An Unexpected Mother (The Colorado Brides Series Book 4) (15 page)

“I do believe I will, Jack Bailey. Mrs. Fanny Bailey has a nice ring to it.”

He stood, drawing me into his arms. “It does. I should’ve asked your father’s permission first. You make me forget everything.”

“You can ask him another time. I don’t mind multiple proposals.” He chuckled at that. “I wish we had a preacher.”

“So do I. I’ll investigate it tomorrow.”

My chin rested on his shoulder. “Do you really have to go back to town?”

“Yes.”

His hand rubbed my back. “Let’s keep it all in mind then.”

“What?”

“The marriage and everything. I have to think about how I’m going to provide for everyone. It’s not something I had to do before. I’ve never been responsible for anything other than myself.”

I met his gaze. “That’s fine. We have all the time in the world.”

“Yes, but…” his look darkened…“I might not be able to follow my own good intentions.”

“Why not?”

“Because I want to be with you. My feelings seem to grow by the hour, which is rather alarming.”

“Then that will motivate you to find a solution. I’ll try to think of what we can do for housing.”

He shook his head. “I don’t plan to go long without being with you, Fanny. I know I preach about patience and virtue every Sunday, but that seems to fly out the window when I look at you.”

“I’m glad.”

Tension pinged between us, sweet and tempting, as his lips descended. The kiss burned hot instantly. The fire that had been smoldering ignited into something fierce and nearly out of control, but the clearing of a throat brought us back to the present. Nathan stood nearby with his hands on his hips.

“Just as I thought. You two can’t be left alone.” He grinned crookedly. “Is this hello or goodbye?”

“I need to go.” He touched my face. “I hope I see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll stop by after I take the children to school.”

“It better be at the church,” said Nathan. “And I suggest you’re not alone, unless you’re standin’ before a preacher.” He scratched his head. “If you plan on gettin’ married, who’s performing the ceremony?”

“That’s one of our issues,” said Jack.

“I’d be happy to do it for you, but I need a lotta whiskey first.”

“Thank you so much for the offer, but…er…I think we’ll decline.”

“Wise choice. Here, let me untie your horse.” Nathan moved past us, his boots crunching over gravel.

I gazed at Jack. “I guess this is goodnight then.”

Regret shone in his eyes. “Yes.”

“I…hate that we have an hour of distance between us.”

“It’s not ideal, but temptation being what it is, it’s probably for the best.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“I’m going to try not to count the hours, but I’m sure I will.”

“Me too.”

“Here she is. All saddled up and ready to go.” Nathan handed the reins over to Jack. His smile was annoyingly broad. “I suspect we’ll be seein’ more of the pastor now, eh?”

“There’s a good chance he’ll be a part of the family soon.”

“Another Hoffman weddin’s in my future?”

“I hope so,” laughed Jack. “As soon as I can make the arrangements.”

“Well, congratulations.”

“Mother might ask for a lengthy engagement.” I hadn’t thought what her response would be, once she found out I was promised.

“Darlin’, things are done differently out west. No one cares about that stuff. Who’s got the time to wait a year to get married? A woman would have a baby before then.”

That thought brought a pink hue to my cheeks. “I suppose you’re right.”

“If I had to wait a year…” Jack grimaced. “It would be intolerable.”

“It’s a good thing we don’t then.”

He drew me into his arms, even though Nathan stood before us. His lips were near my ear. “I’m entirely fond of you, Fanny. I don’t want to leave. I’ve half a mind to throw you over my horse and take you with me.”

“Don’t say that. I might jump on myself.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“I miss you.”

“Oh, for the love of Pete,” intoned Nathan. “Ya’ll be seein’ each other soon enough. Break it up before I have to get a crowbar.”

“He’s insufferably annoying.”

I giggled, “He is.”

“You’re so lovely. When I close my eyes tonight, all I shall see is your face.”

“Oh, Jack.”

He kissed my cheek. “Good night, my love.”

I tingled at those words. “Good night.”

His hand was on my shoulder, and, as he stepped away, he drifted down my arm to my elbow and further, until he touched my hand briefly. From there, we separated with agonizing slowness. With one last look of longing, he stepped into the stirrup, throwing a leg over his mount. He trotted down the lane, waving before disappearing from sight.

Nathan asked, “So, you’re gonna marry the gospel sharp, eh?”

“Oh, goodness. Do you have to say it that way?”

“From the look of it, he’s smitten all right. I’m thinkin’ that wedding should happen sooner than later on account of the lusty gleam in his eye. I don’t know what happened earlier today, but somethin’s got him all worked up.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.” I started for the house, hiding a smile.

“Yep, that feller is good and cooked.”

I giggled, as I entered the front door, hurrying for the stairs.

Chapter Fifteen

“Are you gonna marry Pastor Bailey?” asked Connor.

“Oh, shush,” admonished Jane. “Not now.”

“She is, isn’t she?”

We sat in church, while families began to file out. Several people had stopped to talk to Jack. My sisters were nearby; their husbands had left already with father, but they hadn’t gone far. They waited outside, while I eyed my future husband. He perceived me, as the slight smile around his mouth indicated, but he had to attend to his flock.

“I would like to marry him.” I held Susanna’s hand. The little girl wore her best bonnet today with multi-colored ribbons and fake flowers.

“You should do it then, Fanny.”

“If only we could find a preacher…” I glanced at Jane. She appeared pensive, yet more relaxed than I had ever seen her. Our relationship continued to improve by the day. “There’s Wesley Hornsby. He’s returned from the mountains.”

Her chin went up a notch. “I see.”

