Found

Penelope

She scanned the letter again. Penelope’s money had not been enough.

Melissa heard a noise coming from the bottom of the stairs. She shoved the letter back into the drawer and grabbed a poker from her fireplace. Tiptoeing down the steps, she made out a whispered curse from the intruder. She raised the poker above her head, ready to pounce.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Melissa jumped, dropping the poker to the floor. Jake came out of the shadows and picked up her would-be weapon placing it over his shoulder like an ax.

“Something’s going on and I don’t like it.”

The knot in the pit of her stomach reminded Melissa of how much she did not like being alone with him. Jake wanted more than friendship and that was something she could not give him. Sure he was handsome enough even kind at times, but something about him never settled right in her stomach. That was not the only reason.

“Are you in some kind of trouble? I told you I would take care of you. Why won’t you let me?”

She knew why?

“I had to excuse myself for a moment. Bonnie’s not here right now.” Melissa pushed past him, anxious to reopen the store and dislodge Jake and his intrusion. He clasped her upper arm.

“That may explain why you locked the doors but not why you’re not answering my question.” He moved behind her. She could feel his breath on the nape of her neck. “You know I love you.”

Was that a question? “I have to open the store.”

He twisted her around to meet his glare. “Just remember how you got here. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have this job or a roof over your head. Aunt Bonnie wouldn’t have hired just anybody.”

Aunt Bonnie, huh. The only thing that woman gave her was a sleeping room. Melissa bought her own bedding, food, clothes, necessities anything that went into her body or on it, she had purchased with her own measly earnings. She worked from sunup to sundown doing every chore devised by man. She was head clerk, seamstress, and milliner, you name it if it needed doing Melissa did it while his dear Aunt Bonnie pocketed the profits. Yeah, Jake had done her a real favor.

Yet, she amended. She had safety, food and warmth, far more to be thankful for than she had admitted. “You’re right. I have been remiss in my gratitude.” Melissa moved from his grasp when she felt it relax. “I am grateful that you and your aunt have given me a place to stay.”

Jake’s smug smile always made it impossible to be truly thankful. “You’re welcome. Now about…”

“Jake, I really can’t talk right now, perhaps later.” She held the door open for him. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to finish Mrs. Emmet’s order.” Jake dropped the poker and shoved his way out the door. She had seen him stomp off on more than one occasion over her rebuffing. She would probably hear about it later when dear Aunt Bonnie returned.

Melissa closed the door behind him then pulled the curtains aside from the windows to allow in the sunshine. Clem sat across the way in front of the hotel, staring her direction. He tipped his hat when he saw her notice of him. She backed away from the window.

What was she going to do?

Clem tied it onto the back of her horse. “Where’s the necklace?”

Melissa made a subconscious movement toward her neck. “I had to sell it—for my lodgings the first month, un-until I found work here.”

“The ring as well, I see.”

She bowed her head. That had been much harder to sell having belonged to his mother.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Melissa felt him take her hand, placing the gold coin in her palm. He closed her fingers over it. “You forgot this. I gave it to you, remember.” Melissa looked up into his eyes for the first time. They held an unexpected gentleness, without the slightest hint of accusation. “I’m returning it to you.” She did not know what to say. “If you’re ready then.”

Melissa went to her horse and placed one foot in the stirrups. She felt strong hands on her waist lift her into the saddle. Clem covered her hand with his before he bowed his head. “Father, I thank you for a prosperous journey and I ask that you keep your hand upon us as we travel home. Help us learn to trust one another even as we trust you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen.”

Melissa sat there for a moment watching him mount his horse. Had she just witnessed him pray for their trip?

Moments later, Clem led the way out of town, the sun rising on their faces and a chill breeze at their backs. She had no real need to look back. She left nothing more than food and shelter. The only kind of friendship she could speak of was that between her and Jake, if you could call it that.

They rode the first few hours in silence, broken finally by Clem announcing, “I can feel you burning a hole in my back. You want to tell me what bugs you so much about me?”

