Brides of Arizona, page 48
“Oh, Josiah, it doesn’t matter.” Lavette traced the side of his cheek with her fingers. “I’m so glad you’re all right. I know everything else will work out fine.”
Josiah nodded. Lavette stepped back for them to enter, embarrassed at her temerity in front of Josiah’s friends. They didn’t seem to mind. In fact, the two men seemed pleased as they followed Josiah inside. Lavette led the way to the front room. Mrs. Sawyer was already up from her nap and seated by the open window.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” Mrs. Sawyer looked surprised to see the deputy sheriff and a cavalry lieutenant accompanying Josiah. She gestured to the other chairs in the room, and the men seated themselves.
“Mrs. Sawyer, I brought two of my friends to vouch for my character.” Josiah’s voice was full of anguish. Lavette stood behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. He reached up and squeezed her fingers.
“You look as though you’ve been in a fight. I thought perhaps you were under arrest.”
Quinn chuckled and Conlon grinned.
“No, Ma’am.” Quinn spoke up. “Josiah is one of the finest men you’ll ever meet. I can’t imagine him being arrested for anything.”
“That’s right.” Conlon winked at Josiah. “I’ve known him for several years now. We met when he was still in the cavalry. He’s a godly man and one you can trust completely.”
Mrs. Sawyer sat quiet, studying the two men. She looked at Josiah. “I guess I can have no further objections to you then. I have the papers in my room. Have you brought the money?”
Lavette felt Josiah’s shoulders sag. “No, Ma’am. I don’t have it.”
“Then you lied to me yesterday? You said you’d earned enough and would bring it today.”
“I intended to, but last night I was robbed.”
Mrs. Sawyer frowned and started to reply. Before she could say anything, footsteps echoed on the porch, followed by knocking. Lavette slipped from the parlor. She opened the door to find Mead waiting, a twisted grin on his face. Understanding dawned. She knew this man was responsible for what had happened to Josiah. She stepped out and shut the door. She moved down the porch closer to the open window.
Josiah’s heart ached as Lavette left the room. That must be Mead. In a few minutes, Lavette would belong to that scoundrel. Josiah couldn’t do anything to rescue her now.
Mrs. Sawyer opened her mouth to say something, then stopped. She cocked her head to one side. Josiah could see Conlon and Quinn frowning in concentration. He began to listen.
From the open window, he heard Bertrand Mead speaking. “I’m glad you’re so eager to see me this morning. After my reception last night, I thought you might give me trouble today.”
“Josiah is here. What makes you think I’ll be yours? He earned the money to buy my contract.”
“So you said last night, my sweet. I thank you for that helpful bit of information.” Mead’s words made Josiah clench his fists. “I know he won’t be able to come up with the funds he needs.”
“And how would you know that?”
“Oh, I have my ways, sweet thing.” The boards outside the window creaked. “Why don’t you and I go inside and get this business taken care of? Then you can come with me and begin learning how to entertain.”
“You said you wanted me to sing. I already know how to do that.” Lavette’s voice held steady.
“Oh, I intend for you to sing, but I also have other plans for you, my sweet. With your beauty, men will pay a lot. I’m going to make a fortune off of you.” Mead chuckled.
Mrs. Sawyer gave a slight gasp.
“You’re too late. Josiah is talking with Mrs. Sawyer right now.”
“Oh, but he won’t have the money he needs.” Mead chuckled.
“How do you know that?”
“Because I went to his place and made sure of it last night.” The threat in Mead’s tone made Josiah tremble with the desire to protect Lavette. “In fact, if it hadn’t been so dark, he wouldn’t be here at all.”
“You would have killed him?” Lavette’s gasp drowned out Mrs. Sawyer’s.
“Yes,” Mead hissed.
Quinn stood and lifted his revolver from the holster. He gave Mrs. Sawyer a long look and stepped from the room. Josiah could hear the front door opening and the creak of the boards as the deputy strode to where Mead and Lavette stood outside the window.
“I believe I owe you an apology, Mr. Washington.” Mrs. Sawyer sounded tired. She rubbed her forehead. “When you get the money back from Mr. Mead, come by to see me.”
Josiah nodded and followed Conlon from the room.
“Are you ready?” Josiah spoke close to Lavette’s ear, sending a shiver of delight through her.
“Josiah, this is silly. Take this blindfold off.” Lavette blinked in the bright light as Josiah whisked the cloth away from her eyes. She gasped in delight. There in front of her was a new cottage. She could smell the cut wood on the porch. The rest of the house was made from adobe bricks.
“Come on.” Josiah dragged her up the stairs and opened the door.
She stepped inside and marveled at the newness of everything. The kitchen had a stove, newly blacked, shelves with dishes, and pans hanging on the walls. A small table stood at one side. Josiah led her through the rest of the house, grinning at her delight.
“This is our room.” He opened the door to the bedroom, and she walked in. White curtains fluttered at the window. A colorful rag rug covered the floor by the bed. What caught her eye, though, was the yellow dress hanging on the wall.
“Oh, Josiah, it’s beautiful.”
“The dress is a gift from Kathleen. She and Glorianna thought you would look pretty in yellow.” He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “I think you’re beautiful in any color.”
“How did you manage this?” Lavette turned in Josiah’s arms to face him.
“You can thank Mrs. Sawyer.” He grinned. “When I went to pay her the money for your contract, she refused to take any. She asked me where we would live, and when I told her about the room by the smithy, she insisted I use the contract money to build you a house. She said you deserved the best for all you’d given up.” He planted a kiss on her nose. “She’s right, you know. She also said your freedom would be our wedding gift from her. Paul didn’t need the money anymore since she decided to return to Virginia.”
“This is like a dream come true.”
“I was worried I wouldn’t get done before our wedding tomorrow, but other than a few finishing touches, the house is ready to move into.”
“You are amazing, Josiah Washington. You’re the handsome prince I always dreamed about.”
“And you’re the sweetheart I never thought I’d get. I love you more than I can say, Lavette. I look forward to spending a lifetime with you.”
As Josiah’s lips met hers, Lavette couldn’t stop the prayer of thankfulness for all the Lord had given her. She’d wanted freedom, and He’d given so much more.
Nancy J. Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and two grandsons. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needle craft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.
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Farrier, Nancy J.;, Brides of Arizona
