Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) (7 page)

***

John eased out a chair and Cora seated herself. “Thank you Mr. Franklin.”

He settled himself opposite and ordered tea from the hovering waitress. The minute the girl disappeared, he asked – no demanded, to know why she was using a different name.

Cora explained about her father and his intentions to marry her off to Ernest Before she could continue, John spoke and his tone wasn’t pleasant.

“Do you mean to tell me you were promised to someone else and you ran out?”

“Please, let me explain,” Cora begged.

“The man my father wanted me to marry is thirty six years older than I am. I repeatedly told my father I wouldn’t marry him but he refused to listen. He locked me in my room and said I wasn’t allowed out until we married.”

“Why did your father want you to marry an old man?”

“Ernest is a Politician who could further my father’s career and he wanted me.” Her voice was quiet, tremulous.

“I still don’t understand why a father would treat his daughter that way?” He barely heard her answer.

“Because he hates me.”

“What?”

Cora lifted her chin as well as her voice. “Because he hates me,” she repeated, making no attempt to hide her bitterness.

John remained quiet.

“My brother, Peter, feared for my safety if I stayed and he helped me escape. He booked my passage to my friends in Sioux City and gave me money to buy what I needed. He has no idea I have come here.”

“Would your father have hurt you?” John was starting to hate Cora’s father.

“I don’t know. But, Ernest has a reputation for being brutish and forcing himself on girls without their permission. Rumor has it they are often found badly bruised and with broken bones after being with him.”

“So you decided to answer my advertisement? Why didn’t your brother stand up for you?”

“My father wouldn’t have taken notice of him even though Peter has information that could destroy both his and Ernest’s careers. It was my brother who suggested I travel under a false name so I couldn’t be tracked.”

“If your brother has information which could harm your father then why would he follow you?”

“I doubt he would bother but Peter didn’t want to take any chances.”

Cora sipped at her tea. “I won’t return home even if you decide not to marry me. I would kill myself before going back there and marrying such a horrible man.”

John remained silent.

A tear slid over her cheek. “I’m sorry if I made you angry. I promise, I will never lie to you.”

John gathered her hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry. I understand now why you travelled under a different name and I believe you when you tell me you won’t lie to me.” His thumbs traced her palms. “Your father had best stay away from you now you’re my betrothed. He will be a very sorry man if he doesn’t.”

Cora smiled and watched as John’s face lit up.

“How about we discuss the plans I’ve made for us?”

Cora nodded eagerly.

“That’s if you still want to be my wife.”

“Of course I do. I’d be honored to be your wife.”

John relaxed into his chair.
I can’t believe such a gorgeous gal wants to be mine!
“I have two rooms reserved at the hotel tonight but only one for tomorrow night.”

Cora felt herself heat at the implication and the cheeky rise of his eyebrows.

“We’re to be married at ten tomorrow morning in the chapel where my family attends church. Preacher Mitchell has agreed to wed us. My friends, Sam, Frank and Henry will stand up for me and I have asked my three sisters to stand up for you. I hope that’s okay?”

“I don’t know anyone here and Millie was unable to make the journey, so it’s fine. Please tell me about your family.”

“They’ll be your family too after we’re married. I’ve booked a private dining room at the hotel for tonight. They’ll all be joining us for supper and let me warn you, it’s like a circus when we all get together. I don’t expect you to remember any of this but here goes.” John took a deep breath and Cora giggled. “I have three sisters, all older and they have mothered me to death. Pearl is 32, married to Charles and they have three kids – Jonas 8, Jane 4 and Joe 2.”

“How does she not mix their names up?” Cora asked.

“She does, we all do. Next is Ruby 30, married to Colt. They have five kids – Samuel 8, Matthew 7, Mark 6, Luke 4 and Rose 2. Opal is 2 years older than me. She’s 28 and married to Carson. They have 3 kids – William 5, Ellen 3 and Grace 1. Ma’s name is Sarah and Pa’s is Josiah. They own the Mercantile down the road from the hotel and live out back.”

