Renegade Wife

chapter Five


Kane stared into the curious eyes of Penelope Rose as she made her way into the house, carrying a basket full of baked muffins and pastries, wearing a fancy blue dress and a woeful expression. One would think she was attending a funeral instead of a wedding. Only when his grandfather approached her, did she brighten somewhat. Kane watched their interaction from a corner of the parlor, as he sipped whiskey from a shot glass.

Kane wanted this whole charade over with as soon as possible, hoping to speak his vows before Father Tomas and be done with it. But as usual, Bennett had made other plans. His grandfather had prearranged the entire event, inviting a small gathering of neighbors and friends as well as planning a celebration afterward complete with a mariachi band and food enough to feed the entire county.

His grandfather, appearing less worn out and pale today, approached with Mrs. Rose on his arm. “Kane, Mrs. Rose has come to give your betrothed her good wishes. She’s quite smitten with our Molly.”

Kane smiled graciously. “And I thought she came here to visit you, Grandfather.”

Mrs. Rose gasped and turned to his grandfather. “Well, I— Yes, if you must know, after I spoke with your grandson yesterday about your illness, I thought you might need fortification. I brought over some baked goods and chamomile tea that might give a lift during those long dreary days.”

Bennett patted Penelope’s hand. “That’s very thoughtful. Of course, you’ll stay for the nuptials.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to impose. I mean to say, I didn’t receive a formal invitation.”

“There was no time for that or you would certainly have been invited. Molly would have insisted if we’d given her a choice. You see, my health is failing and I want to see my grandson married before my time is up.”

Mrs. Rose’s eyes softened and that perpetual pinch on her face vanished. She looked into Bennett’s eyes and smiled. “Only the Lord knows when, Bennett. You may have more time than you think.”

Again, he patted her hand. “I’m glad you came, Penny.”

Mrs. Rose chuckled and suddenly she appeared twenty years younger. “Heavens, nobody’s called me that, well, since I was a young girl.”

“I’ve always thought of you as Penny.”

“Have you?”

Kane excused himself to walk out the front door for a breath of fresh air. Soon, the rest of the guests would arrive, and he’d say the vows that would bind him to Molly and their bargain.

Soon Kane Jackson, known to the Cheyenne as Gray Wolf, would marry for the second time in his life. But this time, the marriage wouldn’t be a union of the heart. He would never betray Little Swan that way. No, this time, the marriage vows would be spoken falsely, with no regard to upholding any of the promises made today. Molly McGuire and Kane Jackson had a prearranged pact.

And his promise to Molly yesterday was the only one he planned to keep.

Molly glanced at her image in the tall oval cheval mirror, hardly believing the sight before her eyes. Dressed in a fitted gown of white lace with a mantilla cascading down past her shoulders, Molly was truly a bride.

Goodness. She blinked at her reflection, wondering if all brides felt this way—womanly, feminine, lovely, that special unique sensation that might only occur once in a young girl’s life. Molly felt it all, right down to her frilly, white lace-up boots, provided by Bennett Jackson. She’d never had such finery in her life. Molly couldn’t help but smile, turning from side to side to pose before the mirror, taking short then sweeping glances at herself.

“Muy bonita, Senorita Molly.” Lupe entered the room wearing a big grin, no doubt filled with pride on just how perfectly the gown she’d designed had fit Molly.

“Thank you, Lupe. It’s the most wonderful wedding dress I’ve ever seen.”

“My husband, he says that a bride should glow as the sun. He says then your man will always know warmth.”

Molly blinked at the brilliance of that statement. Then she chuckled. “I think you have a very smart husband, Lupe.”

With arms folded, the heavyset woman nodded. “Sí. I will keep him.”

Molly smiled sadly as a thought flitted through her mind that she would wed today, but she would not be the warmth in Kane’s life. She would not be around for years to come, claiming her husband for keeps. Perhaps Lupe didn’t know how fortunate she was to have love and happiness in her life. Or, perhaps she did. Maybe that would explain Lupe’s eternal wide smile.

“I’ve always dreamed of a church wedding,” Molly confessed, speaking quietly. As a devout Catholic, she’d envisioned saying her vows in front of an altar.

“Sí,” Lupe agreed. “Senor Bennett is not up for such a trip. Father Tomas is here. He will marry you and Senor Kane. Come now, they wait.”

Molly glanced one last time in the mirror, pretending for a moment that this marriage was real and that Kane Jackson would take her into his life and heart forever. For one moment, Molly had imagined the possibilities and wished that she didn’t have to partake in this sham, deceiving everyone in attendance and making a mockery of what should be a sacred union.

