Quinlan walked toward the older couple, her heart pounding. When she married Will, she would have a family once again and that thought was terrifying in so many ways. All these years, she'd been alone with only the girls at the home. 

Sneaking a quick glance at the man she would soon marry, she took in his physical traits. Coal black hair with intense, brilliant blue eyes that while talking softened. Maybe he was as scared as she was of this thing called marriage they were about to embark upon. 

As they walked toward them, his mother clapped her hands together. The woman was beaming and hardly able to contain her excitement. Quinlan wasn't certain she had experienced that much emotion in her life. Yet, his father stood by quietly assessing her. 

As soon as they reached the couple's side, his mother threw her arms around her. "I'm so excited to meet you. You're exactly what this family needs."

For a moment, Quinlan didn't move as the woman held her against her ample breast. Finally, she put her arms around the woman. "Nice to meet you too."

With both hands on Quinlan's arms, his mother pulled back and gazed at her from head to toe. A blush spread across Quinlan's cheeks at her obvious perusal.

"And look at you, you're so beautiful. Perfect for my Will," she said, getting all flustered. "Names. Clara Adams and this is my husband, Will's father, Howard Adams. Since you're going to be part of our family, we would just love it, if you called us Mom and Dad. You'll be our daughter and we couldn't be happier."

Stunned, Quinlan glanced between the two people, overwhelmed at the way they lovingly accepted her into their home before they even knew her. Would they still love her when they learned the truth about her upbringing? 

Sure, she'd been a child, but what if the ugliness of her family life somehow had rubbed off on her? Would the two of them soon be screaming at each other like her parents?

"Quinlan Clark," she said softly glancing at Will, looking for his reaction. 

He gave Quinlan a pitying expression like I tried to warn you and she looked at his father who smiled at her. She liked the quiet gentleness about the man.

"Come on," Clara said. "I've got this all planned. Instead of going to the courthouse, the preacher is waiting on us. First, we're going to the house. I have a surprise for you."

"Mother," Will said, "what have you done?"

His mother took her by the arm and started hurrying her to a nearby buggy. "We've got to get you home. Come on, Will, you're going to like this. A wedding should be more than just a civil ceremony."

When they reached the vehicle, Clara sat in front and then laughed. "No, your place is beside your soon-to-be husband. I'll sit in the back."

Howard helped his wife into the wagon and Will placed his strong hands around her waist and lifted her effortlessly onto the seat. At the feel of his hands, she tensed, and his blue eyes seemed to twinkle with amusement at her. 

Maybe he felt her stiffen at his touch. No man had ever assisted her into the wagon. No man had ever kissed or courted or even spoken to her besides the men at their church. 

With a click of the reins, the horse led her to her new life. Driving through town, she took in the small community. After living in New York, this was nothing compared to where she came from. The town couldn't be more than five hundred people, she estimated. Yet here, she would start her own school and she couldn't wait to begin, though first there was a wedding to get through.

As they pulled up in front of a house, she noticed a small, but well-kempt home, much better than anything she could remember before the orphanage. The moment her feet touched the ground, Clara took hold of her hand and all but dragged her toward the house. "Will, go to the church. We'll meet you there."

"Mother," he said. "Stop."

"What?" she turned and glared at him with an irritated stare. "It's unlucky to see your bride in her wedding gown."

Quinlan's head jerked around. "A wedding dress?"

The thought of getting married in an actual gown warmed her chest and brought tears to her eyes.

"Stop, ruining the surprise," she told her son. 

Will walked over to Quinlan. "Do you want me to leave you with this crazy woman?"

A loud hrrmph sound came from his mother and a nervous giggle erupted before Quinlan could stop herself. With no experience with men, she didn't know how to react to him, but she kind of liked this man who would be her husband. So far, he appeared well mannered with a touch of humor.

Was this how her father and mother had begun their relationship? Taking a deep breath, she pushed down the fear that threatened to overcome her. So much was changing. Her life was like a spinning tornado being blow all about the place. 

"I'll be all right. See you at the altar."

"In exactly thirty minutes, unless the bride is late because her groom refused to leave. Now go," Clara said, waving her hands at her son. "Your father will take us in the buggy."

Will gave a sneaky smile and turned and walked down the street. Why did she have the feeling he would make their life very interesting. If only the madness she grew up with didn't erupt here.

"Come on, I thought maybe you would fit into my wedding dress. Now if you don't like it or don't want to wear it, I understand. But I would be honored if you wore my dress to marry my son."

For a second, Quinlan stared at the woman who would be her new mother-in-law. A bit on the extreme side, but what a beautiful gesture. Some of her enthusiasm bubbled up inside Quinlan and she smiled. "Well, let's go try it on. We won't know the answer until I put the gown on."

Clapping her hands gleefully, Clara cried, "Hurry, this is so exciting. If I don't live another day, I'm so happy my son is getting married. Though I do hope I stick around long enough to love on the grandbabies." 

A cramp clenched Quinlan's stomach. Babies. Oh my, she could soon be pregnant and the idea terrified her. Not until she was sure this marriage would work. 

