Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) (7 page)

“No, darling, she’s not. If anything, she’s as impatient as you are. Relax. Why don’t you go on, eat, take a bath and get dressed. We’ll see you at the chapel.”

“All right. You’re right, of course. It’s just I’d feel better if I saw her.”

“No.” Eloise placed her fisted hands on both hips. “It’s bad luck.”

“Fine.” He gave the front door one last, long look and went to see about bathing. He was much too nervous to eat anything.

* * *

The dress fit perfectly. The round neckline was a bit lower than Judith was used to, especially for going to church, but Eloise and Lorna insisted it was the style. She had to admit the pale, butter yellow fabric with tiny roses was beautiful. The full skirting felt luxurious.

The women fussed with her hair, pulling the curls back and up and then dressing the crown with a small bundle of white, dried flowers.

As she watched in the mirror, she met her soon to be sister-in-law’s gaze. “I don’t recognize myself. You are wonderful with hair.” Judith reached to touch the flowers only to have her hand slapped away.

Lorna peered out the window. “Martin is here with the buggy.”

Once again, her stomach tumbled, butterflies fluttering in her chest.

“We have half an hour. Let’s sit for a minute and relax,” Eloise proclaimed. Without waiting for a reply, she poured fresh tea into three cups. “Judith, do you have any questions about what happens between a man and a woman?”

“I don’t…I mean…I think I know.” Judith wanted to laugh, but instead she looked down at the cup clutched in her hands and pressed her lips together to keep from smiling.

The fast knocking at the door took their attention. Eloise jumped to her feet. “Stay there! I’ll see who it is.”

Albert, Eloise’s eldest boy, rushed in, his eyes darted to Judith before looking up to his mother. Face flushed, he bent over attempting to catch his breath.

“Boy, what is wrong with you? Somebody chasing after you for something?” Eloise moved past the boy and looked outside.

“No,” finally Albert spoke albeit breathlessly. Once again he looked to Judith and gulped. “Mama, I have to tell you something.” He tugged at Eloise’s hand. “Uncle Sean told me to tell you in private.”

Eloise gave Judith a quick smile and allowed her son to pull her outside.

At the soft closing of the door, Judith’s heart began to pound. Whatever could be happening? Could it be there was a delay or emergency of some sort? She clasped her hands around the cup of tea so hard, she feared it would shatter. When the hot liquid spilled over onto the back of her hand, she put the cup down and leaned back on the chair. What could they possibly be talking about for so long? If Eloise didn’t return soon, she was going to the door.

The clock chimed. It was time to head to the chapel. The buggy was outside. Perhaps she’d just get going. This was one thing she’d not be late for. A smile tugged at her lips in spite of the nervousness at remembering the night she’d been with Sean. After today, they’d start their life together and have many more just like it.

The buggy left and Judith rushed to the window just as Eloise walked back in, her face devoid of color. Judith couldn’t move. Something terrible happened and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know what it was.

“Sean just cancelled the wedding. He can’t marry you today.”

Chapter Eight

Sean paced the front room in Father Patrick O’Reilly’s house. Angela Parks, the woman he’d been told was dead, sat in a chair with an expectant expression. The priest sat across from her, his eyes following Sean.

“A decision must be made, of course,” Patrick said to no one in particular. “I do believe it’s best to take some time and think things through.” He looked pointedly at Angela. “You can’t expect Sean to marry you this instant.”

“Of course I can. Our child should have proper parents. It’s not my fault I was so ill after having her. My mother took it upon herself to bring Bethany here.”

There were too many things whirling in his mind to think straight. Sean went to the doorway and looked out. Taking deep breaths did not relieve the tightness in his chest. How could this be? If Angela had arrived just another day later, he’d be married to Judith and there would be nothing Angela could do. Yes, actually, there was. The woman could take his daughter.

