A Run for Love (10 page)

Tori dragged her tired body out of bed. So far her stomach seemed all right. Maybe the nausea would all go away soon, but the fatigue never left her. She gazed longingly at the bed, but shook her head and proceeded to wash and dress for the day. Careful not to wake the girls, she tiptoed out of the bedroom and closed the door.

Silhouettes in the kitchen became familiar objects as she lit lamps around the room. She stopped taking ingredients out of the pantry when a light tap on the back door startled her. Who else would be up this early?

Holding a heavy pan, she eased the door open. Her heart lurched at the dark shadow leaning against the doorframe. The figure moved. Broad shoulders and a confident walk relieved her, although her relief was short-lived at the determined look on Jesse’s face.

“Good morning, Miss Henderson.”

She stepped back to let him enter. Now that he’d entered the lit room, the tense set of his jaw and the glint in his eyes as they traveled over her body worried her. His gaze settled near her waist.

Feeling naked, she tossed her head back. “What are you doing here?”

“You seem to ask that question a lot, ma’am. Is there any particular reason you don’t wish to see me?”

“What do you want, Jesse? I’m busy.” She headed to the pantry, and stopped abruptly when Jesse grabbed her arm.

He attempted to smile, but didn’t quite make it. “So how’s your stomach this morning?”

This conversation wasn’t doing too much for it. “It’s fine, thank you.”

He let go of her arm and began walking in circles, tapping his mouth with his index fingers. “What do you figure the problem is?” He stopped and regarded her. “Ah, stomach flu maybe?” He resumed pacing.

She shrugged her shoulders, eyeing him carefully. “Could be.”

“Well, let’s see.” He stopped again and settled his hands on his hips. “It could be stomach flu, true, or something you ate, or drank. Or it may be something else entirely.”

The blood drained from her face and she grasped her waist. Jesse’s eyes followed the movement and he smirked.

He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll go with you to the doctor today so we can determine exactly what is causing your stomach upset, and tiredness.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, in case you’re wondering, Michael mentioned the sleepiness.”

“Michael has a big mouth,” she grumbled.

“Maybe so, but if you’re tired all the time and your stomach’s been acting up, you need to see a doctor. You have a lot of people depending on you, honey. We need to make sure you’re okay.”

“I may or may not go to the doctor. But if I do, I certainly don’t need you, Jesse Cochran, to parade me down there.”

He pushed away from the wall and walked toward her, his long legs eating up the space too quickly. He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close. “Yes, I do need to be there. I’m the father of that child you’re carrying.”

Even though she suspected Jesse knew, hearing the words spoken out loud made it all so real and much more frightening. Covering her face, she groaned.

Jesse put his hand under her chin. “How long do you think you could have kept it from me? It’s not the kind of thing that remains a secret.”

She laid her head on his warm chest. “I know. I’m trying to figure out what to do, that’s all.”

“This isn’t something that you, alone, decide what to do. I know exactly what
we’re
going to do. Today you’ll get out your best dress, make sure all the kids are scrubbed and dressed in their finery, and we’re heading to Pastor Dave to get married.”

“Married!” Tori pulled back. “I’m not getting married.”

Jesse’s jaw tightened. “What did you think you were going to do? Have a baby without a husband? You’re a teacher. What do you suppose the school board would say?”

He inhaled a huge breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “Listen, Tori. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“So enlighten me.”

He crossed to the window and stood with one arm against the frame, his back to her, head lowered. “I don’t tell a lot of people about my life, but you need to know so you can understand why your—rather our—child needs a father.

“My mother was fifteen when she gave birth to me.” He turned toward her. “She was a prostitute.”

Tori swallowed her gasp.

“You have no idea how cruel children can be.” He held up his hand before she could speak. “Don’t. I know you’re a teacher and think you know, but you can’t imagine the life of a bastard. Especially one whose mother is the local whore.”

Not wanting to interrupt what he seemed determined to tell, she stood in silence. Her heart clenched with sadness for the little boy he’d been.

