Historical Cowboy Romance Two Book Box Set - Mail Order Brides (10 page)

“I’m glad you like it here and all of them.
What about me, Tessa? How do you feel about me?” Dean asked. He was
anxious about what she might say, but he had to know.

Tessa’s eyes lowered for a moment and then
she looked him square in the eye. “I think you are a wonderful man.
You run a successful business, even though things have been
difficult at times, and your children adore you. My only regret is
that you seem to want to keep me at arm’s length. I want to know
you better, but you have to let me in. How do you feel about
me
, Dean?”

Dean looked down into a face that he had
grown eager to see every morning and he stroked her silky hair. It
was softer than he’d imagined and he wanted to bury his hands in
it. Instead of answering her with words, Dean gently pulled her
closer and dipped his head so that he could press his lips to
hers.

Joy surged through Tessa as they kissed and
she couldn’t ever remember feeling like this. The kiss ended and
Dean smiled down at her.

“Well, that was nice,” he said.

Tessa cleared her throat. “Yes, it was.”

“Theresa O’Connor, may I court you?” Dean
asked. “I know I should have asked before, um, well, that, but I
just couldn’t help myself. My apologies.”

“Don’t you dare apologize for doing something
I’ve wanted to do for a while now,” Tessa said. “The answer is yes,
you may court me.”

Dean grinned down at her and Tessa responded
in kind. “We better get looking at that horse or we’re going to be
in trouble.”

Tessa laid a hand on Dean’s arm. “Well, then
I suppose we should see about this horse,” she said.

A month went by, during which Dean courted
Tessa in earnest. He took her to Wolf’s Point for a special night
out and moonlight rides. Tessa made Dean laugh more in that month
than he’d laughed in the past three years. She got him to do silly
things that he hadn’t done since Sarah and he had been like a
teenager, chasing her through a field or playing acting.

Dean hadn’t felt this way in so long and he
began having hope that he could finally get past his grief and
perhaps build a new life with this amazing woman. He didn’t tell
Marcus so, but he was grateful to his little brother for going
ahead and placing that advertisement. If he hadn’t, Tessa would
have never come here and Dean wouldn’t have a second chance at
happiness.

One night, Dean paced the floor in his room
after they’d gone to bed. He knew it was time for him to make up
his mind about Tessa. It seemed that they were compatible on many
levels and he could certainly do worse for a wife. It wasn’t fair
to her that she was kept in limbo and it wasn’t fair to himself or
his children. They were very attached to Tessa now and he didn’t
want their feelings hurt if she stayed even longer and then
something didn’t work out between her and Dean and she left. He
decided that a trip to Wolf’s Point was necessary.

The next day, he made the trek, telling Tessa
and the children that he had to go work on the farthest part of
their land. He didn’t get back until almost sundown. Tessa had
waited supper on him and he walked in to find that she’d made a
meatloaf with potatoes and green beans. It was good and he remarked
about how her cooking was improving, which delighted her.

One day a short time after this, he rode over
to Lydia and Charles’ house. Their kids came out and surrounded
him. They loved Dean and were always full of questions for him.
This day, they wanted to know where Tessa was. She always played
with them.

He sent them away and headed out to the barn,
where he knew he’d find Charlie. Charlie was a big, gruff man with
iron gray hair and mustache. He was a few years older than Lydia.
He looked up as Dean came in the barn and could tell the younger
man was thinking about something.

“What’s on your mind, son?” he asked as he
polished a bridle.

Dean sat down next to him and pulled out a
ring box from his pants pocket. He opened it and showed Charlie.
Charlie whistled.

“Nice ring. It’s unexpected. I didn’t know
you felt that way about me,” Charlie said.

Dean laughed. “Shut up, you old fart.”

Charlie chuckled. “So, you’re gonna ask her
to marry you. I think it’s a good move. She’s a good woman and it
doesn’t hurt that she’s easy on the eyes. The kids like her a lot,
too.”

“I know. She’s funny and smart and yeah,
beautiful, and I’d be crazy to let her get away, right?” Dean said.
“You know, I’m confident about everything else. The ranch, my kids,
breaking horses, breeding cattle, growing crops, but when it comes
to a new woman in our lives, I get all wishy-washy.”