He turned and studied Angela, who’d grown thinner and gaunt since he’d last seen her. The yellowish tone to her skin was troubling. He wondered what illness she had. If the woman followed through on her threats, there was nothing he could do. One thing was for certain. He’d never allow her to take his daughter. “I love Bethany. I’ve raised her. You can’t expect me to give her up.”

“I expect you to be responsible and marry me. We have a child together.” Angela gave the priest a triumphant look. “Isn’t that right, Father?”

Patrick looked to Sean. It was obvious by the flatness in his gaze, he, too, did not like the idea of Sean marrying the woman, who’d obviously fallen on hard times and was desperate for someone to support her.

The priest nodded. “I think it’s proper for Bethany to have parents. Sean and his intended will provide your child with a good upbringing.”

“No.” Angela jumped to her feet, clenching her hands. “I will not let another woman raise my baby.” She whirled toward Sean. “Where is my child? I want to see her now.”

“Not until you calm down and we decide what is best.” Sean refused to give in to the woman’s demands. It would be a cold day in hell before he tied himself to the woman for life. Angela would not stay, not for long. Already, he saw the disdain she held when looking about Patrick’s house. She wanted a place for a time, to recover, then she’d leave and Bethany would lose her mother all over again. If she was so ill it could cost her life, then the outcome could be the same.

His daughter without a mother and he raising her alone.

Sean moved to stand closer to Angela, but the priest intercepted. “There has to be a compromise we can come to. Why don’t you live here in town? You can visit Bethany as much as you want.”

Sean never loved his friend more than at that moment. Although, for religious purposes, it would be best for him to marry Angela, Patrick still fought for an alternative. Obviously, the priest could see beyond Angela’s threats.

“And how will I support myself? I don’t have any skills. Besides, I came here to see my child, to raise her proper with a mother.”

Sean met her gaze. “A mother who loves her? You know what I think? I think you’re down on your luck and are looking for a temporary place. I think once you get better, you’ll leave and I’ll be left with a brokenhearted child.”

* * *

Judith opened her eyes and peered up at Eloise’s pale face. “What happened?”

“You fainted. Haven’t eaten since yesterday I assume, so of course with the shock…” Eloise didn’t finish talking and wiped a tear from her face. “I can’t believe this.”

“Why?” Judith didn’t want to finish the sentence. It was not important, really, why Sean changed his mind about marrying her. He must have come to some sort of realization. God, what was she going to do now?

“Bethany’s mother. She’s alive and at Patrick’s house right now.” Eloise shook her head. “Albert said she looks bad. Is sick or something.”

Judith shook her head. “That’s impossible. She’s dead.”

“So everyone thought. I suppose it was a lie. Must have sent Bethany away for some reason.”

“Oh my God,” Judith said, unable to wrap her mind around everything that happened. “How can it be?”

“I know.” Eloise took her hand. “Albert said Sean will be by later to speak to you. I am not sure what to do. I have to see about what to do with all the food. I sent a message to Lorna who will be letting the few people who were attending know the wedding has been put off.”

“I can’t stay here.” Judith got to her feet and swayed. “I’ll get my things.”

Just then, a little foot stuck up from the crib and Bethany cooed. Judith went to peer down at the child who looked to her and a smile formed on the baby’s lips. Recognition.

Judith crumpled to the floor unable to keep back the sobs. “I can’t…lose her.”

Anger and fear collided inside her. “Why now? Today of all days.” Her entire body shook with each sob until she could only remain on the floor. Eloise’s arms surrounded her, but the comfort was not enough to keep the pain at bay.

After a couple of knocks, the door opened and Lorna came to them. She, too, kneeled next to Judith and pulled her into her arms. “There, there. It will all be fixed. You just wait and see. Sean is beside himself with worry about you. He told me to tell you to please stay here and wait for him. He and Father O’Reilly are trying to talk sense into that woman.”

