The Accidental Lawman (28 page)

Amelia was reading over his shoulder. “There was a real dustup at the mercantile when the recipes were handed in. Some of the men proclaimed their wives’ entries were the best and deserve to be printed first.”

Hank chuckled.

“You should have been there,” Harrison added, rolling his eyes. “It wasn’t funny. I feared for my life.”

Knowing he didn’t have to continually search for Amelia among the crowd, Hank relaxed and studied the paper. The stories were humorous, touching and unique. He was moved by the effort everyone had put into them.

It wasn’t until he turned to what usually amounted to one small page of advertisements and a lot of filler that he was truly astounded by everyone’s generosity.

There were not only the usual business ads from his original sponsors, Laura Foster, Mick and the Cutters, but nearly everyone in Glory and the immediate outlying area had paid for a small advertisement or an announcement of some kind.

There were birthday and anniversary congratulations, birth announcements, commemorative memorials and lost and found notices. Others had bought two lines of copy simply to wish him a speedy recovery and salute the
Gazette
.

Hank wanted to read every line of every page, but
there would be time for that later. He carefully folded the paper. When he gazed around at the gathering, his vision wavered and he had to duck his head to compose himself.

“Are you all right?” Amelia was so close her breath was a warm hush against his ear. “If you’re feeling poorly, I’ll have Harrison take you home. The worst thing you can do is wear yourself out.”

He succeeded in blinking his vision clear before he turned to her.

“Thank you,” he said softly, indicating the paper in his hand. “Thank you for this. For saving my life, too.”

“The good Lord saved your life, Hank. I just patched you up.”

A stray breeze came across the land, ruffled the pages, teased her curls.

“How did you do it all?”

She shrugged as if it was nothing and yet it was everything.

He thought of all the people who had sought her out for medical care lately. He’d watched her measure out powders and potions, patch up cuts, race off with her medical bag in tow whenever a harried caller came by begging for help.

“
When
did you do this?” he wondered aloud.

“I read the entries at night. After you were asleep. I had lots of help. No one wanted to see the
Gazette
fail—”

He recalled discussing his financial woes with Brand during one of his visits—but he never intended for the whole town to find out he didn’t have the funds to go on.

Now he knew how and when this latest issue of the
Gazette
came about, or at least he thought he did, but he still wanted to hear from Amelia why she had taken it upon herself to help him.

His heart stumbled. He couldn’t keep himself from reaching out, cupping her cheek. He stopped short of rubbing his thumb across her lips.

“
Why,
Amelia?” He dropped his hand to where hers lay knotted together in her lap. He covered them with his own. “Why did you do all of this?”

“No one wanted you to leave Glory,” she said softly.

“
Why,
Amelia?”

“Because they like having you around.”

“That’s not what I meant and I think you know it.”

She dropped her gaze and whispered, “Ask me again, Hank.”

“Why did you do this?”

She closed her eyes. “Not that. Ask me to
marry you
again.”

He leaned close enough to kiss her. Her eyes flew open and he suddenly remembered he’d already kissed her in front of the whole town once. That hadn’t stopped him the day he rode off with a posse, but today she might be handing over her heart into his safekeeping. He wouldn’t embarrass her again for anything.

“Will you marry me, Amelia? Will you be my wife?” he whispered.

Her smile grew wide and bright as the clear Texas sky.

“How about today?” He thought it a grand idea. “Everyone we know is here. There’s a preacher sitting right next to you.” Hank squeezed her hands and then turned to their friends and neighbors gathered around. It wasn’t until that very moment he realized all eyes had been watching them. Not only that, but everyone within hearing distance had been hanging on every word.

Brand McCormick jumped to his feet. “I couldn’t help but overhear you two. I think last-minute nuptials can cer
tainly be arranged, Hank.” He turned to Laura. “Mrs. Foster, do you have a Bible in the house?”

Timothy Cutter, seated nearby, bellowed to his wife, “Why did he jump up like that? Did he say he saw a mouse?”

Mary Margaret yelled back, “Not a mouse. He wants to know if there’s a Bible in the house! They’re finally getting hitched.”

Laura Foster was suddenly on her feet, too. “Hold it right there, all of you!”

Hank glanced at Amelia, captivated by the astonishment on her face. He followed her gaze and couldn’t help but notice the way the lovely widow held the preacher’s undivided attention before Laura turned to Hank.

“Hank Larson, this is
your
surprise party—not Miss Hawthorne’s wedding day. She deserves a celebration worthy of her and I for one intend to see that she gets it.”

“But—” Hank began to protest.

