Page 27 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
They almost trampled the poor preacher as they hurried to the desk to sign the papers. The ladies giggled again and then wrote their names. The preacher blotted the paper and held a document to them. “This is proof of your wedding.” He shook his head. “I confess this is one of the hastiest I’ve ever done.”
“Thank you, preacher.” Andy handed him money, hoping it would be enough. He folded the paper and put it in his breast pocket for safe keeping.
With that, the newly wed couple hurried out the door they’d recently come through.
“Now what?” Della asked, clinging to Andy’s hand.
“We need to get back to the wagon and head out of town.”
“Then what?”
The way her voice trembled informed Andy that her fear hadn’t been eased by marrying him. Funny, he thought it should have. After all, being a Shannon meant the whole family would protect her. Meant most people in the area would treat her kindly. He needed to get her to his home where she’d be safe.
“I’ll take you to the ranch for now. Then I’ll send you back to your ma. Then we’ll get the marriage annulled.” Not that he had any idea how to go about doing that. Guess he’d have to find a lawyer.
He drew her along the back of the nearest building and reached the opening between it and the next one. Removing his hat, he carefully peeked around the corner. “All clear,” he whispered, and they darted across the space. They did that three more times until they reached the end of the street. The wagon stood outside the station… across the breadth of a wide roadway. He paused to consider his options. It wouldn’t take a very intelligent man to figure out why the wagon had been left there. How smart was Mr. Hartman? He’d written letters that convinced both Della and her mother that he was a decent man. He’d followed them across Montana. Did that make him smart?
Della pressed to his back. “Do you see him?”
“No.”
“Can we make it to the wagon?”
“We have to. Are you ready?” He searched her face. Fear had been replaced by determination. And something more that he couldn’t identify but perhaps it was trust. Was she trusting him to protect her? “You’re safe with me.”
She nodded. “As long as he doesn’t find us.”
He patted his breast pocket. The document rattled. “He can’t argue with this.” Mr. Hartman had to accept that Della belonged to him. While he was alive… or until the annulment. The thought made him clench his jaw.
The blue in her eyes darkened as if storm clouds had filled her sky. Had she read his mind?
* * *
Della struggledto get air past the lump in her throat. She’d married a man she barely knew. Pa would be so disappointed in her. Marrying someone with such little forethought. Without meaning the vows she’d avoided uttering. But she knew them by heart.Pa, forgive me. God, forgive me.
She’d done it out of fear and desperation. Andy had promised to protect her, and she believed him. She was married. But would Mr. Hartman accept the fact?
She shivered as if the heat had given way to a cold breeze.
Andy remained at the corner of the last building. They’d have to cross the street to reach the wagon. They’d be exposed with no place to hide. He didn’t move. She wondered if he now regretted his rash suggestion they should marry. They were husband and wife… temporarily.
He leaned his back to the warm wood of the wall and took in two slow breaths.
“Are you suddenly realizing that you might have taken on more than you thought?” Not that they could undo what they’d done by simply changing their minds. She had no idea how to get an annulment but guessed it would require a judge to sign papers.
He smiled at her, the look warming her. “If you’re referring to our marriage, then no, but then I haven’t had time to think about it let alone discover what it’s like to be a married man. My only regret so far is Mr. Hartman. I’m thinking he’s not going to be happy when he learns we’ve wed.”
“Nope. He’s not.” She leaned next to him, her shoulder pressing to his. “I’m sorry for getting you into this mess.”
He bumped his arm against hers. “If it’s adventure you want, I think you’ve got it.”
She chuckled. “Traveling in England and exploring castles was more what I had in mind.”
“I’m hurt.” He splayed the fingers of one hand over his chest.
“What? How?” She ran her gaze over him. “You were injured in the coal mine and only now are thinking to mention it?”
A low chuckle rumbled from his throat. “It’s not a physical hurt.” He leaned closer. “I’m wounded that you think old castles in some far-off places are more interesting than I am.” He waggled his brows.
