Unlawfully Wedded Bride

“I don’t.” Ellie recoiled then sent Sean a mischievous glance. “That’s just what Lorelei Wilkins always says about Sean.”

“Really?” Kate asked as Sean’s face lit up like a red beacon.

“It is not,” he protested.

“It is, too. I heard her at recess. She told all the girls how much you like her and how you’ll get married one day.”

“That’s just because she’s a dumb girl.”

Kate arched a brow. “I hope you didn’t tell her that.”

“No, but I’d sure like to,” Sean growled.

“I’m sure you would. Don’t worry, Sean. She’ll move on soon enough. In the meantime, try not to let it bother you.”

He looked over at her. “I thought we were talking about you, Kate.”

She feigned disinterest. “Not anymore.”

He frowned as he surveyed the row of businesses on either side of Main Street. “Are you really going to get a whatever-it’s-called?”

“An annulment? Yes. That’s why I’m driving you to town to today.”

That put a damper on the conversation until the children jumped off the wagon and called goodbye as they headed to the schoolhouse. Kate pulled the horses to a stop across the street from the town’s small courthouse. She stared at the gray wooden building and frowned. Exactly how does one get an annulment?

She didn’t know but she was certainly going to find out. Filled with resolve, she discreetly swung her legs over the side of the wagon and hopped down. Her forward momentum suddenly stopped when her dress caught on the wagon wheel and caused her to stumble. She managed to catch her balance just as she heard shouts sound farther down Main Street. Curious to step over and see what the commotion was about, she worked to release her skirt from the splintery clutches of the wagon’s axle. She pulled at the dark green fabric until she heard the sound of pounding hooves and a wild neigh behind her.

She glanced up to find a startled horse and struggling rider almost upon her. The man on the horse looked down. She took in the detail of his eyes widening before he yelled, “Get out the way!”

She gasped, then suddenly a strong arm snaked around her waist and she was slammed against the wood of the wagon. The force of a hard body pressing against her own knocked the wind out of her. Her breath came in ragged gasps. She heard the horse scream and a loud thump, then found herself struggling to hold up a limp and heavy body. Losing the battle, she sank to the ground along with the man.

She glanced up in time to see the terrified horse give one last turn and a swift kick in the air before galloping away, its rider also thrown to the ground. Her gaze flew back to the man whose body pinned her arm to the ground beneath him. Her sharp gasp rent the air as she looked into the handsome features of Nathan Rutledge.

She was close enough to see the golden flecks lighting his mahogany eyes when they fluttered open. He murmured her name, then his eyes drifted shut. His face went pale. She stared at him in disbelief. Surely he wasn’t dead!

She cradled his head in her hand, then pulled her arm from beneath him to place her other hand over his heart. Though she couldn’t feel its beat, she detected the slight rise and fall of his chest. Kate heard someone calling for help and realized it was her own strangled voice. Then arms were pulling her away and setting her aside as Doc Williams attended to Nathan.

She stared at the pale face and large form of the man sprawled in the middle of the street. A comforting arm came around her. She clasped her hands beneath her chin. Feeling something wet on them, she looked at her hands to see one mottled with blood. She stared at the traces, realizing it was Nathan’s. Her body went cold and she began to tremble. Everything flashed black for a moment.

A voice she absently identified as Mrs. Greene’s chided, “Now, don’t you swoon, child. We already have one out let’s not have another.”

Gathering her courage Kate locked her knees, forcing the darkness away by the sheer power of her will. Then she fainted.

Chapter Three

Kate pulled in a cleansing breath as she stood at the window in Doc’s waiting room. Her nose twitched as she remembered awakening to the acrid scent of smelling salts ten minutes ago. She heard gasps sound behind her. She whirled to find the sheriff and Mrs. Greene staring at her in astonishment. She looked from their faces to Ms. Lettie’s pleased one and groaned. She never should have whispered the truth about Nathan’s identity to the woman after waking up. “Oh, Ms. Lettie, you told them, didn’t you?”

Ms. Lettie’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you wanted to keep the marriage a secret.”

Mrs. Greene frowned. “You mean to tell me Kate is really married to that man?”

“I suppose I shouldn’t have told you anything, but yes, she is.”

