Preacher Bret nodded. “I see. Well, if you are both happy with the arrangement, I will be happy to marry you this Saturday. Will you have many attending?”
Jay shook his head. “My brother and his wife. Maybe Bridgette and her husband.”
“Would you like more people to attend? I can have the town get together and make a nice luncheon—”
“No. The small attendance suits me.” Florence gazed at Jay as if to get approval.
Jay would have enjoyed a big celebration, but he wanted to make her happy. So, he nodded. “That will be fine. Whatever she wants, Preacher.”
“All right then. It’s settled.”
Jay rose and held out his hand. “Thanks, Bret.”
The preacher shook Jay’s hand. “You know, I spent five years in prison myself. If you ever need to talk or need help, let me know.”
Jay was surprised at that. He didn’t think preachers could do any wrong. “I’ll keep that in mind. I’m determined to make this work. I know it’s a privilege to get a second chance at life.” He squeezed Florence’s hand. “Or a chance to be married to a wonderful woman.”
“I’d say you’re on your way to a good life. The both of you.”
They bid the preacher good-bye and went outside. Jay breathed in the fresh air of freedom and glanced at Florence. Soon, he’d willingly give that freedom up to her.
For a moment, Jay wondered if it would be worth it, but then the sun shone on her and highlighted her golden hair and brightened her face. He already loved her. As impossible as that sounded, she was already part of him and in his heart.
Protectively, Jay walked Florence to the buggy. “How about a nice dinner?”
“Sounds wonderful to me.” She smiled.
He didn’t think it was a happy smile. So much of the time, Florence seemed to be settling for what came her way instead of going after what she wanted. He even wondered about the wedding. He had wanted to have her love him before they were married, but his love would be enough to carry them on until she loved him.
They would have to learn to love one another while already married. Florence seemed inclined to put up with him as if she had no say. He’d change that.
Seated in the buggy, he slapped the reins to urge Big Red on. He stole a glance at her. She had a determined set to her lips and kept her eyes focused straight ahead. She just didn’t seem to have any joy in her at all.
Jay was determined to put a smile on her lips and joy in her heart. If it took him a lifetime, that was his goal.
Chapter 6
Today was the day that she’d left Minnesota for. Florence paced the small room at the back of the church. She was marrying Jay Selmer. Florence tried not to think about it, but the worries and doubts assaulted her mind. Was she right to marry him so quickly? What kind of man was he really? Yet, there was no sense in worrying now. It was what she’d come to do. Duty, it was the fabric that made her.
Bridgette tried to keep up with her steady pace around the room but finally stopped and put her hands on her hips. “Florence, I feel like I’m trying to corral a wild horse. Stand still so I can pin the veil in your hair.”
Florence turned and faced her. “I’m just a little nervous.”
“That’s normal.”
Florence wrung her hands but stood still. “Were you like that when you married Spencer?”
Bridgette stopped a minute and then shook her head. “No, he was the one pacing as I recall.”
That made Florence laugh. “For some reason, that doesn’t surprise me.”
After a few attempts and then success pinning the veil in Florence’s hair, Bridgette finally stepped back. “There. You are beautiful.”
Florence smoothed her skirt. “Are you sure? I don’t want to disappoint Jay.”
Bridgette shook her head. “One thing I know, and that is Jay will not be disappointed. I think he really does love you.”
That put a stab to her heart. She had yet to let herself feel anything about Jay or anything else. She’d learned long ago to put her feelings away and keep them hidden and out of sight. It was safer that way. She lived head down, doing her chores, and taking care of her family. Florence saw to the needs of everyone, while hers were kept hidden and uncared for.
Jay had awakened her dreams and given her hope. But still, she was afraid to entertain them and considered it best if she forgot about them. Florence just couldn’t take more disappointment, and by shoving her dreams away, she protected herself.
“I think they’re ready.” Bridgette came to her and gave her a hug. “I really believe you two will be a good match. Sterling and I prayed for you both, and we will continue to.”
“Thank you.” Florence stared at her and almost told her to stop the wedding. She felt as if she was walking off a cliff. Then she steeled herself, walked to the door, and stood at the main entrance to the church. Jay was at the end of the aisle, waiting for her.
Bridgette said something, but Florence didn’t understand. She stared at Jay and started walking. She wanted to smile and make Jay happy, but it wasn’t in her. She felt trapped and duty-bound like she always had. This was just one more chapter in her life to go ahead and do what was expected.
Finally, she reached Jay and took his hand. Florence felt as if she were entering a different world. Silence surrounded her so that she could hear her beating heart. Each round of beats was telling her, there is no turning back. Over and over, the warning repeated.
Preacher Brett looked at them and then focused on her. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Jay and Florence. This is a solemn and holy occasion, but I trust you both have considered that.”
Florence winced at the preacher’s words. No, she really hadn’t considered this as a holy union. Just something that she had to do. She fixed her mind on what she always did. This had to be done, don’t think about it, just do it. His words had stopped the silence and the warnings.
She matched the preacher’s gaze and gave a slight nod and a smile.
The preacher looked concerned but went on. “Jay Selmer, do you promise to love and cherish this woman. To keep her safe and provide for her all the days of your life?”