“No,” she whispered.

“Then if it’s not too much to ask, would you mind riding beside me and give my back a rest?” She pulled up, reluctantly, waiting for what seemed like hours for him to speak again. “I assume you remember my name.” She nodded. “I’d appreciate it if you used it and I don’t mean Mister either. You’ll call me Adam or nothing at all.” She nodded again. “You gonna tell me why you ran?” Melissa turned away. He let out a long, exasperated sigh. “It’s okay, I think I can guess.” She could hear him shift in his saddle. “Melissa, you have nothing to fear with me.” She turned to glare at him. “I can see I have a huge job ahead of me, convincing you otherwise. Well, so be it, if that’s what you want. But understand this, I won’t give up and that’s a promise.”

Melissa knew he meant it. “What will you do with me?” She nearly choked on the question so long had it lodged within her. “Father said a violent home was a home none-the-less.”

“How about build a life with you. No? Well I guess this is just another area in which I’m going to have to have faith.” Faith? What a strange thing for a villain to say. “I don’t want to be your wife.”

“I know that. For the life of me, I don’t know why, but I do know that. I guess we’ll both just have to learn to trust God.”

He almost sounded convincing. No doubt, due to his well rehearsed sincerity. Sincere, that is, to someone who did not know better.

“We’ll stop in a few more hours and have something to eat. You can go back to burning a hole in my back, if you like until then.” Melissa considered herself dismissed and fell back into her position.

“Melissa!” Adam swung his horse around. “Get behind me—now!”

“Of course.”

“Then do it and don’t stop!”

Melissa was about to obey until she heard her name. She looked off at the barreling rider, squinting her eyes.

“Melissa, I gave you an order, now go!”

Melissa knew she had spent too much of her life being timid, her relationship with Adam was a perfect example, but this was not going to be one of those times. “I know this man!”

Adam drew his horse in front of her, leaning forward to see who it was. “Ah—the hero rides. I thought he seemed a bit fond of you. Something I need to worry about?”

Moments later, Jake pulled up in front them, Adam still interposing himself between.

“Melissa! What’s the meaning of leaving like this?” The anger on Jake’s face told her more about his frustration of loss than his need to be a hero on her behalf. “Aunt Bonnie said you took off this morning with this…scum. You left her in a sorrowful situation. Who is this man anyway?”

Melissa watched Adam return his gun to the holster and rest his elbow on the horn of his saddle. He seemed amused over the whole thing. “Tell him who I am, Melissa.”

Melissa was beginning to feel like the scrap of meat between two rabid dogs. Adam baiting at her like he had every right and Jake doing the same thing out of a stance of obligation. She wanted rid of the both of them! “That’s real touching, Jake, you wanting me to come back just so I can work for you.” Jake looked taken aback. “And this humorless warthog is my husband, Adam Frederick Byron III.”

Jake’s eyes darted between her and Adam. He opened his mouth twice and finally clamped it shut.

Adam seemed amused. “I think you got through, my dear.”

“All this time I’ve been trying to court you and you couldn’t tell me this?” Melissa felt the shame wash over her. Jake was right. She should have been honest with him from the beginning. She assumed Jake would tire before long and give up his pursuit. Never did she consider his feelings or telling him the truth.

“I-I…”

“My wife and I need to get moving if we are to reach our destination on time this evening so if we are done with pleasantries.”

The look on Jake's face haunted Melissa the rest of the evening. Yet more proof that Adam was not the kind man he claimed to be. When he pulled up several hours later and began setting up a small tent, she knew their adventure had just begun.

Adam pounded another stake into the ground with a rock. “Nope.”

“Then where are you going to sleep?” Adam looked up with a wide grin on his face and she knew exactly where he thought he was going to sleep.

“I could remind you that we are legally married.” Melissa felt her heart begin to race in earnest now. “However,” the smile faced from Adams face as he came to stand in front of her. “I thought it best to allow us both time to get to know one another. After all, we have our whole lives, plenty of time to consummate our vows before God.” His hand touched her cheek for a moment and dropped away.

