Kaitlin's Silver Lining (28 page)

Thirty
Five

Bryce left the
assayer’s office in a huff. The man either couldn’t or wouldn’t tell him
anything pertaining to James Latham. Such information was confidential. The man
didn’t seem to understand James was dead, and therefore no reason to keep such
information confidential existed.

“Mr. Stanton,” Emma
greeted from across the boardwalk.

“Emma. You look
mighty fetching today.”

“Why, thank you. You
were always very generous with your compliments. Did I hear a rumor that you
were getting married?”

Bryce gave her a
quizzical look. “Rumors sure travel fast around here. Miss Kanatzer and I have
only been back to Denver since yesterday, but yes, Katy agreed to be my wife.”

She laid her hand
gently on his forearm and squeezed. “Congratulations are in order then. I hope
you’ll see fit to send us an invitation.”

Bryce was no novice
when it came to dealing with the opposite sex. Women seemed to gravitate to
him. For all his popularity, he’d never been inclined to marry any of them.
Even when he’d decided he needed a wife, he’d been wary with his affections as
evidenced by his relationship with Emma. Kaitlin was the exception. There was
nothing cautious about the way he pursued his Katy.

He glanced at Emma’s
hand on his arm. Was she flirting with him? Odd. She’d made it clear upon their
first meeting that she was spoken for. In fact, her fiancé was a very powerful
man in Denver. Now, she batted her eyes, used alluring tones, and gave off the
impression she wanted Bryce’s unqualified attentions.

She lifted her hand
from his arm and smiled. “I best be on my way. I’m to meet Farley for lunch.”

Bryce tipped his hat,
thinking their meeting was at an end, when Emma’s heel caught in one of the
grooves between the boards, and she stumbled. “Oh!”

Catching her was an
automatic response. When she tried to walk, though, her ankle gave in, and she
cried out in pain.

Bryce frowned.
Contrived or real, Bryce had no recourse but to offer assistance. “Let me help
you.”

“Thank you.” She
leaned heavily upon Bryce, and her heavy floral scent bombarded his senses. It
was nothing like the soft, subtle scent Kaitlin wore.

From there, he began
to make other comparisons. Where Katy was voluptuously round, Emma’s figure was
rather on the skinny side. Katy’s beauty stemmed from an inner strength of
character. While Emma could turn the head of any man with a single look, she
lacked substance.

He guided her to the
bench. “Here you go, Emma. Sit here and rest a bit.”

“Sit with me?” She
patted a space next to her.

Bryce didn’t know how
to answer. He didn’t want to be rude, but he also didn’t want to give her the
wrong idea. “I think maybe I ought to go and fetch a doctor instead.”

“No...no that won’t
be necessary. I just need to rest for a minute like you said. It would please
me though if you kept me company until the throbbing goes away.”

Bryce tilted his John
B. back and peered at her. His own foot throbbed in sympathy. Instead of
accepting her offer to sit, he leaned against a post. “Guess I could do that.”

An awkward silence
followed until Emma tried to engage him again in conversation. This time she
was a little more direct in her flirtations. “Bryce? Was it true you considered
asking for my hand in marriage?”

“Ah, Emma.” He
scratched his forehead. “It doesn’t rightly matter now. The wind is blowin’ in
a different direction.”

“But, if you had a
chance to change things?”

“I’m happy with the
way things happened.” His mouth curved in a generous smile. “Katy’s goin’ to
make a perfect wife.”

“She’s quite
charming. I can see where you might be smitten with her, but if things don’t
work out, I want you to know I’ll always be here for you.”

“Miss Emma, I’m not
sure what you’re leading to. You’re fixin’ to hook up with Farley, and I’m
promised to Kaitlin. If you’re offerin’ friendship, I’m mighty obliged. A man
can’t never have too many friends, but if you’re offerin’ something else, I
have to decline.”

“I think you’ve
misunderstood me, Bryce.” She batted her green eyes. “Of course I’m offering
friendship.”

Bryce took off his
Stetson and twirled it between his fingers, stroking the stiff felt as he
worried over her words. They were said with a little too much honey, and he
couldn’t help but wonder at her game.

“How’s your foot
now?”

She lifted her skirt
enough to show him her trim ankle. Gingerly, she tested her weight upon it. “It
seems much better. Thank you.”

She held out her
hand. Reluctantly, Bryce offered her his hand and gently pulled her to her
feet. “Can I walk you somewhere?”

“I’d like that. And,
Bryce, my really good friends call me Em.”

~ *
~

Leave
Denver or else
.