“Goodness,” the other woman breathed, placing a dainty hand over her heart.

Sheriff Hawkins frowned. “Wait just a minute. He acted like he was just passing through. Why didn’t he tell me you two were married?”

“He is just passing through,” Kate said, smoothing her green dress calmly. “And we’re not staying married for long. Mr. Rutledge and I are getting an annulment.”

Ms. Lettie gasped. “You’re getting an annulment? Kate, whatever for?”

“Surely you didn’t expect me to agree to this crazy scheme?”

“Why not? The man is nice, he’s a Christian and he’s half in love with you already,” Ms. Lettie stated.

“He’s a stranger! Even if he was completely in love with me, it wouldn’t change anything. I don’t need a husband. We are getting an annulment,” she said with determination as she leaned her shoulder against the window sill.

“No. She’s right, Lettie,” Mrs. Greene said. “She’s trying protect herself from getting hurt, as well she should. We all know what happened with that Stolvins fellow down at the saloon.”

Kate glanced out the window hoping to hide the flush spreading across her cheeks. “That was before he sold the hotel to open the saloon.”

“To think, he tried to convince you to marry him even after you found out he was only after the pittance your parents left. I’m sure he broke your heart straight to pieces.”

“Hardly,” she breathed in disdain. Perhaps it was a little true, but she’d never let on; especially not to Mrs. Greene. She lifted her chin and met the woman’s prying gaze. “That was a long time ago.”

The woman arched her brow. “Andrew Stolvins doesn’t seem to think so.”

“I’m sure I don’t care what he thinks, but that has nothing to do with me getting an annulment.”

“I was only complimenting you on keeping a level head in the matter.” Mrs. Greene lifted a hand as though to ward off Kate’s anger. “Really, you’re a nice enough girl, I suppose, but your siblings are a handful. Especially Ellie. Why, every time I’m around that girl, she causes trouble. Sometimes I wonder if she does it specifically to annoy me. You can’t really believe the man would stay once he’s met them.” She shook her head. “Why frankly, I don’t think you’ll ever be able to marry.”

Kate’s breath caught at the woman’s rudeness. Her temper rose with the color in her cheeks but Ms. Lettie came to her defense. “Amelia, that’s a horrible thing to say!”

“We’ve all thought it, haven’t we?”

“No, we haven’t,” Sheriff Hawkins said.

“Certainly, we have. The girl is no great beauty and has a temper hotter than the Fourth of July. To make matters worse, she’s saddled with two young children who aren’t even her own. Why, her chances are slim to say the least. Now that she is married, it’s really no great surprise to me that her husband is eager to leave.”

Kate lifted her chin defiantly. “I’m the one who wanted the annulment. Not him. He wanted to stay.”

“But he wouldn’t stay long.”

She shook her head incredulously. “How can you know that?”

“I know you and your family,” Mrs. Greene said with a nod.

Kate felt her temper soar. “Please, don’t talk about my family.”

“Don’t get angry, child. I’m agreeing with you. You’re doing the wise thing and it’s better now than when an annulment isn’t possible.”

“Mrs. Greene, I could keep that man as long as I want,” she said with more confidence than she felt. “The problem is I don’t want him.”

Mrs. Greene stood. “I saw that man and he’s too much for you. Now, my Emily would be a right fine match for him in looks and temperament.”

“Good. She can have him. Though there might be a small problem in the fact that he’s still married to me.”

“As you’ve said, that will soon be rectified.”

“Kate, give the man a chance,” Ms. Lettie insisted.

“I am not going to discuss this.”

Doc Williams appeared at the door and cleared his throat loudly. “Kate, I need you to come with me.”

Grateful for the interruption, she immediately stood to follow him but glanced back at the others with a beseeching look. “Please, don’t tell anyone else about the marriage. He’ll be gone soon and I’d rather not have everyone know.”

Mrs. Greene nodded staunchly. “I wouldn’t say a word about it. It certainly wouldn’t do Emily any favors for everyone to know.”

Somewhat comforted by their agreement, she followed Doc to Nathan’s room. She stepped inside and immediately noticed Nathan’s prone body stretching from one end of the bed to the other. He was still pale, though some color was beginning to return to his face.

“I think he’ll be fine if we can bring him back to consciousness,” Doc Williams said.