Consummate? What a dreadful word. To think she had run from her wedding night only to have delayed the inevitable.

“I’ll be right out here, if you need me.” Adam walked over to his horse and rummaged through the saddlebags. “Now, how about something to eat?”

Adam sliced off strips of bacon and tossed some flour in the grease when done. He pulled out some biscuits he must have picked up from the hotel and placed two on her plate. Spooning the gravy over top, he took her hand and asked a blessing over their food. He certainly seemed comfortable in his role as the godly husband. It would take more than cursory prayer to convince her of his innocence.

Melissa wanted to eat as quickly as possible to avoid any kind of conversation Adam might deem necessary. She shoved the last bit into her mouth and rose to clean her dish. Adam cleared his throat. Too late. She turned back to look at him.

“Did you love him?”

The question had come out of nowhere, causing Melissa to choke on her bite of biscuit.

“Should I take that as a yes?”

Melissa coughed uncontrollably, eyes watering. Adam thrust the canteen into her hands. It took several moments before she spoke in a croaked voice. “Why are you asking me this?”

Adam gave her a half-cocked smile. “He came for you didn’t he?”

Melissa toyed with the idea of telling him they had been lovers perhaps that would give him reason to release her. She had just been about to open her mouth when a flood of warning burned inside of her and she relented. “No. As much as I’d rather not be your wife, I would not choose to be his either.”

“I believe you.” And that had been the end of that. “Finish up. We have a lot to do before bedtime.”

Sleep played a game of hide and seek with the noises of the night. She could have sworn she heard Adam moving around just outside the door on more than one occasion. If his plan consisted of pouncing on her while she slept, she would be ready. After phasing in and out for most of the night, she finally gave up the fight when she heard the first chirpings of the morning.

“Rise and shine!” Adam’s cheerful greeting could not have been more unwelcome. “We have a long day ahead of us, so best get going early. I’ll see to breakfast.”

It was certainly strange to see someone like Adam cooking. She didn’t know business men of his stature could cook at all let alone over a campfire. Of course, he gave the chore over to her the next night and every day since. Two weeks he set up the tent, prepared the campfire and pulled out his little black book to read while she labored over their dinner. It was also strange to think that a man like him would be so completely enraptured by what he was reading. After nearly half an hour, he would set with his eyes closed as if sleeping. The only reason Melissa knew he was not asleep is that his mouth moved.

“I can feel you burning a hole in my shirt again,” said Adam who had been leaning against his saddle next to the fire.

Melissa looked up from staring at his shirt button to see him watching her. He slammed his book closed and set it aside, knocking over his canteen. “What is it this time?”

“Nothing. I was just wondering why you read so much.” She set the bacon and the flat bread aside then stood to square off with him. At least she wouldn’t worry about burning the dinner.

“I’m sure that’s not all you’re thinking,” Adam began walking towards her. “What you really want to know is how someone like me could be reading the Bible, is that it?”

She looked up at him again, having found more of her backbone these past few days. “Yes, if you must know.”

“Let’s get to the bottom of why you don’t trust me, Melissa, shall we?” His voice took on an edge she’d never heard before.

She had been expecting this, waited for the dynamite of rage to explode. Melissa was not about to back down from the truth. “I know what you’re capable of.”

He rubbed his right hand up and down his leg like a nervous tick. “All men are capable Melissa, not all men act on what they are capable of.”

Melissa threw down her cooking spoon and tossed off her apron. “All right, fine! My cousin told me all about you. You want to talk truth, then why don’t you tell me about the men you’ve beaten to a pulp. And don’t stop there, why don’t you also tell me about striking your fiancé when said she refused to marry you and how about—”

“Enough!”

How unwise to have aroused the beast of anger within him. Adam’s eyes held more than fury in the midst of them. His open palm came up. She threw her hands over her head to ward off the strike. “Do not hit me!”

