Gabriel's Atonement (38 page)

She positioned two cans on a shelf to make a perfect line like Mark had showed her, and then she paused at the ready-made dresses. Mark had given her three of them as a celebration reward for leaving her family and starting life on her own. Plus he said she needed to look the part if she was going to work in his store, and wearing the dresses allowed her to tell shoppers how comfortable they were.

Footsteps sounded behind her, and she jumped and spun around. Richard, the other store clerk, wasn't due back from lunch for another half hour. Mark stood beside her, grinning. He glanced at the front of the tent then swept her into his arms, enjoying a long, slow kiss. Her heart pounded, and her breath fled as he deepened his embrace.

Reason returned, and she pushed against his chest. “Mark,” she gasped, “what if someone walked in? Are you purposely trying to ruin my reputation?”

He shrugged, and his lips tilted in a cocky grin. “You are sleeping in my tent.”

She sucked in a loud breath and slapped his arm. “But you're not there. You are staying in one of the hotel tents, and I sincerely hope you freely let others know that.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit like a cat who'd stolen his owner's meat right off his dinner plate. “I've been thinking about that. I miss my own bed. How about you and me sharing it?”

Jo batted her eyes, stunned at his suggestive comment. “I don't know what to say to such a horrid question.”

He strode to the front of the tent, flipped the flap down, and stalked back to her. “Don't play coy, Jo. You know how attracted I am to you. Having you work here, sashaying down the aisles, smelling pretty, and casting me teasing looks is driving me crazy. I care for you. I want you.”

Jo backed up, totally taken off guard. She'd never expected Mark to be so forward. “If you want me in your bed, you'll have to marry me.”

He blinked several times, frowning, then he nodded. “If that's what it takes, let's do it.”

Jo squealed and leaped into his arms. “I don't believ—”

Mark's lips crushed against hers, hard—probing. His hands roved up her spine and down low—too low. She wiggled and finally managed to get him to release her.

She bit back a smile at his puffy lips and the smoldering stare of his gaze. “When would you like to get married, Mr. Hillborne? I really think we need to discuss that important event.”

“Today. Now.”

Jo's heart paddled like a drowning woman. “Today? How? I need a dress. I have to prepare.”

Mark waved his hand around the store. “Pick out whichever one you want, and then choose a ring. I'll go find a preacher.”

She stood there in stunned shock as he ducked out of the tent, leaving the flap down. Joy replaced her surprise at his uncharacteristic behavior, but she was secretly delighted that he'd noticed her as she had him. And just think… “I'm getting married.”

She raced to the dresses. She already knew the one she wanted—the off-white satin—and lifted it down from the bar. Then she hurried to the case of rings that sat on the shelf behind the counter. The ruby ring with a quartet of diamonds shone up at her. Every night, she'd carried the case to Mark's tent for safekeeping and had tried on each ring, more than once. The ruby one was her favorite, and it fit the best.

She spun around, happier than she'd ever been. Too bad Alma Lou wasn't here to celebrate with her. And to think, she was getting married before her friend.

Richard moseyed in, picking at his teeth with a toothpick. He stopped short and stared at her. “What's going on? Are you pretending to be a bride again?”

Jo beamed him a smile. “No pretending today. Mark and I are getting married.”

Richard's eyes bulged. “Well, now, I shouldn't be surprised. I've seen the way he looks at you. Congratulations.”

“Thank you. I suppose you can open the store since you're back. I need to get dressed.”

She rushed away, enjoying the swish of the gown in her arms and the feel of the warm silver of the ring on her index finger. Wouldn't Lara be surprised to find out she was married?

E
xcitement bubbled through Lara as Gabe drove the wagon through the streets of Guthrie. He had ridden to town yesterday and made an appointment with a minister to marry them. She peered at him, admiring his handsome, manly profile. His skin had quickly darkened as he worked in the sun each day, and his body had slimmed from the first time she'd met him. Her soon-to-be husband was a fine-looking man. But even better, he was now a godly man.

“You're staring.” Gabe slid a glance her way and winked.

