Scarlett Read online

  “What do you think, Coal? Does being a man of my word mean I have to go through with the wedding?” Dillon thought on it as he unsaddled and fed the horse.

  Smitty had written that she’d been jilted at the altar and she wanted to get away from the town since she was the subject of scathing gossip. Dillon owed Smitty big time. On the way from Missouri to Oregon, Smitty had pulled him from a burning wagon.

  “Coal, I am a man of my word.” He patted the horse’s neck and left the barn. He’d built the house bigger than necessary but his plan was to fill the rooms with his children. He wanted a family.

  He hurried into the house. It was going to take a bit of time to get cleaned up. Scarlett stood waiting in the hallway. He had to admit she was lovely.

  “You don’t have a water pump inside? What about a cook stove? Most of the rooms aren’t furnished.”

  He took a few breaths before addressing her. “I wanted my bride to be able to make this house her own. Frankly, I’ve been so busy working. I haven’t had time to get a cook stove, and the creek isn’t far if you need water.” He’d already made arrangements to get a water pump, but he didn’t like her attitude or her harping.

  She put her hand over her mouth then removed it. “I have a bad habit of talking before I think. It’s a beautiful house, and you’re right I can haul water. It’s my worst flaw and my biggest. I try to watch what I say, but words just pop out, and words are hard to take back. I’ve been known to tell a woman her dress is ugly.”

  No wonder she had to leave her home. Dillon’s lips twitched and then he laughed. She certainly wasn’t boring, and she didn’t mean to be a shrew. At least he hoped not.

  “What’s so funny?” She crossed her arms in front of her.

  “Before you feel hurt, I was just thinking we’d make an interesting pair.”

  Dillon poured warm water into two basins and handed one to Scarlett. “You take the bedroom. I’m going to have to rinse out the basin a few times to get the grime off.”

  He waited until she closed the door and then he pulled off his shirt. Maybe she could make him a few shirts for work. He always cut the sleeves short so as not to get burned. A spark could fire up on him. He grinned again as he washed. She must have thought he was a drifter when she first met him.

  He threw the dirty water out the back door and poured more clean water into the basin. This was the only part of the job he hated, but it was just dirt. He made a great living doing something he loved. Working with his hands crafting metal was well worth the soot. He didn’t think Scarlett would agree, though.

  Finally, dressed in his finest black suit, he then put on his Sunday go-to-church boots and hat. The jingle of harness buckles and the clop-clop of horses’ hooves came from outside, signaling the surrey being driven up out front. He opened the door and waved to one of his apprentices, Homer. He was a fifteen-year-old boy who was on his own. Dillon had built a small house for Homer and his other young apprentice Lou. They hadn’t given him a lick of trouble, and he was glad he’d taken them on.

  “Scarlett? The surrey is here.”

  “I’ll be right out,” came her muffled response.

  He might as well sit. Women took forever getting ready. Just as his backside hit the seat, the bedroom door opened. He couldn’t keep his jaw from dropping when he caught sight of Scarlett. He stood up and stared. Her beauty outshined any other woman he knew.

  Smiling she turned in a circle. “Will I do?” She turned around in her fine yellow dress that cascaded from her waist down. The bottom half had a beautiful fine lace overlay.

  “I’ll be the envy of every person in town with you on my arm.”

  Obviously pleased, she beamed at him. Now he knew why people said a bride looked to be glowing. He offered her his arm and led her outside. He had to carry her to the surrey to avoid the mud. As soon as he got in, it started to rain.

  “Scarlett, this is Homer, one of my apprentices.

  “Nice to meet you, Homer,” she said.

  Homer tipped his hat but remained silent.

  “Let’s get going before the mud sucks us in.” Dillon took her hand in his, and she shivered. “Cold?”

  “No, just nervous.”

  “It’ll be fine. This time you have your groom with you.”

  Scarlett’s eyes flashed and her lips formed a frown. “I bet you had a good laugh at that. Am I being laughed at by the town’s people?”