It was not his fury she felt on her cheek, but a gentle caress. “I swore I would not harm you and I meant it.” She looked at him through her crossed arms. “All you said is true. I did those things and more—and I have regretted every one.” He took a deep breath. “It was so long ago. I want to put my angry past behind me. I have to work at it every day, Melissa not to allow the spirit of rage to take hold of me again.” Melissa’s arms lowered just a fraction, still not trusting his controlled demeanor. “The woman you mentioned, Clarisse. She was right for refusing to marry me. She saw the monster that lay beneath the man’s clothes. I did strike her that day. And when I left her house, I was so afraid of who I had become and what I had done to her, I knew I had to change. The problem was—I didn’t know how.”

Adam ran his hand through his hair. “I couldn’t control the rage…I tried. I cried out to God for the first time in my life and it was not until then, that I could even see a glimpse of becoming someone new. Oh it didn’t happen overnight. I had to submit my life every moment to Him.” He turned his head then back again. “I hated myself for what I had done to Clarisse.” He looked into Melissa’s eyes and his hands came to rest on her shoulders. Her arms lowered. “Clarisse did not deserve what I gave her.”

Adam paused as if looking for the right words. His hands fell away. “Your cousin was right about me…once. That past died more than five years ago and since then, I have learned to give the Lord my rage each day. I trust in Him to help me and He does.” Adam bent to pick up the spoon and apron, then handed them to her. “Most days, it’s hard to believe that I was that man. Then at other times, like today, I relive the feelings of what I had become. Only now, I have a choice—the choice not to act. You may have made me angry, Melissa, but I do not desire to harm you. Perhaps spank the living daylights out of you for being so foolish, but never harm you.”

Adam reached out to caress her cheek again. Melissa did not shy from his touch this time. His warm hand smoothed down her arms and cupped her shoulders again as he spoke. “I want you to be my wife. I want to build a home with you. I want to take care of you, have children with you, grow old and still chase you around the apple orchard when we both are so well along in years that it takes the entire day to catch you. Why don’t you give me a chance?”

He backed away and held out his hand.

Melissa had grabbed the canteen and headed down the hill to the stream.

The unending hills of Missouri made travel miserable. The oak forests laid down a heap of brown, leathery leaves in the autumn that never seemed to go away. It made for good fire starting but that was pretty much it.

She filled the canteen and took a long draw, the water cool and refreshing. “Lord, thank you for good water.” Melissa ran her sleeve over her mouth then stopped. That was the first time in ages she had spoken to the Lord. Had she forgotten so completely about Him? When’s the last time she even opened a Bible? Not since before her wedding day. As a matter of fact, Melissa felt hard-pressed to remember her last prayer. “Oh, Lord.”

Melissa had known deep in her gut that leaving Adam had been a wrong decision. However, Penelope’s letter had brought so much confusion. “..and fear,” she amended. It had been foolish to run from responsibility. The conviction had been so severe that she had shunned God’s voice completely. How long had it been since she could even remember His call?

“I’m so sorry, Father for being completely foolish. Why did I trade your peace for this fear and confusion?” Melissa felt a new assurance pouring into the pit of her being. It was as if she could feel God smiling. No, it was too much. The emotion of it all overwhelmed her. Her knees felt weak—even shaky. She dropped to them. “I’m sorry,” cried Melissa. “I’m sorry for leaving you. Forgive me—forgive me?”

Melissa knew by the warmth that flooded her that God had already forgiven her. She also knew the things that her husband said were true. He just wanted to build a life with her, was that so much to ask? She could do that; to share the burdens of life with someone—with Adam. There was a kind of comfort in that.

The rumble of a distant thunder sounded in her ears. “Rain—wonderful.”

She supposed it would not be too horrid if she allowed him to sleep in the tent. As long as he understood, it was for the benefit of weather.