Charlie laughed. “I’m not surprised. It can
be a hard thing. I think your head and heart are in the right
place, though.”

“I’m gonna ask her tonight. I can’t put it
off any longer or I’ll lose the nerve,” Dean said. “Well, the next
time you see me, I hope to be an engaged man.”

Dean and Tessa lay out on a blanket in one of
the pastures. Marcus was babysitting to make sure the kids didn’t
disturb them. Dean rolled over and looked down at Tessa. The
moonlight created a soft glow on her face. He loved the way she
smiled at him.

“Tessa, you are a wonderful woman and we are
so lucky you’re here. Since you arrived, you’ve made things better
for us all, but especially for me. After Sarah died, I never wanted
to get involved with another woman. I never wanted to feel that
kind of pain again. You’ve changed my mind about that and made me
think that I could be happy again. I don’t want to let you slip
through my fingers. Theresa Marie O’Connor, will you do me the
honor of becoming my wife?”

Tessa’s heart filled with joy and tears
welled in her eyes. “I’ve never met a man like you, Dean. Someone
strong and devoted and honest. It’s wonderful here and I adore your
children. I’ve always said that I didn’t want to replace Sarah in
their eyes and I still mean it, but it means so much to me that you
would trust me with them. I promise to be a good wife and a good
mother-figure. I love you and yes, Dean, I’ll marry you.”

Dean took out the ring box and opened it. The
moonlight glinted off the small diamond and Tessa’s breath caught
in her chest. Dean lifted her left hand and slipped the ring on her
third finger. Tessa looked at the ring and thought it beautiful.
More than its beauty, what it represented was something that was
much more meaningful.

She wasn’t upset that Dean hadn’t told her he
loved her. Tessa knew men well enough to know that they sometimes
couldn’t say that kind of thing but she hoped that one day, she
would hear those words. Right now, she was happy that he’d showed
her by asking for her hand and giving her a ring.

Tessa looked up at this handsome man she’d
fallen in love with and pulled his head down so she could kiss him.
They kissed each other tenderly as the moon shined its approving
light on them.

Dean and Tessa broke the news to the children
at breakfast the next day. Sadie was thrilled and wanted to know
when they were getting married. Jack was happy about it but quickly
moved on to more pressing matters, like what they were having for
breakfast. The rest of the family was equally happy and the couple
was congratulated by all.

Neither Dean nor Tessa wanted a lengthy
engagement and the ceremony date was set for the next month when
the circuit preacher would be in Dawson County again. Tessa showed
Lydia her dress.

“I can’t believe you brought it with you,”
Lydia said. “It’s gorgeous.”

Tessa held it against her. “I wanted to be
prepared and I wasn’t sure that there was any kind of a dressmaking
boutique near here. Do you really like it?”

Lydia said, “Yes, and so will Dean. He’s
going to be bowled over when he sees you.”

“I’m so nervous, Lydia. Unbelievably happy,
but nervous nonetheless,” Tessa said.

“Getting married is serious business. It’s
not to be taken lightly because it’s for the rest of your life.”
Lydia took Tessa’s hand. “I know that you and Dean belong together.
I see the way you look at each other and it reminds me of Charlie
and me. We were so in love and it didn’t take us long to get
married either. So don’t be nervous. Just be happy.”

Bolstered by Lydia’s assurances, Tessa’s
fears melted away and she concentrated on the festive occasion
ahead of her.

The ceremony was simple yet elegant, thanks
to Lydia’s eye for detail. She and Sadie decorated the small chapel
in Dawson County with flowers and ribbons. The effect was quaint.
Tessa became a little teary-eyed over the fact that her family
wasn’t there to witness her wedding day, but she told herself that
perhaps they could come west sometime and celebrate. She also felt
guilt over sneaking away to start a new life without a proper
good-bye. It had been necessary though, because she would have
never been allowed to do so if she had been upfront about it.

Dean was incredibly nervous as he waited at
the altar. He fidgeted with his tie and jacket. What if he was
making a mistake? Once the ceremony was over, that was it; there
would be no going back. He cared greatly for Tessa but wasn’t sure
if he loved her. In a way, it wasn’t fair to her, but she didn’t
seem to be worried about that.

