Justin's Bride (33 page)

“Something tells me the other parents of Landing aren't going to appreciate our presence at their meeting,” he grumbled.

“I know.”

Nothing in her tone gave away her feelings, but he could feel her tension in the way the hand holding on to his arm tightened slightly, and the way her body stiffened.

“If you'd rather not go,” he began.

“No. I want—” She drew in a steadying breath. “We need to be there, Justin.”

He sure as hell didn't know why, but right now he wasn't inclined to argue. Not with Megan walking beside him in the cool evening. She wore a green calico dress that brought out the color in her face and eyes. After her day at the store, she'd freshened up, smoothing her hair back in place so that no strands escaped the elegant upswept twist. It should have looked severe. Instead her coiffure emphasized the heart shape of her face, her stubborn pointed chin and the fullness of her lower lip.

They walked easily together, her skirts swaying against his legs like a forbidden caress. Around them, other couples strolled in the direction of the church, where the meeting would take place. He didn't want to think about having to face Gene again without having the pleasure of smashing the man's face in, so he stared up at the darkening night. Stars were slowly making their appearance. Landing was so flat, it felt as if he could see the whole sky at once.

“Thank you for my roses,” Megan said softly. “It was very sweet and thoughtful. How did you think to order them?”

“Wyatt mentioned his mother's roses to me once, and when I was walking back to the house, I saw the porch looked sort of bare. They're just roses, Megan.” They didn't really mean anything. Except he was glad she was pleased with her gift.

He glared at the white building up ahead. Why did the meeting tonight have to be held in the church? He hated walking into Gene Estes's territory. It made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

“It's a beautiful night,” Megan said, stopping and staring at the sky.

“Beautiful,” he echoed, watching the play of shadows on her features. She'd always been the loveliest woman he'd ever seen. He knew there were many who wouldn't agree with him, but he didn't care about anyone else's opinion. She had always been his ideal. It was going to be hell to leave her. Even for a few days.

“With the weather fine like it is, I've been thinking of traveling around to some nearby towns,” he told her.

Her gaze met his. “You're still concerned about Laurie's murder.” It wasn't a question.

“I want to see if they've had any murders, or even beatings. Maybe I can figure out a pattern. That would help me find the killer.”

“You still believe it wasn't a drifter?”

“Yes. One thing I learned while I was away is that life isn't that tidy. Bad people don't just come into a town, murder someone and leave. Most people are killed for a reason, and usually by someone they know.”

“I'm glad you won't let this go,” she said.

He drew his eyebrows together. “Why?”

She tucked her hand more firmly against the crook of his elbow and leaned her cheek against his arm. “It reminds me of the kind of man you are. I'm very proud of you, Justin.”

He didn't know what to say to that, so he didn't say anything at all. They moved toward the church, joining other couples who had come to decide about hiring a teacher. As they approached the few steps leading up to the church, Megan came to a stop.

“You're worried about Gene and Colleen,” he said.

She nodded. “They have two children, and this is his church. I know they're going to be there. It's just that I haven't seen Colleen since—”

Since the day before the wedding. Since Megan's evil sister had come into his office and tossed her lies around like rocks thrown with deadly accuracy.

“We don't have to go,” he said softly.

“Yes, we do. I refuse to let her frighten me. Besides, I have to face them sometime.”

He'd been doing his damnedest not to touch her. It hurt too much to be close to what he would never have. But she needed his touch tonight, and he'd never been able to deny Megan anything. He raised his hand and brushed a knuckles down her cheek. “I'll go beat up Gene for you, if you'd like.”

His offer was rewarded with a trembling smile. “Somehow I think you might enjoy that a little too much.”

“You're right.”

She stared up at the building and straightened her shoulders. “Thank you, but no, I'll face them on my own. If they give me too much grief, I'll simply take back that organ I donated.”

He grinned. “I'll help.”

