’am. I am actually going to leave you to bathe alone, so you can relax. They are supposed to be bringing up a bottle of whiskey for me. You are welcome to it. But other than that?” Just then, there was a knock at the door and Elias quickly opened it, thanked the man and closed it. “As I was saying, other than that interruption, you’ll have about an hour to yourself while I run a few errands. Don’t worry. When I return, I will knock so you can make sure you are decent. I may be a thief, but I do have a code of honor.”
“Where are you going?” she asked him curiously, her face a mask of surprise.
“I need to get a few items and that knife I owe you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“You want me to stay?”
“Never mind, enjoy yourself,” she brushed off and turned away. Elias saw the look of dismay and rejection before she could hide it.
“Ellie,” he said gently, putting his hands on her arms as he stood behind her. “I will never force you to do anything and I will always treat you with the utmost respect. I want you comfortable with being my wife.” He watched her delicate profile as she looked at him over her shoulder. She didn’t say a word, just swallowed and nodded as if the words simply would not come forth. She was frightened and nervous.
“I will be back shortly. Here is the key, lock the door after I leave.”
“You don’t need it?”
“I won’t enter our room until you are finished and ready for me to come in,” he gently reminded her. He placed the key on the table that held the wash basin. He slowly stepped back, memorizing her figure as she stood in front of the window. His Ellie was beautiful, inside and out. He’d been blessed in meeting her. As he stepped out of the room, he waited until he heard the telltale click as he stood by the door.
“Enjoy yourself, my Ellie,” he said aloud to himself and heard the faintest sound from the other side of the door. The soft-spoken words made his heart lurch and his face split into a tremendous smile.
“Thank you, Husband.”
Elias found himself at the mercantile in no time. He wasn’t in a rush because he wanted Ellie to have plenty of time. However, he was on the hunt for something special. She didn’t carry much in her bags. He wanted to get her something special, but something she’d use. He found a pair of the softest leather gloves he’d ever seen and thought they’d be perfect for her. If she rode as much he thought, it might help keep her hands soft. Emily had always been worried about her skin and feminine things. Maybe Ellie had a feminine streak in her, too?
His eyes caught a lace-trimmed chemise with pink ribbons. The thought of Ellie wearing it made him stop and hesitate. He would honor his wife and gi
ft her with things, but not things that would make him lose control and break his word to her. He promised he’d not touch her. There was no reason to tempt fate. He picked up a cotton chemise with flowers stitched at the neckline. This chemise buttoned all the way to the throat and would be more modest than the lacy getup. As he paid, he happened to glance up at the bakery across the way and grinned. His Ellie had a sweet tooth. Walking across the street with his purchases, he whistled happily.
Returning to the hotel, Elias knocked on the door. It had been a while since he left, but he wanted to make sure she was done with her bath. He’d asked the clerk to have dinner sent up to them so they could get to know each other better and simply spend time with one another. He might not be making love to his wife, but he was keenly intent on falling in love with her. Ellie fascinated him like no other woman did. Glancing down at the small box he held, he grinned again.
Hearing the key turn in the lock, he waited patiently until she opened the door. She stood behind the wood panel and peered around it. Her blond hair was still wet and she’d been braiding it back into place. The scent of lemon soap wafted in the room, smelling clean and fresh. Her bare tiptoes peeked out from under the hem of her pants as he realized that she’d not put her socks back on. Good, he thought.
“Hello, Mrs. Jessup,” he said with a grin. “Did you have a nice bath?”
“I did, but I think we need to talk about what my name is. You call me all sorts of things and it’s a bit much. Stick with one thing so I know you are actually talking to me. Holladay, Ellen, Mrs. Jessup or Ellie. Okay?”
“What do you prefer?”
“I don’t care,” she said quickly and looked away. Elias shut the door behind him and set down the box on the small table in the room. He noticed that she hadn’t tucked in her shirt yet and her pants looked to be quite big on her when not stuffed down in her boots.
“You might not care, but I do. I don’t want you mad at me when I make a mistake so let’s talk about it,” he offered, reaching out and tucking a wet strand of hair behind her ear. He watched her shiver and stare at the wood floor. “Ellen is a lovely name, dignified. Holladay seems so businesslike. I would prefer calling you Ellie, if that is okay with you.” He turned her face towards him and looked at her, smiling. “My Ellie. My beautiful wife.”
“That’s fine,” she said finally, her blue eyes locked with his. She was trying to hide the fact that she was nervous and looked so brave at it.
“Perfect, Ellie it is,” he grinned. “Is the water still warm?”
“Yes, it’s not too bad.”
“Good. I brought you something to be comfortable in and I am going to wash up behind the folding screen. They are supposed to be bringing us up dinner shortly.” A loud knock at the door indicated that it had arrived. Eli let the maid in and she set the plates down on the table, offering to get another chair once she spotted Ellie in the room. She hurried back and Elias shut the door behind her, locking it. He gave the key to Ellie again without a word and pulled the screen forward. Handing her the paper package, he smiled.
“These are for you,” he said simply and disappeared behind the screen. Stripping off his clothing, he hurried and washed up in the tub. “There is a box on the table. We’ll open it together in a few minutes. If you want to go ahead and eat dinner while it’s hot, I understand. I will be finished in a moment.”
“I will wait.”
