Brazos Bride (5 page)

Judge Henderson stood in front of the unlit fireplace and opened his Bible. His face displayed uncertainty. “Hope stand here.” He gestured beside her and frowned. “Groom here.”

Hope took her place in front of the judge, with Micah beside her. She knew the judge wasn’t pleased she had pressured him into officiating. Right now, she didn’t care what others thought, not as long as the wedding was legal. And soon.

“
Wait, dear,” Mrs. Henderson said. “Let me play a few nice hymns on the piano.”

“
Well, get on with it,” snapped her husband.

Leaning on Micah’s arm for support, Hope couldn’t have told anyone what songs Mrs. Henderson chose. Too much had happened today, and weakness dragged at Hope. She looked up at Micah.

His tanned skin had paled and she suspected he was as nervous as she was. Her groom offered her a gentle smile, which lit his gray-blue eyes and softened the planes of his face, allowing his dimples to appear. How handsome he looked. Resisting her attraction to him was difficult, but necessary.

Zach, Theresa, John, and the Henderson’s maid were the only other guests. Hope needed the signed wedding certificate to prove her marriage. With a twinge of annoyance, she listened to the judge’s admonition once more that the husband was the head of the household.

Not my household
,
she thought, but kept her silence.
I’ll never again allow any man to control or mistreat me.

Judge Henderson looked at her kindly. “Do you, Hope Isabel Montoya, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, to love, honor, and obey till death do you part?”

Hope swallowed. How could she lie? “Judge, could you leave off the last part? You saw the agreement, sir. Please do not ask us to ruin the ceremony with lies.”

She heard Mrs. Henderson gasp. Micah looked down at Hope, but she couldn’t read his thoughts. Likely the others in the room thought she’d asked too much.

Judge Henderson stared at her. She feared she’d pushed him too much, crossed the line, and he’d refuse to go through with the marriage.

He took a deep breath. “I see what you mean. I still think this is a mistake, but I understand there are extenuating circumstances. All right, if you insist, we’ll try again. Do you, Hope Isabel Montoya, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”

With a huge sigh of relief, Hope said, “I do.”

Micah held his breath. Was he making a big mistake?

He needed the water for his cattle.

He needed the cash.

He
wanted
Hope Montoya.

Would she change her mind about the annulment?
Not a chance
. What would a woman like her want with a rough character like him except his hired gun?

Judge Henderson peered at him, and Micah detected sympathy on the older man’s face. Did he suspect how Micah felt about Hope?

“
Do you, Micah Luke Stone, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, to honor her and cherish her?”

“
I do.” Micah placed his hand over Hope’s where hers rested on the crook of his arm for support. She didn’t pull away. Her soft hand was cold as ice. Was her heart as frosty?

“
I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Could he?

Would she allow it?

Micah lowered his head and brushed a kiss across Hope’s upturned mouth. Her eyes were closed. Her lips were soft and sweet. Then she pulled away and they turned to face the others in the room.

Judge Henderson said, “I present Mr. and Mrs. Micah Stone.”

Slaps on the back from Zach and John and a handshake from the Judge made this seem like a real wedding.

Hell, it
was
a real wedding. Micah wondered how he'd feel if Hope really were his bride in every sense?

Damned if he wouldn’t do his best to convince her theirs was a marriage worth preserving.

Mrs. Henderson produced a pound cake. “This isn’t what I’d have served with more notice, but it’s still a cake. There’s lemonade, too.”

Hope kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Mrs. Henderson. Mama would thank you, too, if she were here.”

Mrs. Henderson dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. “I feel almost as if you were my own daughter, Hope. I do want you to finally be happy.”

Wondering what Mrs. Henderson meant by
finally
, Micah stood by Hope's side while she cut the dessert. As if in a trance, he caught himself acting like an ordinary groom.

Chattering with excitement, Theresa served the guests.

Hope hugged the Judge. “Oh, thank you for your help, Judge Henderson.” Hope’s gaze sought each of those gathered. “Thanks to each of you.”

Micah admired Hope's planning. He figured no one would question the validity of documents bearing the judge's signature. Everyone must recognize the marriage as legal, and their agreement as binding.

Unless something happened to Hope. Then he'd be sure to get the blame and, instead of saving his ranch, likely his gamble would have him swinging from a tree.

Chapter Six

The noose of fear and dread that had tightened around Hope's neck had loosened when Micah said, “I do.” She thought surely no bride and groom had ever been more somber during a marriage ceremony than she and Micah. A make-believe marriage brought her a measure of security, but not joy. Only knowing the ceremony completed another step of her plan to stay alive brought any pleasure. Believing she no longer presented an easy target lightened her mood and lessened her fatigue.

She still had to discover who was trying to poison her. With a husband in line to inherit her ranch if she died, surely the killer would stop his efforts. If, God forbid, her aunt and uncle were the culprits, they’d go back to their own ranch now and leave her in peace.

Before the ceremony Micah had disappeared after a hushed conversation with John Henderson, then returned shaven and with shined boots.

While Micah had been out of the room, she’d handed John a letter for her aunt and uncle. By the time Micah and she dealt with the solicitor and the bank and arrived later at the ranch, Aunt Sofia and Tio Jorge would have had time to adjust to the news. But—whether they were party to poisoning her or not—they wouldn’t be happy with her. Would they fight the marriage?

She looked at her new husband and smiled. Not the joyous grin a new bride should offer, but the closest she could manage. At least, now there were two of them to stand together. She had an ally—even though she’d had to bribe him—to help her in her battle to survive.