“The trip I just took was to bury her.” His mouth curved into a sad smile. “Do you know who showed up for her funeral? Some of the whores she worked with. All the men who’d paraded through her life had better things to do.” His head dropped and he placed his hands on his hips. “I even had to bribe a drunken preacher who didn’t even know her to say a few words at her grave.”

He rubbed his fingers across his forehead. “I swore to myself years ago no child of mine would be shunned or picked on because of something
I
did or didn’t do.” His eyes closed briefly. “Can you understand?”

Tori dragged in a breath. “But I told you many times, I have no intention of getting married.”

“This is no longer about you. Or me, for that matter. This is about a baby. A baby we made, whether we intended to or not. We
will
do the right thing.” He lifted his chin. “You and I are getting married today.”

“I want to think about it.” She narrowed her eyes.

A soft shuffle came from the other room. Rachel entered the kitchen. “What’s all the arguing for? You woke me up.”

“Sorry, honey.” Tori glared in his direction. “Jesse was just leaving.”

“Excuse us, Rachel.” Jesse took Tori by the arm and pulled her to the front door.

“We can’t continue this discussion now,” Tori whispered furiously and glanced beyond his shoulder to the kitchen.

“You’re right for once, darlin’, because there is no discussion. You will go to your bedroom and get ready for your wedding.”

“I will not. First of all it’s way too early. The sun isn’t even up yet. Second, I have a classroom full of children to teach today, and baking to do for the restaurant.”

He leaned in close, nose to nose. “You’ll be back here this afternoon at four. I will give you exactly one hour to prepare yourself to go with me to see Pastor Dave. Do I make myself clear?”

She opened the front door. “Get out.”

He pointed his finger at her. “I’m not giving you a choice in this, Tori.”

“I said get out.” She pushed on his shoulder, but he didn’t move an inch. Like a brick wall.

“I’m going. But I
will
be back.” He pointed to the clock on the wall. “Five o’clock on the dot, one hour after you get home.”

She walked to the kitchen.

Rachel tightened her wrapper. “What was Jesse doing here so early?”

Tori’s stomach gurgled, and she raced to the chamber pot in the bedroom.

Tori checked her watch. Ten minutes to four. No point in delaying any longer. Time to leave. Not hurrying, she locked the school and walked home. It felt like a reprieve when she didn’t spot Jesse hanging outside.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she opened her front door. Before she even had one foot over the threshold, Rachel and Ellie pulled her into the house, all smiles. Both dressed in their Sunday best, they’d taken baths as well. Ellie’s hair was still damp and tiny water droplets clung to the skin beneath her ears.

“Come on, Tori, time to get ready for your wedding!” Rachel threw her arm around Tori’s shoulder.

Ellie tugged at her hand. “We have your dress all ready for you.”

Tori frowned. “What wedding?”

“Oh, Jesse said we should expect trouble. But we have everything ready. Hunter even gathered flowers for your bouquet.” Rachel took her other hand and they led her toward the kitchen.

“Mrs. Bonner has been cooking all day for the party.” Ellie twirled around the room. “I’m so excited! Jesse said he could not go another day without marrying you.” She sighed.

Tori glanced at the dress draped over a chair. Her wedding dress. Hmm. That dress might be a little snug.

Jesse’s smile flashed in her mind. He knew how to cast a web. He’d made all these arrangements, knowing she couldn’t back out without disgracing herself and disappointing her family. Drat the man.

Michael and Hunter weren’t home, most likely camped out with the enemy.

The girls had set up the tub and perfumed bath salts wafted in the air. Fresh undergarments, stockings, and her kid ankle boots waited. Someone had cleaned the soft leather.

She climbed into the tub, and her spectacles fogged up. Now if they stayed this way, she could watch the afternoon’s circus through a haze.

Rachel giggled as she rinsed soap out of Tori’s hair. “Jesse looks so handsome in his suit. Wait till you see him.”

Ha! I’d like to wait a year or two. Or more.