Her eyes must have been glazed, showing the overwhelming confusion she felt. John squeezed her hand.

“You okay?”

“Um, I think so. I don’t know how I’ll ever remember everyone. You have such a large family.”

He laughed. “You have no idea how confusing it can get and to make it real interestin’, my sisters’ husbands are identical triplets!”

“My goodness. How do they not get them confused?”

“I have no idea because I still can’t tell ‘em apart.”

“There’s no hope for me then.”

John lifted her hand and gently kissed her fingers one by one. She shivered as every nerve in her body came alive. “Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll take good care of you.” His blue eyes were intense as they studied her.

Heat raced through Cora until she felt like she was burning up. “Mr. Franklin, you’re staring at me like I’ve grown another head.”

He threw his head back and laughed. A deep, rumbling laugh from deep in his chest.

Cora moved uneasily in her chair as several people glared at them.

He noted her discomfort and quietened. “Sweetheart, first of all, I think seeing as we’re marrying tomorrow you should start calling me John. Secondly, don’t go worrying your pretty little head about my family, they’re real friendly and they’re gonna love you. And, I was staring at you, and I won’t apologize for it, because I can’t believe you thought you were plain.”

Cora dropped her head. Her eyes fixated on her fingers entwined with his.

He placed two fingers under her chin and tilted it until her eyes locked with his. “You really don’t know how beautiful you are do you?”

“Please, you’re embarrassing me.”

He kissed her fingers again. A warm fuzzy feeling spread over her. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

Excitement surged through her.
I can’t wait either.

Chapter Seven

Cora stripped down to her chemise and released her hair from the pins holding it securely in place. It tumbled over her shoulders. She crawled onto the bed. She had a few hours to nap before John came to collect her for supper. She had wanted to stay with him but he’d insisted she rest after her long journey. He said it would help her feel relaxed and more able to cope with meeting his large family.

She tossed and turned, worrying and fretting, her mind refusing to still.
How will I remember who’s who? What if they don’t like me and tell him not to marry me?

Doubts and fear caused her stomach to roil. She jumped from the bed and paced the floor, it didn’t help.
I’ll go for a stroll around town. The fresh air will clear my head.

With her decision made she quickly dressed. After dragging a brush through her hair she left it loose to drape over her shoulders and flow down her back. She opened the door and peered out. After checking the hallway in both directions, she crept from the room. In a matter of minutes she had slipped down the stairs and was hurrying outside.

Frowning, the hotel manager watched as she disappeared through the doors. He signaled a porter and sent a message to John.

Cora weaved her way through people as they rushed to get to wherever they were going. She was curious as to why not many women appeared to be out and about. Rough men with guns holstered low on their hips leered at her before stepping out of her way. As she continued along the wooden boardwalk, she could almost feel their eyes boring into her back. Instead of calming her fears, her escapade and these encounters, had made her worse. She had made a huge mistake in sneaking from the safety of the hotel.

Stop being such a baby.
She drew back her shoulders and attempted to focus on the variety of goods displayed in the shop windows. But, the hair on the back of her neck persisted in standing on end and, the feeling of doom she’d felt in Sioux City would not leave her.

***

John set down four beers, pulled out a chair and seated himself.

“So, that’s your gal.” Sam watched as John sipped at his drink. “She’s a beauty, a real head turner. It’s lucky ya gonna marry her tomorrow ’cause I can guarantee ya, if she weren’t spoken for, there’d be a whole passel of men sniffin’ around her before ya can blink.”

John glared at his friend. “If anyone goes near her, I’ll break their damn necks.” His vehemence shocked him.
Why so possessive, you’ve only just met?

Sam placed his hands in the air, palms facing out. Henry and Frank followed suit. They were surprised with the anger in John’s voice. Their friend was usually the mild tempered one.

“We ain’t gonna go near her. Jeez, you know us better than that. Why so feisty?” Henry asked.

