Nichole Harris
Nichole awoke before she opened her eyes. The scent of his warm skin beneath her cheek, and the steady beat of his heart, sent flutters from her stomach to her chest. Her eyes eased open, and her hand came into focus. Head on his shoulder, her relaxed fingers curled slightly on his chest as her palm rose and fell with each breath.
Merril.
She flattened her fingers and felt him tighten his arm around her shoulder in a gentle hug.
“Are you awake?” He kissed the top of her head.
“Hmm.” Nichole smiled. His morning voice was low and soft. She shivered as the flutters moved lower. “What time is it?”
“Early. No one's up.”
Nichole tilted her head to look into sleepy eyes. “I can't believe I'm here.”
“So you've said.” He trailed kisses along her brow and down the side of her face to her neck. “Where else would you be?”
“Mm—” Nichole murmured as he shifted her head to the pillow.
He rose above her, his weight supported by his forearms, and lowered his head to place a kiss on the center of her throat.
She pushed the hair back from his face and guided his mouth to her own.
His lips caressed her mouth and their tongues touched in a soft dance. Nichole moaned and arched against him. After a long, caressing kiss, he moved from her lips and trailed small, warm kisses from the corner of her mouth to her ear.
“I love you.” He tugged at her earlobe with his teeth then kissed the side of her ear.
“And I love you.” Why had she left her camisole and drawers on last night? Exhaustion seemed a feeble excuse now that her undergarments were between her and his naked chest. She scratched her nails gently across his back and chuckled as gooseflesh rose along his shoulders.
He tasted her neck once more then lifted his weight to his elbows. His eyes, shadowed in the morning light, stared down into her own.
“What?” She pushed his hair behind his ears and tried to pull him back to her, but he resisted.
“I made a mistake a few years ago, after our first time together at the cabin.” He caught her hand and kissed her palm. “I thought you knew, or understood, I wanted us—wanted this—to be forever.”
Her hand lingered along his jaw. “It will be, Merril. It wasn’t a mistake.”
“But I didn’t tell you. I didn’t ask.” He whispered into her palm and kissed it again before he raised his gaze to hers. “Nichole Harris,” his voice steadied and filled with emotion, “would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He waited, braced above her, his gaze moved from one eye to the other.
Her throat constricted even as she grinned up at him. She managed a hoarse whisper, “Of course, I will.” Happiness trickled from the corner of her eyes through her hair to the pillow.
Merril lowered his head and his mouth touched her lips, sharing her breath. “I love you,” he whispered so soft only her lips felt it, then he covered her mouth with his own and tightened his arms around her.
Pounding on the back door startled them both.
Through their open window above the kitchen door, the sound of a single pair of boots scuffed against stone. “Get a move on, dang it all.”
In the room beneath them, a chair slid across the kitchen floor, and then they heard the door open.
“Kelly? What’re you doin' here?” Tom’s voice, hoarse with sleep.
“I came to get Merril. Is he here?” Kelly asked.
“Yeah, he's here. No one's up yet. Come on in, have a seat—” Tom's voice faded to muffled sounds through the floor as the back door shut.
“I need to get up, sweetheart.” Merril placed a quick kiss on Nichole's nose.
“And things were just getting good.” She smiled at the wide-eyed look he gave her as he sat up on the edge of the bed.
“Your cousin is across the hall.” He half-whispered and pointed at the wall, but his grin ticked up.
Nichole chuckled. “Rain-check, baby.”
“Rain-check?” He raised an eyebrow at her and reached for their clothes. Merril moved her skirt from the bedroom chair and set it at the foot of the bed, then shook out his denim trousers.
Nichole watched him dress with a possessive smile. His bandaged shoulder caught her attention. “How’s your shoulder?”
Merril rotated the joint and slipped on his shirt. “Stiff, but the bullet wound has healed. The bandage could come off.”
“Have Amy look at it.” Nichole sat up and pulled her skirt into her lap.
Jim's door opened, and his halting step disappeared down the stairs. The distinct sound of his low voice added to the muffled discourse in the kitchen.
The latch rattled on the door across the hall, and Amy's light tread hurried toward the stairs. Jason's heavier footsteps came to a slow stop outside Nichole and Merril’s door.
