The Widow's Little Secret. Judith Stacy

is quite a surprise,” Reverend Harris said, looking back and forth between the two of them.

      “Like I said, Reverend,” Jared said, “I want you to marry us. Right now.”

      Reverend Harris’s eyebrows bobbed toward his hairline. “Well, now, this is sudden. You’ve just arrived in town, Sheriff, only this morning.”

      Jared leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. “I guess you heard about Mrs. Ingram’s…condition.”

      The reverend glanced at Mattie. His cheeks flushed. So did hers.

      “Well, yes, I’d heard,” he said. “But still, I don’t understand. You want to marry her?”

      “A woman alone? Having a baby?” Jared shook his head. “A woman can’t raise a child by herself. It’s not right. Not natural.”

      “Yes, that’s true enough,” the reverend agreed. “A woman needs a man to take care of her.”

      “Damn right—excuse me, Reverend—of course she does.”

      “But still…” the reverend said.

      “It’s my duty to do the right thing by her.”

      Reverend Harris frowned. “Your duty?”

      Jared drew in a breath. “Del Ingram was my friend. We grew up together. Del saved my life. I owe it to his memory to take care of his wife and baby.”

      “Oh, I see.” Reverend Harris nodded thoughtfully. “Saved your life, did he?”

      “He did,” Jared said.

      The reverend mulled it over for a moment, stroking his chin, then nodded. “Well, all I can say is what a good man you are, Sheriff McQuaid, taking on this responsibility.”

      Reverend Harris smiled at Mattie. “You’re a mighty lucky young gal to have this man stepping in the way he is. I hope you appreciate what he’s doing.”

      “I want you to marry us right away,” Jared said. “Today. Now.”

      “Well, all right. Can’t see any point in waiting…considering.” Reverend Harris glanced at Mattie’s belly. “I’ll go get the missus for a witness.”

      Anxious to get the ceremony over and done with, Jared grumbled under his breath as he watched the reverend leave the church. Beside him, Mattie stood rigid. A little pink blush highlighted her pale cheeks, emphasizing the dark circles under her eyes. He knew she didn’t feel well.

      He knew she might turn and run at any minute.

      Mattie seemed docile enough right now, but he didn’t know how long his luck would hold. He wanted this service over and done with before she changed her mind.

      “Is it true?” Mattie asked softly.

      She looked up at him, her eyes wide and hopeful.

      “Is what true?” he asked.

      “About Del. He really saved your life?”

      “Hell, no.” Jared snorted. “The bastard nearly got me killed twice.”

      “Oh.”

      Mattie turned away, disappointment turning down the corners of her mouth. Maybe he should have lied to her, confirmed the story he’d told the reverend. Surely she’d like to think there was something honorable in the man she’d chosen to marry, that there was some kernel of goodness in him.

      Especially after the way things had turned out.

      “Where’s that reverend?” Jared mumbled, craning his neck to see out the window.

      “Were you and Del—”

      “There he is—about damn time.” Jared strode to the doors of the church and escorted the reverend and Mrs. Harris to the altar.

      Mrs. Harris, still wearing her apron, giggled behind her hand. “Oh, a wedding. How lovely. Why, I just love a wedding. Don’t you want some flowers, dear? I can get you some from the garden. Oh, and let me play something on the piano for the occasion. How about—”

      “We don’t have time for flowers or music,” Jared said.

      Mrs. Harris’s tittering stopped and she looked properly admonished. “Oh, well, all right.”

      Jared waved toward the reverend. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

      Reverend Harris opened his Bible. “Very well, let’s see now…”

      Jared glanced down at Mattie. She inched away from him. He latched on to her elbow and stepped closer.

      “Reverend, you want to speed it up here?”

      “Oh, yes, certainly.” Reverend Harris adjusted his spectacles and held his Bible out in front of him. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—”

      “We don’t need that part,” Jared said.

      “Hmm? What?”

      “We don’t need that part,” Jared repeated. “Move it along.”

      “Well, then, let’s see.” Reverend Harris cleared his throat. “Do you, Jared McQuaid, take this woman—”

      “Yeah, yeah, sure I do.” Jared felt Mattie glaring up at him, but he refused to look at her. He made a spinning motion with his fingers. “Keep going, will you?”

      The reverend adjusted his Bible. “And do you, Mattie Ingram, take this man to be your lawful—”

      “We know all that stuff,” Jared said. “Jump ahead.”

      The reverend exchanged a troubled look with his wife. “Very well. Mattie, will you marry this man?”

      “Sure she will,” Jared insisted. “Go on, pronounce us married. Now.”

      Miffed, Reverend Harris closed his Bible. “She must answer the question herself, Sheriff.”

      “Look, Reverend, she’s here, isn’t we? She agrees. Just say we’re married and—”

      “Mattie?” the reverend asked. “Do you agree to this marriage?”

      Jared gave her arm a little shake. “Say yes.”

      Reverend Harris and his wife exchanged another look, then leaned a little closer to Mattie.

      “Well…” Mattie gulped.

      Mrs. Harris smiled gently at her. “Are you not sure, Mattie?”

      “Of course, she’s sure,” Jared insisted. “Answer him, Mattie. Let’s get this thing over with.”

      Reverend Harris smiled kindly. “Perhaps I can say a few words here that will help.”

      “Just say we’re married!”

      The reverend went on as if Jared’s words weren’t echoing off the church ceiling.

      “Mattie,” Reverend Harris said, “I admit I wasn’t in favor of your marriage to Del Ingram. But look how well that turned out. I’m sure this marriage will be just as wonderful as your last.”

      Mattie gasped and went white.

      Jared winced. He slapped his palm over his eyes, then dared to look at Mattie.

      Her cold, sharp gaze impaled him. Her breath came heavier, causing her shoulders to rise and fall.

      “Mattie,” Jared said. “We talked about this. We agreed—”

      He turned back to the reverend, his jaw set. “Hurry up. Say we’re married. Say it.”

      “But she hasn’t answered. I can’t pronounce you two married unless—”

      “Damn right you can,” Jared told him. “Just get on with it