Donovan's Daughter (The Californians, Book 4) (16 page)

"I don't believe this will be a mistake, Marcail. It's true
that we don't know each other, but I've prayed for a long
time about another wife. And now you need to either
leave town or take a husband. If you choose the latter, I'm
more than willing to be that man."

It was one of the most precious things Marcail had
ever had said to her. A peace settled over her as she
looked into the kind eyes of this gentle stranger. Her
expression was serene when she nodded her head. Alex
took her hand within his own and led her out to stand
before the preacher.

Marcail Montgomery stood in the kitchen of the little
house next to the school and knew that she would not be
back, at least not to live. After leaving Austins, Alex had
dropped her off so she could collect her things. Now she
was ready and feeling just a bit bewildered over the
events of the day. One hour ago she had married a near
stranger.

Her mind moved abruptly to her brother, Sean, who
had been forced into a marriage with his wife, Charlotte.
When Marcail had first heard their story and seen the
love that had grown between them, she thought it was
the most romantic thing on earth. But in truth, this
business of being married to a stranger was rather frightening.

A knock at the door interrupted Marcail's tempestuous thoughts. She hadn't heard Alex's horse, and not
wanting to see anyone from town, she opened the door
tentatively. Allie stood on the porch, her face a mask of
pain. Marcail swung the door wide and as soon as it
closed, the friends embraced.

"I'm sorry, Marcail. I'm so sorry." Allie was openly
sobbing. "I feel just awful about last week, but Mama insisted I stay away." Allie sniffed, calmed somewhat,
and then went on quietly.

"I told her you weren't guilty of anything, but she just
kept saying I wasn't to have anything to do with you. We
had a big fight just now, and I stormed out and came over
here. My only regret is that I didn't do it a week ago."

"Oh, Allie-"

"Don't say it, Marcail," Allie cut her off. "Mama is in
the wrong. If we've had a fight, it's our own fault not
yours."

Marcail felt terrible, but stayed quiet. She watched as
Allie suddenly noticed the table where her one bag sat,
filled once again with her belongings. The shopping
basket that Mr. Vesperman had given her, filled with the
few food items she'd had on hand, was also on the table.

"Where are you going?" Allie asked, her eyes begging
Marcail not to leave.

"Dr. Montgomery and I were married an hour ago.
When he saw how impossible it was for me here, he
offered his hand. He'll be here any minute to take me..."
Marcail hesitated, "home."

Allie burst into tears all over again, and nothing Marcail could say would comfort her.

"This isn't what you want, Marcail," Allie wailed.
"That old hag on the hill has forced you into this, and I
know you'll just be miserable."

"I'm all right, Allie, really," Marcail tried to assure
her. After a few moments the older girl calmed down
enough to listen.

'Alex has been very kind, Allie, and I agreed to marry
him. No one is forcing me. I'm sure it's going to be a little
strange at first, but I'm trusting God to take care of me
and the marriage."

Allie nodded, the misery on her face receding. Although she didn't agree with Marcail's belief that Jesus Christ was God, she admired her for her faith and stamina.
The young women continued to talk for a few minutes,
and when Allie saw that Marcail was really all right, she
said she had to be going. They planned to talk again
soon, and the new Mrs. Montgomery saw her friend to
the door.

Marcail, thinking Allie was alone, was surprised to
find Seth Porter outside in the cold, waiting in a small
buggy. He didn't seem put out; his warm smile and wave
were genuine. He jumped easily to the ground to assist
Allie with tender care into the small seat. As they drove
away, Seth's arm around Allie, Marcail couldn't help but
envy the obvious love between them.

Alex walked out of the barn with Kelsey, wishing, not
for the first time, that he owned a buggy. He had a
feeling that Marcail would never complain, but he certainly wished he didn't have to take his bride home on
the front of his horse.

As it turned out, Alex found himself wishing Marcail
would complain, or at least say something. She was totally
silent on the ride to the house. He hadn't expected her to
share her life story the first evening, but her silence
concerned him.

The reason didn't really occur to him until he saw her
into the house. Then he noticed that she looked everywhere but the bedroom. He thought to bring up the
subject of their sleeping arrangements after supper, but
since his wife was obviously scared to death, he knew
he'd have to mention it as soon as he got in from the
barn.

