In Your Arms (15 page)

Rubbing his eyes, Marcus turned them on Chuck, shrugging his shoulders helplessly. “What?”

“She’s marrying Dr. Newcomb who has offered so very graciously to raise the baby as his own to save her reputation.”

Marcus’s mouth hit the dirt. Every nerve ending in his body wanted to scream at the thought of Lissa married to the old doctor, of her making love to him and sleeping in his bed every night.

“Oh, God--”

“Oh, God is right, McCaide. Because of you, Lissa is sacrificing herself. She’s angry and she’s lonely, but most of all she’s scared. She’s in love with you. Doesn’t that count for something?”

“Not if she knew what I’ve done in the past. How can I tell her that?”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way.”

“She’d turn her back on me.”

“Maybe; maybe not. But don’t you think she should have the right to make that decision?”

“I’d lose her.”

“Open your eyes, son! You’ve already lost her!”

Marcus stared at Chuck and felt hot tears sting his eyes.

“I told you once before that if you wanted her you’d have to fight tooth and nail for her, boy. If she turns her back on you, then you gotta turn her around. You’ve got to make her accept you. If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Is that a demon you want haunting you?”

Turning his back, Marcus looked to the sky and took a shuddering breath. Chuck was right. What the hell was he doing? Running from his problems, hurting the only woman he’d ever…

His thoughts stopped cold as he spun around to face Lissa’s father once again. Chuck simply nodded, reading his expression.

“You’re in love with her. It’s too late to fight it, Marcus. You love her, and there’s nothing you can do about that now. But the woman you love is marrying an old man who plans to make your family his. Is that what you want? Do you want Lissa to be
his
wife? Do you want your son or daughter to call
him
Daddy?”

Tears fell as Marcus stared at Chuck, the weight of his words hitting him like a ton of bricks. A family? He had a family? The reality of it nearly brought him to his knees.

“No, God, no! I don’t want that. I want her… to be
my
wife--I do. I want it so bad. I want peace, but--”

“Lissa can give it to you. Believe me when I say that, Marcus.” Chuck walked over to him and put his hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “I’ve always wanted you for a son-in-law. From the first day I met you, I knew you’d be the perfect man for Lissa. I’ve never given up hope that you’d end up with her. But, damn it, I don’t want you messing things up simply because you’re afraid. Hell, we’re all afraid of something, and you’ve got to get over it.”

“You’re right, sir. You’re absolutely--”

Chuck balled up his fist and hit Marcus square in the jaw, dropping the younger man to the dirt.

“What the hell?” Marcus yelped, stroking his injured cheek.

“You damn well deserved that, McCaide. Be thankful that’s all I’m going to do.” Offering him his hand, Chuck hauled Marcus back to his feet. “Now, son, did Lissa offer you her heart?”

After a few moments of silence as he rubbed his aching chin, Marcus simply nodded.

“Then it’s about time you go claim it.”

Sixteen

“Ooh, how exciting, Lissa! I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

“That makes two of us.” Melissa stared at herself in the mirror and hardly recognized her face.

Shirley had decided a few days prior that she would be doing her sister’s hair and rouge for the big day and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Now that she was done, Melissa was impressed. Her eyes were softer, prettier than usual, and her cheeks glowed with color.

Shirley spritzed perfume from her bottle all over the front of Melissa’s gown, making her cough. “Is that really necessary?”

“Don’t you want to smell nice?” Shirley pouted.

Sighing loudly, Melissa nodded and got a grin from her sister. Ever since Marcus had left, Shirley had become nicer, friendlier, and more considerate. Melissa had to wonder if it was due to her refusing to pamper her sister any longer. Shirley did things for herself now, even though she was still a shameless flirt when it came to men.

“I sure hope Daddy makes it back in time to walk you down the aisle. It’s already well past noon.”

“He will. He said he would make it back today if it killed him,” Melissa murmured, wondering why her father had left the Gulch to check out a new vendor for the shop so close to her wedding day. The thought of walking down the aisle without him made her worry her bottom lip.

“I’m sure you’re right,” Shirley said. “I’m just so jittery.”

“Me too.”

“But you don’t even seem happy, Lissa. You should be happy. This is your wedding day!”

“I’m marrying Dr. Newcomb, Shirley,” Melissa said in a dry voice.

Lowering her gaze, Shirley nodded. “True, but he’s well off. You’ll have a good life with him.”

“I hope so.” Rubbing her belly, Melissa looked at her reflection once more. “I sure do hope so.”

“Come on,” Shirley said, holding out her hand. “Time to get you to the church. You look beautiful.”

Glancing down at the white gown she had on, she really did have to commend Patrice the seamstress for coming through on the dress in such short order. Melissa and Timothy had only just announced their engagement a week ago, and here they were already getting married. Delicate lace trimmed her bodice and sleeves, and small pearl buttons made a straight line down the front of the dress. It was beautiful, so why did it feel more like a shroud than a wedding gown?

