In His Eyes: Blemished Brides Book 1, page 13
Chapter Seventeen
Katherine’s mouth was dry as cotton, and her pulse throbbed against her temples. She barely heard a word Reverend Sanders said. During the buggy ride into town, her mind had warred between remaining quiet and simply accepting her fate, and protesting with her mother that this marriage was too sudden.
“Surely we can reason with Bob Hamilton,” she’d said again, sandwiched between her mother and Sebastian, who’d driven the rig. How different this buggy ride was from the last time. Whenever Trace’s legs or arms had brushed against hers, her heart had fluttered. There had been no such feelings whenever she’d been jostled against Sebastian. Dread and despair had consumed her, and had nearly spilled over into panic.
I’m doing this for you, Daddy.
That single thought had kept her from bolting from her mother’s clutches once they’d arrived in front of the church. After a quick talk with the preacher, her mother had ushered her down the aisle, where she stood now, next to the man - a complete stranger - who would be her husband in a few short minutes.
Reverend Sanders droned on. Chantal coughed somewhere behind her, the sound echoing through the near-empty church. Only Mr. Garrett, the proprietor of the hotel in Deer Lodge, his wife, and the preacher’s wife stood by as witnesses. A bouquet of flowers had materialized from somewhere, which Katherine now clutched in her trembling hands. She’d already ripped half of the paper-like petals to shreds.
This was certainly not how she’d envisioned her wedding day. She wasn’t even wearing a proper wedding dress. Her mother had pulled her birthday gown that she’d just worn the night before from her closet, and told her to put it on. Not that she’d ever had grand dreams of weddings. Up until she’d returned to Montana, she’d resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood.
When Wilma had asked to assist and wondered out loud what was going on, Chantal had refused to allow her entry to Katherine’s room. The two of them had gone outside into the hall, but the walls didn’t mute their angry voices. When it was time to leave, Wilma had managed to pull her into a quick embrace, and whispered, “I’ll do what I can.” Any other words her friend had said to her were drowned out by Chantal’s orders to hurry Sebastian along.
“Miss Montgomery,” the preacher said loudly, startling Katherine.
“I’m sorry . . . what?”
Reverend Sanders cleared his throat. “I asked, will you take this man as your husband?”
Katherine swallowed, despite the dryness in her throat. Inhaling a breath became impossible. She slowly shook her head. An icy chill started somewhere in the center of her body and quickly spread outward, engulfing her chest, and then rushed through her limbs.
“No,” she croaked. Had the word even left her mouth?
“I beg your pardon?” the preacher asked. “What did you say?”
She opened her mouth to speak again, to say that she did not want Sebastian for her husband, when a loud bang echoed through the church, sending a renewed wave of dread through her. The flowers dropped from her hands.
Collective gasps and murmurs from the witnesses erupted behind her.
“There ain’t gonna be a wedding today,” a deep voice drawled, coming closer.
Trace? Katherine wheeled around. Her heart couldn’t possibly beat any faster.
“Least whiles, not between these two, Reverend,” he added in a commanding tone, his voice drawing closer.
“How dare you come in here, and disrupt this ceremony,” Chantal screeched.
“What is the meaning of this interruption?” the preacher asked from behind Katherine, his voice much calmer than Trace’s.
Katherine fought the urge to run down the aisle toward the man who’d just barged into the church. She held back. She might fall flat on her face if she did. A second later, the faint scent of leather and horse reached her, and a warm hand touched her arm.
“If you want to marry this man, Katie, I’ll leave, but first I need you to hear me out,” he said close to her face. His voice was calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, although his breathing was faster than normal.
“Leave this instant, Trace, or I will call for the sheriff to have you thrown in jail,” Chantal hissed nearby.
“Go right ahead,” Trace said. “But I ain’t goin’ nowhere until I talk to Katie.”
“What is the meaning of this, Trace?” the preacher asked again. “Do you have just cause to halt the union of Mr. Franco and Miss Montgomery?”
