eyebrow lifted. “It’s more a question of what you will do. I’m not in a position to make demands.”
“There’s something we need to talk about before I agree to this arrangement.”
She didn’t speak, but the widening of her eyes spoke of fear that he’d refuse her.
“You know I’m a believer in the Lord above.”
Rena nodded.
“And you? I’ve seen you in services on Sundays for the last couple of months, but we’ve never talked about your beliefs.”
“I walked away from the church and God when my mother died. I was so hurt. I wish I’d stayed there beside my father.” She wrung her hands together in her lap. “He’s a good man, but he was so lonely without Momma, and I couldn’t just accept that Momma was gone. Not after how I’d prayed for God to spare her. It was a foolish choice.”
“Have you asked the Good Lord to forgive you?”
She nodded. “I have.” She raised tear-filled eyes to meet his gaze. “I know there are hard days ahead for me, but I’m determined to face them with God. I made a mess of things when I didn’t heed His ways.”
“That’s all I needed to hear. The rest isn’t mine to know. We can marry immediately if you choose.”
“Really? How can you say that’s all you need to know?”
“Jesus does the forgiving. You’ve done me no wrong. Jesus even said for the people without sin to cast the first stone.”
The tears dripped off her lashes, and she dashed them away with the back of her hand. “Still, I’m powerful sorry.”
“Then the next step will be to forgive yourself. Making things right with God and living your life by the Good Book—that’s where you’ll find your hope.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I can give you and your little one my name. Only God can give you peace.”
“What about your life? Why would you be willing to give up your future for me? Knowing what you know.”
“My future is being the sheriff of Gran Colina. But if your father loses the mayor’s race, I’m likely to lose, too. I know I was only elected because your father told everyone he could about the bank robbery he and I thwarted. No matter how it happened, it’s who I am now.”
“You have your homestead.”
“Since my sister married and moved away, it’s all I can do to keep up with that and being sheriff. She cooked and cleaned. Things I don’t have the time or talent for.”
“That doesn’t seem like a fair deal to me. You save my reputation, and all I have to do is housework. What if you meet someone and fall in love?”
A dull ache in his chest quivered for a brief moment and stilled. “You won’t ever have to worry about me falling in love. I gave up on that notion a long time ago.”
Two hours later, Scott stood beside Rena at the altar of Gran Colina Church. He rubbed his palm down the side of his Sunday trousers before taking Rena’s hand from Oscar. Reverend Walter Gillis began the ceremony that would take away any freedom Scott had. The reverend asked him to repeat the vows and put a ring on Rena’s finger. He pledged all his earthly possessions to her, but he had no ring. She lowered her eyes to the floor when his voice wavered as he promised to love and honor her. He would love her. Like a sister in Christ. But he’d never love any woman for himself. Not again.
“You may kiss the bride.” Reverend Gillis’s words hung in the air.
They’d agreed before coming to the church that no one was to know their marriage wasn’t one of mutual agreement and love. Only Scott, Rena and Oscar would ever know. Scott was quite sure Rena hadn’t considered a kiss to seal their vows when they’d decided that.
He certainly had not. He froze. If he tried to kiss her, she might burst into tears. The strain of the day had taken a toll on him. Only God knew how she was holding up.
Rena lifted her face to him. The pleading in her eyes told him they needed to complete the picture of a happy couple or their arrangement would never be believed.
He placed one finger under her chin and saw her jaw tighten. He turned her face slightly away from the friends who’d gathered to witness the event. The kiss he placed on her cheek was so close to her lips that no one would question his actions, but the near miss of her mouth protected her from questioning his intentions.
The softness of her skin contradicted the pain in her. He prayed they would be able to build a life together for the sake of her child and her father. It was inexcusable that Eugene Rodgers had taken advantage of Rena. The scoundrel would never know about the baby. Scott couldn’t understand such a man. No child of his would ever be raised by another man. Not as long as he had breath in his body.
Of course, that would never happen. Watching his fiancée, Louise Kinard, walk away from their engagement to marry Thomas Freeman, the town banker, over a year ago had taught Scott that women wanted a smooth talker. Even if the man promised things he would never deliver, women were fascinated by fancy and unimpressed by a solid man with a good heart and a loyal nature.
If his sister hadn’t moved away and left him struggling to keep his homestead going, he didn’t think he’d be standing here now, kissing Rena.
But he was. And now all of Gran Colina would know that the sheriff had married the mayor’s daughter. Before summer’s end they’d welcome a new life into the world.
Lord, help me to adjust to all of this by then. And help Rena, too.
Saving Gran Colina from falling backward into lawlessness was a noble goal. With Thomas Freeman using all his polished ways to run for mayor against Oscar in the coming election, and Gilbert Jefferson running for his former position as sheriff, everything they’d accomplished was at risk.
Scott had already given himself fully to protecting Gran Colina. He hoped Rena would settle into their new life without regret. If she couldn’t, or if word got out that she was carrying another man’s child, their whole scheme might be for naught.
Suddenly it was all over, and Oscar was pumping his hand. “Congratulations, Scott.” The man’s eyes held gratitude that couldn’t be expressed in front of the people who gathered around the new couple.
“Thank you, sir.” Scott shook hands with Reverend Gillis and then his wife, Mildred. While everyone pressed in on them to offer happy wishes, Rena seemed to become more and more tense. The smile she wore appeared genuine, but he was concerned about how long she could keep up the pretense of wedded bliss.
Rena’s closest friend, Charlotte Green, spoke quietly into her ear, and Rena nodded. Scott wondered if Charlotte knew the truth. He hoped not. Charlotte stepped back, and her hand fell away from Rena’s arm.
“Congratulations, Sheriff,” Charlotte said. “I must say I’m surprised by this turn of events, but I do wish you well. Rena is a dear friend. Her happiness is important to me. See that you do right by her.” Her grin let him know she was pleased for her friend.
“Thank
