McKenna, (Sweet Western Historical Romance) (Nevada Brides Series Book 1) (13 page)

The door was opened and men and women strode through the door, laughing all the while. Betsy was stationed at the fabric table, a bolt of fabric in her hands. There were a variety of colors and textures from the finest silk to cotton in every possible pattern.

“Feel how soft this is,” Betsy said to a woman who walked over to the table. Soon, she was surrounded with women.

Cole was across the room, showing the miners who stood near him the latest in mining equipment.

“This is much cheaper than I thought,” one man said. “I expected equipment like this to cost much more.”

“We’re here to make a go of the business, but not at the expense of our customers. You’ve already sacrificed enough coming to Silver,” Cole informed the group.

“I can see you’re an honest man,” the man said, picking up items while his wife followed him. “Pick yourself out fabric for a new dress.”

“But I don’t have a sewing machine, and my fingers don’t work like they used to.”

“We’ll have a sewing machine soon,” Cole said. “Joslyn over there is quite a seamstress.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Betsy added. “She’s quite skilled even without one.”

Joslyn was waved over and she began to speak to the woman about the dress she’d like made.

“What kind of skills do you have, Irma?” McKenna asked.

“None that would help you, but I’ve played the piano since I was five. It’s not much use here, though.”

“It might be when they open the hotel they’re building across the street,” Bella said. “I’m positive they’d be looking for a pianist.”

Irma nodded, but Bella’s appearance drew plenty of attention, including McKenna’s husband! Bella swayed her way over to Cole and McKenna felt just sick, but she refused to allow it to ruin her day. She’d just concentrate on checking out the customers.

When Chastity came in, she stalked the sales floor, staring at the price tags.

“You can’t do this to me. You have to raise your prices or I’ll be out of business!” she shouted.

“I guess you might want to lower your prices then,” McKenna responded with a smile.

Chastity turned all shades of red before stomping out the door. When she left, applause erupted. It made McKenna feel a little bad for her, but only because she worried what the woman might do.

* * *

Not even the events of the previous day could dim the grand opening. Prospectors had made their way into the store, buying up whatever goods they could get their hands on.

Cole thanked everyone for helping and hugged McKenna after they closed, but she drew back. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “Yesterday and even today you were fawning all over a saloon girl, and not just any, but my friend Bella. The same one you told me not to speak to.”

Cole tried his best to explain. “What? I’m not interested in anyone else. You’re the one who just had dinner with someone else, not me.”

“And you wouldn’t even let me explain what happened. Do you even care?”

“No, I don’t, but I’m willing to overlook it.”

“Overlook it? You don’t even know what happened here the night before you came home,” McKenna retorted as she stomped her foot.

Everyone who had helped for the opening backed away, obviously not wanting to get involved in their very public argument.

“I know Ethel wasn’t here.”

“No, but Grace was except for the night those men set fire to our store! If it hadn’t been for the sheriff and the men from the saloon, it would have been burned to the ground! All I was doing was thanking him for helping me that night.”

“You shouldn’t have had dinner with the man alone.”

McKenna was so frustrated with Cole and her stubbornness took over. “I wasn’t alone with him. Grace was with me.” She whirled and stomped out of the mercantile, tears blinding her. How ignorant could a man be? Her life had been in danger that night, yet all he could see was his jealousy. Sure she was guilty about that, too, but she only said that because Cole was just being so darn impossible.

It never occurred to McKenna to stop when she passed the jail and boarding house until she was headed to the tent city. All the hairs on the back of her neck raised and very familiar laughter was heard, way too close.

“Well, look what we have here,” Charles said. The one man she never wanted to see again!

“Leave her alone,” Albert butted in. “Before you get us into trouble with her husband.”

“I will, after I have my way with her. I’m sure he won’t mind if I sample your charms.”

McKenna screamed and tried to kick Charles as he grabbed her arm and dragged her off into the night.

“She’s right. I was there when she had dinner with the sheriff,” Grace said. “I had only stepped away from the table when you showed up.” She wrung her hands. “You better go after her before she runs into trouble. It’s dark now.”

Cole raced out the door and glanced in every building to see if she was there, even in the restaurant, but he couldn’t find her anywhere. That was when he went in the direction of the tent city and heard McKenna scream. He sprinted in the direction as a man threw McKenna to the ground, the sound of rending fabric breaking the silence of the night.

When he reached them, Cole yanked the man off his wife by his hair and he tumbled to the ground.

“Now, Mister, it wasn’t my fault. She wanted it, I tell you.”

Cole’s fist silenced his words and Charles fell to his knees.

Albert bolted away into the night, and McKenna said, “That’s Charles, the man who came in the stagecoach with us.”

Charles groaned and Cole kicked him in the rear end when he tried to get up again. He then reached down and pulled the man up by the scruff of his neck. “If you ever touch my wife again, I’ll kill you!” he hissed.

When Cole let go of Charles, he sprinted away from the scene, stumbling as he did so.