Jay gazed at her. “I do.”
Florence stared into Jay’s eyes and was shocked to see that he really cared for her. She’d never seen that in the eyes of any man before. Did he love her?
The preacher turned to her. “Florence, do you promise to respect and honor this man? To love and protect his heart all the days that you live?”
She stared at Jay. The moment of truth. Could she promise those things? Love him? Her heart pounded. The seconds ticked by. Then she looked up at Jay. He was still looking at her with such kindness that she believed she could. “Yes, I do.”
“I pronounce you husband and wife. Go and live your lives with one another with sincere love and understanding.” Preacher Bret smiled and looked at them. “Jay, you can kiss your bride.”
Jay smiled at her so tenderly, took her in his arms, and gently kissed her.
Shocked and unable to respond, Florence felt as she was melting in his embrace. Never had she been kissed by a man before. And then it was over. Jay was saying something to her, but she couldn’t hear him or focus. His kiss had enveloped her in a fog of feelings. Perhaps her feelings had tired of hiding and come out in force, but whatever the reason, she could barely think.
“Congratulations, Jay and Florence. We hope you will be happy.” Sterling shook Jay’s hand.
And then Del and Jericho congratulated them.
Florence struggled to answer, but her mind was in a whirl of emotions. Her heart was pounding as she wasn’t used to this much attention. Then Jay took her in his arms.
“Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Just a little overwhelmed.”
Jay turned to the small crowd. “We’re going to the hotel for our dinner. Thank you all for coming.” He led her out of the church and to the buggy he’d rented. “Mrs. Selmer, wh
ere is it that you want to go?”
She looked at him. “I might be too nervous to eat right now.”
“Want me to drive you to our house? You haven’t seen it yet. I caution you that it is isn’t finished, but we can live in the one room that is.”
She smiled at him. He really was a kind man and attentive to her needs. “Yes. Let’s go and see where we’re going to live.”
Jay reined the horse away from town and drove north. “It’s pretty. I think you’ll like it. I’m sorry, it’s not finished. I didn’t have time to work on it.”
Before they got away from the church, a crowd of yelling people passed them and went on toward town. Jay quieted the horse and handed the reins to Florence. “Let me find out what’s going on.”
He jumped from the buggy and stopped the nearest man. “What’s wrong?”
“Cholera.” The man wiped his eyes. “We told the mine owners something was wrong. The Chinese brought it. Dozens are sick. Families. We need the doctor and the sheriff. I got to go.” The rough man pushed past him.
Jay looked up at her. “We better stay in the hotel tonight.”
She nodded. “Cholera is deadly.”
Jay climbed back in the buggy and swung it toward town. “I don’t want you in any danger. Those men are angry and hurting.” He drove the carriage to the hotel and helped her down. He grabbed her satchel and walked her inside.
Florence held onto him. “Where are you going?”
“I’ll get you settled in our room, and then I’m going to see what I can do to help.”
She didn’t want him to leave her, and yet, she didn’t want to think about the night. She let him guide her into the hotel and tried not to think ahead.
The clerk smiled and waved them on up to the bridal suite.
Jay grabbed the key and then walked protectively behind her up the stairs. He took her arm in his, led her to the room, and kissed her before unlocking the door. Jay stopped her from entering and picked her up to carry her inside the room. He set her down, brought her satchel in, and set it on the table. “I need to be with the town in this trouble. I won’t be gone long. I know this is our special day.”
Florence nodded. She was both proud of him for wanting to help and fearful that he’d leave her and not return. “Be careful.”
Jay took her in his arms and kissed her. “I want you to get used to being kissed. I won’t be gone long. I want you to stay here in this room. That looked like an angry mob, and they can get out of hand.”
“I won’t leave the room.”
He kissed her again and went out the door.
Florence locked it behind him. She touched her lips and thought about the kisses. She paced the room, trying to decipher what she was feeling. Jay was so gentle and kind to her. More so than she deserved.
She sat on the settee and wondered what was happening in town and what Jay was doing. She prayed he came back to her.
***
Jay walked down the street to the jail where most of the mob had stopped. Levi was out talking to them while his deputy, Ronan, stood with a rifle in hand.
Levi raised his hands. “Settle down.” He pointed to a man in front of the mob. “You, tell me what’s got you all riled up.”
“We got sick men and families. The mine owners brought in Chinese, and they brought the disease with them. They’re making us sick, so they can take our jobs.” He raised his fist. “The mine owners aren’t doing anything. You go to do something.”
Levi nodded. “All right. We’ll take a ride down to the mines tomorrow. It’s too late, and it would be dark before we got there. Are any of you sick?”
“My family is. Derrick’s family. Jacob over there. Most of us have someone in our families sick.”
Levi held up his hands. “Let’s go on over to Dr. Newsome, and he can gather his things and get ready to go to the camp tomorrow. As far as the Chinese, they have the right to work just as much as you do. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
The leader of the mob shook his head. “Other places have had fights. Ran them out. The Chinese work for nothing. It’s bad for all of us. But that they brought the disease with them is the worst.”