“I’m ready.”

Molly strode out the bedroom door with a jittery stomach and a terrible ache in her heart. The only good thing to come of this marriage was that soon she and Kane would set out to find her brother.

Molly stood at the top of the staircase holding a small bouquet of gardenias as soft violin music drifted up. She glanced down to find Bennett Jackson, dressed in dapper silver-gray, the exact color of his eyes and full head of hair, waiting for her at the foot of the stairs. He winked and she smiled, the butterflies in her stomach taking flight.

She moved slowly down the stairs, taking one careful step at a time. The look of pure delight on Mr. Jackson’s face and the sweetly melodic refrain lifted her spirits so, that next she found herself flowing gracefully the rest of the way down the staircase. With a wide smile on her face and her anxiety quelled for the time being, Molly met Bennett at the base of the stairs.

“You look beautiful, Molly.” He placed her arm in his.

“Thank you, Mr. Jackson,” she said softly.

“You would honor me by calling me Grandfather from now on.”

“Oh,” Molly said with a surprised gasp. “Yes, yes, Grandfather.”

Together they moved through the foyer to the parlor, where Kane stood waiting next to the priest in front of the fireplace. Molly’s heart tumbled, seeing her betrothed, so handsome in a black suit, boiled white shirt and bola tie, standing stiff and erect, looking fierce and unyielding. A tick worked at his jaw, and his eyes held no warmth. Molly thought back to Lupe’s comments about a glowing bride bringing warmth to her groom and a sweeping sadness overwhelmed her. She stumbled and stopped.

“He’ll be a fine husband, Molly,” Bennett whispered, reassuring her as if reading her thoughts. “Give him time. He’s a good man.”

Molly gulped and nodded, then continued her walk down the short aisle until she faced Kane and Father Tomas. She’d hardly noticed any of the guests in attendance, a roomful of strangers she did not know, as her main focus had been on Kane and the unnerving look on his face. Bennett placed Molly beside Kane and turned to take his seat.

Molly stared at the priest who was dressed in stately black, too nervous to look upon Kane’s solemn face, fearing her knees would buckle any second if she dwelled on his expression too long.

Father Tomas nodded graciously and smiled before beginning the ceremony. To her amazement, Kane reached for Molly, covering his hand over hers and squeezing gently. She dared a glance up at him, noting a softening in his eyes, but along with that soft look came a hint of regret and sadness. Kane didn’t want this marriage. Both of them had been forced into the union by circumstances, but she wondered if he was recalling his marriage to his Indian wife. She wondered if this ceremony could possibly remind him of another ceremony, years ago, to a woman he had truly loved.

Before too long, Kane bent down to place a sweet chaste kiss on her lips. Startled, Molly came out of her wanderings to realize that the short ceremony was over. She’d spoken her vows to God above and to Kane, and now she was a married woman.

She turned from Father Tomas to find Bennett smiling, a look of relief and satisfaction on the old man’s face. And as Molly gazed around the room, she found more than two dozen other smiling faces peering up at her from their seats. Mrs. Rose was the only person she recognized in the crowd, her face unable to mask her worry and, perhaps, condemnation.

Kane bent his head to whisper in her ear. “The show begins now.”

His breath lingered, the warmth and sweet melody of his words belied their meaning. He took her hand and together they made their way outside, where they would meet the guests and have the wedding celebration.

“Your wife has danced with every man here,” Bennett said with a frown. “Every man but you.”

Kane shook his head. “I don’t dance, Grandfather.”

Gray brows rose with disapproval. “Not even once, on your wedding day?”

Kane stared at Molly, her face aglow, her bright eyes sparkling, her hair catching sunlight as she moved with the rhythm of the music on the grassy flatland behind the house designed specifically for the festivities. His grandfather, through his illness, sure found time to have the yard decorated with ribbons and flowers for the occasion. “She’s having a fine time without me.”

“Be careful, Kane. Molly is pretty and smart and our friends are taking notice. Treat her right and she’ll give you a house full of children. She’ll make you happy.”

Kane grimaced. “I was happy enough before you sent for her.”

Bennett shrugged his shoulder and shook his head. “Just you wait and see.” Then his grandfather took hold of his arm. “I wouldn’t want Molly to dance too much longer with our neighbors. She might tire out tonight.”

Kane pierced his grandfather with a hard look.