They entered the church and found most of the townspeople already in place. Justin was grateful that the only seats still available were at the back. Gene was going to be running the meeting, because he controlled the church. Justin knew if he had to sit up front and stare at the man, he would be forced to violence. He didn't think the good citizens of Landing would take kindly to their sheriff and minister brawling by the pulpit.

They slid into one of the pews. Justin tried to get comfortable, but the benches didn't have backs. He shifted a couple of times, then resigned himself to a long, boring evening and a stiff back, come morning.

Gene walked to the front of the church and cleared his throat. “I appreciate all of you attending tonight. As you know, we're here to decide what we're going to do about educating our children.” As he droned on, his snakelike gaze slipped over the assembled group. When his eyes met Justin's, he faltered for a moment, before going on.

Justin smiled. It was an insignificant victory over a man he would easily best in any competition. He shouldn't care that his presence upset Gene Estes, but he was damn pleased, anyway.

The minister outlined several proposed plans. When he was done, one of the farmers stood up. He was dressed in worn clothing, with several patches on his sleeves and trousers. The man removed his hat. “We can't pay no teacher's salary, and we ain't got no room to have her come stay with us for a month. I don't think no teacher will take kindly to sleepin' in the barn with the milk cow and that's all the room we got.”

Gene thanked the man. “I understand your concerns, but this year's crop is going to be good for everyone.”

The farmer shook his head. “You don't know about next year, do ya? Not unless the good Lord himself has been a' whisperin' in your ear.”

Megan bit down on her lower lip, but Justin heard a small giggle escape. He leaned over and nudged her. “Shh. He's stating his opinion, not being disrespectful.”

She looked up at him, her hazel eyes alight with amusement. “I know, but I don't think Gene or Colleen see it that way,” she whispered.

Justin glanced over at Megan's sister and saw Colleen stiffening in her seat. If she sat any straighter, she was going to pull her hips clean off her legs.

The farmer twisted the hat in his hands. “I'm willin' to pay my share. I want my young'uns to learn to read some and do cipherin'. I'm just pointin' out that we don't know what's gonna happen next year. I can't make no promises about salaries 'til I know.”

“Good point,” another farmer called. “We ain't all rich like you, Reverend.”

Gene cleared his throat. “My wife has a small inheritance. That hardly classifies us as rich.”

“Richer than us,” someone in the middle of the church mumbled.

Justin was surprised when Megan rose to her feet. She was the first woman to speak. At the sight of her, Colleen blanched and drew her mouth into a straight line. Gene tugged at his collar.

“Perhaps we should consider a different plan of payment,” Megan said. “What if, instead of everyone paying the same amount, which could be a hardship for many, we have people pay according to what they earn? If there's a bad year for crops, those of us whose income doesn't depend on the favors of weather and pestilence could pick up the extra. In years with good crops, farmers could pay more.”

Several people mumbled their agreement. Justin looked at his wife. Her idea made sense.

“I've never heard anything so stupid.” Mrs. Greeley bounced to her feet. “Megan Bartlett, you sit down and be quiet. You don't even have a child.”

Justin started to stand up. Megan placed a warning hand on his shoulder. The room grew quiet.

“My name is Megan Kincaid, and I'm responsible for the welfare of a child. My concerns are as great as yours.”

“Sit down!” Mr. Greeley tugged his wife's arm until she plopped down next to him. Megan stood for several more seconds, as if to show people she wasn't afraid, then she took her seat.

Gene cleared his throat. “Perhaps it would be best if the women left the decisions to the menfolk and—”

He was cut off by the sound of twenty women calling out protests. Justin grinned. Megan's brother-in-law was braiding the rope for his own hanging.

“Ladies, please. Ladies!” His voice rose as he tried to get order.

Justin leaned over to Megan. “Your idea was interesting. I liked it.”

“Thank you. It'll get voted down, but I wanted to say my piece.” She pointed across the room. “I don't suppose I've endeared myself to my sister.”