Amelia did, too. “I don’t want—”

Laura cut them both off. “I don’t care
what
either of you wants. One more week. That’s how long it took us to pull off a newspaper edition, so I can certainly organize a
very
sumptuous wedding in a week.” That said, she drew a lace-edged hankie from her bodice and patted her perfectly smooth brow before she turned to Brand.

“I’m sure you agree,
don’t
you, Reverend McCormick?” Laura prodded.

Hank was astounded when she winked at the man. For the first time since Hank met Brand McCormick, the preacher was rendered speechless.

A
week later, Amelia moved through her wedding day as if in a dream.

True to her word, Laura took charge of everything—from Amelia’s gown—one of her own designs that she had made up for Amelia as a gift—to the luncheon to be held in the boardinghouse dining room—to the guest list.

When Amelia asked Laura to stand up for her, the always composed, confident woman had burst into tears and claimed it would be her great honor. Now, closeted upstairs in Laura’s sumptuous private quarters, Amelia couldn’t help but stare at her own reflection in the mirror as Laura fussed with the ribbons and flowers she’d woven in Amelia’s hair.

“Absolutely perfect,” Laura declared as she stepped back and surveyed her handiwork. “Even if I do say so myself.”

The peach-striped silk gown was a confection of bound ruffles, cuffs and trim. A low-placed bustle cascaded into a train held in place with stiff bows of a darker peach. Fanciful puffed sleeves showed Amelia’s bare arms. She wasn’t certain she could even take a step
in the low-heeled silk slippers Laura insisted
must
be worn with the gown.

“I really don’t know what to say.” Amelia’s eyes filled with tears as she smiled at Laura. “You’ve been so gracious, so generous.”

“My pleasure, believe me. I haven’t had this much fun in a long, long while. Just say thank-you and try not to trip on the stairs.” Laura motioned for her to turn. “I’ll make sure that train stays behind you. We’d better get downstairs or they’ll start without us.”

Laughter bubbled up inside Amelia and escaped. She’d found herself growing more and more lighthearted all week and relished the joy that spread through her.

“Are you ready?” Laura paused with her hand on the doorknob.

“More than.” Amelia nodded. She took a step and then suddenly stopped. “Did you give my gift for Hank to Harrison?”

“Oh, my word! I did give it to him, but I forgot to give you the box he gave to me.”

She rushed over to her vanity, frantically moved crystal bottles of toilet water and perfume. Jewelry rattled as she shoved it out of the way. “Here it is.” She hurried back to Amelia and handed her a long, midnight-blue box. “From Hank to you.”

Amelia took the box. “What has he done?”

She knew that the
Gazette
was no longer threatened, but it would be a long hard road back and he was scraping to get by.

“Open it,” Laura urged.

Amelia slowly lifted the lid to reveal a lovely strand of pearls.

“They’re stunning,” Laura cried. Then she said, “Look, there’s a note tucked into the lid.”

“Can you take them out? My hands are shaking.” Amelia handed her the box and Laura removed the small piece of paper carefully folded and tucked into the lid before she lifted out the pearls.

Amelia opened the note and recognized Hank’s handwriting.

My darling Amelia,

These were my grandmother’s. Now they are yours.

She carefully refolded the note and tucked it into her bodice. Laura slipped the pearls around her throat and fastened them. Amelia turned to the mirror once more and traced the ivory pearls with her fingertips. Cool when Laura first put them on her, they were warming to her skin.

Thank You, Lord. For this day. For this love that You have brought me.

Laura was waiting by the door. “Time to go, Amelia.”

Amelia took a deep breath, lifted the hem of her wedding gown and started the journey downstairs to her groom.

Hank was pleased that Amelia had insisted on a short guest list and that Laura agreed.

Brand McCormick, Bible in hand, waited beside the bay window ready to officiate. Charity, along with Hattie, Joe and Rebekah Ellenberg were all in attendance, as was Harrison Barker, who would stand up for Hank.

The two of them were fidgeting nervously near Brand when Amelia appeared in the open doorway. A hush fell as one and then another and another guest noticed her.

Hank’s breath caught in his throat the moment he saw her. She was a vision in silk the color of a soft new sunset. When he saw his grandmother’s pearls around her throat,
he was thrilled that he had something of value to give her—something other than his heart. She was more precious than any gem. She deserved to be pampered and protected and he intended to love and watch over her for as long as he lived.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away as she hesitated in the doorway. He watched her hand go to her throat and her fingers toy with the pearls as she smiled just for him.

Harrison had presented him with a small packet from Amelia just before he was to take his place before the preacher. He pushed back his new black suit coat, reached for the vest pocket beneath to make certain she noticed the gold watch fob and chain dangling from his pocket. He slipped her father’s gold watch out far enough for her to see.