  “No. I’m sorry. Your pa told me when he wrote to me about my intentions. I shouldn’t have brought it up. I don’t want to ruin our wedding.”

  “Fine. I forgive you.” She sounded as though she was doing him a big favor. She turned her head and looked at the scenery all the way to the church.

  * * *

  The church was less primitive than she’d thought it would be. It had a tall steeple with a bell. She’d never seen one like it before, though she’d heard of them. Many horses and buckboards stood waiting in the rain. There must be a lot of people inside.

  Boards of wood had been laid on top of the mud so they could walk without getting stuck, but Dillon swept her up in his brawny arms and carried her. He was quick about it, and she held her cape over their heads to prevent them from getting too wet. Once inside, she hung her cape on one of the hooks along the rear wall and smoothed out her dress. It felt bittersweet to get married without her family being present.

  “I’m Dinah Bains, dear. Dillon, get to the front of the church and stand next to Terry. I’m so glad both you boys cleaned up. Now, here is your bouquet,” the older woman with fading red hair said as she handed a lovely bouquet of yellow ox-eye sunflowers, light purple coneflowers and dark purple larkspur to Scarlett. “I have to go up front and play the piano. There will be some music, and then my daughter Melly will go down the aisle first. Once she gets to the front, I will play the wedding march. I’m so excited. This is the first wedding in Silver Falls that the march will be played at. You walk down the aisle and hand your maid of honor, Melly, your bouquet and then stand next to Dillon. After that, the minister will direct things.”

  Before Scarlett could ask any questions, Dinah scurried up front. A stunning redheaded woman who looked about Scarlett’s age stepped in front of her. A white, low-cut dress showed off her assets.

  Scarlett smoothed down her own green dress and shook her head. “Why are you wearing white, um…?”

  “Melly, my name is Melly. It looks good on me. When I saw the dress I just had to have it.” Melly tried to look innocent, but Scarlett didn’t believe her. Everyone knew that only the bride wore white.

  “Why aren’t you wearing white?” Melly covered her mouth momentarily. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business. White means the bride is pure.”

  “Perhaps, but not this far west. It wouldn’t be practical.” Her white dress had been for Dexter, and she’d ripped it to pieces.

  The music started, and Melly strutted down the aisle waving to everyone.

  Taking a deep breath, Scarlett concentrated on Dillon at the altar. He was so handsome.

  Her music started, and she gracefully walked down the aisle smiling while staring at her groom the whole time. She’d meet the guests later. For now, she wanted to show up Melly by being appropriate and showing class. When she tried to hand her bouquet to Melly she refused to take it.

  Scarlett gave her a sweet smile and then shrugged. She turned back to Dillon and smiled. She wondered if she should be praying. She was in a church. She said a quick silent prayer for a happy marriage.

  It was time for Dillon to put the ring on her finger. He turned to his best man to get it and then slowly slid it onto her finger.

  She stared at the ring. She’d never seen anything like it. It was made of three gold strands that looked to be braided. It was so beautiful. She lifted her face and gazed into his eyes, and from the questioning look he had, she knew he’d made it for her. She gave him a real smile, not one of her usual pretend smiles, but a real one. It’d been a long time since she had
smiled that way.

  He smiled back and when it was time, he gently took her into his arms, leaned down, and brushed his lips over hers. She anticipated more, but he let her go. Didn’t he want to kiss her? Confused she glanced at Melly, who seemed amused.

  That was it. The wedding was over. Dillon held his arm out to her and whisked her away to the surrey. He carried her again, but it didn’t feel any different. He didn’t hold her closer to his chest. Homer flicked the reins as soon as they were settled. She expected to be taken to a reception but Homer drove them to the house. Was the party going to be held at his home?

  Homer stopped the surrey close enough to the porch steps that Dillon only needed to offer his hand to help her down. She waited to be carried over the threshold, but Dillon opened the door and yanked his tie off.

