Newton (Prairie Grooms Book 9) (6 page)

He smiled and kissed her. He needed to kiss that look out of her eyes before she let it take hold and cause her to do something foolish. Like leave to find her people on her own.

A
rya couldn’t sleep
. She wanted to toss and turn, but forced herself to stay still so as not to wake Newton. He snored softly beside her, an arm across her torso. She turned her head and studied him in the moonlight shining through the window. He looked so peaceful, so content, and she wondered if it was because she’d agreed to wait until spring to rejoin her people. The question was, could she wait that long?

She sighed and stared at the ceiling. She missed her family, her brothers and sisters, her parents. Oh, she knew they weren’t blood relations, but they had raised her as their own. Perhaps Newton was desperate for her to learn the ways of his people because, now that she thought about it, they were hers as well.

White men had come into her tribe’s camps before, but she had never been allowed to see them. Her father had told her to stay hidden, so she did. Now she wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t. Would the white men have taken her away with them, or left her in peace?

Arya looked at the moon. It reminded her of something but she had no idea what. Still, she knew it was wonderful and strange and she’d seen it when she was very young. She could recall the emotions that went along with it: wonder, awe, joy, all accompanied by music and light. It was as if she was in one place, then suddenly in another as soon as the music stopped and the light faded. It was then her life had begun.

A life Newton had taken her away from so she could be his wife.

A tear rolled down her cheek as loneliness crept into her heart. She’d never felt it before and didn’t like it. It stabbed at her and set her to weeping.

“Arya?”

She turned over, not wanting Newton to see she was crying.

“Arya,” he whispered. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

She shook her head.

She heard him sigh as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. He pulled on her shoulder, rolling her onto her back. “I know you’re still upset. I can’t say I blame you.”

Her eyes met his and she shook her head again.

“No?” he said, reaching over and wiping away a tear. He repositioned himself and leaned closer. “Then what is it, love? Why are you crying?”

She closed her eyes and shook her head again. How could she tell him how she felt when she wasn’t sure herself? “I … I hurt.”

He sat up again, this time in alarm. “Hurt? Where? Do I need to fetch Doc Drake?”

She pushed herself up to sit beside him. “No, no doctor. I hurt in here,” she said and patted her chest. “And it grows.”

Newton’s eyes met hers. They were full of deep concern, and he put one of his hands over the one on her chest, covering it. “So this is what hurts …,” he said, more to himself than to her. He removed his hand, turned and stared at the wall in front of them. “Mine too.”

Arya swallowed hard and placed her hand on his chest. “We are one, you and I. We share a heart.”

Newton continued to stare straight ahead, his face stricken. “I’m beginning to agree with you. Those strange vows Mr. Awahnee had us recite …”

“They are different for different people,” she said.

He slowly turned to look at her. “You mean he’s married people from your tribe before?”

She nodded.

Newton gulped. “Arya, how much of the ceremony do you remember?”

“All of it.”

He turned his entire body toward her. “What happened? I remember parts of it, but not everything. Not after I drank that … well, whatever it was Mr. Awahnee gave me.”

“In the wedding cup?” she asked.

“Yes, what exactly was that stuff?”

“He always brings it when two become one.”

“Why is it I can only remember half of our wedding and you remember all of it?”

“I do not know.”

He leaned against the headboard. “This is probably not the time to say this, but I swear at one point we were bathed in bright light … so bright everything else became invisible to me. Everything except you.”

Arya smiled.

“Was it like that for you? Did that really happen or did I imagine the whole thing?” She smiled again, but didn’t answer. “You’re not doing much to convince me I have all my mental faculties.”

“What is this ‘faculties’?”

He chuckled. “It means I think I might’ve gone ‘round the bend when I was with your people. Either that or I was so bloody drunk I missed half my own wedding.”

“You did not miss it, Newton. It was no different from other weddings of my people.”

“So the other grooms were as much in their cups as I was?”

“Cups?”

“Never mind,” he groaned, then put an arm around her. “Let’s get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

“Big?”

“You’re to meet with the ladies’ sewing circle to discuss your wedding dress.”

“Ah, pretty dress. A white dress.”

“That’s right.” He reached over and brushed some hair from her face. “You’ll be the prettiest bride in all the land. Twice.”