Melissa heard the swish of his footsteps in the leaves. He had probably already come to that conclusion and wanted to make his announcement as soon as possible. “I’m not sharing your bed, mind you.”

“For now, perhaps.”

Melissa only swung around when a voice she did not expect answered her.

Jake stood a few feet behind her, leaning against a large oak with his arms folded in front of him. “Given a few weeks, you’ll change your mind.”

“What are you doing here, I thought you—”

“Gave up?” Jake dropped his arms and started toward her. He stopped in front, placing his hand on her arm. “You didn’t really expect me to do that did you?”

Melissa wanted to back away, but the creek stood between her and freedom. “Jake, go home.”

“Why? I’ve been following you for days. Things aren’t right between you two. I know he’s taking you on a goose chase and I also know that you’re not even sleeping with him. What kind of marriage is that?”

Melissa shook off his grip and pushed past him. “That’s none of your business!”

“I say it is!” Melissa felt his death grip as he swung her around into his arms. “I love you!” Jake’s mouth swooped down and she turned her face in time to elude his kiss. She felt his fist in her hair holding her face steady again. “I know you don’t love this man. I also know this marriage can be annulled. Let me take you away from here.”

Melissa pushed against his chest. “Jake, I don’t love you and even if I did, it’s too late, I belong to Adam.”

“You belong to me!” She felt his mouth pound down upon hers. She pushed and screamed inside her throat. The fear that tore through her now far exceeded anything she ever felt with Adam. Oh, Lord, Adam. What was she going to do now? Jake would force her to go with him and Adam would think she had wanted to leave.

Melissa clawed at his chest, but with one swift movement, he trapped one hand under his arm and locked the other behind her back. She kicked wildly, receiving only cursory grunts for her efforts. He shot his fist out and struck her—hard on the head. The sound of thunder cracked around her as they toppled to the ground. She felt a flash of terrible pain then all went dark.

Melissa shot her fists out and heard a loud grunt. She felt the unbearable pain in her left side and fell back to the ground. “Hold still, woman!”

Tears flooded down her cheeks, blinding her to the selfish man above her. “My love, if you don’t be careful, you’re going to finish breaking this rib or yours.”

Melissa wiped her eyes and turned to see Adam sitting next to her in the tent. Looking down at her chest, she saw the torn fabric bound around her ribs. He had been wrapping her. “I-I thought you were Jake,” was the only thing she could think to say.

“Not quite.” Adam pulled the cover over her. “If it’s any consolation to you, I didn’t really look,” he said smiling. He tossed the leftover strips in the corner and tucked the cover around her more secure. “How’s your headache?”

Melissa felt the lump on the side of her jaw. “It hurts.”

“I’m sure it does.” Adam smoothed her tangled hair from her face. “I would give you something for the pain, but I need to make sure you’re not hurt worse than it looks.”

Melissa pulled the sheet tight to her neck. “How did you find us?” The way she said it, made it sound like she was running away with Jake. She looked back at him and saw he had not taken it that way.

“It wasn’t hard.” He continued to message her forehead.

“I don’t know what he did to me. Anything could have happened while I was out. He could have…have.”

“That’s nothing for you to fret about. Try to sleep, alright?”

She nodded. Adam moved toward the door of the small tent.

“Adam?” He turned to look at her. “I believe you.”

He smiled. “Get some rest.” He opened the flap.

“Adam?” He turned again to meet her eyes. “What happened to Jake?”

“You’ll see in the morning.”

She did not know how long she slept but when she awoke, the day seemed bright and cheery despite the brewing storm she had heard the evening before. She thought to sit up until her ribs reminded her to stay put. She let out another moan. The tent flap came open.

“How you feeling? Never mind don’t answer that.” She felt Adam’s knee brush past her leg and caught her breath. “Sorry about that, darling.”

The endearment caught Melissa off guard.

“Let’s get you a drink of water and we’ll see about getting you up and about. I imagine you have things that need taken care of.”

He had no idea.

