Authors: Peggy Ann Craig
When he eventually turned Sty into the lane that led up to the homestead, he noticed a carriage sitting in front of the house. A frown creased his forehead. It looked like the doctors. Worry tormented him briefly, until the front door opened and Kathleen emerged smiling from ear to ear.
He visibly sighed with relief and automatically looked beyond her to see if Anna was with her. She was. His jaw dropped as he saw her dressed in the beautiful purple dress Kathleen had given her for Christmas. Her hair, which had grown past her ears and nearly reached just below her chin, was now tucked back in several pins beneath a small hat tilted to the side of her head. She never looked more woman.
He looked away and brought Sty next to the carriage where he dismounted and then retrieved the items from his saddlebag. “Is the doctor here?”
“No.” Kathleen’s smile shone brighter and Wade frowned, puzzled by his sister’s expression.
The door opened again and this time Prescott and Elizabeth both stepped out onto the porch. Automatically, Wade tilted his hat. “Afternoon Elizabeth.”
She nodded, but didn’t say anything. Wade thought how odd they were all behaving when a fifth person emerged from the house. Surprised, he greeted the church minister. “Afternoon, Reverend.”
“Afternoon, Mr. Haddock.”
He looked to his siblings and waited for them to explain what was going on, when finally Kathleen stepped forward and said, “The Reverend is here to perform a wedding.”
Wade shot a startled look at Prescott and Elizabeth. “Congratulations. Why didn’t I hear about this earlier?”
But Kathleen answered for them. “It’s not their wedding Wade.”
This time his brow folded thickly as he stared up at his sister. “Then who’s getting married?”
She took a moment to respond, before flooring him completely by saying, “You are.”
Anna watched the disbelief etch across Wade’s face. Then he gave a sarcastic chuckle. “Who is it that I am supposed to be marrying? Josephine? Is she in the house?”
Kathleen shook her head, but did not speak.
Wade frowned hard and Anna could tell his anger was beginning to boil. She knew this wasn’t a good idea and she could have kicked herself for allowing Kathleen to talk her into it. It was apparent by Wade’s expression that he was not pleased. Then as if on command, his head tilted and looked at Anna. Instinctively, she dropped her chin and stared at the ground. She couldn’t make eye contact.
“Anna?” He sounded dumbfounded as if the idea was ludicrous, and she felt a sharp pain pierce her heart.
Kathleen turned to the Reverend and said, “Would you kindly give us a few minutes.”
He nodded, then went back into the house. When he was out of ear shot, she turned back to her older brother. “We decided this really was the only solution.”
“We?” He shot a look at Prescott, who only offered a shrug.
“You said yourself that she belonged on the ranch even more than you.”
“That wasn’t what I said.” His voice began to grow irate.
“Well, okay, something like that.” She shrugged him off.
“I thought she was going to New Westminster. That was the plan.”
“Well, in light of everything it seemed the best thing for Anna would be to stay right where she is. Besides, it was what she wanted.”
His eyes darted to her again, and for the first time the anger on his face eased slightly. Then it was back in full force when he turned back to his sister. “Why marriage? Why not just leave things the way they are?”
“With our influence she can move up the social ladder. That can’t happen as your servant, but as your wife instead.”
He still didn’t look convinced as he ran an angry hand along the back of his neck. “Don’t you think you should have consulted with me first?”
“Why? To have you come up with every plausible excuse as you are now.” She sighed heavily and told her brother, “It was apparent you were not going to allow her to obtain work elsewhere, and both you and Anna disliked the idea of her coming to New Westminster. So, that really left little choice.”
His eyes reamed his sister out, but he said nothing. He stood silently for several minutes, brooding inwardly Anna was certain. At any moment she expected him to explode. She played with the idea of speaking up, but was far too frightened. Besides, she didn’t know what she would say. Kathleen was right. She was running out of options.
Anna didn’t even know why she agreed with his sibling. She knew he would dislike the idea and never agree, but looking back, she figured she had been so desperate to stay that she was willing to agree to anything. Admittedly, she would love to be his wife. But as she stood there and watched the fury dance across his face, she realized that what seemed a good idea in her mind, was not such a good idea in reality.
Her only flicker of hope was he would be willing to leave things the way they were. Anna grasped on to that chance and prayed he wouldn’t come out of this foolish stunt not wanting anything to do with her anymore.