She smiled. She liked it when he told her she was pretty. It gave her a fluttery feeling in her belly.

Arya leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Talking with him had made the lonely feeling go away. But how long until it came back? Was this something she’d have to contend with while she was away from her people? And if Newton could feel it too, why did they not go in search of them? Would they really be that hard to find?

“Arya, let’s go back to sleep now,” Newton whispered against her hair. He removed his arm and gently helped her to lie down next to him, then tucked the blankets around them before pulling her into his arms. “I love you, my Arya. I love you with all my heart and then some. If I had another to give you, I would.”

She smiled at him. “Newton, don’t you remember?”

“Remember what?”

“You already did.”

N
ewton awoke
the next morning hungry – but not for food. No, he needed his wife. He woke her with a kiss, she returned them with passion, and pretty soon they found themselves wondering if anyone else on the second floor of the hotel had heard them, er … having breakfast.

Later they dressed and headed downstairs to the dining room, where Mrs. Upton had their
second
breakfast laid out on a sideboard against the wall. “Looks like we get to pick and choose this morning,” Newton said as he surveyed the array of hot food. He turned to the cook. “Mrs. Upton, why all this food? Does the hotel have other guests?”

“No, but some of the townsfolk are coming to eat this morning. More than normal, so I decided to serve things up this way.”

“Who’s expected?” he asked.

Mrs. Upton nodded at the dining room doors, just as the Cooke brothers came waltzing in. Jefferson Cooke, Chase Adams and Levi Stone were right behind them.

“What’s the occasion?” Newton asked nervously as he watched them approach.

“Good morning, everyone!” Colin said happily. “And how are you this morning?”

Newton studied him, his suspicion growing. Why was the man in such a good mood? “Good morning.”

Colin slapped him on the back. “Newton old boy, how’s married life treating you?”

Newton took a moment to recover. “Fine.” He turned to Harrison. “Might I inquire as to what is going on?”

“Certainly, but we’re missing a few people,” Harrison answered.

No sooner had he said that than Wilfred Dunnigan, Sheriff Hughes, Patrick Mulligan and Cyrus Van Cleet came into the hotel, took one look at the group gathered in the dining room and made straight for them.

“Is this some kind of meeting?” Newton asked. He was so busy watching the other men he didn’t notice that Arya had already dished herself up a plate.

“Yes, of sorts,” Colin said. He did a quick head count. “One fellow missing …”

Dr. Bowen Drake came in just then, saw the rest of the men and came to join them. “Am I late?”

“No, you’re right on time,” Harrison said. “Now gentlemen, what say we eat, then get down to business?”

“Business?” Newton said. He turned to Arya, who had a piece of bacon in each hand. “Darling, bring your plate and let’s go upstairs – we don’t want to interrupt them.”

“Nonsense,” Colin said. “You’re perfectly welcome to stay. This involves you too, after all.”

“Involves
me
? How so?”

“Because you’re family, of course,” Colin said, as if it should have been obvious.

“What’s going on then?” Newton asked. “What’s the occasion?”

“That’s what I’d like to know,” Cyrus said. “Don’t feel bad, Newton – I’m as in the dark as you are.”

“As am I,” Doc Drake said.

Levi eyed Jefferson. “I bet he knows.”

“‘Course I know!” Jefferson barked back. “I live with those boys. But I’m gonna let them tell it.”

“If this is a family affair, then where’s my father?” Newton asked.

“He and Imogene are at their place,” Colin explained. “We haven’t had time to go out there and give them the news.”

“What news?” several of the men asked.

Colin and Harrison exchanged a quick glance. Both had wide smiles on their faces. Harrison spoke first. “We received a letter yesterday.”

“From England,” Colin finished.

“Really?” Sheriff Hughes said. “And what did the letter have to say?”

Newton thought Harrison and Colin were both going to bust – their eyes were bright, and they both had silly grins on their faces. He found himself leaning in their direction, waiting for them to speak. If they didn’t do so soon, he’d fall on his face.

The brothers shared another look, then in unison said, “Duncan’s coming home!”

“
D
uncan’s coming
?” Sheriff Hughes said in surprise. He took his hat off and slapped his leg with it. “Whoopee!”