She frowned slightly. “We? But what can I do?”

“I’m hoping the sound of your voice might bring him back.”

She looked at him in suspicion. “Why should it?”

“You’re the only one he knows in town—the only voice that will sound familiar. And even though he’s not awake, you’re probably in his thoughts. He was hurt protecting you.”

Kate stiffened. “That isn’t my fault. I could have taken care of myself.”

Doc sighed. “Kate, I didn’t agree with what Lettie was planning at first but she convinced me it was the best thing for you.” He shook his head. “I know you can take care of yourself. We all do. But you shouldn’t always have to. That’s what marriage is for.”

Kate sent him a knowing look. “Speaking of marriage, when are you going to get around to popping the question to Ms. Lettie? You’ve been courting over a year now. I’d say it’s about time.”

“I’ve been busy.” Kate knew that was the truth. Doc Williams had devoted himself to their town since his arrival fifteen years before. But now that the man had entered his forties, everyone was ready to see him nicely settled.

“She could help you with that. She is an expert in natural remedies and would be a good nurse.”

He frowned at her, though his eyes continued to twinkle. “I doubt even Lettie could find a natural remedy for busyness.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“You meant to distract me, but it won’t work.” He ignored her exasperated protest, to continue, “My marital status is not what matters at the moment. What matters is that however you became this man’s wife, you are exactly that—his wife. Regardless of what happens in the future, he needs you right now.”

Kate bit her lip as she gazed back at the doctor, then with a sigh she relented. “What do you want me to do?”

Doc smiled. “Just call to him, talk to him, anything for him to hear the sound of your voice.”

Kate looked at Nathan a moment then moved to the side of the bed. “Nathan.”

He didn’t respond.

“Nathan.” Her heart jumped. Did his eyelid twitch just the littlest bit? She glanced at the doctor who nodded encouragingly. She frowned thoughtfully. If the doctor thinks there is a chance he might regain consciousness, then shouldn’t I give it a real try?

Wishing she knew his middle name, she commanded in a stern voice, “Nathan Rutledge, open your eyes this minute!”

She narrowed her eyes. Did he blink or had she?

Determined, she sank to her knees beside his bed. An idea hit her and she reached for Nathan’s hand, feeling the rough calluses on his hard palm. She glanced at Doc Williams. He was watching her intently if not with some amusement. Glancing back to Nathan, she called in a helpless voice, “Nathan, save me. Oh, save me, Nathan.”

His eyelashes drifted upward then closed again.

She looked at the doctor triumphantly. He smiled in return. Kate looked toward the closed door before lending an air of desperation to her voice. “Nathan, please help me. Help me, Nathan.”

Caught in the throes of her theatrics, she threw her head back dramatically before dropping it on the bed beside his pillow. She let out a puff of air. There. She’d given it all she had and the man still wouldn’t come out of his state. No one could say she hadn’t tried. Now maybe she could leave.

Kate leaned back onto her heels to look at Doc Williams. “Doc, I really don’t think this is going to work. Have you tried the smelling salts they used on me? I—”

She paused realizing the large hand in hers was squeezing back. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned to meet Nathan’s gaze. Eyes more golden than brown stared back at her as his dark brows lowered into a frown. His voice was strong and clear as he responded to her cries for help. “You said you didn’t want me, so why are you in my bedroom?”

She gasped, pulling her hands from his grasp.

He wasn’t finished. “And what do you need saving from this time? Honestly, I can’t seem to turn around without having to get you out of trouble.”

“Never mind,” she said as her gaze darted to the doctor whose lip twitched with suppressed laughter.

“Where am I?” he asked as he tried to sit up.

Doc stepped forward. “No sudden movements. That’s good. Lie back down. Now, tell me. Does your head hurt?”

Nathan grunted. “Yeah, it hurts.”

Kate slowly edged toward the door.

“How would you rate the pain?”

“Bad enough.”

“That’s to be expected since you were—” the doctor faltered as though trying to find the right words “—hit in the head by a horse about twenty minutes ago.”

Nathan looked at the doctor in surprise. “I’ve been out for twenty minutes?”

More than ready to leave, Kate used their distraction to sneak quietly out the door.