He moved suddenly, taking the steps two at a time before snatching her arm in his grip and startling her out of her thoughts. “Come on, I want to talk to you.”
Anna’s eyes widened in fear and she looked over his shoulder at his sister for help as he dragged her around the porch to the side of the house out of sight and earshot of his siblings. As he spun her around and glared down at her, she wanted desperately to say something but fear sealed her tongue.
“First of all, I don’t appreciate being manipulated, lied, or plotted against. In particular, by my own family.” His eyes were raging as he glared down at her. He still held her arm in a forceful grip, and he apparently noticed for he released it instantly and took a step back then paced angrily in front of her. “Second, if I ever choose to marry it will be of my own accord. I will choose the bride and I will do the asking.”
She nodded vaguely and wished she could run. The back of her eyes burned and she feared she would break down in tears right there. With eyes glistening she stared at him and waited for the words that were to inevitably follow. Words that would send her away forever.
Wade stopped pacing to look down into her face. His brows dipping slightly. Then shoving his hands deep in his pockets, he turned on his heel and resumed pacing. “Kathleen may be correct on one account. Marriage to me would ensure you a certain status level in social circles. It means damn nothing to me, but unfortunately it does hold a high degree of importance in our culture.”
Anna could care less what social status she held. If he was the poorest man on earth, she would still have agreed to marry him.
“More importantly, you would be able to remain on this land. What I told Kathleen was that I may own that mountain, but it belongs to you. Marriage to me would ensure you would never have to leave your beloved mountain.”
Her chin dropped and she tried not to remember the horrible events that occurred in the village. It would be a long time before she could look at it with peace in her heart again. He reached out and raised her chin. “What happened up there was not the mountain.”
She knew what he meant, but Anna still could not erase the dark cloud hovering over her heart whenever she thought of home. Her eyes glistened again, and she closed the lids tight hoping he hadn’t seen. He sighed heavily and dropped her chin. “I suppose I’m not getting any younger. Hell, I’m old enough to be your father. You need a husband more your own age. Someone to grow old with.”
Staring at the ground, she nodded vaguely, but inwardly disagreed with him completely. Where her heart was concerned, age did not play a factor. It was the man inside that counted. Not the outward shell. Not his social status. Never before had she ever felt such love for another human being. Even what she felt for her parents compared nowhere close to the ache she felt deep inside for Wade.
“Truthfully though, I haven’t met any other woman in all my years who could take to the range as easily as you do. You’re a rare breed that I believed long ago didn’t exist.” He looked out over his ranch and said, “This land means more to me than anything else. With Kathleen in the city and Prescott not sharing the same passion, there has always been the fear in the back of my mind that after my death, this land would be sold. Any offspring of my own would guarantee it remains in my family.”
Anna wasn’t entirely sure where his trail of thoughts was leading, but at that moment she wished ardently it was she who would bear his children. She blushed hotly from the image of them in the act of creating offspring.
“Well?”
Confused, Anna looked up into his eyes. He was watching her closely. “Do you want to get married?”
She felt her heart do a ridiculous flip, then come down hard to reality. Anna had to remember to use caution where her heart and Wade were concerned. “Whatever you want.”
He actually chuckled. “Apparently, that doesn’t seem to fit into Kathleen’s equation.”
Since his temper had eased some, Anna thought she would chance it and offer his original plan. “We could just leave things the way they were.”
Wade nodded slowly and Anna wasn’t sure how to feel. She would have loved dearly to become his wife and the mother of his future children, but not if he didn’t want her. Being able to stay and remain his servant was only bittersweet.
“All right.” He stared at her for a long while to the point she shifted uncomfortably beneath his gaze, until at last he said, “Agreed.”
He took her arm in his hand and led her back to the front of the house. Anna tried not to let the disappointment eat away at her heart, but she couldn’t help it. That was the price of loving him too much. “Where’s the Reverend?”
“I’ll get him.” Prescott stated and went into the house. The two women stood and watched Wade and Anna. She couldn’t look Kathleen in the eye. When Wade sent the Reverend home, Kathleen would know Anna had failed.
“Everything set out here?” The white-haired clergyman emerged from the house, carrying a bible and beaming brightly.
“Yes,” Wade spoke. “You may begin.”
Anna’s heart nearly stopped. Her eyes flashed to Wade, but he did not return her look. Instead he concentrated on the minister. Kathleen and Elizabeth both broke out into huge smiles simultaneously.