All scrubbed down and rinsed off, Tori climbed out of the tub and grabbed one of the towels. Ellie took her hand. The little girl’s face was flushed with eagerness.

“Sit by the window over there where the sun is so we can brush your hair dry. Jesse said to be at the church by five o’clock.”

“Jesse said, Jesse said. Jesse talks too much.”

Both girls gaped at her. Their eyes wide with excitement moments ago seemed to fade into an anxious frown. They were so happy, it would be a shame to spoil it. She needed to keep her comments to herself.

“You don’t want to be late for your own wedding.” Ellie’s eyes clouded, her voice soft. Tori reached out and gave the young girl a hug.

Tiny waves of panic edged up her throat, and her stomach clenched. Her two nieces chatted away, just bubbling over with joy, yet she couldn’t be more miserable than if she were next in line for the gallows. She liked Jesse and couldn’t deny the attraction, but she didn’t want a husband. And a charming husband scared her to death. They tended not to hang around.

Then her annoying conscience raised its righteous head. If she didn’t want a husband, charming or otherwise, she should have kept her knees locked firmly together.

What a mess!

Jesse spent the day preparing for his wedding. After he’d made the arrangements with Pastor Dave and Mrs. Bonner, he asked Rachel and Michael to invite a few friends and neighbors to their wedding. He hoped there would be a wedding anyway. His bride may not even show up. He slipped his finger into his vest pocket to touch the small gold band. That ring would adorn her finger a few minutes after five o’clock, no matter what.

A visit with Mick at the Silver Saloon would bolster his confidence. He pushed open the batwing doors and sniffed the odor of stale cigar smoke. Dim light cooled the building and stole Jesse’s vision for a minute.

“Hey, Jesse, two visits in one week. And you all dressed in your lawyerin’ clothes.” The bartender’s smile widened as he rested his palms on the bar.

Jesse nodded and placed a coin on the bar. “A beer, Mick?”

“Comin’ up.” The large Irishman poured the cold amber liquid into a glass and set it down. Elbows resting on the bar, he said, “So why the frippery and fuss?”

“Getting married today.”

“Hell and tarnation! Should I congratulate ya, or give ya a fast horse?” He guffawed at his own joke.

Jesse grinned. “No, no fast horse.” Sadness overtook him at the vision of Tori’s face when she’d spoken of her fiancé doing exactly that.

Mick ventured from behind the bar and cleared dirty glasses off a table. Dipping them into a bucket, he swirled them around, then wiped them with a grimy cloth. “So who’s the lucky lady? Or should I say unlucky lady?”

“Tori Henderson.”

“The teacher?”

Jesse nodded. “That’s the one. Got to go now.”

“Good luck.” Mick picked up Jesse’s empty glass, still chuckling.

Jesse checked his watch. Tori should be home about now getting ready. Nothing to do until five, he headed for home. Michael and Hunter should be there soon.

This felt right. He’d always wanted a family of his own. So what if they’d went out of order, becoming in the family way before they’d wed. It didn’t matter. They were right together. He and Tori got on well, at least most of the time. Her humor and compassion combined with determination and strength would make her a good wife.

His wife. Did he deserve such a woman? At times, he still bore the stink of his childhood. Unclean, indecent. At the worst possible moments, an image of the ragged, scared little boy hiding behind the bushes in the front of the church flashed in his mind. Had he really left all that behind?

Giving himself a mental shake, he softened at the image of Tori swollen with his child. Then a part of him below his waist hardened at the image of Tori, naked, swollen with his child. Re-arranging his pants, he continued on home.

Tori and Jesse stood before Pastor Dave. Church lights illuminating the sanctuary cast an ethereal glow. Tight-lipped, Jesse stared straight ahead. Tori squelched the urge to rub her elbow from when he ‘escorted’ her to the church. She’d intended to go, he didn’t have to come for her. So it took her a little longer to get ready. Did he believe she would escape? Where would she go?

Mary Jane McRae’s House. Anywhere but here.