Making their way to the church arm-in-arm, Melissa and her sister gave timid smiles to the people who were just arriving for the wedding.

“You look lovely,” the Widow Skaggs said with a admiring grin. “I’m sure your young man will approve.”

Sighing, Melissa corrected her. “I’m marrying Dr. Newcomb, ma’am.”

“Of course, dear,” she said, patting Melissa’s hand as she turned to walk into the chapel.

“Let’s get you inside before Timothy sees you.” Shirley giggled, ushering Melissa through the doors of the pastor’s office where they were being allowed to freshen up. The church bell began ringing, and Melissa jumped at the sound. With each peal of the bell, her heart beat with dread.

This was it. This was the day she would pledge her life to a man she didn’t love. She had to swallow hard to clear the bile from her throat.

~ * ~

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman…”

Pastor Robinson droned on and on, but Melissa didn’t hear him over the blood rushing in her ears. Her father hadn’t returned although they’d held up the wedding by almost two hours waiting for him. Melissa had known she couldn’t keep everyone waiting forever. Chuck had promised to be back on time but he wasn’t, so Mr. Patrick had to walk her down the aisle in his place. Melissa hadn’t been able to help feeling like a lamb being led to the slaughter. Her tears had flowed freely as she’d marched slowly to her fate, her heart threatening to pound out of her chest.

Her thoughts flittered sadly to Marcus, wondering where he was and what he was doing. A sharp pang of sorrow stabbed her, and a few more tears escaped her eyes. Timothy saw her tears and smiled, obviously thinking they were tears of joy.

Determined to start their marriage off right, she tried to banish any thoughts of Marcus or her father from her mind. She was doing the right thing. The more she repeated that to herself, the more she might actually believe it someday. She refused to believe that not having her father walk her down the aisle was a bad sign.

At the pastor’s urging, she turned and faced Timothy, holding both his hands in hers. She didn’t know how she stayed in one piece. Her entire body trembled, and it was all she could do to hold back the sobs that wanted to come. She wished she could be happy, she wished she were marrying Marcus, but it was Timothy’s kind face in front of her, and Melissa could only swallow her self pity and give him a tepid, halfhearted smile.

Smiling as well, the pastor said, “Timothy, please repeat after me. I, Timothy Newcomb…”

“I, Timothy Newcomb…”

“Take you, Melissa Bloom…”

“…take you, Melissa Bloom…”

“To be my lawfully wedded wife.”

“…to be my…”

Melissa closed her eyes and ceased to listen. This wasn’t happening. She had to be dreaming! The room was whirling around her, and she took deep breaths in an effort to stop it. Upon opening her eyes, the same scene greeted her--she wasn’t dreaming. Her stomach threatened to revolt right there in the sanctuary.

Melissa’s vows were the hardest words she ever had to speak. This was it. Oh, God, this was it!

“Do you have the ring?” the pastor asked.

Timothy grinned and pulled a diamond ring from his jacket pocket.

“Repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Timothy slipped it on Melissa’s finger, and it felt like a lead weight. She stared at it as if it were a poisonous snake.

“With this ring…”

“
STOP!
”

Gasps could be heard throughout the sanctuary as everyone turned toward the rear doors at the end of the aisle. Melissa’s eyes filled with tears at the sight. It was Marcus! And right next to him grinning from ear to ear was her father. Melissa’s heart leapt into her throat.

“Stop right there!” Marcus shouted. “Lissa isn’t marrying the old doctor. Not while
I
still live and breathe.”

With long, purposeful strides, he marched up the aisle, his golden eyes piercing Melissa’s and rooting her to the spot. He looked haggard, with many days’ growth of stubble on his chin and clothing that was helplessly wrinkled. His jeans were dusty, as if he’d just ridden hard to get there, and under his eyes were dark circles, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. He was dirty, he was worn… and he was beautiful.

Melissa was too shocked to do anything other than stare at him with her chin on the floor. Her father was beaming, and she had no idea why. Marcus had just barged in and ruined her wedding day! Who did he think he was?

Drinking him in, she didn’t have any time to think before he was standing in front of her. She hadn’t let go of Timothy’s hands, but Marcus took care of that himself. Glaring at the doctor, he pulled her hands free none too gently, then he yanked the diamond off her finger and held it up to the older man.

“Lissa’s mine,” he growled.

Dr. Newcomb timidly took the ring and stepped back at the sight of Marcus’s steely eyes.

“Marcus, what are you--”

Before Melissa could finish her sentence, Marcus grabbed her hand in his once more and began walking back down the aisle with her in tow. She was too shocked to resist, trotting beside him and holding her dress off the ground in order to keep up with his long strides.

“Marcus!” she cried as he barreled down the church steps where Pete stood waiting at the bottom, regarding them with his big brown eyes. “Stop! What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer, he simply swung up on Pete’s back and pulled her up across his lap, frilly dress and all.

“What do you think you’re doing, Marcus McCaide?” she demanded with what little breath she had left.