We had discussed her infatuation with Pastor Bailey, and she now understood it was inappropriate. The feelings she had admitted to were entirely one-sided, because Jack had never felt the same. Her recovery from this blow had been swift; the focus of her affections had now transferred to someone younger.

“We’ve invited the family to brunch.”

“You won’t rest until I’m married off.” Her lips quivered, as she fought a smile.

“We’re only having brunch.”

“I assume I’ll be sitting next to him.”

“Not if you don’t want to.”

Hannah stood, bringing Letty with her; the toddler had begun to fuss. “I’m going out.”

“We’ll be right there.” Hannah made her way towards the aisle. “I guess we should go.”

The church was nearly empty. We waited for Jack every Sunday. The possibility of being with him for several hours was the highlight of my week, although we were never alone. Our engagement was official now, as I wore a pretty gold Claddagh ring, an Irish design of hands holding a heart with a crown. Sally Higgins had said an immigrant had traded it for supplies at the mercantile.

Jack was now speaking with a couple I had never seen before. There had been an influx of homesteaders during the week, their wagons appearing in town outfitted with canvas tops and oxen. Whether they planned on staying or continuing on was an unknown factor.

“Fanny!” called Jack. “Come here, my dear.”

I hurried to him, with Susanna in tow. The boys had followed Paulina and Hannah out, Jane and Mary among them. My parents sat and waited. “What is it?”

His smile was enormous. “I’d like you to meet Pastor Collins of Ohio. His family is on their way to California. They’ve decided to recuperate a few days in Denver City.”

Elation shot through me. “I…oh, goodness!” I met their expectant faces. “How do you do?”

“We’re fine, and you?” asked the kindly-looking gentleman.

“You must be exhausted from your journey.”

“We are,” said the woman. “I’m Elizabeth Collins.”

“Fanny Hoffman.”

“I hear you’re engaged, my dear,” said the pastor.

“I am.”

“Your fiancé tells me you’re in need of a minister to officiate the vows.”

“We are.”

Mrs. Collins eyes crinkled around the edges when she smiled. “Oh, don’t toy with the girl, John. She’s bursting out of her skin with happiness.”

“I am. We’ve been waiting for a preacher. We were worried it would never happen.”

“Well, I’d be happy to perform the service tomorrow, if you wish.”

Jack grinned. “Fanny, my love, what do you think?”

“I’m…astonished.”

“Can you have it all planned by tomorrow?”

“You know I can.”

“Well, then. It looks like our wait is over.”

“What a lovely, enthusiastic couple,” said Pastor Collins. “What time should I be expected?”

“Six,” said Jack.

“At night?”

“In the morning.”

“No,” I interjected. “He’s jesting. It has to be later than that. How about noon?”

“I’d rather do it earlier, but…I’ll defer to my wife’s—fiancé’s wishes.”

“Noon it is then.”

Once they had departed, Jack took my arm, pulling me near, whispering, “It’s not too late for you to change your mind.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“You’re getting married tomorrow?” asked Susanna.

“Yes, honey, we are.”

“Can I wear the pink dress?”

“That’s why we made it.”

Her face lit up. “I’ve been wanting so long to wear it, Fanny! I can’t wait.”

My dress had been hanging in the closet for several weeks. “Maria has to bake the cake, but other than that, we’re ready.” He’d yet to let go of my arm, his fingers locked securely. We’d hardly been alone at all, and I knew he was eager to kiss me again. My family wouldn’t give us a moment of peace. I suspected Nathan had told them that we needed to be watched over, which I found exasperating.

“We should tell them.”

“I’ll do it,” said Susanna, rushing down the aisle.

He leaned in, whispering, “I thought I’d go mad, Fanny.”

“Me too.”

“I appreciate your family, but…I could wring Nathan’s neck.”

“Oh, Jack. He meant well.”

“I don’t need a chaperone. I’m perfectly capable of controlling myself.”

I found his irritation amusing. “I know.”

“Maybe he was worried about you.”

“Jack Bailey!” I gasped, giggling.

“All right. I might’ve taken advantage and kissed you a few times too many, but…those were extenuating circumstances.”

“You’ll be able to kiss me all you want tomorrow and every day after.” That thought brought a flush to my cheeks.

“I intend to, my dear.”

“Fanny,” said Paulina. “I’ve been sent to retrieve you.”

I sighed. “Yes, we’re coming.”

“I hear there’s to be a wedding tomorrow.”

“Yes, thank God.”

She laughed, “You’ve both suffered long enough.”

“Indeed we have.” Jack escorted me towards the door. “Fortune has finally smiled down upon us.” He murmured, “And put me out of my misery.”

His hand was on my back. Whenever I was near him, he touched me. If I were too far away, he would close the distance and brush up against me. We had seen one another every day since that evening when we had returned from finding Jane. It had been torturous being so close, yet not being able to be nearer. The wait had come to an end…the longing…the desire, would soon be realized.

Brunch was held at Paulina’s house, the children running around in the yard, making noise and dirtying their clothing. She had presented a buffet of finger sandwiches with Boston cream pie for dessert. A sense of excitement filled the air; the news of our impending nuptials had spread. Mother beamed with happiness, knowing that I would be married the following day. Jane sat next to Wesley Hornsby. They talked and laughed, an easy rapport developing between them. He was a miner, but he had recently put in for an apprenticeship at the millworks, wanting a job closer to town.

Louisa leaned in, whispering, “You must be thrilled, Fanny.”

I grasped her hand. “I am. We’ve waited long enough.”

“What was it? Three weeks?” She laughed, “That’s hardly an eternity.”