Her stomach churned, and she kept taking in deep gulps of air in hopes to settle the unease. But, so far, nothing worked. One minute she wanted to cry, the next, giggle.

“Calm down, darlin’, it will all be over in a minute,” Jesse whispered in her ear.

“No. In a minute it will all just be starting,” she shot back, welcoming the anger that chased away the fear.

Pastor Dave cleared his throat and, giving them both a quelling look, began the ceremony. Someone sniffed behind her. Off to the side, her two nieces flushed with excitement.

Just as she considered bolting from the church, Jesse took her ice cold hands in his warm ones. She looked up at him, his eyes meeting hers. A sense of peace descended at his touch. She could do a lot worse. Here stood a man who didn’t cower from responsibility, and instead met problems head on. An honest, dependable, and caring man. Oh, not for one minute did she believe he loved her, but they had a good friendship. Many marriages started with a lot less. At least, unlike James, he showed up. She swallowed the hysterical giggle threatening to escape.

Jesse spoke his vows loud and strong, while she whispered, ”I do,” without fainting. Pastor Dave instructed Jesse to kiss the bride. Jesse studied her face for a moment, then cupped her chin with both hands and claimed her lips with a slow intimate kiss. The sense of peace grew stronger, spreading warmth throughout her body. Her breasts tingled and a slight dampness settled between her legs.

Good lord, you’re in church, for heaven’s sake!

Before her spectacles could fog up, she pulled away. Jesse cast her a rueful smile.

They ran from the church hand in hand while well-wishers shouted and threw handfuls of rice. Jesse helped her into his buggy, and they set off for The Café. When they pulled in front of the restaurant, he turned and took her still cold hands in his. “I promise you won’t be sorry, honey. This is the best thing for the baby. And I hope you know I’ll never hurt you, or turn into some tyrant you’re worried about.”

Tori regarded him for a minute, then raised one eyebrow. “We’ll see, won’t we?”

After a brief kiss, he jumped down, tying the horses to the post before helping her from the buggy. Mrs. Bonner greeted them with tears of happiness in her eyes.

Why does everyone love a wedding except me? Maybe because it’s not their wedding.

Mr. Bonner carried out platters of meat to add to the long table adorned with flowers. Within minutes, the room filled with family, friends, and neighbors. In all, about forty people. Besides Pastor Dave and his wife, the women from the funding committee and their husbands, and several clients of Jesse made up the lively crowd.

The Bonners had gone all out. It amazed her that she didn’t even know these people a few months ago, and now they were almost family.

Platters of roast beef and ham, along with salads and bowls of vegetables dripping butter and baskets of hot rolls were at one end of the table. A blue and white wedding cake, with pots of hot coffee, sugar, and cream sat at the other end.

Tori’s stomach rolled. Where to escape before she disgraced herself? As if reading her mind, Jesse grabbed her hand and hustled her out the back door to the privy.

Pale and shaking, she left the privy a few minutes later and accepted the glass of water Jesse had fetched.

Tori wiped her mouth with the handkerchief he offered her. “I’m so sorry. You went to a whole lot of trouble, and I’m just a mess.” She glanced at him. This was his wedding, too. And his bride couldn’t even stand the sight of food. Some celebration.

He pulled her into his arms, rubbing circles on her back. “No, you’re not, baby. Just a little overwhelmed. That’s what we’ll tell everyone. Now put a smile on your face and please, stay away from the food table.” He winked at her.

She chuckled for the first time all day. With his sense of humor, maybe marriage to Jesse wouldn’t be so terrible after all.

“See, I knew it. Already you’re bossing me around, making demands, and trying to control my life.” Tori paced before the fireplace in Jesse’s parlor.
I can’t believe he thinks I would do this.

He lifted his brows in polite disbelief. “I’m bossing you around because I want my wife to live with me in my house?”

“Yes. I have a perfectly good house right next door.” She stopped to glare at him.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “This is unbelievable.”

