CHAPTER13
It was their wedding day and both men had been restless all day. They were beyond excited, and after Daisy had confided in them, they both felt overly protective of their woman.
Personally, Ellis wanted to kick her father’s ass right out of Charleston. Why did it seem like fathers were ignorant of their daughters’ needs? Of their wants and how they needed fatherly protection? It was something Lee and he had talked about at length.
Their daughters would be the most protected women in Treasure Falls. No man would live to take advantage of their girls. And their sons would be taught to respect women. What kind of man did what Thomas did to Daisy?
Ellis was just glad that he’d been unable to take her virginity. But still, her father had been a disgrace. The thought of their woman living on the streets of Charleston was frightening.
“Stop thinking about it,” Lee said, fixing his bolo tie. “Today is about making Daisy ours. Of making her happy. Today is the beginning of our happy married life.” They were getting ready to walk out the door to go to his aunt and uncle’s home to marry their woman.
“I know, but I can’t help but think about our children, our daughters. Even our sons will be respectful people. If not, I’ll paddle their butts into next week.”
Lee laughed. “First, we have to have those children. And second, you need to remember that people, particularly children, do what they want. We most certainly did.”
“I know, but I never would have taken advantage of a young woman, especially one who was telling me to stop,” Ellis said, thinking about Arianna. But they had been foolish and so very much in love. If her father had not interfered, he would have married her.
They closed the door to their house and walked down the street. When they returned this evening, they would be married.
With a sigh, he pushed Arianna out of his mind. That was the past. There was nothing he could do to help her now. Today was about his future.
As if conjuring him up with his thoughts, Henry Cox stepped in front of him.
“So you’re getting married. You’ve forgotten all about my daughter.”
Maybe it was prewedding jitters, but he was already nervous without having to deal with Henry.
“You kept us from marrying, remember? I came to you and asked for her hand and you said over my dead body. I should have killed you right then.”
The man’s top lip curled and he all but growled. “You weren’t good enough for my daughter. Especially after she lost her brother because of your family.”
“I had nothing to do with that. Mine accidents happen all the time.”
“You’re a Sanders, and I would never let you marry my daughter,” he growled. “Never.”
Ellis sighed and tried to remind himself the man was hurting. He’d lost two of his children and blamed the Sanders family for their deaths. “Look, Henry, I would do anything to bring back Arianna. I loved her. Her death weighs on me daily. I would do anything to bring back your son and my parents, but I had nothing to do with the mine accident. I lost people I loved too.”
Lee stepped in. “We’ve got to go. We don’t want to be late.”
The old man stunk of liquor and Ellis knew he’d already started drinking.
“I’m going to make certain you’re never happy,” Henry said. “Your wife is going to be living in hell.”
Before Ellis could stop him, Lee grabbed Henry by the shirt and pulled him up close to his face. “Don’t ever threaten our wife. Don’t even think about harming her. She had nothing to do with the death of your children, and I won’t put up with your threats. Do you understand me?”
Henry’s eyes grew large and Ellis could see the fear in them.
“Yes,” the old man growled.
“Now get the hell out of the street. We’re getting married today,” Ellis said.
As they walked past him, the old man glared at them.
“Daisy doesn’t deserve this,” Ellis said.
“No, she doesn’t. Not after what that bastard tried to do to her. But she’ll be safe with us,” Lee said.
“I hope so,” Ellis said as they walked up to the steps of the house. This was the day they had been waiting for, for so long.
“Let’s get married,” Lee said. “We’ve got babies to make tonight.”
Ellis laughed and shook his head. “You’re changing the first dirty diaper.”
“I can do it,” Lee said. “In fact, I can’t wait.”