“Wait.” Kathleen’s eyes nearly popped out her head. “Where’s Anna’s veil?”
Wade frowned. “I take it as my wife, she won’t be traveling with you to New Westminster.”
“It wasn’t the trip I had in mind when I asked you to purchase the veil.” She smirked and looked proud of herself. “All brides are now covering their faces during the marriage ceremony.”
His mouth set in a straight line and standing close to him, Anna heard him sigh heavily. Then he went to retrieve the items he had removed from his saddlebag. When he turned around, Anna thought she saw him slip something small into his shirt pocket. Her eyes automatically fell to the soft fabric in his hands and dropped her jaw at the sheer beauty of the material.
“How exquisite, Wade,” Kathleen exclaimed. “And such a perfect match to her dress.”
Wade made no comment, simply walked over to Anna and very gently laid the fabric over her head. His eyes met hers for a complete second before he took a step back and held out another item in his hand she had not noticed. “The shopkeeper thought you might need these as well.”
Her hand shook as she reached out and took the gloves. She had never owned a pair in her life, but had always thought they looked so elegant on the females in Lantern. With nervous fingers, she slid the lacy material over her hands and was grateful when Kathleen stepped forward to assist with her veil. His sister had her back to Wade so offered Anna a knowing smile before dropping the veil over her face.
The ceremony was over quickly and when Anna later recalled the event, she would remember feeling as if it had been surreal. As if she was an outsider looking on. She could hardly believe that it was she standing there in the most striking gown she had ever seen adorned with such exquisite accessories. And marrying the man she loved.
When the Reverend finished, he paused and looked at Wade. “If you like, you may kiss your new bride.”
Her heart caught in her throat and she felt Wade go rigid next to her. Then very stiffly he turned and raised her veil. His eyes settled on her mouth and Anna held her breath. But he only leaned forward and dropped a quick kiss on her cheek before straightening and turning back to the minister.
“I take it you’ve brought the proper legal papers?” His voice sounded very businesslike.
“Yes, they’re inside.”
They all followed the clergyman into the house where he retrieved the forms that Anna later discovered were the official marriage certificate. It seemed Kathleen had everything looked after as she predicted her plan not to fail. Even Wade made such a comment when hours later he was seeing her off on the stagecoach. After giving Prescott and Elizabeth a hug and kiss, she turned to her oldest brother. “When I return next, we shall throw a huge party in celebration of your wedding.”
“I would prefer you didn’t.”
“Don’t be such a lump.” She gave his arm a gentle swat, then glanced back at Anna. “Perhaps your wife thinks otherwise.”
Wade didn’t even look over at her. “You may hold whatever party your heart pleases, as long as it is your own celebration. I do not care for parties or celebrations of any sort. If my new wife feels differently she will have to learn to adapt. My wife will do as I say.” His voice was very firm and from the look on Kathleen’s face, Anna realized his sister knew how far she could go before stopping.
“Very well. You win.” She looked slightly pouty and a bit hurt and Wade sighed heavily next to her.
“I believe you have that opposite.” Reminding Kathleen of the day’s events.
“I only want to see you happy.” She smiled at him and reached up to stroke his cheek before leaning in for a kiss. “Enjoy your new bride, Wade.”
He offered no response to this parting comment, but returned her kiss on the cheek and helped her up into the stagecoach. Kathleen climbed inside and after Wade shut the door firmly behind her, slipped her arm out to wave to Anna. “Good-bye my dear sister.”
Anna offered a weak smile and returned the wave, then watched as the coach rode out of the ranch and disappeared over the horizon. Wade waited as well, then turned and headed for the house. Prescott decided to take Elizabeth back to town and so it was that Anna was left alone with her new husband.
As usual, she prepared dinner, but this time for Wade only. Not once had she ever eaten in the dining room, and that night was no exception. After dishing out their food, she put her plate on the kitchen table and headed out to the dining room to place Wade’s in front of him. She turned and left him alone.
In the kitchen, she dropped down at the huge harvest table that acted as kitchen table and ate her dinner. The door opened and Wade came in, carrying his plate. She watched him with surprise as he sat down across from her. They ate in silence and when he was done, Wade got up and put his plate in the large kitchen sink then headed for the exit. At the door he stopped and looked back down at Anna. “From now on, you will join Prescott and myself in the dining room for meals.”