Adam, Devils on Horseback: Generations, Book 1 (6 page)

“What is it?” Mrs. Sheridan had her hair up in a kerchief and wore a well-used canvas apron. Her brows drew together. “Did Zeke do something after we left?”

Adam’s mouth twisted. “Never mind Zeke. I have to tell you and Pa something.”

“He’s down by the paddle wheel. Something’s been chewing on the bottom paddle, so he’s watching to make sure it’s not affecting the motion.” She walked toward a door in the back.

Eve’s stomach trembled with anticipation. She hadn’t been in such a situation before. There wasn’t much she couldn’t talk her way out of, or possibly charm her way out of. She wasn’t embarrassed that she had also used tears. The important thing to her was to emerge unscathed, no matter how she accomplished it.

Now she was not only going to marry a man, but she would promise herself to him. Did Eve know what a promise was? She had only herself to take care of. Truth was, she didn’t want to be responsible for him, no matter if he was a good person and she wasn’t.

Eve knew she wouldn’t stay for good. She would, however, enjoy it, if at all possible. Survival could mean good things as well as bad things. One good thing was exploring the passion Adam had ignited when he kissed her. The heat from that encounter still lingered.

The three of them walked down a set of stairs with a sturdy handrail. The sound of the rushing water surrounded her as a fine spray of cool water decorated her like a cloud. She marveled at the power of the wooden wheel and the river that drove it.

Mr. Sheridan squatted at the base of the wheel, peering at it. He saw them coming down the stairs and got to his feet with a frown.

What’s wrong?
he mouthed.

Mrs. Sheridan shrugged and pointed at Adam and Eve.

Adam led all of them a good distance away where the thunder of the water was a dull roar. He took Eve’s hand with a damp one of his own and faced his parents.

“We’re getting married.”

Mrs. Sheridan frowned. “I thought we had agreed to wait two weeks.” She tried to catch Eve’s gaze, but Eve kept her focus on a spot in the distance.

“Today.” Adam dropped that on them like a stone.

Mr. Sheridan shook his head. “You need to think about—”

“I have and Eve has said yes. We’re going to find Reverend Rockwell and get married at five o’clock today.” Adam’s voice was as powerful as the machinery in the mill. She was surprised by how much that affected her.

“Why?” Mrs. Sheridan put her hands on her hips. “You’ve only known her two days.”

“We’ve made the choice.” Adam put his arm around Eve’s shoulders. “You told me you knew Pa was the right person for you straight away.”

“That was a different situation. A different time.” Mrs. Sheridan’s eyes lit with anger. “Don’t twist the truth to suit your foolish choice.”

Adam’s arm tightened. “And don’t think to change my mind. It’s my life and I’ve made my choice. So has Eve. She said yes and that’s that.”

His parents looked at each other, communicating without saying a word. Mr. Sheridan shook his head while his mother looked as though she would go find the nearest shotgun.

“I know I’m not your first choice for your son, but he’s a good man. I’m honored he wants to marry me.” Eve had learned early on to keep most of what she said as truth. Lying was a bad habit to get into. If she kept her words to at least a shade of honesty, then it was easier to say and remember.

“I don’t know that I believe you.”

“Mama! You don’t have to like my choices, but you’re going to have to accept them.” Adam’s gaze locked with his mother’s. “I don’t want to get married without you, but I will. Don’t make me choose between my family and my future with Eve.”

The older woman folded her arms. “You’ll regret marrying in haste. I’m certain of it, but I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you.” Adam squeezed Eve’s shoulder.

He had no idea he was marrying a natural-born chameleon. Eve would become his wife well enough to fool even herself.

Chapter Five

Adam had struggled most of his life to make the right choices. With parents who supported him, no matter what, making a mistake had consequences. Yet he was forgiven too easily. He couldn’t tell his mother that her love had been too strong. Not when he knew there were people without a family.