Heat warmed her cheeks, and she looked away, studying the town. Had only a week passed since they'd left Jo here? Where was she? Had she found work? Was she safe? The questions haunted her daily, but all she could do was pray for her sister.

Her only regret was that none of her family would be at her wedding. Grandpa was on the tail end of a bout of swamp fever and not up to the long trip to town. Gabe told her Luke had suggested they might like to spend their wedding night in town alone, so he offered to keep Michael and check on Grandpa.

“I want to stop at Hillborne's so you can pick out a ring.”

“I don't need a ring, Gabe. We need so many other things that it seems frivolous to purchase a ring.”

Gabe pulled the wagon to a stop in front of Mark Hillborne's store. “It doesn't to me.” He grinned. “Consider it a brand.”

She jerked around to face him. “A what?”

He picked up her hand and rubbed his thumb up and down her ring finger. “A brand of sorts. I want every man who sees you to know you're taken. That you're mine.”

“Oh.” Inside, she glowed with love for this man. “In that case, I will accept your ring.”

“Good.” He squeezed her hand. “Because I was going to get one anyway.” He hopped down and hurried around to help her down. “I'm curious to see who Mark married. When I stopped by yesterday, his clerk said he'd up and gotten married, all of a sudden.”

“That sounds odd, but then maybe it wasn't quite as sudden as the man thought. Surely Mr. Hillborne doesn't talk about his private life with his help.”

“That may be true.” He offered his arm. “But I don't care to talk about Mark's new wife. I want one of my own, so c'mon.”

Blushing again, Lara took his arm and allowed him to lead her into the store. Her gaze shot to the nearest rack of thread and sewing notions. Gabe wanted her to pick out some fabric or several ready-made dresses, especially one to get married in. But she'd never had a store-bought dress before. That, too, seemed frivolous, but since she didn't have fabric or time to make the dress she had agreed. She searched for the dresses then moved toward them while Gabe strode to the back to talk to the man at the counter.

“I hear congratulations are in order.” Gabe reached out his hand, and Mark shook it.

Lara glanced at the handsome store owner then sorted through the dozen dresses. She passed a brown calico with small yellow flowers and a dark blue one with stripes, and her hand halted on a beautiful pale green gown. It was far too fancy for everyday use, but she could save it for a Sunday dress once they found a church to attend. She held out the princess-style skirt, admiring the lovely color and the deep gathers in the back that added fullness. The matching waist-length jacket even had leg-o'-mutton sleeves.

“That's pretty. It almost matches your eyes.” Gabe smiled, appreciation in his gaze.

Lara held it up. “I think it will fit, but I'd rather not spend the money for it without trying it on.” She glanced around. “Do you suppose there is someplace where I can?”

“Let me ask Mark.” He spun around. “Is there somewhere my bride-to-be can try on this gown?”

“I don't have a dressing room yet, but you're welcome to use my tent. I'm sure my wife won't mind. She's due to come back in here soon anyway.”

“See,” Gabe said as he took the dress from her. He turned back to Mark. “Just point the way, if you will.”

Mark lifted a flap at the back of his tent, and they walked outside. He pointed to a smaller tent only twenty feet away. “Right over there.”

Lara looked at Mr. Hillborne. “Um…maybe you should prepare your wife. We can't exactly knock on the door.”

He glanced back at the store. “If you two will keep an eye on my stock, I'll let her know.”

“Happy to.” Gabe moved back inside the store a few feet and faced the front, even though they were the only customers.

Mr. Hillborne ducked into his tent and returned shortly with a woman in tow, wearing a lovely blue dress. Lara heard a gasp and lifted her gaze to the woman's face. “Jo!” She rushed forward but halted halfway when her sister didn't approach her. Jo looked less than thrilled to see her. “I've been worried sick.”

“There was no need. I found a job within a few minutes of arriving in town, and as you can see, I am married now.” She cozied up to Mark, whose face held a curious look.

“You two know each other?” he asked.

Jo's lips pinched, but when she gazed up at Mark, her expression turned all lovey-dovey. Lara's stomach ached. Had Jo married a man she'd only known a few days?