Marcail's view of Alex's house was vastly different this
time-she knew it was now her home. Standing in the
opening between the kitchen area and the living room,
she looked her fill. Nothing had changed except herself.

At last Marcail forced herself to look toward the bedroom door. Her lower lip went unconsciously between
her teeth. This was her wedding night, and she was
terrified. Marcail and Kaitlin had talked on several occasions, and her older sister had assured her with complete
confidence that there was nothing whatsoever to be
afraid of when a husband and wife loved each other. It
was glaringly evident at the moment, however, that
Katie had never mentioned the possibility of the couple
not loving each other.

Alexander returned to the house to find Marcail's face
completely drained of color, and his bride biting on her
lower lip as though she no longer had need of it.

"Marcail," Alex spoke her name and watched as she
turned to him with wide, terrified eyes. That she'd been
working herself into a fine state of panic was obvious.

"Marcail," he started again. "I don't feel there is any
reason to rush anything. I mean, we both need some
time to feel a little more comfortable with each other."

Marcail looked very surprised at this announcement.
What she couldn't know was that the fear Alex saw on
her face was enough to stop him in his tracks. The last
thing he wanted was to scare her, and since she'd already
been doing a fine job of that herself, he knew that his
next words, although difficult, were necessary.

"I want you to take the bedroom, and I'll sleep out
here on the sofa."

"Do you mean that?"

Alex nodded, seeing that he'd instantly freed her from
a load of fear. He moved toward the bedroom, intending to clear some dresser drawers for her, but spun back on
her softly spoken "No."

"I mean," Marcail explained to Alex's shocked countenance, "that you should stay in the bedroom and I'll take
the sofa."

"No, I think-" Alex began to protest, but Marcail
forestalled him.

"It's silly for you to be on a sofa that's obviously too
small for you. I would fit very nicely, and I won't put you
out of your bed."

Alex was shaking his head, and Marcail asked him a
question that settled the entire argument.

"How well did you sleep on the sofa the night I was
here?"

Alex opened his mouth and then shut it again. She
was right, but he wanted to make her feel comfortable
and at home, and he knew she would have less privacy
in the living room.

Marcail could see she had won, and with a decisive
nod of her head took her bag into the living room and set
it next to the sofa.

Marcail was up, dressed, and out of the house Monday morning before Alex stirred. It felt odd for her to
wake up in his home, and Marcail, not knowing Alex's
schedule, had been careful not to wake him. She skipped
breakfast in order to be quiet, but she had packed some
bread and two cookies for lunch.

As she moved toward the schoolhouse, Marcail skirted
the sloppy areas of the road where the snow had melted
into giant puddles. She prayed that her class would
arrive as Alex predicted. Questions ran through her
mind about what she would do if the children didn't
show, but she prayed and gave her worry to God every
time it reared its ugly head.

The stove was a bit stubborn, but Marcail was determined to ward off the chill in the air. The logs had finally
lit when Alex walked in and joined her by the stove.
Marcail felt herself blushing, although she didn't know
why.

"Good morning." Alex's voice had that distinct early
morning growl.

"Good morning."

"Do you always come to school this early?" he asked
his new wife.

"Only on Mondays. The stove hasn't been lit all weekend, and I usually need a little more time."

"It didn't look as though you had any breakfast or even
coffee. Were you afraid of waking me?"

Marcail looked uncomfortable. "I'll be all right, and I
have some bread for lunch."

"Maybe we should sit down tonight and compare
schedules. I like to get up early, and I never intended for
you to walk all this way in the mud."

"Please don't feel like you need to give me a ride, Alex.
I really didn't mind the walk."

Alex didn't reply right away. "I'll see you this afternoon. Have a good time with the kids today."

With that, Alex cupped Marcail's jaw in his longfingered hand and placed a kiss on the tiny mole that sat
at the corner of her mouth. He had kissed her the same
way moments after they'd been pronounced husband
and wife.

Alex didn't look back as he left or he'd have found his
wife watching him, her lower lip tucked neatly between
her teeth, and her finger on the spot he'd just kissed.