John sighed. These were his long time best friends. These men would never do anything wrong by him just as he would never wrong them. “Sorry. I guess I’m a bit on edge, nervous about tomorrow. I can’t believe she wants to marry me. Especially now she’s seen my face.”

“Hell, John. When someone cares about you, they look past something like a scar.” Frank admonished.

“But, we’ve only just met. She couldn’t possibly care about me yet.” John was thoughtful. “I can’t understand why she didn’t run in the other direction or catch the next train back to where she came from. A beautiful girl like her should have a handsome man by her side.”

“Why the doubts, John?” Henry asked. “Ask yourself, why hasn’t a beautiful doll like her already been spoken for? Why did she have to come all the way out here to nowhere, South Dakota, to marry a man she didn’t know? What’s she running from? Maybe it’s her you should be questioning, not yourself.”

All questions you have asked yourself since you saw her. But, she told you. She’s running from an arranged marriage. But is that all? Are there any other secrets?

“I asked her a little about it especially after I heard she was travelling under a false name. She explained her father is a brutish man who had arranged her marriage to a man old enough to be her grandfather. Apparently, this man is known for his cruelty to women. Her brother helped her to get away which is why she had the money to fund her travel. I believe she has told me the truth. She sounded very sincere.”

The other men finished their beers. “Lot of forced marriages happening out there. Damn shame women can’t say no and be listened to. Makes me feel a whole lot better about things now you’ve explained.” Sam said. “I’ll get us another beer. His chair scraped the floor as he pushed back and stood. Before he had a chance to leave the table, a porter from the hotel where they were staying, rushed up.

“Mr. Franklin. The hotel manager sent me to tell you, the gal you’re marrying tomorrow snuck out of the hotel and into the street. He’s worried ‘bout a pretty gal like that bein’ alone with so many liquored up miners in town. Some of ‘em can be mighty rough when they see a lady like that by herself.”

John stood and clamped his hat on his head. “I’ll see you in the hotel dining room at seven. Seems me and my wife to be need to have a chat about her wanderin’ around town on her own.”

He swiveled, thanked the porter, pressed a coin into his hand and headed for the street in search of his wayward fiancée.

***

Cora was staring at some beautiful dresses in a store window when a breeze stirred the back of her hair. The stench of tobacco, liquor and body odor assailed her senses. She felt both nervous and sick. She froze, too afraid to turn around.
You really are becoming a baby. Afraid of your own shadow.

“Well, well, looky here boys. We done found ourselves a lady and it seems she ain’t got nobody with her,” one man said as he stroked her hair.

Cora stiffened and trembled, willing someone to help her.

“Hey look, boss. She’s shakin’ with expectation,” another man said.

“Yeah, she’s wantin’ us, boss. Let’s take her somewhere private where we can play with what’s under that pretty dress.” The third man gave an evil chuckle.

Cora expected her legs to fail her they were shaking so badly. She refused to turn around and give the men threatening her, the satisfaction of seeing the fear she knew would be reflected in her eyes. When one man ran his hand down her arm, she jerked away with revulsion. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.

***

John glanced up and down the street and caught sight of Cora being crowded by three scruffy men. He drew his gun from its holster and rushed across the street. His heart pounded when he realized they were probably threatening her. She’d be terrified.

As he moved closer he saw one man run his hand down her arm. He watched as she jerked away. Rage, like he had never felt before, consumed him. He stepped onto the boardwalk in time to hear one of the men ask for a kiss. A loud, distinctive click sounded as he cocked his gun. The three men spun towards him and reached for their guns.

“Don’t even think about it,” John roared.

The men lifted their hands away. “We were just talkin’ to the pretty lady. She was all alone and we thought we’d keep her company.” One man whined. “Why don’t ya join us?”

John’s anger rocketed. “This lady is my fiancée. You’ve got about ten seconds to step away and go about your business or I swear to God, I’ll put a bullet in the part of your body you wanted to abuse her with.”