“Yes, I do,” he said.
Katherine’s mouth fell open. She lifted her hand toward him, and Trace immediately took hold of it. She smiled, her lips quivering in the corners. The trepidation in her dissolved instantly. Had he really come to prevent her marriage to Sebastian?
“You have no say as to whom my daughter marries. I do.” Her mother clamped her hand around Katherine’s arm, tugging her away from Trace.
“It ain’t up to you, either, Chantal.” Trace released Katherine’s hand. His shadow moved closer to where her mother stood. Paper crinkled softly. “Ultimately, it’s Katie’s decision, but I have a hand-written statement here, from her late father, John Montgomery. It’s part of his last will and testament, and says that if Katherine hasn’t found a husband by her twenty-third birthday, and if she and I are both in agreement, we’re to be wed. It’s notarized and legal.”
Chantal gasped. Katherine tugged against the biting hold her mother had on her arm.
“I need to talk to you. Alone,” Trace said in a low tone against her cheek, directing his words at her. “Will you please hear me out before you go through with this wedding?” He reached for her hand again.
“I’ll listen.” Katherine nodded, then turned her head to her mother. “Please let go of me, Mother.”
“You’re making a big mistake, Katherine. This man wants nothing but our ranch.”
“I want to hear what Trace has to say, and then I’ll decide for myself,” she said, and pulled on her arm. Her mother released her slowly, the bite of her fingers still piercing her skin.
“Can I use your study to talk to Miss Montgomery, Reverend?” Trace asked.
The preacher must have given his consent in silence. Trace entwined his fingers with Katherine’s, sending a jolt of awareness through her. Her memory of this building from years ago provided a mental map as he led her into the reverend’s study to the right of the church’s sanctuary. The door closed behind her, and she swallowed the growing lump in her throat.
Trace took hold of both her hands, and gave a gentle tug, making her take a step toward him. Katherine focused on his shadow just in front of her, forcing air into her lungs.
“My mother says you want control of the Red Cliff,” she said when he didn’t speak first. “That it’s the only reason why you would even take notice of me.” She raised her head.
Trace released her hands. Before she realized it, his palms cupped the sides of her face, and drew her closer.
“Do you believe everything your mother says?” he whispered against her lips, then covered her mouth with his.
Katherine’s response was instant. She leaned into him, parting her lips beneath his. A soft moan escaped her throat. She reached for him, her hands creeping around his back and up his broad shoulders. The muscles bunched taut beneath his shirt.
Trace weaved his fingers through her hair, his calloused thumb stroking the side of her cheek in a languid motion, sending alternating ripples of heat and chills through her. His lips moved against hers with tender pressure. One arm wound around her waist, and he brought her up flush against his body.
Katherine held tight to his back, falling into his strength to hold her up. Trace had been the first man to ever kiss her, and he would be the last, as well. When he finally eased away from her, her lips throbbed and her limbs had gone completely weak.
“Did that feel like I want you for material reasons?” he murmured against her cheek, sending renewed ripples of need through her. “Tell me you don’t feel what I’m feeling when I hold you, and when I kiss you.”
“What are you feeling?” she asked, her voice raspy and weak.
Katherine brought one arm forward from around his back, and touched her hand to his cheek. She had to feel his face. Rough whiskers told her he hadn’t shaved yet today. His lips curved slightly in the corner, and there was an indentation in his cheek. Slowly, she ran her fingers along the outline of his jaw, then to his firm lips.
“I love you, Katie Montgomery,” he said in a low tone, and wrapped a hand around her fingers, holding the tips to his mouth.
Katherine gave a quick laugh, her heart nearly bursting in her chest. “Why haven’t you bothered to tell me?”
“For the same reasons you haven’t said you care about me,” Trace said, laughter in his voice. The curve to his lips faded, and his voice grew serious. “I didn’t get the chance, Katie. Honestly, I didn’t realize it myself, until a short time ago, that the moment I saw you get off that stage, I fell in love with you.” He chuckled. “Your father was right all along. You and I are meant to be together.”
