The Colorado Bride

But as Rebecca moved toward the well-wishers, Cole handed Mac to Bess and banded his long fingers around her narrow wrist. The lean planes of his face didn’t soften a fraction. “You owe me a kiss.”

“B-but…’ she stammered, her gaze darting among the smiling faces.

Cole gathered her in his arms, not giving her another chance to speak. The quick beat of his heart pounded under her palm.

He kissed her and to her surprise, she didn’t care that the entire town surrounded them. He tightened his hold and in one searing moment deepened their kiss. Dark, erotic sensations flickered to life deep in her bones.

She leaned into him, limp and wanting, savoring the way his rough skin made her skin tingle.

Gene Applegate cleared his throat. “Now, there’s time enough for that.”

Prudence and Mrs. Applegate snickered.

Cole broke the kiss and stepped back, a frown marring his face. Rebecca stood in stunned silence, staring at him and shaken to the core.

Mrs. Applegate tapped her on the shoulder. “Dear, is everything all right?”

Rebecca touched her fingertips to her lips then looked around at the dozens of onlookers who stared boldly at them, many with their mouths agape. Color burned her cheeks. “Yes, of course.”

“Good, then let’s have the band strike up a tune in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Cole McGuire.”

Everyone clapped then. The women swarmed around Rebecca, giggling and joking about the kiss and wedding night. And the men circled Cole, sweeping him away as they shared a bawdy joke or two and talked of the prosperity sure to grace White Stone when the mine reopened.

It all seemed to swirl around Rebecca like a dream. Over the crowd of laughing people, she caught a glimpse of Cole. He stood tall, a good head above everyone. Longing surged in her.

As if sensing her appraisal, he looked up, his jaw tight. Their gazes locked. And she knew in that instant, his thoughts mirrored her own.

She had done the right thing by marrying him. She repeated the words over and over again even as her thoughts drifted to their wedding night. Her mouth went as dry as cotton.

Curtis had always been disappointed with her in bed, calling her clumsy, childish. She didn’t want Cole to be disappointed by her lack of experience.

She had to find Bess.

Chapter Fourteen

The wedding celebration was more than Rebecca could ever have expected. Mrs. Applegate and her crew of women had outdone themselves, organizing the lavish display of fruit pies, roasted chickens and breads. The entire town gathered on the picnic grounds near the church. Rebecca and Cole spent most of the afternoon standing side by side accepting the good wishes of their neighbors.

Cole’s smile was quick and full, but Rebecca saw the way he clenched his jaw when no one was looking. She knew he itched to leave the festivities behind.

But there’d been no sign of Bess, and Rebecca grew more desperate with each passing minute.

As Cole reached out to shake hands with another person, his arm grazed hers. Lightning bolts shot through her body, setting all her senses on edge. Her mouth grew dry. It had been years since she’d been held and her body ached to be loved and touched.

Seth Osborne climbed up in the bed of an empty wagon and raised a Mason jar full of whiskey. “Okay folks, gather around so that I can toast the bride and groom.”

Cole, silent and stone-faced, led Rebecca toward Seth. “After this, we’re leaving,” he said in a gruff voice, loud enough for only her to hear.

His words fueled her worries. She found it difficult to concentrate on anything other than the palm of his hand searing through her dress into the small of her back.

Seth waited until the crowd circled around and quieted. “I reckon since I’ve lived in this town longer than anybody, it’s my job to offer the wedding toast. I’ve known Cole since he was fourteen years old. I’ve watched Rebecca grow from a girl into a woman and been proud at the way she’s mothered Mac and now Dusty.” He raised his glass. “Rebecca and Cole, you’re good people, and I wish you a long and happy marriage.”

Rebecca’s chest tightened with unspoken emotion. “Thank you.”

“Thank you, Seth.” Cole faced the crowd and said in a booming voice, “This has been a fine celebration, but it’s time my family and I went home. Good day to you all.”

“Aren’t you going to stay longer? We’ve got sack races planned and the pie-eating contest,” Mrs. Applegate said, frowning.