Melissa felt his arm slide underneath and gently raise her. “I found one of your clean blouses in your bag. I washed the blood out of the other one and it’s hanging on a tree to dry.” She felt the sleeve slip up her arm. His shirtfront tickled her nose as he brought the blouse around to slip it up her other arm. “Careful now. There you go. You want me to help you button your blouse or do you think you can manage it?”

“I can, manage.”

Adam looked around the tent for a moment. “I have your skirt here as well. I guess we should have put that on first before I had you sit up. No wait, I know.” Moments later, Melissa felt the skirt fabric slip over her head and down onto her waist. “If you’re finished, I’ll get you out into some fresh air.”

“Adam?” Melissa needed answers about the night before and Adam was the only one who could give them. “What happened to me…to Jake…you didn’t…”

“No, I didn’t.” Adam leaned back on his haunches. “I came looking for you when you didn’t return and found him and you…well him anyway. I saw you struggling with the idiot and could only think of one way to stop him. Come on, you’ll see for yourself.” Adam opened the flap and helped her to her feet.

Across the fire, Melissa saw a very tied up, unconscious Jake. “What did you do?”

Adam’s arm slid around her waist. “I shot him in the leg. That’s how you cracked your rib. After he struck you, I shot him and he landed on top of you. I bandaged him up all right—but his belly aching was worse than yours, so he’s sleeping off the laudanum I gave him.” Adam paused, looking down at her with a sly grin. “He looks just like a baby lying there, doesn’t he.”

Melissa could not help herself. “A baby buffalo perhaps.”

“Do you feel like you could eat something?” She shook her head. “Maybe in another hour or so. Here,” Adam handed Melissa her toiletries. “Call if you need any help.”

She expected to see another grin on his face with that comment but he looked like he meant it. “Thank you.”

Melissa went off to find some privacy down to the stream. She managed her toilet by herself well enough— washing her face, brushing her hair, even braiding it. Unfortunately, she could not shake the grogginess. Adam must have noticed when she returned.

“It’s okay to sleep for awhile. The laudanum has that affect.” He helped her into the tent, situating her into a comfortable position onto her back, tucking his extra blanket underneath her side. “I’ll have something ready for you when you wake up.” He smoothed her hair away from her forehead and kissed it. “Sleep now.”

Melissa figured it somewhere past noon when she awoke to the sound of arguing. “Let me loose and fight me like a real man.” Adam’s voice remained calm, “If I had fought you with my fists, Jake, I wouldn’t have stopped until you were dead…be thankful I shot you instead.”

“Why do you even want her—you don’t love her like I do. You don’t even sleep with her!”

There was a long pause—then a crisp, deliberate, “I’m going to tell you this once. First, I don’t sleep out here for my health. Secondly, if you ever talk to me about my sleeping arrangements with my wife again, I’ll shoot a hole in that other leg of yours. Do you understand?” Another pause. “Say it!”

Melissa heard a gun cock and a reluctant, teeth gritting, “I understand,” from Jake.

Later on, Melissa felt a little more like eating. Adam had shot a rabbit and roasted it on a makeshift spit. She soon found out what Adam meant about Jake's bellyaching. He moaned, groaned, and argued for what seemed the better part of the day.

Adam had the patience of a saint with two to care for. He tended her with great care, though her injury did not warrant such fussing. Her mother had always told her she came from hardy stock. Proving it to Adam seemed a bit more difficult. “I can manage.” He hovered over her like a mother hen.

“I’m sure you can, but as you’re my patient, you’ll have to do as I say.” Adam prepared a log next to the fire for her to sit. “Eat up; you’ll need to gain your strength for our journey tomorrow. That is, if you think you can ride for a bit.”

Melissa glanced at a brooding Jake before turning back to Adam. With a light smile, she nodded. Her eyes telling him everything she wanted to say.

He handed her a plate filled with the roasted rabbit and flat bread. “I make a pretty mean rabbit.”

Jake still sat sulking in the corner like a naughty boy. “What about me?”