Will stood at the altar with the preacher. Maybe ten people from town who knew his family were there waiting. He couldn't believe what his mother pulled together for his wedding. His father escorted his mother down to the front row and the organists began to play the wedding march. 

Licking his lips nervously, an ache centered in his chest. David should be here standing at his side. David should be teasing and aggravating him and giving his mother that look that always made her laugh. His brother had been the comedian in the family, the one who kept them all together and managed his mother better than anyone. 

But he was dead. And after his death, Will's life took an unexpected turn of revenge. The hole left in his heart by his brother's senseless murder could never be repaired. 

David was the one who deserved someone like Quinlan. He'd been the smart one, not Will. 

Just then his wife appeared in the door of the church and the sight of her took his breath away. His mother let her wear her wedding gown and it fit Quinlan to perfection. Like it had been made for her body and he couldn't imagine his mother in that small dress. 

Glancing at the woman who arranged everything, she smiled at him and he mouthed, "Thank you."

No matter that her intentions had not been the most honorable. Not to mention he hadn't wanted to marry the girl, but the wedding his mother planned was more than he merited. After all, they had no idea about the years he traveled. And he hoped they never learned of his torrid past.

Quinlan seemed to float down the aisle and he stepped down to meet her, eager to begin their life together. Taking her hand, he led her onto the platform where the minister waited for them. 

"You're the most beautiful bride ever," he said as he turned to the woman he didn't know. Today, he would pledge to honor her, love her in sickness and health and protect her. He had been unable to safeguard David, could he protect Quinlan? That question troubled him the most.

She smiled and he wondered if she believed in love. If the two of them could live a happy life together. 

"Thank you," she whispered. "You look pretty handsome yourself."

The preacher cleared his throat to get their attention and they faced each other as he began to recite the vows.

"Dearly beloved...

Quinlan sat beside her husband in the decorated wagon. Someone tied a sign on the back saying Just Married and hung white ribbon along the side. When they came out of the church, she'd been pleasantly surprised. Still wearing the beautiful dress her mother-in-law loaned her for the wedding, she couldn't help but feel blessed. 

While they were dressing, Clara made her promise that if Quinlan had a daughter, her granddaughter could wear the dress if she wanted. At the moment, it seemed like a sweet request, but all Quinlan could think about was getting through the next few hours. 

After the wedding, the family held a small reception with a cake and punch. There she was introduced to countless people she would never remember. And several school age children who she would soon see in the classroom. 

A crowd gathered around the wagon saying goodbye. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," she said, thinking shortly she could sleep. 

"Good luck," people yelled as the wagon lurched, then they started throwing something. The first few pelts surprised her.

"What are they doing?"

"They're throwing rice. The wedding tradition is supposed to bring you good luck."

Quinlan ducked down beside her husband as they pulled away from the crowd.

"Are you tired?" he asked.

"Exhausted," she replied. The train ride, meeting Will and his parents, the wedding, and the reception were beginning to take their toll on her. She was beyond tired and they still had the night. 

On their last evening together at the orphanage, the girls discussed the wedding night and what happened. Though how any of them gained the knowledge she couldn't answer. None of them had married friends. None of them ever dated. None of them had ever been married. So how did they know what went on?

"Where are we going?"

"To our home," he said. 

"You don't live with your parents?"

Turning to her, he laughed out loud. "Are you kidding me? Do you think I could stay beneath the same roof as my mother? The woman has a heart of gold and I love her dearly, but it’s better that we don't live together. Besides, this way we have our own home."

Biting her lip nervously, she stared into the darkness. So far Will had not shown her any indication that he was a man who would use his fists on his wife. But her father had been the nicest man ever until alcohol consumed him. Then this ugly beast came out and would ruin everything. 

"How big is your home?" she asked wondering if there would be places for her to hide.

"Big enough."

"You're not being very definitive," she said. 

"That's because I want it to be a surprise," he said, glancing down at her. 

They had gone through the small town and were now on the dark country road. "How far out do you live?"

"Less than a mile. My idea of a home is not to have to listen to the noise from the saloon or the bath houses late at night. This way, we're right outside of town, in the quiet and peacefulness." 

Where no one would hear her screams when he beat her.

The horse turned down a dark lane. "How can you see the road?"

"The horse knows where he's going. There is a bag of oats waiting for him."

Just then in the darkness, she saw a two-story structure looming in front of them. A covered porch with two rocking chairs offered an open invitation to sit and watch the stars. The place was a mansion compared to the many homes her family vacated at the first sign of eviction. "Oh my goodness. The outside looks so homey and I can't wait to see inside."

This couldn't be her life. It was too good to be true. All her life, she was known as the girl whose parents fought and lost and then fought again, until she found herself in an orphanage learning to live without them. People whispered her story behind her back. 

The wagon came to a halt in front of the house and he wrapped the reins around the brake. 

"Don't you need to put the horse in the barn? What about his oats?”