The men glanced at each other before slinking off. As soon as they had put some distance between themselves and John, they took off down the boardwalk, running.

John holstered his gun and approached Cora. She hadn’t moved. He placed his hands on her shoulders as he spoke. “It’s okay darlin’, it’s me.”

Cora dropped like a dead weight. He swept her into his arms before she could hit the ground and, hurried back to the hotel.

***

Cora awoke in the bed of her hotel room. John sat in a chair beside the bed, studying her. She moved slightly and he tightened his grip on her hand. Their eyes locked.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

Cora noted the concern in his eyes. She attempted to sit up.

He stood, lifted her into his arms as if she weighed no more than a feather and, propped her up on pillows. He reclaimed her hand, his thumb stroking her fingers.

“How’s that, better?”

“Yes, thank you. What happened?”

“You don’t remember?”

“I remember three men accosting me. I was very frightened. And, now I’m here.”

“Those men were from one of the mining camps outside town. They mine for gold in the hills. Once a month they come into town for a couple of days, cash in the gold they’ve found, get liquored up and cause trouble. It’s not the place for a lady to be alone when they’re here.”

That’s why there were no other women or children on the streets. How could I have been so foolish?

John’s eyes searched her face. “Why did you go out? I thought you were going to nap before tonight?”

“I was weary but I couldn’t sleep.” She chewed at her bottom lip.

“Are you anxious about meeting my family?”

Very perceptive.
“Terrified.” She clutched his hands. “What if they don’t like me? Father always said I’m so fat and plain I’d never attract a man. He said I would only ever be good for being a whore, no man would want me otherwise. I guess that’s the reason he wanted me to marry, Ernest. He knew I’d end up an old maid.” Tears streamed over her cheeks. Her voice cracked with emotion. She gazed into John’s eyes. “I promise I’ll be an obedient wife. I’ll cook, clean rub your aching muscles after your hard day’s work and do whatever else you tell me to. Please don’t send me away. I can’t go back.” Her chest heaved as she sobbed.

What in God’s name has her father done to her?
He lifted her from the bed and onto his lap. She buried her head in his chest as he stroked her back and attempted to soothe her. He was far too angry to speak. For a man who was known for his docile temperament, he was shocked at how easily his temper spiked when it came to this little gal in his arms. He waited until her sobs lessened, giving himself time to regain his calm. When she had quieted, he eased her head up so he could speak with her. He brushed at her tears with his handkerchief. The look of desolation in her eyes wrenched at his heart.

“First of all, your father is a pig. Not all men are like him. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever clapped eyes on. You have the perfect curves in all the right places from what I can feel with you sitting on my lap.”

Cora felt her face heat as she blushed.

“Secondly, I
am
going to marry you tomorrow. You are not going anywhere except to my ranch. I’m sure we’ll have our disagreements, but you ain’t going anywhere. Thirdly, I would love you to cook and tend our home but you’re not my slave. You’ll be my wife. We’ll work together inside and outside the house. On the subject of massages, that sounds right nice and I won’t be sayin’ no to those. Lastly, my family are gonna love you. I can already tell you are sweet and caring. But, even if one of ‘em happens to be plumb loco and they don’t like you then, it doesn’t matter. We like each other and that’s all that counts. Are we clear now?”

Cora nodded as more tears trickled from her eyes.
Not only a baby but a crybaby too!
She liked this man a whole lot. He was even better than she’d hoped for and she’d only known him for a few hours.

“Cora?”

“Yes?”

“Why do you say your father hates you?’

“Because he does. He’s told me over and over he hates me because my mother died giving birth to me. He said I took away the love of his life, denied my brother the love and nurturing of his mother and, took away his chance of having more sons.”

Hell and damnation! What kind of man treats his child that way?
John hugged her close. “I’m sorry for the life you’ve had up until now. I promise you, I will never, ever treat you in such a manner. I can’t begin to understand how unhappy you must have been.”