“Are you okay, McKenna?”

“Y-Yes. You got here b-before he was able to do any real harm.”

Cole hugged her, and he was even angrier when he felt her tears against his shoulder. He took off his shirt and helped her put it on.

“I’m sorry I ran out like that. I keep forgetting just how dangerous it can be here.”

Cole picked her up and carried her back to the store, ignoring the looks of the passersby. He didn’t care what anyone thought. This was his wife and because of his stupidity, she was nearly attacked.

* * *

Cole climbed the stairs until they were in the bedroom. Only then did he set her down, sitting on the bed. “I’m so sorry I didn’t listen before, but what happened exactly when the store was set on fire?”

“I went out back with a rifle that I don’t even know how to use. Two men were out there setting the fire out the back door. When I screamed, the sheriff intervened and the men who were at the saloon came over and helped put out the fire. Luckily, it didn’t get too out of control. I just knew Chastity would do something to try and stop us from opening. I just wasn’t aware she’d go that far.”

“Chastity? How was she involved?”

“I’ve seen Chastity speaking to one of the men who set the fire. I think she paid them to do it.”

“Why wasn’t she arrested then?”

“The sheriff said something about her word against the men. They were arrested, and the U.S. Marshal will be picking them up in a few days. They’re wanted in Virginia City for murder.”

Cole jumped up and hugged McKenna. “Why didn’t Ethel stay with you?”

“I don’t know. She told me she’d stop by and check on me, but she only showed up briefly the other day. I thought I’d be safe for one night alone. I can’t keep Grace here all the time.”

When Cole pulled back, he removed his shirt that McKenna wore and fingered the scratches on the top of her breasts. “I should have killed that man for touching you like that.”

“It’s fine now. I’m just glad you came after me. I promise I’ll never leave the store unattended again.”

“I plan to hold you to that, but I’d really like to take you on a picnic tomorrow. I think we need to talk about our marriage. It’s long overdue.”

Cole left and McKenna changed down to her chemise, slipping between the sheets. On a whim, she hiked up the material almost to her waist. She lay there on her side until Cole returned and undressed while she pretended to be asleep. When he was under the sheets, he wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her to him. He moved back and pulled down the material of her chemise until it was past her knees.

Her heart ached. It wasn’t fair that he was so close and yet far away. What did he want to talk about, and would it involve telling her their marriage was over? She didn’t have time to think now as she was so comfortable in his arms. When she was nearly asleep, Cole kissed her in the crook of her neck. If it hadn’t been for his hot lips, she would have thought she had imagined it, but it was too late to react. She was too tired both emotionally and physically to deal with it.

* * *

By the time McKenna was up and dressed, Cole was whistling in the kitchen. Grace was in there, too, cooking.

“Is that chicken I smell?”

“Yes, Fanny traded a few chunks of silver for it.”

“I had no idea anyone raised chickens in Nevada.”

“Actually, yes. They don’t need grass to feed, so there are a few homes near here that raise them.”

“Who is watching over the store today?” McKenna asked Cole.

“Fanny stopped by to apologize for never showing up yesterday, and Grace talked her into it. Nobody can sell mining supplies like her.”

“I suppose not. I like Fanny. I’ve never met anyone quite like her.”

“That goes for both of us and most of Silver. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to challenge that woman.”

“Don’t let Fanny hear you call her a woman,” Grace said. “Those be some fighting words.” She laughed.

When the picnic basket was full, Cole led the way downstairs and outside, where there was a black buggy with a cover, which would keep out the harsh Nevada sunshine. It only needed one horse to pull it.

Cole assisted McKenna up and into the seat then walked around, taking his place next to her after setting the picnic basket down. He lifted and slapped the reins to get the horse moving. It took them through the town where the residents of Silver waved as they passed. This made McKenna’s heart swell. She wasn’t all that sure about her new surroundings when she’d arrived in this dusty and dirty town, but she really loved the people who lived there—well, most of them anyway. She’d never tell anyone that the miners were her favorite. She had to respect the men and women who came to Silver with only the clothes on their backs.

When they had finally passed the tent city, the mountains came into view, which were brown and black depending on the rocks that formed it. At the base were patches of green, even though they were sparse.

Cole pulled on the reins to stop the horse and he helped McKenna down, handing her a blanket while he carried the picnic basket. Near an overhang, Cole told her to spread the blanket out. From there, they were offered some shade and McKenna sat down. Cole joined her not long afterward, taking the food out of the basket.

“I hope you’re hungry. Grace really packed quite a bit of food. I believe she thought we might be gone a week.”

“That would be nice, but since our store just opened yesterday, it might not be wise.” When she was handed a drumstick, she asked, “So, how did it go in Carson City?”

“Good. I met Chastity’s father Warren there. He’s been quite clueless about his daughter’s hold over the shipments coming into Silver.”

