Free The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake Page B

hussy.”
    â€œDon’t say that!” The very word brought back memories Midge couldn’t afford. Not now. “Give them time to be angry. For now, Adam is the one who matters.”
    â€œHe’s a good man.” A sniff, then a garbled, “Deserves better than to be forced into marrying me, but I don’t see another way!”
    â€œHush!” Midge fought back the urge to go smack Adam Grogan. The fool hadn’t made it clear he wanted to marry Opal? “He’s a lucky man, and this is what’s best for everybody involved.”
    â€œYou’re right.” Opal accepted her handkerchief and mopped her face. The tip of her nose glowed a red rivaled only by her bloodshot eyes. “How do I look?”
    â€œErm...” Midge spotted some squirrel corn a few yards away. “You need a bouquet!” Ignoring the restless movements of the men, she made the short trip, plucked the fragrant flowers, and made an arrangement.
    â€œIt’s lovely.” Opal fingered the heart-shaped blossoms, pure white against the lacy green of the leaves Midge tucked in. “Thank you.”
    â€œAll right.” Midge tucked Opal’s free hand into the crook of her arm and walked her over to where the men waited. “The bride is ready.”
    â€œIs the groom?” Parson Carter fiddled with his collar.
    â€œHe better be.” Mr. Speck hefted his shotgun high.
    â€œThen maybe you oughta untie him.” The wedding would be memorable, but Midge tried to soften it a little. She hoped Opal didn’t notice that Adam looked about as miserable as a man possibly could.
    Without a word, Pete flicked open his pocketknife and did the honors before stepping back. Midge put Opal’s hand in Adam’s freed ones and joined Pete at a distance.
    In what had to be the quickest wedding on earth, the preacher hurried through the part where he asked if anyone had a reason why the couple shouldn’t be joined in matrimony. All the same, it seemed ages before he finished.
    But, finally, they heard the words, “Then I pronounce you man and wife. What God has put together, let no man”—the preacher paused to glower at the Specks until they lowered their shotguns—“tear asunder.”
    For a moment, all was silence and peace while everyone let loose the breaths they’d been holding. Midge just started to think they might all make it through this when the groom opened his mouth and spoke for the first time since pledging, “I do.”
    Determination lit Adam’s gaze as he pulled Opal close, ignoring the Specks. “Don’t I get to kiss my bride?”

CHAPTER 10
    Adam heard various shouts as he swept Opal into his arms but didn’t care. If they shot him, they shot him. He was done standing around waiting for them to do it.
    He’d gotten called out for gaping at Opal. Accepted that Larry’s note would get him killed. Withstood Opal announcing to her family he wasn’t a man, gotten bashed in the noggin for taking exception to the same, and not called her out on her grand deception to pass off another man’s bastard as his.
    He’d held her hand, looked into blue eyes awash with tears, seen the pathetic clump of flowers she gripped as though they could save her from being his bride. All told, it was more than enough to make a man reckless.
    She didn’t resist as he pulled her close. Her eyes widened when he lowered his head to hers, pressed his mouth against lips swollen from crying. Opal went still before melting against him, warm and soft and everything a woman should be.
    Everything she’s already been to another man.
    He ended it, withdrawing so abruptly she almost lost her balance. The bewilderment and wonder on her features could have fooled him into thinking he’d given Opal her first kiss, but given the circumstances, Adam knew better.
    Who? The question sank its teeth into him the moment he realized what