“Lara is my sister,” Jo admitted to Mark as she turned back to Lara. “Go on in and try on the dress. It's time for me to get back to work.” Jo marched past her with no further comment.

Lara's heart nearly broke in half.

Gabe narrowed his gaze as Jo passed by then hurried to Lara's side. “Are you all right?”

“No, but that doesn't matter.”

Mark walked up to her. “I apologize, Miss Jensen. I knew Jo had a sister, but I had no idea that you lived nearby. She doesn't like to talk about her family.”

“The name is Mrs. Talbot—for another hour, anyway.” She smiled at Gabe. “It's all right, Mr. Hillborne. You couldn't have known.”

“Well, please, go on in and try on the dress. We'll wait out here.”

Lara no longer cared about the dress, but this was Gabe's wedding day, too, and she wouldn't let her sister's bad attitude ruin it. “Thank you.” She turned to Gabe. “Why don't you pick out a ring and surprise me.”

“Are you sure?”

She nodded.

Mr. Hillborne stepped forward. “If you'll allow me to look at your ring finger, I can show Gabe all the ones in your size.”

Numbly, she held out her hand. He barely touched her finger then nodded. Lara stepped inside her sister's domain, not the least bit surprised to find it in disarray. The beautiful four-poster bed wasn't even made, and clothes littered it. Mark had obviously been generous, as two new dresses hung in an open wardrobe, and another lay across a chair. Lara hurried to dress then crossed to the full-length mirror in the corner. She gasped at the sight of herself in a new gown. It was the first store-bought dress she'd ever owned, and it was lovely. She patted several curls that had sprung free on the ride to town. At least she would look pretty for Gabe on their wedding day.

She rolled up her old dress and hurried out of the tent. She couldn't yet think of her sister as a married woman, even though she was. As she reached the store opening, she paused. What she'd like to do was march straight to the wagon and wait for Gabe there, but that would be wrong. And she wanted her sister at
her
wedding, even if she hadn't been invited to Jo's.
Help me, Lord
.

Lara stepped into the store, and Gabe's appreciative gaze shot to her. He let out a slow whistle that made her cheeks burn. She hurried toward him and leaned close. “Please behave,” she whispered.

Gabe winked and turned to Mark. “We'll take the dress and the other things.”

“Good. Come to the end of the counter, and I'll tally them up while the ladies talk.”

Jo busied herself arranging perfume bottles. She picked up a duster and bustled across the store to the canned goods and started wiping them off.

Lara followed. “Jo, can we please talk?”

“What is there to say?” Jo sidestepped to the next set of shelves. “You're getting married, even though Tom is barely cold in his grave. I'm married and quite happy, as you can see.”

“I can't see that, but I hope it's true.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “I can't believe you married a man you've only known a few days.”

Jo barked a loud laugh and spun around. “I met him back in Caldwell. I've known him every bit as long as you've known Gabe. Besides, you have no say in the matter as I see it.”

Lara sighed. “Please, Jo. I don't want to fight with you.”

“Then what
do
you want?”

She looked at her sister, still a child in so many ways but all grown up in others. “I'd like for you to stand up with me at my wedding today.”

The color washed from Jo's face for a moment before she seemed to regain her composure. “Thank you for asking, but I need to work. Mark has an appointment soon, and this is Richard's day off. We'd have to close the store and leave it unguarded, and I'm sure you understand why we can't do that.”

What she understood was clear. Jo didn't want to attend her wedding or have anything to do with her. At least she could make a gracious exit and ease both of their pain. “I understand. It was good to see you and to know that you're doing well. I wish you and Mark the best.” She spun around and hurried to the front entrance. “Gabe, I'll be waiting in the wagon.”

Lara rushed out, determined not to cry. This was her wedding day, after all, and she wouldn't have Gabe marrying a red-faced woman with wet eyelashes. She carefully climbed onto the wagon, making sure to not snag her new dress. She wished Grandpa could have come to her wedding, but then she was glad he didn't have to see Jo acting as cold as she was. It would have hurt him terribly.