Amelia was not only willing to give him her hand in marriage, her heart and her love, but her most valuable worldly possession.

As they stared into each other’s eyes, time stopped for both of them.

But not for everyone else. Laura gave Amelia the slightest nudge and Amelia crossed the room. Hank noted there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as she took his hand and joined him before Brand.

Laura took her place at Amelia’s side. Hank assumed Harrison was still next to him. He only had eyes for Amelia.

Brand opened the Bible, but didn’t look away from them as he began the ceremony.

“We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the holy bonds of matrimony. Personally, I don’t know when I’ve been happier to officiate at a wedding. If anyone deserves happiness, it’s Hank and Amelia. They deserve the love they have found in each other for they have, from the very day they met, been
tested. Now they stand before the Lord and this circle of friends to make their vows to one another.

“Hank, not long ago I swore you in as sheriff of Glory. The Bible says, ‘If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceed-eth out of his mouth.’ Hank kept that vow, though it brought him trials and tribulation. Though it nearly killed him. I have no doubt that he will keep the vows he makes today and they will bring him nothing but joy.”

Brand looked at Amelia.

“Amelia, the path you have walked since the day you met Hank has not been easy. The Bible tells us, ‘The Lord will not cast off forever: But though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. He does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.’

“The Lord has brought you grief, but He has brought you great joy, as well. He has taken away and He has given. He has brought you love and He has given you the strength to renew your faith. There is a time for sorrow and a time to laugh. Today is a day of great joy. And now, Amelia and Hank, it’s time to speak your vows.”

Hank repeated his without hesitation.

Amelia’s words came out in the barest of whispers, but her eyes shone with love and happiness as she looked up at Hank and said, “I do.”

The reverend pronounced them man and wife.

“Congratulations to you both,” Brand said. “Hank, you may kiss your bride.”

Hank took him at his word, drew Amelia into his arms and kissed her.

And kissed her.

He kissed her until Brand finally cleared his throat and then tapped Hank on the shoulder.

“Better save some of that for the honeymoon,” the pastor advised.

Joe Ellenberg hooted and clapped.

Amelia covered her flushed cheeks with her hands and closed her eyes. Hank pulled her close and whispered in her ear.

“I vowed to love, honor, cherish and obey. I did not promise
not
to kiss you in public.”

Amelia’s cheeks caught fire as she gazed around the room at all the friends she loved so dearly and who loved her in return. When she looked into Hank’s eyes again, she was smiling.

“All right, everybody.” Laura clapped her hands. “Let’s give the lovebirds a minute alone, shall we? There’s a spread waiting to be served in the dining room.”

Hank slipped his arm around Amelia’s shoulder and turned to Reverend McCormick to thank him for his kind words and a wonderful ceremony. He caught Brand staring after the lovely Mrs. Foster as she shooed everyone out.

“I think the pastor might be sweet on Laura,” Hank whispered in Amelia’s ear.

She laughed and leaned closer. “And perhaps vice versa?”

“Now that would be interesting.” Hank gazed around a room teeming with expertly crafted furnishings, silver candelabra, gilt-framed paintings, cut-crystal vases, cabbage rose wallpaper, velvet curtains and porcelain figurines. “Can you imagine Sam and Janie running loose in here?”

“Oh, poor Laura.”

As soon as everyone cleared the room, Amelia surrendered to Hank’s embrace.

“We’re alone now,” she whispered.

“Why, Mrs. Larson, how kind of you to point that out—although I’d already noticed.”

As Hank lowered his head to kiss her again, Amelia couldn’t help but smile even as she held him off with both hands.

“I really think we should discuss kissing in public when we get home,” she said.

“Practice makes perfect.” He kissed her long and thoroughly. When he raised his head again, he said, “I’m so thankful I found you, Amelia.”

“Brand was right when he said the path we’ve walked together has been hard, but we can never forget, it’s the Lord who brought us to each other. My faith was tried, yours was found, but we’re still together and we have our love. We owe Him our thanks.”

“We’ll be thanking Him together daily, Amelia, for the blessing of our love and all the good yet to come.”

“Amen,” she said softly, still not fully believing that they would be returning to her house together, that she would no longer be living there alone, but sharing all the hours of her life with this man she’d vowed to love, honor and obey. This man she cherished.

Just when she thought he was going to take her hand and lead her into the dining room, Hank drew her into his arms. His warm breath teased her ear and sent a chill down her spine when he whispered, “Get ready, wife. I’m about to kiss you again.”