She was so quiet and somber. It made Elias feel bad that she was so nervous around him. This wasn’t the prickly woman he’d met creeping through the cattails. This was an unsure woman afraid of her future. Perhaps he’d pour them both a whiskey and see if he could get her to talk. He dried himself off as much as possible and put his clothes back on. He’d have preferred to just get into bed, but she was leery enough as it was.
Moving the screen, he grinned. Ellie must have some sort of faith in him because she sat in the chemise he’d bought her but had donned her shirt over the top for good measure. He could see the neckline buttoned all the way to the top. “I hope you like it,” he started with a smile and ran a hand through his dark, wet hair trying to make sure he looked okay for his bride.
“It’s very girly.”
“True, and you are a lovely woman. I thought you might like the buttons and ruffle at the neck.”
“Oh yes and the gloves are beautiful, but they are too much.”
“Nothing is too much for my bride,” he said softly and held out a chair, pointing that she should have a seat.
“Your bride is not too keen on how you paid for the items.”
“I know that, but what is done is done. I swear to you that I am done stealing and would like to make a home for us when you are ready.”
“So, you are married and suddenly reformed?” she retorted ironically.
“I was pretty much finished before I met you. Emily and I had planned on only making one or two more hits before disappearing and hiding.” He poured two glasses of whiskey and handed her one. “Take it easy, it’s strong.”
“Where were you going to disappear to?” she asked and took a large sip. Elias grinned as she barely flinched. “I’ve had whiskey before. Grew up around it.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“On the streets. I lived out of barns and slept where I could.”
“What made you change? You seem to be doing well for yourself now.”
Elias took his seat and sipped the golden liquid, grimacing. For a fancy hotel, the whiskey was terrible and tasted like rotgut. “How do you drink this? It’s awful.”
“I agree,” she admitted with a shy smile. “I’ve had much better whiskey before. What’s in the box?”
“Something for after our meal,” he teased, returning her smile. He held out the glass and clinked it with hers. “To a happy marriage.”
“To becoming friends first,” she amended with a pointed look. Elias laughed aloud and tapped her glass again.
“Amen, Ellie.”
They ate almost silently except for the sounds coming from the open window. The streets outside were still noisy and the sun had not yet begun to set. Yet here he was, tucked away for the night with the loveliest woman he’d ever met.
“You know, that is how I got started stealing,” he admitted between bites. “I was hungry every night, trying to give my sister some of my dinner. My parents didn’t have much at all and I was tired of feeling like I was missing out. I wanted more, you know?” The silence was deafening and he looked away from her, feeling as if he were being judged.
“Go on,” Ellie prompted and poured more whiskey in both glasses. “Tell me.”
“I know it was wrong and my pa was so angry about it. I remember him asking me why what they had wasn’t good enough. It was tough. I just felt I needed more. I will never forget the first time I took something, I was so ashamed. It was a dollar that I palmed off of a gaming table. I bought a slab of bacon and cooked it myself. Emily had asked me where it came from and I told her,” he admitted softly, lost in thought.
“There was no criticism, only concern that I’d get caught. We ate that bacon until our bellies were near bursting and there was still more to be had. We’d never had that much food before. It felt good. My parents returned, and Pa demanded to know where I’d gotten the meat. Foolishly, I told him,” he said remorsefully, grabbing the whiskey and taking a large sip of the bitter alcohol. It burned a trail down to his stomach and he wanted to wipe out the memory of the avid disappointment in his father’s face.
“I told him and that was the last time I was welcome in their home,” Eli told her with a sad smile. “Emily was upset and gathered up her things, too. She said that if I wasn’t welcome at home then neither was she. I swore that day that I would make sure she was taken care of simply because she came with me. She believed I was good, even if I was doing wrong. We were going to start over again in California, Nevada or Wyoming. Where the land is untamed, and we will be unknown.”
“I’m glad she went w
ith you so you had someone at least,” Ellie said softly, taking a sip. Elias’ eyes shot up in surprise. Before he could say a word, she held up the bottle and refilled both cups. “I didn’t have anyone.”
“Tell me.”
“My mother was a saloon girl and I was born in a back room. I grew up there until the men that began to come to the saloon started to notice me. I told my mother, but that made her happy that there was a chance for both of us to make money. I said no and ran. I’ve been alone since I was about twelve or so. I’m glad you had Emily.”
“How did you get by?”
“I stole, too,” she admitted and then gave him an angry frown as his face split with a grin. “But I realized that I didn’t want to be hiding and struggling my whole life. I wanted to be respected, admired and on the law’s side. Not running from the law. I decided that when I tried to steal a rabbit from Cade Singleton’s camp. By the way, that is how I know him. Your sister is in good hands. He will be kind to her.”
“She should have never had to marry him,” he said hotly.
“And I shouldn’t have had to marry you either,” she retorted. “But here I am.”
“Yes, you are,” he agreed. His new wife had a way of taking the wind right out of his sails by twisting his words back on him. “So, he is a good man?”
“Very straightforward. Very honest and upright,” she nodded. “He caught me taking the rabbit and offered to pay me instead of me taking it. He said that he could use help with his horse and I was hooked. The shiny badge, the money, the way he never had to hide. Seeing that people welcomed him when he rode into town, I wanted that.”
“Similar, yet so different,” he mused, shaking his head. “You know what is missing?”
“What?” she asked with a grin. Her face was starting to look happy and relaxed, not wary or scared.
Lawfully Mine Page 6
