Unconventional Series Collection (22 page)

Throughout the night, Angel marveled at the
pleasure Luke expressed in loving her and greatly marveled at her own desire
for him. At first, she shyly caressed his chest and shoulders, becoming bolder
as the intensity of their lovemaking increased. When Luke poised himself over
her body and slowly consummated their marriage, she was lost to such overwhelming
love that every hurtful thing ever done to her was forgotten in that moment.
Nothing existed in the universe except the body, soul, and spirit of her
husband merging with her own body, soul, and spirit.

Hours later, when morning sunshine splashed the
horizon and cast cheery light into the bedroom, Angel watched the play of
shadows on the ceiling and walls, and for the first time in years, welcomed the
day. Rising above Luke and rubbing her cheek against his chest because she
loved the feel of his strength, she kissed and touched her tongue to the space
just above his abdomen and licked her way to his neck. Never had Angel believed
she could do something so sensual of her own volition.

A rumbling in Luke's chest let her know he was
awake and enjoying her playfulness. He said low, in the voice of someone just
awakening, "Angel, let's go to heaven again." And they did just that.

Luke pulled the buckboard in front of the church
and reached to squeeze Angel's hand. For two days they had done little more
than make love, neither of them wanting to disturb their bubble of joy.
However, the previous night when Luke had broached the subject of San Francisco
and the fact that he would do whatever was needed to make Angel happy, even
live there if she was of a mind to still go, she had lifted glistening eyes to
his and whispered, "I don't want to be anywhere but here with you, your
family, your friends, your ranch, your town. I love you and everything
connected with you."

For Luke, her heartfelt words brought tears to
his own eyes. "I'll build you a magnificent bakery, Angel."

The happiness on her face and her tinkling
laughter had made him want to give her the moon if she asked.

Now, letting his hands linger on her waist as he
set her on the ground, he could feel her nervousness. "Don't be nervous,
darlin'. Everyone is going to love you."

She inhaled and confided, "I haven't
mingled in society like a normal person since I was a child. I'm scared, but
excited." Grazing her teeth innocently over her bottom lip in a gesture
that made Luke want to jump back in the buckboard and hasten to their bedroom,
she said, "Thank you, Luke, for returning my life to me."

* * *

Holding tightly to her husband's hand, Angel
entered the simple white-washed church. It seemed all heads turned and all
conversation ceased when they walked through the big door. For a second, Angel
panicked and wanted to run from the building. In the next instant, a hubbub of
noise erupted while neighbors and family converged on them. A woman, who looked
to be as old as God, with white hair peeking from beneath a girlish gingham
bonnet, was the first to reach them.

"Howdy, Luke. I hear tell you up and
married. And I must say, you got the pick of the litter." She extended an
arthritic hand toward Angel. "I'm Mina Priestly and I've known your
husband since he was a squallin' babe. I even did some substitute teaching when
he was a rambunctious third grader. Mischievous little devil he was—in trouble
all the time. But he's grown into a fine young man and you got yerself a
keeper. Now I hear tell yer name is Angel. Is that right?"

Angel wanted to hug Mina Priestly for being so
friendly. "Yes, Mrs. Priestly, that's my name."

"Well, Angel, I think we're gonna be good
friends, just like Abby and me. But the first thing you gots ta do is call me
Mina. I make the kids call me Miz Priestly so's they can learn respect, but all
my friends call me Mina."

"Thank you for your kindness and I'd be
honored to call you Mina."

"Good. Now I better move on so's other
folks can git ta know ya. Since I still git around pretty good, I'll be
visitin' soon in me old buckboard."

After Mina walked away, Abby stepped up, hugged
them, and tilted her head to the side. "Okay, something's going on. You
both look happier than a two year old who's found the cookie jar."

Luke laughed and placed an arm around Angel's
shoulders. "Let's just say Angel and I have been honeymooning."

At his forthrightness, Angel blushed and Abby
laughed delightedly. After that, Abby held Angel's hand and introduced her to
so many people, she lost count. Pastor and Mrs. Merriweather were just as
friendly as pastor and Mrs. Goodbodie in Dallas had been. When Luke led her to
sit beside his family for singing and the sermon, she refused to allow her
happiness to be marred by dwelling on the other secret she had yet to disclose
to her husband.