Katherine moved her hand out of his grasp. She held her palm to the side of his face. “Why did you leave last night?”
“Your mother told me to get off the ranch, that I was fired. She threatened me with a bullet if I didn’t comply. I didn’t think she’d jump into action this quick to get you married off, or I’d have been back at the crack of dawn. I wanted to make my intentions known and court you, and give you a chance to choose a man of your own.”
He released her completely, and took a step back. A second later, he pressed something into her hand.
“This is what I wanted to give you last night for your birthday, before we got interrupted.”
Katherine fingered the paper in her hand. It was an envelope. She shook her head, and wrinkled her forehead. “What is it?”
“Open it, and read it,” Trace coaxed.
She laughed in surprise. “I can’t read this.”
The back of his hand slid across her cheek. “Yes, you can.” His voice had gone serious. Confused, and with trembling fingers, Katherine opened the envelope, and pulled out a thick piece of parchment paper. Unfolding it, her fingers ran across familiar notches. Her head shot up.
“Braille?” She ran her fingers across the page, and tears spilled from her eyes. “This is a transfer of ownership for Katie’s Gold and her colt in my name,” she whispered. “How can you do that?”
Trace swiped away the tear on her cheek. “Remember when I told you that Frank wanted to sell her, and I said I persuaded your mother not to? I spoke her language, and offered a price she couldn’t pass up. I’m the one who bought her . . . for you.”
Katherine threw her arms around his neck, and tugged him toward her. She kissed the side of his face until he turned his head, and she pressed her lips to his.
“I love you, Trace Hawley,” she mumbled against his mouth. “Ten years ago, I dreamed that you’d be my beau someday. I kept holding on to that hope all this time.”
Trace chuckled. “Took me that long to realize that the pesky little girl who wouldn’t leave me alone would become the only woman I could ever love.” He reached for her hands, and held them tight. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Katie, that I had to act so quick and use John’s will as leverage. I wanted to court you proper, but your mother forced my hand. I had to play the only card that would keep you from marrying someone else, so I’d get the chance to tell you how I feel about you.”
“I’m glad you stopped that wedding,” Katherine said, leaning against him. Trace wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. Peace and happiness washed over her, and not a shred of doubt about his sincerity remained.
“How did you manage to transcribe that title of ownership into braille?”
Trace laughed, and ran his hands up and down her back. “I asked Wilma for help.”
Katherine lifted her head in surprise. “Wilma?”
“To say she was rather shocked when I first approached her would be an understatement. I guess my natural charm finally won her over.”
Katherine giggled. “Yes, you’ve always had a way of charming the girls.”
“Worked on you, too, and I didn’t even have to try,” he teased. “Your daddy was a smart man. He knew you and I were made to be together someday. I can have his will transcribed into braille too, if you’d like.” He paused, kissing the top of her head. “And to prove to you once and for all that I don’t want you for the ranch, I have a deed to a piece of land I just bought. I was working on transcribing it into braille for you, too. It was going to be my wedding gift to you.”
“Wedding gift?” Butterflies churned in Katherine stomach.
“Yeah, our own place, without some harebrained will about a male heir. What do you say, Katie? Will you marry me?”
“I can’t imagine marrying anyone else,” she whispered against his chest.
Trace held her tight, then said, his voice filled with mischief, “Would you like to break the news to your mother, or should I?”
Chapter Eighteen
“You cannot be serious.” Chantal’s outraged voice echoed through the church.
“Very serious, Mother,” Katherine replied in a calm voice. She held tight to Trace’s hand as he squeezed hers for reassurance. “Trace and I are getting married, and since you thought it was so urgent that I get married today, we might as well do it now since we’re already at church.”
Behind her, the three people who were supposed to have stood by to witness her marriage to Sebastian, whispered.