This was the first time in his life they hadn’t supported him and it hurt. More than he thought possible. The impulse to marry her right away had been strong, had felt so right he couldn’t back away from it. No matter how much his parents’ disapproval cut. They’d suggested marriage, but apparently within two days of meeting Eve wasn’t what they had in mind.

He’d always wanted to be more like Spencer. His cousin was the black sheep, with a clear line between right and wrong, who delighted in crossing it. Marrying Eve two days after meeting her straddled that line. Adam wouldn’t call it wrong, but it didn’t feel completely right.

That made him want to do it even more.

He walked into the church at ten minutes to five and found his family there, along with his aunts, uncles and cousins. They were a noisy bunch, their voices echoing off the timbers of the high-ceilinged building. He remembered when the town had constructed the church when he was ten.

The building had grown a bit run-down and needed to be painted, the white chips peeling from the outside. The pews were scratched and a few had missing boards. There were a few Bibles scattered about that had seen better days. Every year the money from the bake sale at the Founder’s Day celebration went to the church, but it apparently wasn’t enough to do what needed doing. Tanger needed to support its church better and donate to shine it up like a new penny.

Today the church had more meaning for Adam. It would be where he moved from being a young man into a husband. He was nervous but sure he was doing the right thing. It didn’t matter that they didn’t know each other. Adam had always trusted his gut and it was telling him Eve was the real thing. She would be his wife and they would grow old together for good.

His father waited at the end of the rows of pews, his expression sharp. Knowing Pa, he would have something to say, but he always let his children make their mistakes, regardless of the aftermath. It wasn’t a typical way to be a father, but it worked. Adam hesitated to make mistakes because of the talks with Pa afterwards.

They were never pleasant.

This time Adam didn’t plan to have another conversation, because this wedding was
not
a mistake. It was the right thing to do. Oh, he expected to catch hell from his uncle Nate and aunt Elisa, as well as their children Jesse and Tabitha, for not letting them know ahead of time. They lived a few days’ ride away, so there was no help for it.

Everyone would have an opportunity to get to know Eve. A lifetime of moments. He noted his aunt Naomi, uncle Gideon and aunt Chloe, uncle Lee and aunt Ginny, as well as all four of his sisters, including Ann’s and Mary’s husbands, crowded into the pews on the right side of the church. Uncle Zeke and Mama were missing. No doubt helping Eve.

Rose sat on the bride’s side of the church, her chin propped up on the end of the pew. He stopped and patted her head. “Thank you, squirt.”

She beamed at him and straightened up. He was proud of her for thinking of Eve having no family to attend the ceremony. No one would say the Sheridans didn’t have a good heart, most of all the youngest daughter.

“She doesn’t have a family, Adam.”

He frowned. “I know.”

“She doesn’t remember her mama.” Rose’s frown likely mirrored his own.

“She’s an orphan. You know what that means.”

Rose nodded. “Of course I do. I told her we could be her family now.”

Adam’s smiled broadened and he hugged his youngest sister quickly. “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but you’re my favorite.”

She giggled. Adam left her to be the only member on the bride’s side and walked toward the altar.

The preacher, Reverend Obadiah Rockwell, waited at the front of the church. The middle-aged widower had brown hair and brown eyes. He had moved to Tanger five years earlier and replaced the cleric who had lived in town for most of Adam’s life.

“Good afternoon, Adam.” The other man held out his hand and Adam shook it.

“Thank you for doing this on short notice, Reverend.” Adam reached into his pocket for two of his precious dollar notes. He pressed them into the preacher’s hand. It was worth the money he’d saved for years. They would have only one wedding. Adam would be marrying her for life. What was two dollars?

“Thank you for the donation.” Obadiah tucked away the money and held up his Bible. Adam noted it was in as poor condition as the others. The church needed funds badly. Perhaps his two dollars would help replace at least one Bible. “If you’re ready, we can begin.”

Pa walked up the aisle and poked his head outside. After a murmured conversation, he opened the door and the sunshine streamed in, outlining the woman who walked toward him. Uncle Zeke held her arm and Adam was blinded by the beautiful woman who was about to be his wife.