Jay edged closer to the sheriff and faced the crowd to show his support.
Levi shook his head at the crowd. “We’ll let the doc figure that out. I doubt if the Chinese brought any disease. They’d get sick too.”
The leader of the mob shouted, “That’s just it. The Chinese don’t get sick. Just us and our families. We’ve already buried six, but there’s more too sick to move.”
Levi walked among the crowd. “We’ll take care of it. I’m going over to talk to Judge Taggart. The rest of you go on over to the doc’s office and tell them the symptoms.”
The leader nodded. “We think it’s cholera.” The mob broked apart, and some of the men ran into the street.
Levi fired a shot in the air to stop the crowd. “We’ll do what we can to help all that are sick. But it’s too late to do anything today. Tomorrow, we’ll meet here. I’ll get a posse, and we’ll ride down to the mines.” He walked through the crowd and toward the courthouse.
Jay followed Levi. He’d seen troubles before between the railroad workers and Chinese. He felt sorry for the men who came from so far away to seek life in a free country. Many were practically owned by those who brought them over and negotiated cheap wages to lay the tracks. The Chinese were hard workers from what Jay could tell.
Jay caught up to Levi. “Anything I can do, let me know.”
Levi nodded and then looked at him. “Didn’t you just get married?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Then, you go be with your bride. Wait.” Levi snapped his fingers. “With that mob, I’d feel better if the saloon was closed. Would you run in and tell Rick what’s going on and that I want him to close up, now. The mob will be gone tomorrow, and he can open back up.”
“Sure, I’ll go tell him right now.” Jay left and ran to the saloon. Levi was right. All that mob needed was to get inside the saloon and drink themselves into a riot.
Jay glanced at the hotel and grinned. Soon, he’d be with his bride. Tomorrow, they’ go to the house. He just hoped Florence wouldn’t be too disappointed.
Chapter 7
Florence paced the room, waiting for Jay’s return. She glanced out the window and saw him walking down the street. She watched him, reminding herself that he was her husband. After all these years, it was so hard to believe that she was married. She had someone to belong to and would have a family of her own.
She sat by the window and put her chin on her hand and admired him. Until he strode into the saloon. He’d never said he drank, but she’d never asked. Florence remembered the horror stories of her cousin, who married a man who she later found out was a drunk.
Panic hit Florence. Why hadn’t she asked him? She should have told him that she wouldn’t allow it. That was not the kind of man she wanted to be married to. She left the window and paced the room with a fervent stomp.
She had been hungry, but now, she couldn’t even think of food. She prayed that Jay wouldn’t beat her. After visiting the bars, Jane’s husband was rough with her. Thinking of her unfortunate friend, Florence made up her mind. She would not tolerate such nonsense.
After looking about for a weapon to defend herself, Florence picked up the poker from the fireplace and sat on the settee and watched the door. Jay would get an earful once he returned. He was her husband, but she wasn’t going to be one of those quiet little wives that took whatever their man dished out. She’d beat him senseless with the poker if he raised a hand to her.
Then, she’d leave him before she allowed herself to become a frightened mouse. Florence didn’t believe Bridgette would mind. After all, Bridgette was not a woman to put up with such nonsense.
As Florence sat on the settee, her anger grew. Fifteen minutes later, the rattling of the key in the door gave her warning, and she readied herself.
Jay ope
ned the door and smiled. “I hope I wasn’t too long.”
Florence stood. “I saw where you went. I wish you had been honest with me. I don’t abide by drinking. It’s a disgraceful habit and leads to the downfall of men and their families. My friend suffered because of a drunken husband, and I won’t.”
Jay turned and looked at the number on the door. “Did I come into the wrong room? I left my bride here. What have you done with her?”
Florence wasn’t amused. She had been a fool to agree to marry him so swiftly. Why hadn’t she waited? “I saw you go into the saloon.”
He grinned.
She became furious. “It is not funny.”
Jay went to her and sat her down on the settee. Then he sat beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. “Florence, I went to the saloon to tell the owner to shut it down for the day because of the mob. The sheriff asked me to. I didn’t take a drink.”
Florence looked at him and tried to inconspicuously sniff the air but detected no smell of alcohol. “Oh.” She tried to hide the poker under her skirt.
He took her hand in his. “I see that you are a woman who will take up for herself. Good for you.” Jay took the poker from her and let it drop to the floor.
Florence startled at the sound of it falling. She held her breath, waiting to see what he would do.
Jay caressed her hair. “We don’t know each other very well, but I like to think that we’re both embarking on a new life together. In the past, I drank in the saloons, got drunk, and usually got in trouble. But those days are over. I’m not saying that on a hot, dusty day that I won’t stop in that saloon and have one beer, but that is all I will do. I promise to you now and forever that you will never have to fear me.”
Florence felt like a stern old maid. Why had she jumped to the worst of conclusions without giving him a chance? “I’m sorry. It wasn’t right of me to assume.”
“No, it wasn’t, but I forgive you. We’re going to have to learn to do that for each other a lot in the coming days as we get to know one another. I want you to feel free to come to me anytime with concerns. We’re in this together. It won’t be easy.”
Florence Page 6