Nathan’s head pounded like the ground after a stampede. Actually, he felt as if he’d been the ground during a stampede, which wasn’t too far from the truth. He’d never felt as much panic as when he’d seen that horse barreling toward Kate. Thankfully, that panic had turned into action so he’d been able to keep Kate from getting injured.

Where did Kate go? he wondered, glancing toward the door. It sure had been nice to wake up finding his hand in hers with her wide blue eyes watching him in astonishment. He frowned. Why was it that he always ended up snapping at the woman?

His mother would be ashamed. Snapping at a person was never allowed no matter how irritable, tired or in pain someone was. Heaven forbid if that snapping was directed at the more delicate one of Adam’s ribs.

He wished the doctor would stop asking annoying questions and let him go. He’d only been awake a few minutes and he already had cabin fever.

The distinguished-looking doctor broke into his thought. “I’d like to observe you for a few days before I let you go.”

Nathan grimaced. “Do you have to?”

The doctor frowned thoughtfully. “Well, you certainly can’t be alone—someone will need to keep an eye on your condition. But I suppose I could tell Kate what signs to look for regarding the concussion.”

Nathan waited as hope began to rise within him. Surely Kate wouldn’t mind letting him stay in the barn a few days. The barn would be a much better place to rest than this tiny room in the doctor’s house where he’d be poked and prodded and bored. The farm would have something for him to do. He might have to sneak around to do it but there would be something, anyway.

Doc nodded at some unsaid thought. “I just might let you go with Kate. I’ll write down some instructions for caring for the wounds you have on your back and head. Make sure you show them to Kate. You’ll need her help to change the dressing.”

He frowned. “What type of wound did you say I have on my back?”

Doc didn’t look up from his tablet and continued to write as he said, “You have some heavy bruising and a laceration. I think the hoof must have scraped you on the way down. The cut is long but thin. I think it will heal without stitches, but you’ll have to be careful.”

Doc ripped the page from the tablet and handed it to Nathan. “Make sure you change the dressing every day. I’ll give you something to ward off infection but it won’t be effective unless you keep everything clean.”

“I’ll be careful,” Nathan promised as he tucked the paper into his right pocket. Now he only had to pray Kate would be like the Lord and extend mercy to help him in his time of need.

Two hours later Kate paused in the entrance of the barn, watching in disbelief as Nathan raked a pile of new hay into the stalls. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He froze, then looked up guiltily. “The stalls needed fresh hay and I was in the barn anyway …”

She took the rake from him. Holding it in front of her threateningly, she said, “You are supposed to be resting not pushing hay around my barn.”

“Yes, but—”

“Doc Williams gave me orders and I mean to follow them even if you won’t.”

He carefully took the rake from her as though afraid she’d wield it against him. Then leaning on it, he gave her a smooth half smile and drawled, “You get the prettiest little lilt of an accent when you’re angry. Irish, isn’t it?”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Your charm doesn’t work on me, Nathan Rutledge, so you’d better get into the house before I resort to speaking Gaelic.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tipped his Stetson with a rakish grin and started toward the house, then turned to face her with a curious glint in his eye. “Did you tell Doc we were married?”

“Actually, we aren’t really—” She stopped when he lifted a knowing brow. Instead, she settled for, “Ms. Lettie told him.”

“Ah,” he said as though enlightened. “Don’t think you’re stuck with me forever. When I get a chance, I’ll head back into town and see about the annulment.”

“Good.” She watched him exit the barn and go inside the house, and shook her head. “He’s an interesting man that Nathan Rutledge.”

She looked to Delilah for support but the horse only stared at her. “You’re sort of an odd one yourself but that goes back to him. Why would anyone name a perfectly good horse Delilah? Esther I might understand, but Delilah?” Kate extended her hand to Delilah slowly and attempted to stroke the horse’s nose. The horse lowered her head. Her large nostrils flared, then she sneezed directly into Kate’s hands.

“Oh, gross.” Kate grimaced as she stared down at her slimy palm.

“Isn’t that Mr. Rutledge’s horse?” a voice chirped from behind her. She whirled to find her brother and sister watching her curiously. Her clean hand covered her heart. “You scared me half to death.”

Sean spoke again. “Well, isn’t it his horse?”

