Free Here Comes the Bride by Laura Drewry

get their tongue to wag to see Gabe Calloway to church,” Rosa answered with a decisive nod. “That shock enough to make some dead.”
    The two women laughed together. Rosa’s affection for the younger woman showed in her shimmering eyes and easy smiles. Tess was sure if it had been left to Rosa, Gabe and Tess would be married already. A sudden lump formed in Tess’s throat.
    “You are very kind, Rosa,” she choked. “I am so very grateful—”
    “Bup bup bup,” Rosa interrupted, waving Tess’s words away with the back of her hand. “Estas una buena niña, Tess Kinley. Gabe Calloway need una buena niña. He need strong girl. You take good care to my Gabe Calloway.”
    “I will, Rosa,” she promised solemnly. “If only he’ll let me.”
    Rosa smiled back knowingly. “Gabe Calloway have hard head but soft heart. You no worry of his head, you love to his heart. His head go soft soon enough.”
    Tess laughed until her sides ached, but try as she may, she could not explain the humor to Rosa. Rosa laughed because Tess did. She finished Tess’s hair and held up a mirror for her to see. She had left a fringe of bangs to lay delicately across Tess’s forehead while two exquisite mother-of-pearl combs held her hair up on the sides. The rest cascaded down her back in shimmering waves. Tess’s cheeks pinked.
    “I feel so . . .”
    “Muy bonita,” Rosa finished for her. She kissed Tess’s cheek and took her by the hand. “Come. Gabe Calloway wait.”
    Tess slid her feet into her tiny, worn slippers, which would be hidden—thank goodness—under the hem of her skirts, and followed Rosa down the stairs. The house was empty since Joby and Seth had the day off and were, in all likelihood, sleeping off hangovers, and Gabe was out hitching up the horses.
    Tess watched him from the window, almost afraid to breathe. He was so beautiful in his black suit and string tie with the silver clasp. His dark hair was still damp from his creek bath, and even though a wall and a hundred feet separated them, the scent that was Gabe Calloway filled Tess’s senses. Leather, soap, and sunshine.
    Rosa smiled wordlessly and left the house, giving Gabe a sly nod as she passed.
    He glanced toward the house and caught a glimpse of Tess through the window. If he knew his mouth was hanging open, he made no move to close it but remained rooted, not blinking, not swallowing, not even breathing.
    He never would have believed she could be more beautiful, yet there she was, a vision in his window. A vision in his life and in his heart.
    An eternity seemed to stretch between them before Tess finally walked outside. Gabe was at her side in less than a heartbeat, offering his hand to assist her down the steps.
    “Thank you,” she said, her cheeks flushing the softest of pinks.
    Gabe cleared his throat and lifted her gently into the wagon. God, how he wished for one of those fancy buggies with the folding top like Widow Dauphin drove instead of this clunky old buckboard with its rough-hewn seats and no protection from the elements. Tess didn’t seem to mind one little bit; in fact, from the look on her face, you’d think she was sitting on a cloud.
    Gabe climbed up beside her, released the brake, and gave the reins a quick flick, sending the two brown Morgans trotting down the road.
    “Might I say, Gabriel,” Tess began, smiling gently, “you look very handsome this morning.”
    Lord Almighty, she was direct, wasn’t she? Gabe couldn’t help but smile. He hated to admit how refreshing that was in a woman.
    “Thank you, Miss Kinley. You don’t look half bad yourself. I’m sure you’ll give the boys in town something to think about.”
    “I have no interest in the ‘boys in town.’”
    “Well, they’ll most definitely be interested in you.” He glanced over, taking her all in, inch by inch.
    “Yes, well, be that as it may,” she said, a tiny smile lingering on her lips, “I imagine there’ll be more than one single lady shooting