Seth kept trying to calm him down. He was
Dean’s best man. Marcus was also standing up with him. The
preacher, John Williams, was a circuit minister and was in town for
a week to minister to the parishioners there. Lydia was Tessa’s
maid of honor and Sadie was thrilled to be her bridesmaid. Jack had
happily accepted the duties of ring bearer. Charlie was giving her
away.

Pastor John’s wife, Melody, played the
wedding march on the piano. When Dean saw Tessa coming down the
aisle, he couldn’t breathe for a moment. She was incredibly
beautiful and he couldn’t believe she was marrying him. He was a
lucky man and he vowed to do his best to make her happy.

Tessa’s hair was done in an updo with baby’s
breath woven into it. Her deep blue eyes were alight with
happiness. She wore just a hint of lipstick. The dress she wore was
lovely with a tight, demur bodice and a full, flowing skirt. She
carried a bouquet of lavender and baby’s breath.

When she reached the altar, Charlie gave her
hand to Dean. He squeezed her hand and looked into her lovely eyes.
Her smile was radiant as they said their vows. When they exchanged
their vows, there were tears of joy in her eyes.

Pastor Williams said, “By the powers invested
in me by the state of Montana, Dawson County, I now pronounce you
husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Dean’s kiss was long and tender and Tessa
lost herself in it. Sadie giggled and it made Dean and Tessa break
apart. Dean leaned his forehead on Tessa’s and chuckled.

“I guess I forgot that there were other
people here,” he whispered.

“Me, too,” Tessa said.

They turned and faced the wedding
participants. The minister presented the newlyweds to them and they
were congratulated and embraced. They held a celebratory meal in
the basement of the chapel. It was a small affair, but jubilant
nonetheless. They cut the cake and fed each other a piece amid
cheers and laughter.

Lydia and Charlie were taking Sadie and Jack
for a week to give the newlyweds privacy. Dean and Tessa bid them
goodbye and drove off in their buggy, which had been decorated with
ribbons and flowers.

Dean was quiet on the drive to their
ranch.

“What are you thinking about, husband?” Tessa
asked. She loved the way that sounded.

Dean smiled at her. “I was just thinking that
I’m a lucky man and that I’m looking forward to our life
together.”

“As am I,” Tessa said and leaned against
Dean.

They turned onto the road leading into the
ranch and as the house came into view, Tessa had a true sense of
homecoming and saw the ranch in a new light. This was her home now
and she was now a married woman. Dean stopped the buggy by the
house and helped Tessa down.

“You go on in the house and I’ll get the
horse taken care of and feed the stock quick, okay?” he said.

Tessa nodded. “Yes, of course. I’ll be
waiting.” She gave Dean a coy look and then entered the house.

Dean hurried to the barn to get his chores
done.

When he entered the kitchen, it was dimly lit
by candles and two wine glasses sat on the table, over which a lacy
table cloth had been placed. Tessa sat in one of the chairs. She
poured them each a glass of wine.

Dean loosened his tie and undid several
buttons of his shirt. Tessa swallowed at the sight of his bare
throat and the top of his chest. “Come and have a drink.”

Dean pulled another chair over close to her
and sat down. Their legs touched and Tessa felt the heat of his
thigh against hers. Tessa picked up her glass. “A toast.”

Dean raised his in response.

“To a bright future and a new beginning for
us all. May we all share love and laughter and happiness for the
rest of our lives,” Tessa said.

“Well said,” Dean agreed.

They touched their glasses together and then
set them down. Dean leaned over and cupped the back of her head. He
brushed his mouth gently over hers and such desire as he’d never
known rushed through him. Taking her hand, he rose and led her to
their bedroom.

The next two days were filled with happiness
for Dean and Tessa. Dean still took care of the stock and Tessa
kept the house, but they also had many private moments. One night,
they lay outside again. They enjoyed watching the stars
together.

“Tell me about the winters here again. You
told me about them in your letters and it felt as if I were there,
it was so descriptive,” Tessa requested.

Dean fought the fear that gripped him. He had
no idea what Marcus had told her and he certainly wasn’t good with
words like Marcus was. “Well, that was a little while ago, so I’m
not sure if I remember exactly.”