Rebecca, not ready to be alone with Cole, was quick to say, “Of course, we will.” She pulled her arm free and hurried into the center of the crowd, allowing them to engulf her. She didn’t dare look at Cole, sure that he was frowning. She presented her best smile and let the town ladies guide her over to the display of fried pies, cookies and sweet butters.

Rebecca picked up a slice of gingerbread and nibbled the end, not really tasting the confection. “This is delicious,” she said, her voice a bit too enthusiastic.

Mrs. Applegate picked up two cinnamon cookies. “Prudence was beside herself yesterday when no one got a chance to eat her blue ribbon gingerbread. It’ll do her heart glad to know the bride enjoyed some today.”

Rebecca bit into the over-spiced confection. “It’s wonderful,” she lied.

“You made a pretty bride, Mrs. McGuire,” Mrs. Applegate said. She dabbed a lace handkerchief to the corner of her eye.

Rebecca lowered the cookie from her lips. “Mrs. McGuire. That sounds so strange.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

“Yes,” she said absently.

Mrs. Applegate popped it in her mouth. “I know Cole’s rough around the edges, but he does clean up mighty well.”

“Yes.”

Mrs. Applegate bit into a second cookie. “He helped my nephew Stan with the fire and just a half hour ago offered him a job working in the mine as foreman.”

Rebecca blinked. “He did?”

“Yes, he did,” she said dusting cookie crumbs from her ample bosom.

“I’m happy for you.”

“You should be happy for yourself and everyone else in this town. I know Stan and Cole have had their differences, but they both want this town to grow and thrive together. They’ll get that mine up and running.”

“Yes, I’m sure they will,” she said honestly. She doubted there was anything Cole couldn’t accomplish if he set his mind to it.

Mrs. Applegate reached for a third cookie. “You look pale as a ghost.”

Rebecca set the uneaten gingerbread down on the table. “I’m just tired. Have you seen Bess?”

“Not lately. Saw her talking with the sheriff an hour or so ago.”

“Oh.”

“I know what you’re worried about,” the older woman said in a hushed voice.

“Really?”

“The marriage night.”

“I’ve been married before,” she said feigning an indifference she didn’t quite feel. She’d have preferred to talk to Bess about such intimate matters, but her friend was nowhere to be found. She wondered if she could solicit advice from Mrs. Applegate.

&

nbsp; “I’ve often wondered what the big fuss is all about.”

“That’s because you married that pompous Curtis. Tonight, you’ll be sleeping with a real man.”

Rebecca felt the color rising in her cheeks. There was something about Cole that was larger than life, frightening almost. He stood among a group of men, holding Mac in one arm and Dusty at his side. He stood tall and straight, his gaze sure and direct.

The persistent yearning that always pestered her when he was around, returned. She studied his long, lean hands, imagining them on her naked body. She thought about lying under his muscular form, the sweat of their two bodies mingling.

Her mouth went bone dry. Mrs. Applegate was right. One way or another, after she and Cole made love, she knew she’d never be the same. Her insides turned to jelly and her knees wobbled. Tonight wasn’t going to be anything like her first wedding night.

“Mrs. Applegate, about tonight. I mean, I want it to be special.”

“It will, dear.”

“How can I be sure?”

The old woman met her with knowing eyes. “Give in to your heart. Instinct will guide you.”

“I was never sure what to do with Curtis.”

“Cole will be different.”

She imagined his hands threading through her hair. Her insides quivered and her knees nearly buckled.

Mrs. Applegate had told her to follow her instincts. Well, right now, instinct told her to run.

* * *

Cole hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Rebecca since the moment she’d stepped out onto the landing at the top of the stairs—a vision with the ring of flowers nestled in her hair, her lips parted and full and her blue eyes wide. A fairy princess.

Five hours ago when he’d demanded this marriage, he’d not thought past protecting his rights as a father. Now that his fury had cooled, all he could see was Rebecca.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her and the way her dress clung to her narrow waist and her full breasts.

Mac squirmed in Cole’s arms. The child stretched his hands out to Rebecca and strained his body toward her. Cole had to hold on with both hands so the child didn’t flip out of his arms.