CHAPTER13
Today she was marrying the best-looking men in town. And they owned a ranch. Everything she dreamed of was beginning to come true. Everything.
And it was hard to believe that traveling from Charleston to Treasure Falls had been the best thing she’d ever done.
No, she didn’t love her husbands, but then she didn’t believe they loved her yet either. Hopefully, they would all come around. Jakob was a strong man with a domineering personality. There was something about him she couldn’t quite figure out yet. Why was he obsessed with marrying a lady?
Could she be the woman he desired?
Martin was a gentle, kind soul who reminded her of a big teddy bear. Though something bothered him. Hopefully, once they were married, she would learn why he often looked sad. The other day, he seemed to just disappear inside himself.
Today, six couples with an extra bridegroom would all say “I do” in front of each other. It would be one big ceremony. One big party. Something she’d never attended. This wedding would be her first. And she couldn’t help but wonder what she would learn today.
This morning, Mary and Daisy and she had sat on the bed and asked each other if they were making the right decision and each woman agreed this was right for them. Each woman was happy with the two men who had chosen her and each woman knew that after today, they would only see each other when they could. The months of living together were over and they were each beginning a new chapter of her life.
A chapter she hoped would bring her happiness. If only she could continue to be the prim-and-proper woman Jakob wanted. And Martin, she just wanted to hold him, assure him, and make him realize that everything would be all right.
She would protect him like he promised to protect her and their children.
After she announced her engagement, Aunt Grace had spoken to her about how marriage was with two men. She had no idea how marriage to one man would be, so this was not shocking to her.
And learning how sex happened with two men, she was a little nervous today.
All she wanted to do was be the best wife possible for both of her men. To make them happy. To please them.
Blanche stood in her new purple dress waiting for her turn to walk down the stairs and her two men would meet her there, and once all the women were downstairs, the ceremony would begin.
Aunt Grace stood by the stairs. She hugged Blanche. “Good luck, Blanche.”
“Thank you,” Blanche said, feeling the tears well in her eyes. Aunt Grace was the closest figure she had to a mother.
Blanche began the descent and saw her two men waiting for her at the bottom. They grinned at her and when she reached them, they hugged her.
“Happy wedding day,” Martin said.
“Happy wedding day,” Jakob replied. “I can’t wait to get you home tonight.”
She smiled at them and her nerves kicked in. Tonight, she would learn what they expected from her. Tonight was their wedding night.
Each man took one of her arms and placed it on his and they walked over to stand in front of Dr. Sanders, who would be saying the vows once all the couples were gathered.
The memory of standing on the porch of her home with a gun pointed at the new owner and the sheriff came to mind, and she almost giggled. As much as she missed her old home, her animals, and living there, she had so much hope that after today, she would once again have a good place to live. A ranch with farm animals and maybe she could get another dog.
She loved the feel of a dog, and how when the world seemed ready to implode, they were there by her side, licking her hand and gazing at her with those big soft brown eyes.
The doctor stood before them and began the words that would join them together as man and wife. Staring at her husbands, she repeated her vows.
The doctor grinned at them. “Gentlemen, you may kiss your bride.”
First Martin leaned in and kissed her, making her knees weak. Then Jakob pulled her into his arms and covered her lips molding her body against his. When he finally released her, she felt almost faint.
The man knew how to kiss. And one thing she already knew about him was that he needed to be in control. How long could she let him control her?
“Be a good lady and we’ll be happy,” he whispered as he leaned his head against her forehead.
Oh, that was like a taunt. Did he not realize that now she wanted to show him she could be anyone she wanted to be? But it was their wedding day.
“Always,” she said, knowing that wasn’t possible.
The doctor glanced at the group of them. “How wonderful. Now we know the town of Treasure Falls will continue. May you be blessed with many children and long lives together.”
The dinner seemed to last forever with many toasts to happiness and children. Finally, her men took her by the arm.
“We need to get home,” Martin said.
“Are you all packed?” Jakob asked
“Yes,” she said, suddenly feeling very nervous. “I must tell the girls good-bye.”
She walked over to Mary and hugged her. “I’m going to miss you.”
“We’ll see each other in town,” Mary said.
Daisy walked up.
“Daisy, I’m getting my dream. Another ranch. Promise me you’ll come see me,” she said.
“You know I will. Soon,” Daisy told her. “Be happy.”
“You too,” she said, hugging Daisy.
“I hope so,” she said. “Come see me.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Alice. The woman hated her and yet Blanche tried her best to be friendly with her. “Good-bye, Alice.”
“I hope your men realize what a tramp they’re getting. Did you tell them, you were pregnant?”
Chills went through Blanche. Why did the woman think she was pregnant? She’d been sick and even thought that Alice poisoned her.
“Alice, I’m not a tramp. I’m not pregnant. Honestly, I thought you poisoned me,” she said calmly, trying her best to act like the lady her husbands expected.
“They’ll soon learn the truth about you,” Alice said with a sneer as she turned and walked away.
It was all Blanche could do not to go after the woman and punch her. But she didn’t want to ruin her wedding and everyone else’s. Alice had chosen to return to Charleston. Hopefully, she would never see her again.
The woman walked away and Blanche’s men came up to her.
“Let’s go,” Jakob said grinning.