After the service, Abby approached Angel with a
group of smiling women. Abby said, "Angel, we've been talking and want to
do something special for you and Luke by having a reception." She was
interrupted by Bessie Jane Smythe, the woman who had traveled on the stagecoach
with Luke and Angel to Two Rivers. "Yep. Me and Mr. Smythe want to do our
part by cooking up a feast for you and Luke at the gathering. We was of a mind
to hold it at the hotel, but Abby said she'd like to have it at her house so's
Luke's pa can be there, and that's fine with us. What do you say? Can we throw
ya'll a big shindig?"

Angel glanced at Luke, overwhelmed by all the
attention. The surrounding parishioners answered for them.

"Great idea!"

"I want to help."

"Just let me know what I can do."

"I can't wait!"

"Bessie Jane, you gotta make some of those
great cinnamon pastries!"

Luke bent to Angel's ear. "I don't think we
have much say in this. But if we did, I'd say, 'My angel deserves the biggest
party ever'."

Angel blinked back tears at his sweet words, and
while they both listened and nodded because getting a word in above all the
excitement was impossible, the wedding reception was planned for the coming
Saturday.

Finally, the congregation began disbursing and
calling farewells to Luke and Angel.

A beautiful woman who said her name was Lola
Skinner, and a short, skinny man she introduced as her husband, were the last
to bid them goodbye. Lola said to Luke, "Give my best to your father. I
told Abby we're ready to help with anything; she just has to say the
word."

"Thanks, Lola."

Lola's husband said, "I'm sending one of my
hired hands to your pa's place next week to help with branding."

Luke slapped the man's shoulder. "That's
much appreciated, Sam. Thank you."

Lola smiled and gestured. "I see your
brothers and my son whispering across the room. Those boys are cooking up
something. I better head them off at the pass."

During the ride home, Luke chuckled. "You
don't know this, but Lola Skinner—Lola Pitts before she got married—was in love
with my father for years."

Angel turned questioning eyes on him and he
explained. "When Abby showed up as my father's mail order bride, Lola was fit
to be tied. She went to school with my ma and pa, and after my ma died, she did
everything she could to snag my pa and just about drove him crazy."

"She and her husband seem very happy."

"Yes, they are. Here's the funny part. Sam
Skinner also went to school with them and was a couple of years older. Pa said
the kids used to tease him and call him Skinny Skinner or Shorty Sam, and Lola
was one of the worst. Well, after my pa married Abby and was no longer
available, Lola turned to him for friendship because no one liked her because
of her uppity ways. Anyway, come to find out, Sam had always carried a torch
for her and their friendship turned to love. From what Lola's shared, Sam laid
it on the line one day and said if she didn't love him enough to marry him, he
was leaving town because he couldn't go on loving her from a distance. They
married about a year after Pa and Abby got hitched, and since then she's become
a different woman. Just goes to show the power of love because Jenny and I
couldn't stand her before."

Angel sighed. "I'm so happy she found
happiness." Turning shining eyes on Luke, she confided, "You've made
me very happy, too."

Luke reached for her hand. "Angel, when we
said our wedding vows I tried to convince myself otherwise, but I didn't want
our marriage to end. When I first saw you at Porter's, I was lost to you."

Angel covered his hand with hers. "I was
lost to you, too.

The day of the wedding reception dawned clear
and warm. Angel woke early because of her excitement and gazed tenderly at
Luke. She loved the way his hair curled across his forehead and that he smiled
in his sleep. When she reached to push his hair aside, he opened his eyes and
stared intently into hers. Finally, he said in his deep voice, "I love
you, Angel." Rising above her, he stroked her face gently with his
fingertips before lowering his lips to capture hers. Angel's conscience tried
to rear its head, but she refused to listen to the words.
Tell him. Tell
him.

Now, riding beside Luke in the buckboard in the
early afternoon, she contemplated her new life. Except for the inaccessible
compartment of her mind hosting unwanted memories that kept trying to break
free, it was perfect. In her heart, she knew Luke had a right to know the last
of her secrets, but knowing and doing were opposite sides of a coin. She
believed his love was strong enough to withstand her revelation, but what if it
wasn't?
I'll tell him soon, after I muster a little more courage.