Kaitlin stared at the
familiar words, her emotions dark and turbulent. The pencil mark was heavy and
dark upon her whitewashed walls. She clutched her neckline, feeling defiled. In
her bedroom, beside her shelf of dolls, the vandalism served to remind her of
her vulnerability. More distressing, the perpetrator had crept into her house
while she entertained the ladies. She’d been blissfully unaware of the evil
inside her own home.

“Kaitlin! Katy, where
are you?” Bryce called from downstairs.

In accordance with
her wishes, he’d taken lodging at a hotel and only came over in the evenings to
take her to supper. Should she let him see this latest violation? It would only
upset him and make him want to move in again. But keeping it from him would
anger him more.

Would having him move
in again be so bad?

Yes. She needed this
time to adjust to the idea of marriage. Besides, she didn’t much care for the
smothering way he hovered over her when he thought she was in danger.

Quickly, she retreated
from the room, closing the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, she steadied
her nerves and started toward the stairway. She met him on the steps, and he
smiled. Nervously, she returned his simple greeting.

“How did your meetin’
go?” he asked politely.

She allowed him to
take her arm and provide an escort into the parlor. “Well enough. Only twelve
ladies showed up out of our normal group of thirty. I guess that’s to be
expected. Anyway, they took the news of my leaving rather well.”

“That’s good.”

“I...I promised them
I’d attend the rally the morning of Election Day.” The quiver in her voice
caused him to frown. Hopefully he would attribute it to her acknowledgment of
possible danger with regards to attending this event.

“No.”

“No?” His highhandedness
sparked her temper.

“The entire city will
probably be there. And let’s face it. Your message isn’t exactly a popular one.
Those folks are liable to get violent with your group.”

“That’s a chance I’m
willing to take. We need to be heard. Besides, our current governor supports
our views, and we want to support him.” She placed her hands on his shoulders
and pleaded with her eyes. “I need to do this. One last time.”

“I’ll think about
it.”

The stubborn man had
no intention of giving his permission, but then she didn’t need his blessing.
Not yet anyway.

She shoved him away
and glared. “There’s no thinking to be done, Bryce. I’m going. End of story.”

Thirty
Six

The day proved
perfect for a wedding. With only a light covering of snow on the ground, the
temperatures were pleasantly bearable.

The gathering of
people inside the church numbered more than Kaitlin had expected. Nervously,
she paced the small anteroom. Sarge smiled encouragement to her.

“I never thought to
see this day, Katy,” he said.

“You still might
not,” she grumbled.

“Cold feet?”

“Frigid.”

“You’ve got a good
man. Don’t back out now and ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

Sighing heavily, she
plopped down on a chair, crushing the delicate lace on her dress. Together, she
and Maggie had fashioned two dresses in the week before the wedding. Maggie’s
ceremony was planned after the big election, which gave Maggie time to spend
helping Kaitlin plan and execute her wedding. Where possible, the two women
duplicated plans, thus saving on valuable time.

“Did you ever love
Mother?” She shot him a furtive glance.

Sarge looked away. “I
fell in love with that woman the minute I laid eyes upon her. Such a pretty
thing. It wasn’t long into the marriage I realized I didn’t love her but the
image of her. The best kind of love is the kind that grows slowly, I reckon.”

He swung back to face
her. “Just cuz I had a bad marriage doesn’t mean you will. In my business, you
learn to judge a man quickly. Bryce Stanton seems honorable and forthright.
He’ll do right by you, I’m thinking.”

“I know he will, but
I—I’m worried I won’t live up to his expectations. I’ve never been very
conventional.”

“Ah, Katy. The man
loves you. He knows exactly what he’s getting.”

“I hope you’re
right.” She sighed.

Charley came roaring
around the corner, her face bright with excitement. “They’re ready for you.
Bryce told me to come fetch you.”

“Charley, settle
down. You’re going to ruin your pretty dress and hair.”

Charley immediately
quit bouncing, chagrined by the rebuke. “It’s just that I’ve never been in no
wedding before.”

“Here, let me adjust
your ribbon.”

“I hope I get to
marry someone as handsome and rich as Bryce.”

“There,” Kaitlin
replied, satisfied with Charley’s ribbon. “Handsome, yes. Bryce is very
handsome, but I don’t think he’s all that rich. He’s a cowboy after all, and
they don’t make much money.”

Charley frowned at
her. “He’s richer than most of the cowpokes what came to visit my mom. He just
don’t like to brag about it much.”

“If you’re ready,
Katy. I think we best be walking down the aisle,” Sarge said.