  “Whew, that’s done. I’m going to change out of these clothes right quick. I’ll be back directly.”

  She didn’t say a thing, just stood in the middle of the big, practically empty room with her flowers in one hand and her ring on the other. She had no idea what it all meant, but her heart hurt. Ever since she was a small child, she’d dreamed about how her wedding would be, and part of that dream included dancing with her husband and toasting to their happiness. He hadn’t even introduced her to his best man.

  Was he ashamed of her? Did the story of her being jilted make her just a convenient bride who didn’t need more? She missed her ma and pa something fierce. Tears pricked at the back of her eyes, but she refused to cry. She’d have to make the best of it. This was her second chance, there wouldn’t be another.

  She put a smile on her face when Dillon came into the room. She waited for him to say something, but he remained silent. What had she done wrong?

  A frantic knock on the door broke the silence, and Dillon left the room to answer it. Scarlett followed but stopped short when she saw it was Melly.

  “If you don’t bed her then there is still a chance for us. Just because her father saved your life doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your happiness for him.” Tears streamed down Melly’s face. “I wore the dress I bought for our wedding, and the whole time my heart was breaking.”

  Dillon sighed. “Melly, go home. I’m married, and I can’t have you knocking on my door. I’ll talk to you soon. Please, Melly, you need to go home.”

  Scarlett went into the bedroom she’d used to get dressed and locked the door. She sat on the bed and folded her hands together. Her humiliation knew no bounds. Dry eyed, she stared at the wall until she saw the light from under her door dim and become dark. He hadn’t knocked on the door or talked to her. Why did he act so nice before the wedding only to be cruel afterwards?

  She’d been nervous about the wedding night, but her ma had explained it to her. It certainly didn’t bode well for their marriage if this was how he would be acting. What did Melly mean? Had Pa rescued Dillon? Her breath stalled in her throat. That just made her a favor, an owed favor. They’d all lied and betrayed her. What about Melly? She wore her wedding dress? How mixed up it all was.

  Melly had been right about one thing; the wedding wasn’t binding unless they consummated it. Given the chance, Scarlett wanted to run and hide. She’d go someplace where she wouldn’t be an obligation. Dillon must feel as though he’d been hogtied and dragged to the altar. He was too nice of a person to be stuck with her. She’d go home. It would be the right thing to do.

  She changed into her nightgown and smiled as she fingered the pink ribbon she had sewn on it. She’d make everything right in the morning.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning, Scarlett dressed and packed her things. She walked into the kitchen and was surprised to see Dillon sitting at the table already eating his breakfast.

  “Good morning,” he said as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Can I get you some coffee?” He acted as though nothing was wrong.

  “I can get it. Thank you for making it. Do you always get up before the sun?” She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat in a chair across the table from him.

  “My work is never done it seems. Someone always needs something made or repaired. And I like to have designs of my own for sale too. Then there is the occasional tooth to pull, house plans to draw. I usually work twelve to fourteen hours a day.”

  “Don’t they have a barber to pull teeth?”

  “Not in this town, at least not yet. I always have men dropping in to say hi. That’s why I have those stools in there. Right now, my apprentices are cleaning out the forge and putting new coal in it. Then they make the fire hot so the coals will be hot enough to soften the metal. Then Homer will make a list of things we need to get done. Of course, people come in all day wanting things fixed immediately.” He smiled at her.

  “Sounds like a lot of work but you like it.”

  “Yes, I do like it, and I’m good at it. People know to stop here before going on to mine the gold fields. I have the best tools and at a good price. If I had the time, being Mayor would have been nice but I have a wife now so I have to have a few minutes to spare for her.” A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he gazed into her eyes.

  She couldn’t read him. He didn’t look like a man trying to be rid of her. Heat flooded her face. “I’ll be on today’s coach heading back home. If you could make arrangements for my trunks to be put in front of the general store, I’d appreciate it.”

  His fork clattered against his plate. “No.”