McKenna frowned. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Not me. He’s a very nice man, and we told him that if we couldn’t get our supplies delivered regularly, that we might just have to start our own delivery company.”

“And how would you do that, exactly?”

“Oh, about that. Me and Bret inherited quite the sum from our uncle.”

McKenna felt heat rise into her face. “So, that’s why you wouldn’t allow me to help pay for the building?”

“Yes, and I didn’t want my wife paying for anything. You should probably send your money back home. That way, your sisters will be able to come here, or at least one of them. Bret could use a wife.”

McKenna’s brow shot up. “Oh, and did he say that or—”

“Of course not, but after he realizes how happy we are, he might just change his mind.”

“We are?” McKenna questioned as she bit down on her chicken leg.

“We could be if you’d quite being so stubborn.” He laughed. “It’s time for us to be serious for a moment.”

“After you tell me why you even asked me to come out here with you.”

Cole stared into her eyes. “I had been in your store on numerous occasions, and I liked how you handled the business. I also couldn’t help but feel bad when your uncle showed up and gave you the bad news. I wanted to help you. Of course, I couldn’t unless you became my wife first. I really thought going in that it would only be in name only, that it was all I wanted, but—”

“But you changed your mind?” McKenna asked hopefully.

Cole took her chicken leg and sat it down. With two fingers, he lifted her chin. “McKenna, I can’t bear it if you were to leave me. I want to be your husband in every way. It’s been torture staying away from you. I love you.”

McKenna laughed, happy tears cascading down her cheeks. “A-Are you sure? After the way you just acted the other day?”

“I was jealous, and so were you with Bella. You know I have no interest in anyone else.”

“But you left me that one night at the boarding house.”

“I had to because I wanted you so badly. I wasn’t ready to admit to myself that I had fallen love with you. I love your spirit, how caring you are, and even your darn stubbornness.”

“Oh, Cole. I’ve denied you for so long now. I didn’t want to admit that I had fallen in love with you.”

Cole grabbed the back of her head with both hands, bringing her closer, pressing his lips over hers in a passionate kiss. McKenna was both shocked and on fire after his revelation that he loved her. It was more than she had expected. When she lay back on the blanket, Cole came with her. His lips never left hers, but he burned a path from her mouth to her neck, and only then did he pull away. “As much as I want you now, this isn’t where I want to consummate our marriage. When I make love to you, I want it to be in our marriage bed.”

McKenna felt a little frustrated at that, but she allowed Cole to pull her up. The picnic didn’t last nearly as long as it should have. They both were a little anxious to get back to the store.

The entire way back to town, McKenna was trying not to worry. What if she disappointed her husband? She had never been with a man before, or even kissed one, and she was more than a little nervous.

As if he sensed what she was thinking, Cole said, “It’s going to be okay, McKenna. I promise you that I’ll take my time with you. And if you want to wait longer, I’m okay with that.”

“No,” McKenna said. “I want you, too. Today and always.”

Her heart beat so hard. She would finally be able to understand why her parents stayed in bed so long together some mornings.

When they arrived back at the store, Cole turned the sign to ‘closed’. “Go on home, everyone,” he said.

Nobody questioned him and left as they were told, only Fanny had a knowing look on her face. Cole picked up McKenna and carried her upstairs where he helped her disrobe. McKenna pulled opened Cole’s shirt, touching his muscled chest, and that was when they fell to the bed. She was amazed that Cole’s lips could evoke such a response from her as he kissed his way from her lips to her toes. She helped him tug his pants off and she tentatively touched him in a curious way. He smiled down at her, tracing her curves with his fingers while moving lower and lower until she was past thought or reason. Soon he took her to the mountaintops of pleasure, only to drop her on the other side of bliss.

Cole held her gently in the aftermath and searched her face. “I hope this is what you expected.”

“I hope I was.”

“Yes, and we have our entire lives to learn each other’s likes and dislikes. Just know this, woman: there will be no more talk about you leaving or ending this marriage. From this moment forward, I devote my life to you and only you.”

McKenna smiled. “As I do you, my love. If I had known what making love was like, I wouldn’t have denied you for so long. I just wanted to be sure you loved me first. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t. It’s not enough that I’m your wife; I need your love.”

“It would be hard not to love you. You’re a very caring, thoughtful woman. I love how deeply you care about the conditions of the miners here. It’s something I wish we could do more about, but I can see that we have their respect already, since we have charged much less for supplies in our store than what is typical in mining towns.”

“Well, at the very least we can help
some
of them, like Grace and her sisters, by giving them employment. Grace isn’t just working for us; she’s my friend, and one I hope will one day find a man of her own to love.”

Cole laughed. “Let’s concentrate on marrying off your sisters first. Which one do you think will come out here first?”

“I really haven’t given it much thought. If only you had more brothers.”

He kissed her on the brow, hugging her closer. This made her love him even more, that he understood her need for that closeness right then. So relaxed was she in his arms that she fell asleep, still tasting his lips on hers.