Kate looked away from their hope-filled eyes. “Yes. It’s his horse.”

Ellie stepped forward. “So he’s staying?”

“No, he isn’t staying. Well, he is,” she amended. “But only for a short time. He was injured by a runaway horse so Doc asked me to keep an eye on him for a few days.”

Sean grinned. “So he’s here.”

Kate nodded. “He’s inside.”

They whooped and took off running toward the house. Leaving her calling to the empty barn, “He won’t stay long.”

Kate could hardly keep up with the flow of conversation during dinner. Sean and Ellie were coming up with question after question about what it was like to be a cowboy. Nathan didn’t seem to mind but his answers were becoming slower and his eyes seemed to hold the pain he disguised in his face. At the moment, he was smiling. “Of course I’ll teach you to lasso.”

Kate raised a hand to silence the celebration. “I hate to ruin your fun, but Nathan needs some rest. He’s tired and I’m sure he’s in pain. Why don’t you two finish eating while I show him to the barn?”

Neither Ellie nor Sean protested, but instead looked at their newfound hero with concern. Kate lit a candle as the two said good-night to Nathan, who then stepped outside. She waited for the door to close behind them before apologizing, “I still don’t feel right about you sleeping in the barn. What if you start feeling worse?”

“I’ll be fine,” he returned optimistically. “I’ve gotten over worse injuries than this.”

At the barn, she turned to light a lantern hanging there. “I left a few blankets out here earlier for you. Is there anything else you need?”

He was quiet for a moment and she turned to find him staring thoughtfully at his boots with his right hand in his pocket.

“Nathan, are you all right?”

“I was thinking.” He glanced up and shrugged. “I’ve bothered you enough. I don’t need anything else.”

“I’ll have to bother you for a moment. Doc told me to check your eyes before you went to sleep,” she explained.

He nodded and seemed amused though Kate couldn’t fathom why. She simply ignored him and did as Doc had instructed her. She lifted the lantern so that it was near his eye level, then raised its wick until it was very bright. She waited as he tipped his chin down to give her a clear view of his eyes while she stared at what Doc Williams called his pupils.

They quickly grew smaller as the bright candlelight reached them. Finally, she lowered the wick to a small flame and watched his pupils widen slightly. She couldn’t help noticing that he had beautiful eyes. They were coffee brown but tinged with gold with a slight ring of gold encircling his pupil. She took a quick step back.

Thankfully, he couldn’t know that she’d gotten distracted by something as basic as his eyes’ color. “They seem normal. How do you feel? Do you have a headache? Do you feel as though you’re going to throw up or anything?”

He frowned. “I have a slight headache but my stomach is fine.”

“Are you dizzy?”

“No.”

She looked down. “Don’t you think you should sleep inside for just this one night?”

“Kate, I’ll be fine.”

She frowned. “Well, if you’re sure.”

He nodded. “I’m sure. Thank you, Kate.”

“Good night, then,” she said, already stepping backward to leave.

“Good night,” he returned sincerely.

She took another step backward, almost reluctant to pull from his warm gaze before she turned away. Reaching the door, she paused to glance over her shoulder at him. He smiled gently. Her lips tipped into an answering smile before she stepped into the warm night air.

She hadn’t known he was coming, she hadn’t wanted him to stay but somehow, oddly, it was nice to have him there.

Chapter Four

The stalks of wheat seemed to whisper to each other about the stranger she led through the paths of their uniformed rows. Kate tucked an escaping tendril behind her ear, then turned to look for Nathan. Why he cared to tour a farm he wouldn’t stay at for more than a few days was beyond her.

Apparently he found it fascinating because he’d been lagging behind since they’d started. Every time she turned around he’d stopped to look at something new. If he didn’t hurry up she’d be late starting lunch, which would probably put her behind on the chores for the rest of the day.

She spotted him a few yards away kneeling in the dirt to get a better look at the wheat head in his hand. She smiled at the confused frown that marred his face. “You really don’t know much about wheat, do you?”

He glanced up, then slowly rose to his feet as though the movement pained him. No doubt that was a result of him throwing himself in front of the horse to save her. Maybe she should cut him some slack. She glanced up at the sky to gauge the sun and realized it was still before noon. She had more time than she thought.