Authors: Ruth Ann Nordin
Tags: #romance, #comedy, #lighthearted, #bride, #virgin hero, #historical western, #kent ashton, #woman pursues man
Of all the things Stan could have
said, she never expected this. She knew he liked her and had been
too shy to ask her to marry him. She also knew he would never lie
about having to take care of a child in order to manipulate her
into being with him. And she couldn’t help but feel sorry for the
little girl and his predicament. But she didn’t want to marry him,
and it wouldn’t be fair to either one of them if she did because of
the girl. He needed someone who would marry him because she wanted
to be with him. Otherwise, what good would the marriage be? The
little girl not only needed a mother; she needed parents who would
love each other.
“
Stan, I’m honored you
thought of me, really I am,” she began, choosing her words
carefully, “but I’m going to marry Kent.” She noticed the
disappointment on his face and added, “Why don’t you ask my sister?
She loves children, and she thinks the world of you. If anyone
would be a wonderful mother and wife, it’s her.”
His smile faltered. “Oh, I don’t doubt
she’d be a good mother and wife.” He looked as if he was going to
add something but decided against it.
“
Pardon me for being so
forward, but why don’t you want to marry her? It can’t be the way
she looks since she and I are twins.”
He shrugged. “It’s hard to explain. I
guess it’s because you’re always laughing and talking as if
everything’s fun and exciting. Harriett doesn’t seem to say much at
all.”
“
That’s because she’s quiet
like our ma. You really should take the time to get to know her.
She can be a lot of fun. She’s just shy.”
“
I don’t know.
Maybe.”
“
Before you make a decision
either way, you ought to do more than ask her about me. Ask about
her. You might be surprised by what you find.”
Figuring there was nothing else she
could say, she excused herself and searched for Kent in the merry
group of people who had gathered to enjoy the evening.
“
Rose,” someone called out
to her.
She turned around in time to see Kent
not too far from her. “I was looking for you,” she told
him.
He bypassed a couple of people and
smiled at her. “Can we go outside to talk? It won’t take a
moment.”
“
Sure.” She’d heard her
uncle Tom give his “another year has passed” speech before. He said
the same thing each time and ended it with a song on his fiddle
before everyone went to eat. It wouldn’t hurt to miss his speech
this year. She walked with Kent out of the barn and stopped by the
well. “What is it? Did you want me to tell you what ‘promenade’
means again?”
“
No. I think I got all the
directions down for square dancing.”
“
Then what is it? Are you
having second thoughts about doing this tonight?”
“
No. I overheard what you
told Stan. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. I was on my way to you and
didn’t want to interrupt. Anyway,” he cupped her elbow with his
hand, “I wanted to tell you that it means a lot to me that you gave
up Stan to be with me.”
“
What was there to give up?
I’m meant to be with you. There isn’t anyone else who can take your
place.”
“
It’s one thing to hear a
lady say that, but when she follows through on it,” he shrugged,
“it takes on a whole new meaning.”
“
You don’t have anything to
worry about. I’ll never leave you for someone else.”
“
I know you won’t. You’re
the perfect one for me. You make me complete. Rose, I know I’ve
been telling you we should wait until spring before we marry, but
let’s marry sooner than that.”
It took all of her self-control—and a
glance from her sister who was entering the barn—to remain still.
What she really wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck and
insist he carry her off to the preacher right away. But she managed
a much more ladylike response and simply nodded. “When?”
“
Let me talk to your
father.”
“
Alright.” She thought it
was sweet that he insisted on being so formal with everything, but
she figured that was how he did things back in Virginia and
Ireland. The important thing was, she no longer had to wait until
May. “Let’s find him so you can talk to him tonight.”
He laughed and wrapped his arm around
her waist. “I’ll talk to your father tomorrow.”
“
Must you wait so
long?”
“
Tomorrow is only a day
away.”
“
I know, but it seems much
longer than that. Do you think we can marry this month? Next
week?”
“
I’ll let you know what he
tells me.” Leading her back into the barn, he added, “You’ll just
have to have patience, my dear.”
Chapter Eighteen
As it turned out, Rose didn’t have
long to wait. Two weeks later, she was in a small room at the back
of the church waiting for her cue to walk down the aisle. Her
mother worked on her hair, pinning it up in a fashionable style
that Rose saw in a magazine. Though Rose tried to sit still, she
had a terrible time doing so.
Her mother chuckled and gently placed
her hands on her shoulders. “Rose, if you keep shifting about, I
won’t be able to put these pins in. We’re almost done.”
Rose clasped her hands in her lap and
did her best not to squirm. “I’m trying. Really, I am. I just can’t
believe how magical everything is. I read a story about a lovely
princess who was endowed with the finest of silks and jewelry. She
was supposed to marry this horrible man who planned to poison her
shortly after the wedding, but another man who had taken a fancy to
her found out about the plot and—”
“
You already told me about
that story.”
“
I did?”
“
Yes.” Her mother slipped
another pin into her hair. “This is better than that story because
this is happening to you, and I have no doubt Kent will always be a
gentleman in how he treats you.”
“
I know he will. Oh, thank
you for helping me with this dress. I love the way lace looks. You
did a wonderful job. But then, you do a wonderful job at everything
you do.”
“
Why Rose, that is very
sweet of you to say.”
“
It’s the truth. I can’t
sew lace into a gown as well as you can, and I’ll never be able to
cook as well as you. I’m not sure what I can offer
Kent.”
“
Well, from what your pa
says, you won’t have to worry about sewing and cooking, so I
wouldn’t let those things concern you. The best thing you can be is
yourself. If anyone wants you to be someone you’re not, then they
aren’t worth you’re time.”