Kaitlin placed her
hand upon his forearm, steeling herself against the coming event. Charley positioned
herself in front of them. Maggie rushed around the corner at the last minute
and took her place behind Charley. At Charley’s appearance in the doorway, the
organist began to play. Slowly, Charley walked around the corner of the alcove
and paused before walking down the aisle. Maggie waited the appropriate
distance and followed.

As Sarge was about to
lead Kaitlin forward, she made him stop. “Sarge?”

He peered down at
her, his gray eyes moist with emotion. “Hmm?”

“I never told you I
love you. I was always so mad at you all the time, it was hard for me to
express those words. But now...Now, I’ve been able to put things into
perspective. We both made mistakes. I’d like to think this is the beginning of
a second chance for us.”

Sarge couldn’t reply at
first. He grabbed her in a bear hug and squeezed. Her veil went askew. She
didn’t care. He pulled away, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears.

“I never thought to
hear those words from you. I love you, too, Katydid. Now, let’s get you
married.”

She beamed at his pet
name for her, thinking she’d never hear him use the nickname again. Suddenly,
things seemed much brighter.

Her attention drifted
to the altar and her eyes widened. Bryce took her breath with his handsome
attire. Dressed in black pants, brochette vest, black string tie and a black
frock coat, Bryce looked every bit like the wealthy rancher Charley had painted
him to be. The dark clothes set off his brown eyes and blond hair, making him
appear both debonair and mysterious at the same time.

The walk down the
aisle proved to be the shortest and longest of her life. Short because she
found herself standing next to Bryce within minutes. Long because doubts
continued to flood her thoughts. The small pouch she’d attached to her
petticoat brushed against her thigh. Inside the silken sack was a piece of
bread, a piece of wood, a small square of cloth and a silver dollar. The
tradition meant a bounty of food, a place to live, clothing to spare and
prosperity to the lucky couple.

Keeping her gaze
focused on Reverend Barker, she allowed Sarge to place her next to Bryce.
Nervous, she faced her groom. Gently, he gathered her trembling hands in his.
Her breath caught. He tried to give her an encouraging smile.

Reverend Barker
opened his Bible and asked Bryce the appropriate questions. Bryce said, “I do”
in a very crisp, firm voice. When the preacher recited the questions meant for
her, she faltered.

In a fierce whisper,
she murmured, “You were supposed to take out the part about obey.”

The good Reverend looked
momentarily embarrassed. “These are the vows set forth in the Good Book. I
can’t just rewrite them.”

“You can and you will
or I won’t say my ‘I do’s’.”

“Mr. Stanton?”

“Just do as she says,
Reverend.”

Reverend Barker
cleared his throat, clearly unhappy with this change in procedure. “Do you,
Kaitlin Marie Kanatzer, take this man, Bryce Kenneth Stanton, as your lawfully
wedded husband, to love, cherish and honor until death do you part.”

She heaved a sigh of
relief. She could handle the word honor a whole lot better than the word obey.
“I do.”

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

Bryce pulled her to
him, his gaze steady and unflinching. The kiss he bestowed upon her wasn’t the
passionate, heated kiss they’d shared before, but he’d put enough warmth and
promise in the touch of his lips to make her forget their audience.

When the kiss went
longer than customary, a tittering crowd alerted Kaitlin to the impropriety of
the moment. Slowly they pulled away, both sheepish as they faced the
congregation.

“Food and drink’s
been set up in the large meeting room. You’re all invited to help us celebrate
this happy occasion,” Bryce announced. A chorus of cheers erupted, the mood
festive.

Bryce and Kaitlin
were bombarded by well-wishers wanting to shake their hands or kiss the bride.
Kaitlin suffered through the revelry, wishing it were all over. The entire
wedding from planning to the actual event had been emotionally taxing. It
hadn’t helped any to find more notes hidden inside her house. Between keeping
the threatening messages a secret from Bryce and preparing for this day,
Kaitlin was physically and emotionally drained.

“Oh, Kaitlin,” Maggie
said. “I hope my wedding is just as beautiful.”

“Don’t cry, Maggie.
You’ll have me in tears if you do.”

Maggie wiped at her
eyes and sniffed. “All right. No tears. Come on. There’s a feast waiting for
everyone in the meeting room. I’ve prepared all your favorites.”

“You’re too good to
me, Maggie. Who’s going to cook your meal on your wedding day? You know I can’t
handle that chore well.”

“Don’t worry over it.
Sady’s gonna do it. She’s my assistant at the restaurant.”

“Lead the way,” Bryce
replied.