When Luke pulled to the front of his parents'
house, Rusty and James were talking to Charlie on the front porch. They waved
and rushed to greet them. "Howdy, Luke. Howdy, Miz Angel," said
Rusty.

James said, "The house is all decorated and
looks real pretty."

"Hello boys." Luke ruffled their hair.

Angel smiled, "Hello my little
brothers-in-law."

Rusty grinned and spontaneously gave her a quick
hug around the waist. "You sure look pretty today, Miz Angel. Course
you're pretty every day."

James grabbed Rusty's arm. "Com'on, let's
go find Timmy Skinner."

Luke laughed as he watched his brothers dart
around the many buckboards in the yard and run toward a group of children
playing near the barn. "Stay out of trouble!"

"Sure thing, Luke," James yelled back.

Charlie greeted them. "Welcome, Luke and
Angel. I hear tell Mr. and Mrs. Smythe's been bakin' fer days. The whole town's
excited 'bout yer reception."

The front door burst open and Abby rushed out,
followed by Cora MacGregor, Lita Brandon, Lola Skinner, and Mina Priestly.
After receiving hugs from the women, Angel and Luke were hustled into the cabin
among so many people there was barely room to walk. Mrs. Merriweather called
out, "One, two, three," and the gathering yelled of one accord,
"Congratulations, Luke and Angel Samson!"

Luke pulled Angel to his side and bent to kiss
her forehead. Angel raised liquid eyes to his. "I'm overwhelmed. Never did
I believe I could become part of a family and community again."

Luke placed his lips on her ear and said above
the mayhem, "You belong here, Angel. This is your home now." Placing
his arm around her shoulders, he led her to his father's bed. Brant was sitting
upright and leaning against pillows piled against his headboard. Surrounded by
neighbors, he looked contented and happy.

Luke said, "Pa, it's good to see you up,
but don't overdo it."

Brant laughed, "What? Me overdo
something?" He glanced at Abby sitting on his bedside and laughed all the
more when she looked at him askance. He said between chuckles, "So how's
my favorite daughter-in-law? I hear tell you and Luke have been
honeymooning."

Angel blushed and had barely mumbled a reply
when Mina Priestly grabbed her hand and pulled her to a group of elderly women
who congratulated her and then insisted she join their quilting circle the first
Wednesday of each month at the church.

When Bessie Jane and Jack Smythe called out that
supper was ready, Pastor Merriweather asked everyone to gather round Brant's
bed. The pastor blessed the food and then nodded at Brant. With Abby standing
beside him and her hand on his shoulder, he said, "I'd like to thank
everyone for celebrating this momentous occasion with us. I couldn't be prouder
of my son, and the fact that he's married such a sweet woman, has doubly
blessed our family." Solemnly, he continued, "Everyone in this room
has tasted sorrow and it makes us appreciate happy occasions such as this. So,
it is with great joy that I welcome Angel Samson into our family, our hearts,
and our community. Can I hear an Amen?"

The crowd shouted, "Amen!"

Brant looked at Abby, "Honey, is there
anything you want to say?"

Abby smiled sweetly and glanced around the room.
"Over ten years ago, I came to Two Rivers as a mail order bride. I felt so
alone and frightened, but I was welcomed with open arms. I simply cannot
imagine my life without my beloved husband, my children, and my friends. I love
all of you and I thank you for your enduring friendships, through happy times
and sad. And now, I'm blessed with another daughter." Abby smiled at Luke
and Angel. "My cup is so full, it's overflowing." She dabbed at tears
and Angel noticed several other neighbors swiping their eyes. Angel swallowed
against the lump in her throat and dabbed her own eyes.

Brant said, "Well, I think it's time to
celebrate. But first, I'd like to also welcome Mr. and Mrs. Smythe to Two
Rivers and thank them for this feast they've so graciously prepared."

His words were followed by shouts of agreement
and then he called out, "Let's chow down!"

The remainder of the day became a wonderful blur
of family, friends, food, and festivity. That evening, after everyone except
the Smythes had departed, Angel sat on the porch with Abby and Luke,
reminiscing the day. Mrs. Smythe exited the doorway carrying a plate piled high
with her famous pastries and said, "I saved these. We might as well finish
them off."

Luke grinned. "I was just thinking about
those pastries. You're a mind reader, Bessie Jane."