She wore a gingham dress with blue squares and a lace collar. Her dark hair was swept up into a fancy knot at the back of her neck. She clutched a bouquet of wildflowers that complemented her dress. He’d never seen a more breathtaking sight.

As she walked down the aisle, he noted the flower petals trembled a smidgen and she kept her gaze on her feet. Adam straightened his shoulders and made a silent vow she would never be unsure of him as her husband.

Zeke handed her over to Adam with his typical one brow raised. “You be good to this lady or you’ll answer to me.”

Although it irked him to have his uncle question Adam’s motives, it made him feel good to know they already accepted Eve. She would be important to him and, eventually, to his family.

Her hands were cold as ice in his, but he held on, giving her his warmth and his sureness.

Obadiah began the ceremony, and within ten minutes, he closed the tattered Bible. “You may kiss your bride.”

Adam blinked. He’d missed the ceremony, but he’d apparently said all the appropriate responses. Eve watched him with a wary expression. He smiled and bent down to kiss her.

Compared to the passionate, lip-melting session the day before, the wedding kiss was tame. Her lips were as cool as the rest of her.

There were no cheers and whoops behind them. It was strangely silent. His family pumped hands and congratulated them, but it lacked the excitement of any wedding he’d attended. Eve was silent, except to murmur a thank-you.

The minister pulled Eve aside and spoke to her as Adam endured his family’s congratulations. Adam was a little dazed by the fact he was now married.

He had a
wife
.

Holy shit.

Eve stared into the dark eyes of the minister. He was speaking to her softly so she had to strain to hear him.

“Welcome to Tanger, Mrs. Sheridan.”

She found a shaky smile. “Thank you, Reverend.”

“I’ll be ministering to you from now on. Are you a church-going woman, ma’am?” He blocked her view of Adam. His shoulders were wide for a man of the cloth.

“Not particularly, but I’ll do as my husband asks me to.” She tried to move around him, but he shifted.

“I’d like your promise you will attend services on Sunday.” He smiled and she wondered why it looked more like a teeth baring. She’d been suspicious of people for far too long if she saw evil in a man of God.

“I’ll do my best to attend. I haven’t talked to Adam on visiting plans and all.” She tried to sound her most demure. “Thank you for marrying us today. I know it was short notice.”

“Anything for the Sheridans and Blackwoods.” Obadiah held his Bible close to his chest. It was in sorry shape, from what she could see. Perhaps the good people of Tanger didn’t help their church as much as they should. The reverend was likely trying to get more young people to attend. “You look familiar to me, my dear, do we know each other?”

Eve managed to keep her discomfort tucked down inside her. “I don’t think so. I’ve only been in town a few days.”

“Have you ever been in Galveston?” His eyes probed hers with a startling intensity.

“No, I haven’t,” Eve lied with all the innocence she could muster. She’d lived in Galveston for two years, working at a hospital. She’d had to escape after being discovered by a ghost from her past. The minister’s question made her wonder why he would pick that city, of all the places in Texas.

“Hm, I suppose you have a face like someone I’ve met before.” He took her hand in one clammy paw. “Congratulations, Mrs. Sheridan.”

“Thank you.” She managed to disengage her hand, move around him and rejoin her husband. She didn’t suspect the man of anything nefarious, but she was always on her guard. Eve couldn’t attend church, no matter if Adam did. People who tried to pry into her past were to be avoided. She would come up with some excuse for missing services.

The day had ended with a wedding and the night would begin with a supper to celebrate the occasion. She wasn’t sure if she had been ready for either of them.

Eve had very little she could call her own, except for a few articles of clothing, pieces of jewelry made from paste and a hat. The black rock Adam had given her now had a place of honor amongst her things.

Moving into the Sheridan house had shown her how much she didn’t have. As Adam’s wife, she had been overwhelmed by his family’s generosity. They’d given her a dress to wear, walked her down the aisle and welcomed her into their midst.