Bennett grinned and winked. “A young girl’s wedding night should be something special. You’ll see to that, Kane.”

Kane’s mouth twisted as he stared at Molly again just as she looked up to find his eyes upon her. Their gazes locked for a second and Molly lost her footing. Able-bodied Jess Mathias, her dance partner, grabbed her waist to steady her and Kane’s nerves went raw.

In truth, he hadn’t enjoyed seeing Molly dancing with other men. He hated to admit it, but watching men hold her and make her smile struck him like a knife to his throat. He hadn’t wanted this protective and possessive feeling to take hold of him, but it had. And now he found the need to see to his wife. He found the need to show the guests that Molly belonged to him.

Kane strode over to Jess Mathias. “I’d like a word with my wife, if you don’t mind.”

The Circle B’s ranch foreman nodded sheepishly and excused himself. Kane took Molly’s hand and led her away from the mariachi band and loud music, away from the male guests lined up to dance with his new bride.

“What is it, Kane?” Molly asked, removing her hand from his hold.

“My grandfather’s getting suspicious. Stay by my side.”

Molly’s face flamed. “What do you suggest I do when these nice folks ask me to dance? Especially since my husband hasn’t spent one second by my side.”

“I don’t dance, Molly.”

“Don’t or won’t?”

Kane frowned and refused her an answer. He’d grown up with the Cheyenne and had spent a great amount of time learning their traditional ritual dances. He’d been a part of their culture for so long that still to this day, Kane resented some of the white man’s ways. He wouldn’t dance with Molly, but not because he couldn’t.

“I like to dance, Kane. Besides, it’s giving me a chance to ask about Charlie. These men work on neighboring ranches. Some of them might have seen or met Charlie in their travels.”

“Today’s not the day for that. We’ll head out tomorrow and make all the inquiries you’d like. Today is the day to convince my grandfather that this marriage is real.”

“And how do you suppose we do that?” Her voice rose with indignation just as he caught his grandfather’s sly eyes watching them.

Kane wrapped his arms around her, bringing her up against him and bent his head. “Like this.”

Kane claimed her lips in a sweeping long kiss, tasting her sweetness, the mix of Molly and fruit punch a heady elixir for any man, even more so for him. Molly was his wife now. He had every right to kiss her, but he hadn’t expected this surge of hot desire to beseech him.

And Molly. She too seemed affected, leaning into him, their bodies brushing together with legs and chests meshed. After her initial surprise, a little gasp that Kane had come to know as hers alone, Molly participated fully, responding to his kiss passionately. Kane held her tight, his palms stroking her back, caressing the fine lace of her wedding dress as he deepened the kiss, caught up in a slow burn that scorched his body.

His lips were hard and demanding, hers soft and supple and so damn willing that Kane had to back away. He broke off the kiss to stare into Molly’s dewy green eyes. She smiled at him with softly bruised lips, her face radiant and glowing.

“Kane,” she whispered, looking at him as if she truly belonged to him. Looking at him as if he belonged to her.

The music had stopped and when Kane turned around, all eyes were watching with satisfied expressions, and he realized if any of them had doubts of the validity of this marriage before, those questions had been quelled and banished from their minds now.

He turned back to Molly and took her hand. “I think that convinced them.”

Molly put her head down, but not before Kane witnessed the injury he’d caused. It was better this way, he told himself. Better for Molly to understand the reality of their marriage—that there was no reality. Better for her not to get caught up in the fancy wedding gown and lively music and inspired guests. Better for her to remember that they had no future together. Kane would dissolve the marriage as soon as they met the terms of their bargain. But there would be no Omaha Dance, no stick-throwing tribal ceremony to toss a wife away as with the Cheyenne. Kane would have to seek legal means the white man’s way to gain his freedom again.

“Molly,” he said, relieved that he wasn’t in the Cheyenne world now. Tossing a wife away caused great humiliation and somehow Kane couldn’t imagine hurting Molly in that way.

When she didn’t respond, he lifted her chin with a finger to gaze into her eyes. He’d half expected her to lash out at him with her wild Irish temper, but all he saw in her eyes was regret.

She already regretted marrying him.

The notion stung.

And Kane regarded that sharp jolt in the pit of his stomach as weakness, something he would deal with later on. He should be glad Molly realized the futility of this union. It would be better to remind her of the main reason she had come to Texas.

“Tomorrow, we will set out to find Charlie. It’s what you want, isn’t it?”

She nodded. “Very much.”

“Then let’s say good night to our guests. It’s time for bed.”