Angel said, "Thank you for making this day
so memorable," and reached for a treat.

Abby laughed, "I'll put some back for Brant
and the children."

Bessie Jane responded, "Already done. In
fact, he's eating his now and talking with Jack. I left enough for the boys on
the kitchen table."

Abby patted the chair next to her. "Well,
sit down and rest, Bessie Jane. You deserve it."

"Don't mind if I do. In fact, there's
something I've been meaning to talk to Angel and Luke about."

Angel munched her pastry and waited for Bessie
Jane to fit her rotund body into a rocking chair.

Nibbling on her own delicacy, the sweet woman
said, "Angel, I was wondering if you'd like to work at the Mayflower Hotel
Dining Room one day a week; more if you've a mind to. We sure could use the
help on Sundays after church. I've heard wonderful things about your apple pies
from your family. A baker's greatest joy is baking for others. You could even
experiment with new recipes. So, what do you say?"

Angel's heart pounded. Baking with Mr. and Mrs.
Smythe would be a dream come true. She shifted her gaze to Luke, not wanting to
answer without knowing his thoughts. He only grinned and said, "Darlin', I
can see in your eyes you're over the moon with the idea. It's entirely up to
you, and I'm one hundred percent behind whatever you decide."

Angel let out a little squeal. "Yes! I'd
love to join you."

* * *

That night, while Angel reminisced her wonderful
day and tidied her kitchen, Luke called from the doorway, "Honey, come to
the library for a minute."

She turned questioning eyes toward him, but he
was already gone. Curious, she hurried to the library. Luke wore a mysterious
grin and motioned her toward the desk. "Sit down; I want to give you your
wedding present."

"Luke, you don't have to give me anything,
I'm–"

He chuckled, "Angel, don't argue. With all
my heart, I want to give you this gift."

Angel sat in the chair he pulled out and Luke
motioned with his hand. "Look at the desk."

Angel glanced down at several stacks of papers
written in Luke's beautiful script. For a second she didn't understand, and
then she read the heading on the one closest to her.

Yukon Adventure

Fifth Installment

Gasping, she said, "Are these your
adventure stories?"

"They are. And the one on top is the
continuation of the one you read in Bingham. Since the newspapers don't make it
to Two Rivers, I brought the stories to you."

Angel squealed, "Luke, this is marvelous!
Can I read it now."

"Angel, my love, you can read to your
heart's content. I enjoy watching your delight more than I do writing the
stories. Why don't you read it aloud to me?"

Reaching for the page as if it were a precious
jewel, Angel lifted love filled eyes to Luke's and then shifted her gaze back
to the page.

The filthy trapper aimed his rifle at Damon's
heart and said, "What have we here?"

Damon merely shook his head. "Murphy, did
you run into a bear on your way in?"

Murphy laughed, "Oh, him, yeah, but he run
off when he heard the two o' yous fightin'. I almost run off with him."
Murphy lowered his gun.

Damon said, "Marci, I'd like you to meet
the best trapper in the Yukon and the orneriest man ever born, Mad Murphy, as
the locals call him. And Murphy, this is my wife, Marci."

Marci stepped in front of Damon and held out her
hand. "I'm pleased to meet you Mr. Murphy."

Murphy grinned, wiped his hand on his trousers,
and reached for Marci's delicate one. Lifting her fingers to his mouth, he said,
"Enchanté. Madame Dillard."

Angel giggled. "I am so impressed, Luke."
Returning her attention to the story she continued,

Marci's eyes rounded and then she smiled,
glancing at Damon. Damon saw a calculated look in her expression and wondered
what she was up to.

She said, "Monsieur Murphy, since you heard
the disagreement between my husband and I, it appears I can be quite frank with
you."

Damon interrupted, "Marci, I don't think
you should–"

Marci forged on. "Damon wants to return me
to the civilized world, but I refuse to go. He feels I'm at risk in this
wilderness. Since I won't leave him, what do you suggest to ease his mind?"

Mad Murphy glanced from Marci to Damon and back
to Marci before saying, "Aw, hell, that's easy."

(To be continued)

Angel placed her hands on her cheeks.
"Luke, please tell me the next installment is on the next page."

Luke laughed loudly, "It is, darlin'. Keep
reading."