She wasn't ready for this. Truly she wasn't ready to face her duties as his wife. Yes, so far he was the kindest man she knew, but he was also the only man she knew. If she had her way, would she ever be ready to lie with her husband in the marriage bed?

"First, my wife and then the horse." 

Was he being thoughtful, or would he take her virginity as soon as they entered the house?

"Oh," she said as he helped her from the wagon. Would he expect them to walk into the house and do the deed right there? How long would it take? 

As they walked up to the door, he scooped her up in his arms. 

She cried out at the sudden movement. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying my bride over the threshold. That's what a groom is supposed to do," he said laughing at her. "How many weddings have you been to?"

Never had she attended a wedding. Never. "Ours."

With a thump, he sat her on the floor and the lit the lantern. Slowly she turned in a circle staring at the beautiful home. This couldn't be happening to her. No, she was the girl with all the bad luck. This didn't happen to Quinlan Clark. 

"Decorate the inside any way you want," he said, smiling at her reaction. 

Sure, the home could use a woman's touch in places, but the living area made her want to curl up in a chair with a good book and relax. 

"The house is gorgeous and big and..." she sighed, "feels like home."

In the light of the lantern, he took her in his arms. "Thank you. I'm glad you feel that way, because this is our home. Since you're my wife, the house is just as much yours as it is mine," he paused. "That's unbelievable. I'm married with a wife."

"Yes, for me too. You're my husband and..." 

Staring into his beautiful eyes, she tried to read his mind and learn what kind of man he would be as a husband. Maybe Nellie was right. Maybe she needed to give him a chance to prove he would not be like her father. 

Losing herself in his gaze, she watched as his mouth descended toward hers and she realized she, Quinlan Clark - Adams was about to receive her very first kiss.

At first, his lips were tentative against hers, but when he moved his lips over hers, demanding and taking in a way that had her wrapping her arms around him and clinging onto him for dear life. What was he doing to her? 

Why did the touch of his lips cause her center to tighten in anticipation, her blood raced through her veins as his hands gripped her cheeks holding her in place. 

The sound of the horse outside the door had him reluctantly pulling back from her, his forehead against hers as their hearts started to slow and his breathing slowed. "Our first kiss."

"My first kiss ever," she whispered. 

A deep chuckle resonated from his chest. "There will be more."

So much more than a kiss was expected tonight and she felt strung tighter than a violin in a beginner’s hands. 

"Let me put the horse in the barn and feed the chickens and take care of things. Why don't you unpack and get ready for bed."

Bed. That terrifying word - where everything happened between a man and a woman.

"All right," she said trembling. "Which way is the bedroom?"

"Right through those doors," he said. "I'll be back as quick as I can."

"Take your time," she said, thinking the longer the better. 

With a smile, he turned and walked out the door. Oh no, what did she do now? The thought of what happened in that bed left her shaking like a lost soul in a blizzard.

Will hurried as his beautiful bride prepared for bed and he couldn't wait to experience more than just the taste of her lips. That kiss left his blood heated and she would be waiting for him in the bedroom. They were married and while this hadn't been his plan, he went along and look what life blessed him with—a wife he found adorable.

A gorgeous woman with a full figure, honey blonde hair, emerald eyes, and a smile that melted his insides into a puddle. 

Yanking the bridle over the horse’s head, he knew he wasn't being gentle. The animal sensed his impatience and stood his ground, not cooperating one bit. All he wanted to do was hurry inside. 

Years had passed since he spent any time with a woman. Yes, he promised her they would take it slow and they would after tonight.

Ralph, his dog came over wanting attention and he reached down and gave him a couple of quick rubs. The chickens had gone to roost for the night, the horse fed, but he still needed to put the equipment away. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he finished.

After he pinned the dog up, he walked across the yard to the house. The lights still burned. As he entered the front door, he couldn't hear her moving around. Locking the door, he turned out the lanterns as he made his way to the back bedroom. 

When he opened the closed door, his mouth fell open as he stared at his bride, his chest clenching in pain. 

Laying on his bed, wearing a nightgown and robe, it appeared she had prepared for bed and then sat down to wait. Only Quinlan had fallen over and lay there sound asleep. The thin material clung to her curves and he wanted to groan. How long had he waited for this night? All his life? 

Disappointment slammed him hard as he stared at his wife. She'd traveled for days by train, gotten married today, and then arrived at his home. The body could only take so much and his wife's had shut down for the evening. How could he wake her when she slept so soundly?

Slipping his hands beneath her, he scooped her into his arms, the smell of lavender wafting over him, and placed her beneath the blankets. She moaned in her sleep but snuggled into the bed. 

Leaning down, he kissed her on the forehead. Whatever he'd planned on tonight would have to wait for another day and maybe that was for the best. It would give her time to get to know him. 

With a sigh, he pulled the covers over her luscious curves, thinking soon.

Walking into the living area, he found a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a drink. Something to soothe his frustration and let him curl up next to his wife. Soon. Very soon, he would make Quinlan his. 

His body cried out at the torture he invoked on himself by having to wait. But Quinlan was worth the delay.