“You won’t have to worry about losing the ranch,” Katherine continued, “and I get to marry the man I love. I would think you’d be happy for me.”
“You’re going to regret this. Both of you,” Chantal hissed in a low whisper next to Katherine’s cheek, the words meant only for her and Trace.
Trace nudged her away from her mother. “You’re welcome to stay as a witness,” he said before directing his next words at Reverend Sanders. “You can continue with the vows, Reverend, but this time I’ll be Miss Montgomery’s groom.”
“What about me?” Sebastian asked from somewhere in the back. “You said I’d be marrying your daughter.”
Chantal huffed in a disgusted tone, then her skirts swished. Moments later, the church door opened and closed with a bang not quite as loud as when Trace had barged in to stop the wedding.
“I guess that means she don’t want to see us get married.” Trace’s voice carried a hint of laughter. The door opened and closed again. “Looks like Sebastian ain’t gonna stick around, either. How about you, Angus? Will you stand in as a witness?”
The hotel proprietor cleared his throat when Trace asked the question. “This is definitely the most unusual wedding I’ve ever attended, but yes, the missus and I will be witness to it, Trace.”
Trace reached for Katherine’s hand and stepped up to her. “You sure you want to do this so fast? Or would you like more time to think about it?”
“If what my mother says is true, and my grandfather’s nephew is coming here to claim the Red Cliff, perhaps it’s best we get married.” She hesitated. “Unless you’d rather wait.”
“I may not need the Red Cliff, but I don’t want to see your daddy’s breeding efforts with the horses dissolve, either. Regardless of what happens, we’ll continue with his lines. We’ve already got Katie’s Gold, and she’s a fine start to our herd.” His hands clasped either side of her waist, drawing her closer. “That said, I ain’t gonna let you get away. If I don’t marry you now, you might disappear on me again for another ten years.” The smile in his voice was unmistakable, and Katherine fought to keep the tears of joy and love for this man at bay. She smiled, and nodded.
Trace led her to the altar, and this time she didn’t hesitate to say “yes” when Reverend Sanders asked if she’d “take this man as her lawfully wedded husband.”
The moment they were pronounced husband and wife, Trace pulled her into his arms, and kissed her soundly, making her knees go weak. He eased away from her only after the reverend cleared his throat. Angus Garrett and his wife shook her hand and congratulated them after the vows were spoken.
“Let’s go home,” Trace whispered against her ear, sending a shudder of excitement through her.
“Home? To the land you bought?”
“Our home, Katie,” he affirmed. “It’s certainly nothing like the Red Cliff, and we’ll be starting with one mare and a colt, but it’s got good grazing land for horses. It shares property lines with your daddy’s ranch.”
Anticipation rushed through Katherine. The prospect of starting something from the ground, something that couldn’t be taken away from her, brought a thrill to her insides, almost as much as the thought that she was now Trace Hawley’s wife.
He led her from the church. He hesitated once they reached the bottom of the steps. “I only have one horse with me. Guess we’ll be riding double.”
Just as he’d done the day he took her to visit Goldfinder, Trace lifted her onto his horse’s back. Katherine adjusted her seat to make room for Trace to climb into the saddle in front of her. She wrapped her arms around his middle for balance. It had been a long time since she’d sat on a horse.
Trace guided his mount through town at a leisurely pace, and Katherine leaned against his back. The smile on her face grew wider with every step the horse took. She savored the scent of the man she loved and the warmth of his body so close to hers. The even cadence of the horse’s hooves on soft dirt added to her contentment.
“Sally’s going to be mighty upset that she didn’t see me get married,” Trace said, breaking the silence. “I’m gonna be in some hot water when we tell her the news.”
“I’m sure she’ll understand. Wilma’s going to be very surprised, too, but it seems as if you’ve already won her over.”
Trace turned his head to her. “She didn’t agree with what your mother was doing. I’m glad you had someone to look out for you all these years, Katie. That was supposed to have been my job. I promised your daddy I’d look out for you.”