Melissa watched Adam’s reaction. “You’ll manage,” said Adam. “I cut you lose, fed you and now there’s no reason you can’t ride out of here and hit town before nightfall. It’s not that far, nothing that you can’t handle on your own. Come tomorrow, you can load up on supplies and go home.” The mirth left Adam’s face just then. “And I do mean go home.”

Jake turned away, slumped. The look on his face told Melissa enough. He wouldn’t be pursuing her anymore.

After their dinner, Melissa watched Adam help Jake into his saddle. “Here,” Adam handed Jake some money. “This will get you a room for a few days and some food. You already know your way home.”

Jake hesitated for a moment then stuffed the dollars into his shirt pocket. With one last glance at Melissa, rode away.

A light rumble sounded in the distance. Adam looked up. “I think it’s going to rain.”

Melissa adjusted on her log, trying to get to her feet. “I was surprised it didn’t rain last night after that loud thunder crack yesterday.”

“What thunder?” Adam came back to help her to her feet. “The crack you heard was me shooting that dang fool in the leg.”

Melissa thought for a moment. “I thought it was awful loud.”

Adam chuckled. “I’ll get things washed up here and put away, why don’t you go off and freshen up before bed.” Adam’s eyes met hers.

Melissa swallowed and stood there.

“Hurry up, before it rains.”

She gathered her things and headed back down the hill. What are you so afraid of? Women for centuries have married and survived their wedding night. This is ridiculous! Pull yourself together.

By the time she had finished, she had resigned herself to sharing his tent. Gingerly she made her way back to the camp as the first sprinkles began to fall. The sun had set far too quickly for her comfort. The darkness of the night and the clouds that blanketed the sky covered over any remnants of light they had walked in just moments before.

“You doing okay, love?” Adam sat there on her log-chair in the firelight waiting for her. He seemed perfectly at ease with the situation. “Come, I’ll help you.”

Melissa felt more than butterflies in her stomach as she prepared for bed. She felt circling vultures awaiting the kill as she sat stiffly inside the tent. Soon after, Adam came up behind her as she worked on getting into a more comfortable position.

“I’ll try not to jostle you too much.”

Melissa could feel the trembling begin as he secured the flap and came to rest beside her. “You cold?”

She shook her head.

“Melissa, you okay?”

She nodded.

“You know, it’s real hard to hear which way you’re shaking your head. You mind telling me what’s the matter?”

She shook her head again then remembered. “I just wasn’t expecting you would want to…to…um…you know, so soon.”

She heard the rumble start deep in his chest before it burst forth from his lips. “Oh, Melissa, you something else—a perfect gem...and a perfect ninny all at the same time.”

Well what is that supposed to mean!

“What kind of cad would I have to be to take advantage of an injured woman, even if she is my wife?” he fell to his back, laughing. All the while Melissa felt both relief and anger in one swoop.

“I see nothing for you to laugh about!” That little bit of movement reminded her that she did have a cracked rib to consider. “Here I was prepared to do my duty and you laugh at me?”

His laughter stopped. She felt him roll toward her. His hand came up, caressed her cheek and continued down her arm until he laced his finger with hers. “A man wants to be desired too, Melissa. We’re not all wild stags ready for the rut. We want our wives to love and respect us…a man wants as much from his wife as his wife wants from him. Do you understand?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

She heard him take a deep breath and lay back. “Melissa, out of all the treasures in this world that a man can posses, own or have, you are the most precious and well worth waiting for.”

Melissa felt emotion begin to knot her throat. “Even after I ran away from you like I did and sold your mothers ring, the necklace…the gold as well, had I had my hands on it.”

“I wish you would have had the gold. It might have made things easier for you.” She felt his thumb rub over her fingers as he spoke. “You don’t know how much I wanted to worry about you—but I knew the Lord would take care of you. I also knew he would lead me to you.”

She felt him place something onto her finger. “What’s that?” Her voice came out in a chocked whisper.