She still wasn’t sure of how all of them were related, but they certainly treated each other as the closest of family.

* * * * *

After everyone moved to the Sheridans’ house for a postwedding supper, she watched the Sheridans and their friends with the skill of someone used to observing. Eve knew how to fit in, how to mold herself into what others expected. These Tanger residents were like nothing she’d ever experienced.

Gideon and Jake were the closest in looks, although one was a redhead and the other had curly brown hair. The other two were older blond men, Zeke and Lee, and definitely brothers, although Lee was missing most of his left arm. All their children knew each other and varied in ages from as young as Rose to early twenties. Some were married, but most were not. They all spoke to each other, but no one approached her.

Eve was afraid to speak to anyone because she knew she was an imposter. A charlatan who had taken advantage of a man’s kind heart, no matter that she hadn’t planned on the theft. Survival required sacrifices and Eve had given many throughout her life. Today she would try to enjoy whom she’d become, Mrs. Adam Sheridan, even if it was a skin she could never get used to wearing.

Adam’s mother and the other women had made coffee for everyone, and ham with bread had appeared on the table in the kitchen. It wasn’t much of a wedding supper, but there had been no time to prepare a proper meal.

Mr. Sheridan left not long after everyone arrived. His expression was flat, which Eve hadn’t seen before. He was someone who smiled often and liked to talk. Today, though, he was quiet and withdrawn, which told her he still didn’t approve of the wedding. He appeared to accept it as inevitable but didn’t want to celebrate it.

That made her sad and let a bit of regret dance around on her conscience. She pushed it aside. Today she survived and tomorrow she would thrive.

Eve huddled in the corner of the kitchen and sipped at the hot brew. She watched the laughter, the genuine affection on people’s faces and the congratulations the cousins offered Adam. The aunts and uncles were more subdued, talking in low tones to each other. A few glanced at her with concern, but no malice or accusatory frowns.

She managed not to cling to Adam, although it was a near thing. Eve wanted to hang on to him as an anchor in the unfamiliar sea in which she swam. She wasn’t afraid, just uncertain. He was easy to spot, tall and redheaded as he was. His laugh was deep and booming as one of his cousins said something that elicited the humor.

Eve hadn’t heard him laugh before. She’d married him and he’d never once laughed with her.

Sadness again settled over her heart at the thought. Adam knew what he was doing when he proposed, especially considering the marriage today was his idea. She shouldn’t be feeling low because they were strangers. There was no artifice to their relationship, which was new to her.

They would get along well enough for a time. Eve would know when that time was over and she would move on. Adam would be grateful when that happened, she was sure of it. People weren’t meant to stay their whole lives together. Circumstances and emotions got in the way of happiness, and who wanted to live like that?

A few folks headed for the door and the thought of a wedding night flitted through Eve’s mind. She certainly knew what happened between a man and a woman. She had guarded her body and the value it held. She had protected herself for the last five years, another reason she carried a knife on her thigh.

Curiosity and excitement pushed aside any fear she might have. Sex between a husband and wife was older than time. There was no shame to be excited about it. Eve wanted to enjoy her wedding night with her new husband. Maybe she would.

A sound rose in the distance, one she didn’t recognize. It grew in volume until everyone in the house stopped to listen. It sounded like an animal in pain. No, not in pain, in
agony
.

Mrs. Sheridan dropped her mug of coffee, the brown liquid splashing up in an arc on her yellow dress. She ran for the door, followed by Adam and his uncles. Eve remembered Mr. Sheridan had left earlier and hadn’t returned.

Dread and fear tightened around her heart as she followed everyone out the door and toward the mill. A woman’s scream split the air. Eve ran as fast as she could, only to run into a crowd of big men packed into the mill.

“Jake! Oh my God, Jake.” Mrs. Sheridan’s voice echoed through the building.

The smell of blood hit Eve first.

She moved faster, pushing people out of her way. By the time she reached the center, a full minute had passed, but it felt more like an hour.