  She gave him her most haughty look. “No? I think you’re mistaken. Things aren’t working out for us, and I’m leaving.”

  He took a sip of his coffee as he stared at her. “You know we won’t suit in less than twenty-four hours? I’ve been told I’m a catch. Let’s see I haven’t yelled at you or beaten you. I haven’t hurled insults at you. In fact, I think I’ve been very accommodating toward you. No, I said my vows in a church and I refuse to break them.” He cocked his left brow. “Is this because I didn’t come to your bed last night?”

  Warmth seeped into her cheeks to an uncomfortable level, and she quickly glanced away. This wasn’t going as planned. “You married me as a favor, and your true intended wore her wedding dress to our wedding. I bet the whole town is laughing at me now. Why I thought being a mail order bride would be a good idea, I have no idea. I have two brothers who are married, and I see the way they look at their wives. They are in love with their wives, and I didn’t understand that before, but it’s what I want.”

  “You might grow on me,” he teased with a grin.

  “It’s not funny. I wasn’t your choice at all. I can’t wait to see my pa. He’ll get an earful!”

  “Listen, Smitty didn’t make me do anything. I do what I want. No one is laughing at you. I never courted Melly. She just got it in her head that we were meant to be.” He leaned forward and pinned Scarlett in his gaze. “I’m your husband. And just so you know, I was showing you respect by sleeping in my own bed last night. You don’t know me, and I want to wait until the right time. I want to wait until we feel something for each other. That way it will be less awkward.”

  She swallowed hard. It wasn’t her fault that she came to the conclusions she had. “And if I never feel a thing for you?”

  “Who knows? I might not feel a thing for you. I think we should give it a try anyway. Look, no one is going to believe that we didn’t consummate our marriage. You’re living with a man, so I’d get the idea of leaving out of your head.” He sounded irritated.

  She’d thought he’d be relieved to be rid of her. She could be a huge pain and thought he might just want to be rid of her. She finished her coffee and stood. “Let me grab my reticule and we can be off.”

  He frowned. “Off to where?”

  “To work, of course. I want to know all about you and spend time with you. I’ll be able to see you in action.”

  “Are sure? It’s a long day. Do you have knitting or the like to keep you busy?”

  “Actually, I do. I’m making you a scarf. Don’t leave bef
ore I find it.” She hurried to her room, smiling. She was already becoming a thorn in his side. She didn’t believe the Melly story. Who bought a wedding dress if they hadn’t had encouragement from a man?

  She took her time and when she went back to the kitchen, he was gone. She hurried outside to see if she could catch him. The wagon was hitched with two beautiful gray horses. Her family was in the horse business, but she couldn’t tell one from another. She waited for Dillon to carry her but he climbed up onto the wagon bench and looked at her.

  “Are you coming?” There was a challenge in his eyes.

  She’d show him! She lifted her skirts just enough to avoid getting her hem dirty and began to walk to the wagon. She made it more than halfway, silently bemoaning the ruining of her shoes, before she got stuck. She almost fell face first, but she was able to regain her balance. The mud was so thick it sucked at her feet, not wanting to let go. Her shoulders sagged. She’d failed his challenge.

  “I need some help.” He sat there for a moment while she stared at him. Finally, he jumped down, splattering mud in her direction and all over her dress.

  He took her bag from her and threw it into the wagon, but instead of picking her up, he tugged her hand until she was able to raise her foot. She finally was able to walk with him pulling her along. He lifted her into the wagon and then climbed up beside her.

  She tried to smooth her dress, but she only succeeded in spreading the mud. Glancing down at her shoes she was horrified to see so much mud caked on them and the hem of her dress was clumped with the horrible wet dirt.

  She gave him a sidelong look and found him smiling. If this was to be a competition of wills, then Dillon wouldn’t know what was about to hit him. She could be as stubborn as anyone, and she wouldn’t beg for mercy. She’d think of something horrible to make him for dinner.