As much as Judith wanted to cling to the hope in Lorna’s words, there was none. If the woman came to claim her child, there was nothing Judith or Sean could do to stop her. Sean was too much of a gentleman to use the woman’s past against her. No, whatever happened, Sean would ensure not to lose Bethany and for that she could not blame him.

“Do you know what the woman is asking for? Is she threatening to take Bethany?” Judith blew her nose and waited for Lorna to answer. Eloise’s gaze was locked to Lorna’s as well, waiting to hear the answer.

“From what I overheard, she wants to live here. Marry Sean, I suppose.”

Judith’s stomach dropped and she put both hands over her mouth as bile threated to surface. “I think I’m going to be sick.” She rushed through the back door to outside and retched. Her two friends behind her offering words of comfort she didn’t hear. All she knew at the moment was that Sean was lost to her.

She straightened and looked to Lorna. “Is there a room I can rent from you for a short time? I’ll find work to pay you. I’m a good seamstress. Or who knows, maybe there’s another man who will offer to marry me.” A mirthless laugh sounded hollow. “Why not? I found a substitute for the one who died in one day.” She began to laugh, each burst hurting so much she fell to the floor where she wept until no more tears came.

* * *

“I’m glad she agreed to stay at the hotel for a few days,” Patrick said while handing Sean a glass of whisky. “Lord knows, the woman looked about dead on her feet. Whatever ails her must be causing a lot of pain. I asked Luther to look in on her,” he said referring to the town doctor.

The burn of the whisky flowing down his throat was the only sensation in his otherwise numb body. He had to see Judith. Explain things to her. But what would he say? Words evaded him as he wasn’t sure yet what would happen. He loved Judith. Now that there was a chance he’d lose her, that fact became apparent. The thought of a future without her made him want to cry, which he’d not done since he was a boy. Several times, he’d wiped away errant tears, unable to stop them at thinking what his beloved went through at the moment.

“I need to speak to Judith.” He looked to his friend who, in turn, stared into his own still untouched glass. “What do I say?”

Patrick’s green eyes met his. “That you cannot marry her right now, perhaps not ever. Don’t give her hope, Sean. If Bethany’s mother insists on marrying, you’ll have to do it. I know how you feel about the child. You don’t want to chance losing her.”

“There has to be a way. I don’t want to marry that woman.” Desperation laced every word as he looked to his friend, hopeful some idea would form.

“Thankfully, other than caring, you have no ties or obligations to Judith. For that you can be grateful. It will be a heartache for each of you, but things happen for a reason.”

Sean’s eyes widened. He’d not considered the ramifications of their one night together. “I…well.” He fought for the right words, but decided this was not the time for delicacy. “Judith and I have been intimate.”

It was almost comical to watch Patrick’s expressions go from shock to confusion to acknowledgment. His shoulders sagged and he took a long gulp of whisky. “Well that certainly complicates the matter more.” His Irish brogue was heavy in that moment.

Sean nodded. “We assumed to be married today.”

“That does not excuse what you did. Being a man, you should have been stronger and not…well…not…oh, never mind. What to do about all this now?”

Perhaps the mistake would be the answer to things. That he and Judith had not waited seemed to give the priest more incentive to find a solution to the horrible situation they faced.

Chapter Nine

The morning sun shined brightly making the morning, which should have been her happiest, even more daunting. Judith sat up in the bed and immediately looked for Bethany only to remember she was at the Browns’ home, next to the mercantile.

She vaguely remembered changing out of her dress and packing with Lorna and Eloise’s help. Martin had returned with the buggy and taken her and Lorna to their home. Judith had been stubborn in refusing to stay in Sean’s home. There was no reason for her to be there. The baby and father belonged to someone else. And it was best for her to move on as quickly as possible. Selfish perhaps, but it was what she had to do because each minute longer with Bethany broke her heart. Although to be honest, her heart was already shattered into so many pieces, it was surprising it still beat.

Lorna came to the doorway holding a tray with what looked to be food and coffee. “You need to eat something. It’s a brand new day the Lord has given us.”