Page 9 of Chloe's Christmas Escape
The judge cleared his throat. Chloe looked up to see Jackson looking at her. “Repeat after me,” the judge said as he recited the words that would join her to this man for the rest of her life.
No. Not for the rest of her life.Just for now.
“I, Jackson Masters.” Jackson squeezed her hand. Jackson repeated the words after the judge spoke, tugging on her hand after each phrase until she met his gaze. “... until death do us part.”
Something shattered inside of her chest as the reality of the situation sank in. What if he was just another one of God’s creatures that would die in front of her? A tightness in her chest prevented her from focusing on what was being said until a firm hand pressed against the back of her neck and curved her spine in half. Tears burned her eyes as the impact of his mortality hit her. She felt her eyes roll back in her head as Jackson’s arms tightened around her waist.
“Just breathe Chloe, just breathe.” Jackson’s voice was soothing in her ear, but she could hear the others talking and the accusations that the judge was throwing around.
This wasn’t how any of this was supposed to go!
As the fog of confusion dissipated, she gradually regained her footing and steadied herself. Chloe kept her gaze on Jackson until he came into focus. The bickering in the room was getting louder and louder, so she let out a shrill whistle that she had learned from her father. The sound of it echoed throughout the room and everyone immediately stopped talking and looked at her.
“I apologize. I recently saw a man fall from a window. The mention of death somehow called forth that memory. Please forgive me a moment of dramatics.” She stepped forward to stand in front of Judge Heathcliff once more. “I am marrying Jackson of my volition. I wonder, however, is there any way we cannot mention death when you have me say my vows?”
“A dead man from a window?”
She couldn’t avoid the judge’s dark, penetrating gaze. She nervously shifted her weight and looked down at the floor, feeling exposed as he waited for her to go on. Though she felt an overwhelming pressure to speak, she couldn’t explain why she finally opened up about what had happened. Perhaps it was because they would soon leave town, and whatever happened in this courtroom, no one else would ever know.
“I was on the way home and there was a noise above me and when I looked up, there was a man falling from the window. He was already dead when he landed.” She shuddered, not to mention she hadn’t slept for several days after the incident.
“That would certainly upset anyone, child. Go on then, back to holding hands with your groom.” The judge returned to his place in front of the desk, casting a questioning glance over at the senior marshal, who nodded in agreement. “Repeat after me.” The judge began reading the words once more.
Chloe clasped Jackson’s hand as if her life were at stake. In her heart, she knew it was. “I, Chloe Kingston, take you Jackson Masters to be my lawfully wedded husband from this day forward.”
Something shifted between them as she finished reciting her vows. She trembled, waiting for what came next, unable to meet his gaze straight on.
“...you may now kiss your bride.”
The words registered in her brain as Jackson’s large hands gently cupped her face, his fingertips brushing against the delicate skin of her cheeks. His gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered for a moment before finally lowering down to meet hers. She closed her eyes as their lips touched, and his scent of wood and cinnamon filled her senses, making her feel warm and safe in his arms.
Her eyes closed, and warmth like melted honey flooded through her veins before he pulled away. As she took two steps forward, applause erupted from around the room. The sound echoed in her ears like thunder as she buried her face in her new husband’s chest. She felt his heartbeat thumping against her cheek, and a hint of cologne mixed with the scent of expensive leather filled her senses. Giggling despite herself, she marveled at the absurdity of it; that complete strangers were celebrating with them.
As Jackson accepted the well wishes for them both, he could feel her warmth radiating through their intertwined hands. He hadn’t realized just how petite she was until they stood face-to-face. Her head barely reached his chest, and he felt protective to have her so close. As Chloe stepped away, a wave of disappointment crashed over him. He tried to keep it hidden from his expression as he shook the judge’s hand with one hand, while keeping Chloe connected to him with the other.
“I apologize for taking up your time, sir,” Jackson said, but Judge Heathcliff dismissed the apology with a wave of his hand.
“It’s been a while since I’ve married a couple who weren’t separated by metal bars in the room,” he mused. “It will thrill my wife to hear this story when I get home tonight.”
Dread seized Jackson; his gaze swept across to his uncle Mac, who shook his head and cast a furtive glance at the court clerk.
“Gentlemen.” Mac stepped forward, and the clerk and judge fixed their attention on him. “It would be better if no one knew of Mrs. Masters’ family name. She didn’t lie about the fallen man, but she left out the two other bodies she discovered. She and my nephew needed to get married now before they take off to the west. I must figure out how dangerous it may be for her.”
Chloe’s sudden silence caught everyone’s attention, and they all turned their heads to look at her. Jackson couldn’t help but notice how fixated she was on her shoes, and he made a mental note to ask her about it sometime later.
“But she is legally married now,” Judge Heathcliff stated plainly.
“And I intend to honor that,” her quiet voice cut through the room. “It doesn’t mean I’m not already missing my mama, or that I wouldn’t have agreed to marry him regardless of the other issue.”
A door opened in Jackson’s heart upon hearing her words. They had just met, yet she trusted him enough to ask for help. “Anything else you’d like to know?” he asked, turning back towards Judge Heathcliff.
“No, I’m content,” the judge replied with a nod, and soon they were out on the main street again.
“Where are we going now?” Chloe scanned her surroundings. She hadn’t yet recovered from the news his uncle had told her.
“Where would you like to go?” He didn’t look at his uncle, knowing full well the best option was to tuck her back into the boarding house.
He watched her look up and down the street, give a little shudder, and then peer at Mac. “Perhaps the boarding house would be best. Do they have a sitting room?”