With his arm possessively
wrapped around Kaitlin, he escorted her to the room. Maggie had boasted with
good reason. The variety of foods laid out provided an overwhelming display.
Kaitlin wished she had the appetite to enjoy the bounty before her. Nervousness
robbed her of the desire to eat.

“Looks like Maggie
outdid herself,” Bryce said, sampling a bite of fried chicken.

“She’s a great cook
and organizer. I couldn’t have done this without her help.”

She started forward,
intent on visiting with the guests that clamored toward the food. He pulled her
back.

“Not so fast, Mrs.
Stanton.” He licked his fingers and grinned. “I haven’t seen you in two days. I
reckon I like havin’ you close by my side.”

“But our guests,” she
protested.

“Can wait. I can’t.”
He pulled her even closer. A calloused finger stroked her cheek. “White satin
becomes you. Have I told you how beautiful you are?”

“And you never lie?”

“Yep. I never lie. To
me, you are beautiful. I think I must be the luckiest cowpoke around to have
roped in a filly like you.”

Kaitlin felt her skin
grow warm. “You don’t regret having to marry me?”

“Hell, no!”

“Bryce, no cussing in
church,” she admonished.

“Heck, no. I didn’t
have to marry you. I wanted to marry you.” He grinned. “I’d been tryin’ to
figure out a way to get you to the altar for a long time.”

Before she could
reply, Sarge approached from behind and drew her away from Bryce. “You take
good care of my little girl.”

“Don’t worry, Sarge.”
Bryce smiled. “I plan to take very good care of her.”

“Kaitlin?” Maggie
interrupted. “They’re waiting on you two to cut the cake.”

He smiled and led her
toward a large, two-layered cake decorated with sprigs of holly. After cutting
the spongy treat, they followed several other traditions from throwing her
bouquet to drinking a wedding toast. All that remained was the opening of the
gifts.

She stared in awe at
the small table laden with gifts. To her chagrin, most of the gifts pertained
to the kitchen. She didn’t have the heart to tell her friends she probably
wouldn’t know how to use most of the items given. She hoped Bryce hadn’t been
joking that day he told her a cook could be hired. If they had to eat her
attempts, they would likely perish within the year from starvation.

After she’d unwrapped
several packages, Bryce tore open envelopes. It was customary for male friends
to give a little money, while the females bought small items for the house.
After each gift was revealed, Bryce and Kaitlin ooed and ahhed appropriately.

Kaitlin was still
giggling over a rolling pin when she realized Bryce had gone still and pensive
beside her. She met his eyes. His bright smile disappeared. Glancing down at
the note in his hand, she dropped the rolling pin. It crashed to the floor.

“Have you gotten any
more?” Bryce asked, holding the note beneath her nose.

She couldn’t deny it.
Bryce would know she lied if she tried. She was surprised he hadn’t discovered
it sooner. “Maybe one or two?”

“Why the hell didn’t
you tell me?”

She cringed. “Because
I knew you’d react just like this. I don’t need an angry cowboy stewing around
the place.”

Their guests had
grown quiet, realizing something was wrong.

“Get your things.
They can finish this party without us.”

“Bryce. Stop.” She
grabbed his arm. “Don’t let this ruin the day. Let’s just forget about it for
now.”

The note crumpled as
his fist closed around it. “The man was here, Kaitlin. He was here at the
weddin’. With no other threats, I thought it was over. With James dead, I
thought you were safe, but I was wrong.”

“I really can take care
of myself,” she whispered.

“You really don’t
need me, do you?” He threw the note to the ground and stormed from the room.

“What was that all
about, Katy?” Sarge came up to her.

She bent and picked
up the note. “I bruised his ego, I think.”

“How? What did you
do, girl?” Sarge demanded.

“I told him I didn’t
need him to keep me safe.”

Sarge ripped the note
from her hands, his manner aggressively angry. “You’ve made a ton of mistakes
in your life and most of them due to that independent streak you wear like
armor. You’re married now. It’s time to lower that shield. It’s okay to need a
little help, Katydid.”

Tears filled her
eyes. “I just didn’t want him to worry.”

Sarge smoothed out
the wadded paper and read. When he’d seen the threat, he unloaded on her.
“You’ve been getting notes again since you got back?”

“Yes.”

“And you didn’t tell
anyone?”

She nodded, miserable
that she’d caused so much fuss.

“If you weren’t now
Bryce’s responsibility, I’d frail your backside. This is serious. James tried
to kill you and he failed. If you’re still getting notes, it means your life is
in danger again.”

She hadn’t really
thought about it like that. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her
midriff. “I just didn’t want anyone to worry. It’s my problem and no one
else’s.”