“If you hadn’t sold my mother’s ring, I may not have found you.”

Melissa turned her head, hoping to see what he was thinking. The darkness remained too impenetrable.

“My man found it in Atcheson where you must have crossed over.” Adam brought her ringed hand up to press it against his lips. “I love you, my dear, impetuous wife.”

Melissa could not help it. All the foolish things she had done, all the heartache she had caused this man and he still loved her. A sob broke from her lips. “Why?”

Adam rolled over and cradled her tear-streaked face against his chest. “Because I was unworthy of love and Christ slapped down his blood on the counter-of-life and looked at me with such love, I can’t even tell you. ‘This is my blood, shed for many for the remission of sins’.” Adam took a ragged breath. “He found me one day, beloved when I had run from him.”

Melissa felt the beginning of something she knew would last a lifetime burgeoning deep within her. “I’ll never run again, Adam.”

“Oh my love, you’ll never have to.” She felt his kisses on her forehead and reveled in his tenderness.

They lay holding each other like that for several minutes before Melissa spoke her mind. “I’m sorry Jake took my first kiss. I-I was saving it.”

Melissa felt his lips against her skin and him smiling. “That was not a kiss,” he moved just above her. “This is a kiss.”

His warm lips covered hers gently, without insistence. All she could think of was how wrong she had been to fear this man. Not a gentler, more giving soul was there than her husband. She knew there would be times of trial, learning how to live with him, but it would be the best, most satisfactory, thing she would ever do.

How was it possible to go from complete misery to utter joy in so few words, in so few moments? Melissa sniffed back more tears as he pulled away.

“Feel the difference?”

She nodded, smiling.

“Was that a yes?”

Melissa took a deep breath. “Yes,” she said in nervous laughter. “Most definitely.” She shifted content to lie like this for hours. “How much longer before we reach home?”

“Ah, home. Yes, well…we should be there tomorrow afternoon.” Melissa pushed away just enough, listening to his explanation. “I’ve been routing us back and forth the past few days, to prolong the journey.”

Melissa huffed. “I knew the sun kept setting in strange places each night.” No wonder Jake had insisted so many things. He had been following their meandering for two weeks. “Why?”

Adam pulled her back into his embrace. “I wanted to give you time, beloved.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to be found.”

Her stomach roiled again. She wasn’t sure whether she would make it this time. The water closet seemed much too far away. She would have to hurry.

Melissa darted out of the room only to return several minutes later to a husband just getting out of bed. Adam pulled his robe around him. “Good morning my love,” he said smiling. Melissa felt, despite the rough start, that it would indeed be a wonderful morning. She went into his arms and received a light kiss on her forehead. “Good morning,” she sang back to him.

“And what are you off to do this fine Saturday?”

Adam released her and grabbed the pants she had laid out for him at the foot of their bed. “I thought I would have Murphy bring up your anniversary present early.”

Melissa took his robe and laid it on the bed as he donned his shirt. “Ah, an early present.” She hugged against the four-poster bed, tapping her fingers impatiently against the wood. “So does that mean…I can give you my early present?”

Adam turned toward her, buttoning his shirt. “By all means, I think you should.”

Melissa had been considering the best way to go about this but landed on the simple approach. “Adam Frederick Byron III, you are going to be a father.”

Melissa cherished the shocked look on Adam’s face. First, his eyes looked as if he had not understood what she just said. Then the light of understanding began to beam from their midst. He grabbed her up, held her high and twirled her around before falling to the bed with her landing on top of him, laughing all the while. “Perhaps I should tell Murphy to spend his time in the attic instead, finding my old cradle. A father!”

Melissa felt the tears begin already. “I love you.” Adam looked up at her. She had finally said it…and meant it. “I love you, Adam.”

Adam kissed her gently once again. “I love you, Melissa…always.”

Melissa did not think she would ever be able to feel more joy than at that moment…until she placed Adam’s first son in his arms five months later.

Adam Clemency Byron I.