Jesse took a deep breath and lowered his voice. “Honey, husbands and wives live in the same house. It’s the way it’s done once you’re married.” He enunciated each word as if talking to a small child. “I know you don’t want me controlling your life, and I won’t. But I think it’s only reasonable to expect us to live in the same damn house.”

“Don’t swear. I have four children living next door. I can’t just leave them alone.”

“They’re not alone. As you pointed out, we’re right next door. My God, there are houses right here in this very town so big that the family bedrooms are further apart than our two houses. And Michael and Rachel are almost adults.”

Tori sighed and plopped down on the couch. “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m so tired, and I need to get up in a few hours.”

“Ah, Tori, that’s something else we need to discuss.”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“I don’t think you should be getting up so early to bake and then spend the whole day in school while you’re in this condition.”

“That’s none of your business!”

He bent his head slightly forward. “That’s not exactly true, given that ring on your finger, and that baby in your belly. You’re so tired all the time and sick in the morning and night. I think you should have Rachel take over the baking, at least for a while. That would give you more rest before you have to be at school.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Rachel can’t do that all by herself and keep up with her school work. Besides, there are only a couple more weeks before school stops until September.” She moved to get up. “Now I’m going next door to sleep.”

Jesse pulled her to him. His wrists draped over her shoulders and when he leaned his forehead to rest against hers, his breath fanned over her face. Tiny shivers flecked her skin.

“You are sleeping here, in my house, in my bed. If that’s being too bossy, then so be it.” He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Unable to speak, she concentrated on breathing until he placed her on the bed. She sank into the soft mattress. Wide eyed, she tried to scoot off, but he laughed playfully and wrapped his arm around her waist. With a quick tug, he pulled her to him, and then covered her mouth with his own warm one.

Her weak attempt to push him away failed when he took the kiss deeper and filled his hand with her full breast. She slid her arms around his neck, playing with the silky hair that hung over his collar until he groaned, the sound ripped from deep inside.

Tori couldn’t find the strength to resist him. He controlled her with his kisses and she sagged into him, lost.

He took off her spectacles and unbuttoned her dress. His fingers smoothed over her skin in a shivery caress when he pushed it off her shoulders, stopping at her waist. She sucked in a gulp of air, breathing in his scent that she remembered so well. Although sensitive due to her condition, her nipples were already firm, erect, aching for more of his touch.

He grazed her neck with his firm lips, biting lightly, then soothing with feathery kisses. Her lips parted. He took the opportunity to claim her, thrusting his tongue deep inside. Warmth spread, awakening her sensitive parts and pooling in the throbbing spot between her legs.

No restrictions now that these wonderful feelings were hers to enjoy without guilt. She unbuttoned his shirt and traced her hands over his broad chest, circling his nipple, tugging on the crisp hairs. He felt so strong, solid beneath her fingers. The ache inside her grew. Muscles rippled beneath her fingers when he pulled her closer. She closed her eyes, savoring the feelings as his hands explored her body. Heat ignited where their bodies touched. When he bent his head to circle her nipple, she pulled him closer.

His welcoming hands freed her of her confining dress, which he tossed over the back of a chair. Cool air rushed over her. With practiced movements, he untied her shoes, slipped them off, and slowly dragged each stocking down.

“Jesse.” Her body quaked as he kissed his way up her legs. She burned for this man.

The slight scrape of his rough jaw against the sensitive skin of her belly ignited her. A jolt of sensation raced to her core. She wanted him now. Ready to beg, she tried to speak, but her mouth wouldn’t cooperate.

“Let me show you how good it can be.” He eased up her body, staring in her eyes, his darkened with desire. Warm breath raised goose bumps on her sensitive skin as his tongue swirled around her ear.

She inhaled his scent, then licked the skin on his chest. He tasted salty.

Her shaky fingers tried to unbuckle his belt to push his pants down his thighs so she could touch him, pleasuring him as he pleasured her. Not moving fast enough, Jesse covered her hands with his and shoved his pants down, kicking them off. Then he removed her chemise and drawers.