Rose studied her mother’s reflection
in the mirror. “I won’t have to worry about sewing and cooking? Why
not?”
“
I just got through telling
you to be yourself, and you only focus on the sewing and cooking
part?”
“
I find it awfully curious,
that’s all.” She had a feeling there was something her parents knew
that they weren’t telling her. Hopeful to get her mother to reveal
this secret, she asked, “Does Kent like to cook and
sew?”
“
From what I understand, he
doesn’t.”
“
Then what is it you and Pa
aren’t telling me about him?”
“
You’ll find out soon
enough, and,” she finished putting the last pin in her hair,
“you’ll be very happy. It’ll be like one of those stories you
love.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “Which
ones?”
“
I’m not
saying.”
A knock at the door interrupted Rose
before she could ask more questions. As her mother answered it,
Rose stood up and adjusted the skirt of her gown, her pulse racing
with excitement. It was time to walk down the aisle!
“
Is it safe to come in?”
her father asked from the other side of the door.
Her mother stepped aside and waved him
in. “We’re ready for the ceremony.”
As he entered the room carrying a thin
rectangular box, his smile grew wide. “You’re just as beautiful as
your mother.”
Her mother shook her head but grinned.
“Rose takes after your side of the family, Dave. She looks more
like your sister Jenny than she does me.”
“
Nonsense. You’re her
mother. She gets her good looks from you.” Before her mother could
respond, he turned his attention to Rose. “Kent has a gift for
you.”
“
He does?” Intrigued,
Rose’s gaze went to the box. What in the world could be in
it?
“
He said you don’t have to
wear it for the wedding if you don’t want to.”
She waited for him to open it, but he
simply shot her a teasing grin. It was the same grin he used to
give her and her siblings on Christmas morning when it was time to
open their gifts. She groaned but laughed. “Pa, I’m not a little
kid anymore. You don’t have to make me wait for an entire minute
before you let me see it.”
“
Stop torturing her and let
her see it,” her mother added, also chuckling.
“
Oh, alright. Though it’s
fun to watch you squirm,” he admitted. He opened the box and showed
her the diamond necklace. “What do you think?”
Rose gasped as she examined it. “Are
those real diamonds?”
“
Yep.”
“
But how can he afford
something that expensive?”
“
Kent made me promise to
let him tell you.”
She glanced at her mother who gave her
an innocent shrug. “Both of you know something I don’t. I gather it
has nothing to do with Kent living a life of crime.”
“
Oh for goodness’ sakes,”
her mother kindly admonished. “Kent isn’t a criminal.”
“
Is he a spy? Spies get
paid pretty well, don’t they?” Rose pressed.
“
Do you want to wear this
for the wedding or should I put it in your valise?” her father
asked.
“
I’ll wear it, of course.”
Not only was it beautiful, but it was something Kent bought for
her. She turned around and let her father clasp it around the back
of her neck. The white gold chain with the heart-shaped diamond had
to have cost him a lot of money. “Is he a prince?”
Her mother sighed. “No, but we won’t
say anything else.” Looking at her father, she asked, “Is it time
to walk her down the aisle?”
“
Almost. I’ll put this,” he
lifted the box, “in your valise and be back when it’s
time.”
Rose nodded as he left the room.
Pressing her hands to her stomach, she said, “I can’t believe how
nervous and excited I am.”
“
What you’re feeling is
normal.” Her mother picked up the veil. “I think all brides feel
this way.” She placed the veil on her hair, reaching into her
pocket to slip a couple more pins to set it in place. “Your
father’s right. You make a lovely bride. Kent will be pleased when
he sees you.”
“
Thank you for helping me
with everything, Ma.”
“
You’re welcome.” After a
moment’s pause, she asked, “Do you have any questions about what to
expect tonight?”
“
You already answered
them.”
“
Alright, but if you think
of any more, let me know.”
“
Will do, Ma.”
Her mother took a long look at her,
her eyes shining with pride. Then she drew her in for a hug. “I’m
so happy for you, Rose. You’re going to make a wonderful
wife.”
“
Thank you, Ma.”
There was another knock at the door,
and this time her father called out that everyone was ready for
her. With a squeal of excitement, she lifted the skirt of her gown
and opened the door.
Her mother tapped her on the shoulder.
“Let me take a seat before you run down the aisle.”
“
Don’t be silly, Ma. I
won’t go in there until you’re seated.”
She moved aside so her mother could
pass her. After her mother found her seat, she slipped her arm
around her father’s and got ready for their cue to go down the
aisle.
“
Kent’s very lucky to have
you, Rose.”
Blinking back tears, she said, “Thank
you, Pa.”
He patted her hand. “You know, there’s
a mixed blessing in a day like this. While it’s hard to see my
little girl all grown up, I’m also glad to see you with such a fine
young man.”
The organist began the music, so she
quickly kissed his cheek then proceeded to stroll with him down the
aisle. In front of the altar stood the preacher and Kent. She’d
seen Kent in suits, but she hadn’t seen him in anything as
expensive as the dark one he had on now. She thought of her
necklace and figured Kent either saved up everything he had for
this day or his job paid much better than she assumed.
Before she could give it too much
thought, her father placed her hand in Kent’s and patted the small
of her back and wished them both well. Kent’s eyes met hers, and he
smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. Her heartbeat picked up.
It was so much like a fairytale. She couldn’t think of a single
book she’d read that came close to the thrill she was now
experiencing. She never thought she’d ever be as happy as
this.