Colin and Harrison slapped each other (and anyone else who was within range) on the back. “Isn’t it the most wonderful news?” Harrison asked with glee. “He’ll get to see his niece and …” He glanced at Colin. “… whatever you and Belle are going to have.”

“Yes, the question will be who gets here first,” Colin said. “My baby or my brother?”

“Does it matter?” Sheriff Hughes asked. “After all, it’s not like Duncan’s going to stop in and say ‘howdy’ then turn around and leave, is it?” He cast Harrison a worried glance. “He, uh, is going to stay for a while, isn’t he?”

“To tell you the truth, Sheriff, we really don’t know,” Harrison told him. “Duncan’s letter didn’t specify a return date, only that he was coming and would arrive soon.”

“How soon?” Levi asked. “Considering how long it takes a letter to get here from England, he’d have had to send it not long after Newton and Nettie arrived.”

“Quite right,” Newton agreed. “When last I spoke with him, he made it sound as if he was trapped by the affairs of his estate and couldn’t visit here for some time.”

“Did he say that specifically?” Colin asked.

“No, but if that weren’t the case, why didn’t he escort us here himself?”

“Who knows?” Colin replied. “Maybe the old boy’s just homesick. After all, he’s been away now for a couple of years. You should have seen him when we were released from prison after being stuck in there for two years. I thought he was going to go through a wall.”

“Yes, I remember what he was like when you came home,” Harrison said. “You’re probably right, he’s homesick. Bad for him, poor bloke, but wonderful for us.”

Arya sat quietly, taking it all in. “Who is this Duncan?”

“He’s our older brother,” Harrison explained. “And I wager that you and his wife Cozette will get along famously. You have a lot in common.”

“In common?” she said.

“Her Grace can ride and shoot as well as any man, or so I hear,” Newton told her.

Arya’s eyes lit up. “She can? Is she like me?”

“Not exactly, darling, but you’ll see when you meet her.” Newton turned to Harrison. “Have you any idea when His Grace is to arrive?”

“None – but what does it matter? The important thing is that he’s coming, and we need to plan some sort of celebration. That’s why my brother and I have gathered you men together.”

“Shouldn’t the women be planning this?” Newton asked.

“They’ll have their hands full soon enough,” Sheriff Hughes remarked. “It doesn’t hurt to get a head start on ‘em.”

“You bet we will, honey!” Sally Upton said with a giggle. “I’ll make the Duke the biggest cake he’s ever seen!”

Newton looked from one excited face to the other. “Well then, chaps, what did you have in mind?”

“It’s too cold for a picnic, that’s for sure,” Chase said, speaking up for the first time. “By the time he gets here, it could be Christmas.”

“I don’t think so,” Harrison said. “This letter is postmarked New York City.”

“What?” Newton said in shock. “You mean to tell me he’s already in the country?”

“Yes,” Colin said. “Which means he could be here within weeks, depending on how long he and Cozette stay back East.”

“Good heavens,” Newton said. “It took us months to get here, sailing around the Horn.”

“I don’t know if he’s coming by ship, or train and stage, but he’s coming,” Harrison said. “And I’d like to have everything ready when he gets here. The whole town will be invited!”

“That being the case,” Colin said, “we’re going to need everyone’s help to plan this.”

Newton looked at each of them. “And you think we men are the best ones for the job? Seems to me, this is a job for Mrs. Dunnigan.”

“Oh, don’t worry, she’ll have her say,” Wilfred said. “She always does. But we just want to iron out a few details before the women take over.”

“For one,” Colin said, “keeping our dear brother in one piece. He’s a rich man now, and a wealthy nobleman on American soil doesn’t go unnoticed.”

“Colin’s right,” Sheriff Hughes agreed. ‘I’d better send word to the sheriffs in Oregon City and a few other places he’ll probably pass through. Can’t be too careful.”

“And what about when he’s here?” Chase asked. “You don’t think outlaws will show up just because they know a duke is in town, do you?”

“That’s precisely what I think,” the sheriff said. “Which is why I’m going to ask for volunteers.”

“Volunteers to do what?” Newton asked.

“To stand watch at the Triple-C, what else?”