Free Rocky Mountain Dawn (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 1) by Lee Savino

his property."
    Esther took a deep breath, trying to stop her body from shaking. "Thank you. I'm grateful for the rescue."
    At the end of the porch, the blue-eyed man turned to her and swept off his hat, introducing himself with a bow. "Lyle Wilder, at your service. My friend here is Miles Donovan." Lyle nodded to the broad shouldered man. "Can we escort you somewhere?"
    "My husband and I have rooms across the way."
    Lyle offered his arm with a flourish, and they crossed the street in style, with Donovan silently bringing up the rear.
    Back at the inn, Esther was met by the inn matron who had a shotgun pointed at Wilder and Donovan. "You let the lady be."
    "They're with me," Esther said.
    The gun swung down, but the matron still glared, and Mr. Wilder kept his hands up. "We have no quarrel with you. Just helping the lady cross the street, that's all."
    "Esther." Her husband stood at the bottom of the stairs, taking in her mud-spattered dress and pale cheeks.
    "Husband," she said, with a little tremor in her voice. Johnathan crossed quickly to put his arm around her and she leaned on him.
    "Gentlemen, I must thank you for helping my wife. We're both new to the area."
    "No trouble at all." Lyle reached out to shake Johnathan's hand. "Are you the Reverend?"
    "I am."
    He and his friend exchanged glances, ending with Donovan shaking his head and turning away. Lyle smiled, flashing white teeth. "Do you do weddings?"
     
    *****
     
    A few hours later, Lyle and his friend stood in the Shepherd's room, wearing their finest suits along with differing expressions—Lyle's a broad grin, Miles' a sober look bordering on a frown. A knock on the door, and Esther opened the door to reveal the bride, a petite redhead with creamy skin and an ethereal smile. With the innkeeper's help, Esther had found some white flowers, and gathered them into a sweet bouquet.
    When the bride and groom stood beside each other, Johnathan took his place facing them, opening his bible to start the ceremony. The vows were interrupted with a few coughs, and the groom helped his bride with a handkerchief. Esther and her husband shared a worried glance, but the wedding still ended with a joyous proclamation.
    After a short supper, the newlyweds left for their own room. Their friend Donovan still lingered.
    "Mr. Donovan, do you know the bride well?" Esther asked politely.
    "Not so much as Wilder, and he knows her very little."
    "How long has she had that cough?" Johnathan asked.
    Donovan's hand rubbed the back of his neck. "As long as I can remember."
    "I would like to examine her," Johnathan said. "I don't believe she is well."
    "Well, I wish you the best in talking them into something so sensible." Donovan shook his head.
    "What do you mean?" Esther came to her husband's side and took his hand, facing Mr. Donovan.
    "I fear my friend has stars in his eyes. His Mary was one of Doyle's girls," Mr. Donovan said, his hand still worrying the back of his neck. "He thinks he can rescue her. I don't believe it will end well."
    Again the Shepherd's shared a look.
    Then Esther stepped forward. "Does he love her?"
    Miles shrugged. "I suppose."
    "Mr. Donovan." She laid her hand on his arm. "Be happy for your friend. Where there is love, there is hope."
     
    *****
     
    When Mr. Donovan left, Esther started for the chaise, only to have her husband catch her hand and turn her to face him. His hands cupped her face and he kissed her, then gave her a look of such supreme tenderness she felt her whole body go weak.
    "My dear, you must never say your mission is less than mine. You shine with such a light, and share so liberally with others...your mission is equal, if not greater to mine."
    Tears welled up in her eyes. "Johnathan."
    "Hush." He touched his lips to hers again. "I will not hear you abuse yourself again. Or else a spanking," he mock threatened, until she smiled with watery eyes.
    They spent the evening side by side, talking and reading until Esther felt stirred to pace.