Micah took her hand and looped it through his arm. Surprised at the tingles his touch aroused, she fought her reaction. She must keep her emotions in check, just as she had all her life. Her parents had drummed into her that displays of affection—public or private—equated weakness. Life, more specifically the situation threatening hers, required strength and dignity.

“
Well, Mrs. Stone, are you ready to leave?” His smile deepened dimples on each side of his mouth.

My word, his eyes devoured her. Micah’s gaze ignited a pool of warmth low in her abdomen. Her legs became young willow branches and threatened to fail her. Oh, dear, she couldn’t betray how he affected her or have him thinking there was a chance for more than they’d agreed on. She straightened her shoulders and spoke with cool measure.

“
Yes, we must hurry to talk with my solicitor before the bank closes. I am sure you will want the legalities out of the way so you can acquire your funds.”

He clenched his jaw and the sparkle left his eyes. Instantly she regretted her cold words.

He looked down at her. "Water's what I need most. Soon as your cowboys know we're wed, I'll move my cattle to the river."

She nodded. Why couldn’t she be friendly and open? She'd never learned how, that’s why. No wonder Theresa and Ramona were her only friends. And now Micah. Even though Micah benefited from their arrangement, he’d agreed to put himself in jeopardy to aid her.

He helped her into the buggy, and she sagged against the cushioned seat. She'd been on her feet far too long after the jouncing buggy ride to town this morning. Thank goodness Theresa and Mrs. Henderson had urged her to rest.

Hope usually brought a change of clothes and her night things when she came to visit Theresa in the event she was too tired to return home that day. Micah set Hope’s bag under the seat then he climbed into the buggy beside her.

How easy it would be to run away, escape from the horrible pain of knowing someone near her wanted her dead. Although she had shouldered adult responsibilities in the household and on the ranch for most of her years, never has she received a kind word when things went well. Her father had plenty to say—often accompanied by hard blows—when she failed to meet his wishes. She refused to abandon the birthright she’d earned. With Micah’s help she’d defeat the villain trying to kill her.

They drove the few blocks to the solicitor’s office. Mr. Anthony could not have been more astonished when she introduced Micah and produced their marriage license.

Mr. Anthony glared at Micah. “So, Yankee, you’ve married well, have you?”

She opened her mouth to respond to the tactless statement, but Micah spoke.

“
Any man who’s married as beautiful and intelligent a woman as
Mrs. Stone
should consider he’s married very well indeed.” Micah emphasized her new title, but his even speech contrasted to the steel of his gaze.

Mr. Anthony turned his anger on Micah, "You may have tricked the jury and this vulnerable young woman, but you'll find not all the people in this town are so easily fooled. Marrying her won't excuse your past or make you accepted in the community."

Micah stepped between her and Mr. Anthony. “It’s not your place to judge either of us. You’re paid, probably very well, to do a job. Now get on with whatever it is you have to do to give my wife control of her estate.”

Red flooded Mr. Anthony’s face and he looked apoplectic. “I’ll do it, but I’ll be watching you, young man. If anything happens to Miss Montoya, you’ll hang for sure this time.”

“
Her name is Mrs. Micah Stone." He pointed to the paper in the solicitor's hand. "We need that marriage certificate back to show her banker.”

Mr. Anthony's eyes narrowed when he thrust the paper at Micah and repeated, “I’ll be watching, and don’t you forget it.”

Micah rolled the certificate carefully. “Yeah, well why weren’t you watching while someone tried to poison her?”

She cringed, for she hadn't wanted anyone but Micah to know about the poison. Not yet.

Mr. Anthony looked like a fish out of water, gulping for air with his eyes bulged out. “What are you talking about?”

“
It is true, Mr. Anthony,” she said. “I expect you to keep this information in strict confidence, but I am sure of it. I did not want to say anything, for I have little proof.”

“
Impossible." He waved a hand as if dismissing the idea as preposterous. "Who would dare such a thing?”

Justified, she looked at Micah then back to Mr. Anthony. “This was the very reaction I had feared from anyone I told of my suspicions. For that reason, I did not seek help from anyone except the Hendersons and Mr. Stone.” She thanked her lucky stars Micah had agreed to her plan. Without his protection, she was certain she would not survive.

As if reading her mind, Micah smiled at her. “Doesn’t matter,” he said softly. “You’re no longer fighting alone.” Answering the solicitor’s question, Micah said, “It’s a fact, Anthony, and I aim to find out who’s responsible.” Micah placed a hand at her waist and they left the office.

She snapped, “I had not planned to tell anyone about the poison. You should have consulted me before you mentioned it.”

Micah shrugged. “He got my dander up. Besides, he didn’t believe us, so he’s not likely to tell anyone.”

“
Nevertheless, you should have discussed it with me first.”

“
Yes, ma’am. You’re the boss.” His jaw clenched.

She regretted her outburst, but she didn’t intend to let good manners cause the loss of her independence. She’d waited too long for freedom.

It took under an hour at the bank to add Micah’s name and remove her uncle’s from her account, transfer funds to Micah’s ranch balance, withdraw cash for Micah’s pockets, and ask for a complete record of all action on her funds since her father’s death. They dealt with the owner, Dennis Pumphrey.

“
I can’t believe your uncle will approve, Miss Mont—um, Mrs. Stone. He was in yesterday and said nothing of any of these changes nor of your impending nuptials.”

Hope had never liked this man or the way he catered to her father and uncle. She sent the banker a cool smile. “My marriage releases him from the considerable burden of managing my estate in addition to his own. He will be relieved to turn my holdings over to my husband and me, though, of course, he will be too kind to admit it.”