Colleen was fanning herself and appeared to be breathing heavily. The flush of color on her cheeks added to her appearance of agitation. “I wouldn't let it bother you,” he said, wondering how the same family could have produced such different women.

“But Justin, you should be more concerned.” Megan's voice was teasing. He glanced down at her and raised his eyebrows. She leaned closer so that their arms were pressed together and their shoulders brushed. “After all, my sweet sister is now your sister-in-law.”

He groaned softly. “You're a wicked woman to remind me of that.”

Her smile was impish. He could hear the discussion continue to flow around them, but he didn't pay any attention to what was being said. Instead, he studied Megan and wished they were alone. He wanted to kiss her. It was a foolish desire that would only lead to trouble, but he couldn't not want her. Even knowing how she felt about him, even knowing she'd been forced into marrying him. He tried to summon male pride to combat the weakness, but it was useless. Around her, he had no pride, nothing but need and desire. She could leave him broken and bleeding, and he would still come crawling back to her.

“I promise we'll only have to spend holidays with them,” she said, smiling softly.

“That's not much of a consolation.”

“Maybe you'll get lucky and Colleen won't ever speak to me again.”

“That would be nice,” he admitted, then thought he wouldn't want that for her. Despite Colleen's priggish ways, Megan cared for her sister. He would suffer her presence if it made Megan happy.

We'll only have to spend holidays with them.
He stiffened as he grasped the meaning of her words and the implication that they would still be together year after year. Would they? Would this mockery of a marriage endure? He thought not. He would perish from need if he had to continue living with her and not be able to claim her as his.

He shifted on the hard seat and wished the meeting would end. Conversations sprang up around them as small groups discussed the merits of each plan presented. Megan listened intently but didn't interrupt. Justin didn't care what they decided. He wanted to believe he would stay, that he and Megan would have a marriage in more than name, but it wasn't likely. She had been right when she'd accused him of being unable to forgive her for the past. He knew he was right about her being unable to love him for what he was.

Time ticked by slowly and the temperature in the small church increased. If the damn pew had a back, he could have relaxed and dozed off. He shifted again.

“Sit still,” Megan whispered, tapping his forearm. “This is important.”

He folded his arms over his chest and exhaled. “It's boring. I'm of a mind to just give them enough money to build the schoolhouse and hire the teacher.”

“I'm surprised you'd offer so much of your salary for this.”

She didn't know, he thought, feeling alert for the first time in an hour. Why would she? No one knew. He grinned. “I wouldn't have to use my salary,” he said, realizing he was about to surprise her. Megan wouldn't care about money; she'd never worried about going hungry. But he knew what that felt like. When he'd been no more than twelve, he'd promised himself he would never be poor or hungry again. It had taken almost the entire seven years he'd been gone, but he'd kept the promise to himself.

“How would you pay for it?” she asked, her delicate eyebrows drawing together.

He leaned close and whispered in her ear. Not because he didn't want anyone to hear what he was saying but because he liked being close to her and smelling the rosewater rinse she used in her hair. “I'm rich.”

“What?”

She turned and stared at him. Their faces were inches apart. If they hadn't been in the middle of a crowd, he would have kissed her. “I've invested heavily in the railroad. About a year ago, I sold all my shares at a great profit.” He allowed himself a moment of pride. “I've got more money than you, your sister and everyone in this damn town combined.”

“Then why did you bother coming back?”

Because I couldn't go on without seeing you again.

The thought sprang to his mind fully formed. He fought against it, but saw the truth. He'd gone on about making the past right, about proving the town wrong about him, but the real truth was he'd come back for Megan.

“I had some unfinished business.”

Before she could ask another question, someone in the last pew stood up and started walking toward the front. Justin recognized the handsome widower, Cameron Forbes.

As Cameron walked the length of the church, all conversation ceased. Megan straightened and faced front. When he reached Gene, Cameron pulled a small bag out of his trouser pocket and placed it on the table at the head of the aisle. The bag clunked as it settled on the wood. Justin stared at the man. He'd just set down a lot of money.