Merril paused buttoning his shirt and turned to Nichole. His half-grin grew wide, and he raised his eyebrow and tipped his head toward their door.
She pulled the blanket to her mouth and stifled a giggle. Instead of the knock she expected, Jason’s pace resumed and followed Amy's down the stairs.
As soon as Jason's footsteps faded, Merril resumed dressing. He buckled on his gun belt and tied the holster tight to his leg. “We should tell him we’re getting married. He feels responsible for your reputation.” He paused and looked up. “Whatever is left of it after this last week.”
Nichole shrugged. “Part of me understands his concerns, and the other half doesn’t care.” Nichole slipped from beneath the covers and pulled on her blouse and skirt. She ran the brush through her tangled curls to establish some order.
“Have you forgiven him for what he’s done?” Merril rested his hand on the doorknob and met her gaze.
“No. I’m angry he didn’t stop Renata and Kevin.” She braided her hair, but several strands escaped her fingers. “I'm more forgiving of his investment venture.” The braid disappeared, and she tied the whole wavy mess out of her face with a ribbon. “He knows what he did is wrong. He must have been desperate, and he did talk to us—my father and I—about his diversity scheme last year. I don’t think he intended to steal the money.”
Merril nodded. “He’s put himself over the barrel with the bank, no doubt about it.” Merril opened the door. “It’s damned hard to forgive him for hurting you, even though I know Renata had him hog-tied like she did us.” He motioned with his hand. “After you, sweetheart.”
Nichole tipped her head back and smiled at Merril as she passed under his arm.
He grinned back, patted her bottom, and followed her out of the room and down the stairs.
A fire burned in the stove and water steamed from a pot on the flat-top. Both went ignored. Jim and Jason sat at the table while Tom and Kelly stood nearby, eyes downcast and silent. Amy faced the window, her back to the room.
As Nichole stepped into the kitchen, the heavy atmosphere brought her to a halt, and her stomach dropped.
This is bad.
Merril stepped down beside her. “What happened? What's wrong?”
The men had looked up when Merril spoke, but Jason and Tom looked away again.
Kelly tried to speak, but no sound escaped his throat. He shook his head and stared at his boots.
“Merril, have a seat.” Jim used his foot to push a chair out from the table for Merril.
Merril stepped to the table and sat across from Jason, never taking his eyes from Jim.
“We've had some hard news from your ranch.” Jim began, then paused and shook his head. “I’m just gonna say it. Sometime yesterday morning, Kevin shot and killed Renata, then turned the gun on himself. I’m sorry.”
“Wh... What?” Merril’s brows drew together, and he leaned back, shaking his head. “Kevin’s—dead?” His gaze turned from Jim to Kelly. “Was anyone there? Do you know why, or what happened?”
Nichole placed her hand on Merril's shoulder, and he covered her hand with his own. She glanced back at Amy and their gazes met.
Did you know?
Amy shook her head, as though she could read Nichole’s thoughts.
Jason cleared his throat. “I stopped at The Shilo yesterday morning and spoke with Kevin.” Jason rubbed his unshaven face with his hand. “I wanted him to know Nicki had left The Highlands with Amy—and was beyond his reach.”
Nichole caught her breath.
Did Kevin kill himself because of me? Because I left?
Years ago, Kevin had seemed like an older brother, but since the accident—and his father’s death—he had changed.
This can’t be about me. Why kill Renata?
Merril looked to Jason. “How did he seem? What did he say?”
“He was drunk, and still drinking.” Jason shook his head and glanced at Nichole. “He hadn't been to bed or changed his clothes from the barbeque, as far as I could tell. I noticed his gun belt on your father's desk.” He looked down at the table. “Renata came to the library before I left, furious Nichole had ruined her plans. I didn't talk with her. I said my piece to Kevin and left. I could hear them argue as I rode away.” Jason’s raised his sorrow-filled gaze to Merril. “Kevin hadn't been himself since your father died.”
“Well, damn.” Merril leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. He covered his face with his hands. “That stupid son-of-a-bitch.”
Kelly shifted from one foot to the other. His voice was soft when he spoke. “Bill rode over from The Shilo with the news yesterday afternoon. He said Henny’s daughter heard your brother and Phil’s woman argue. Just before the gunshots, Kevin yelled that Renata had killed your pa.” Kelly paused and looked around the room. “Lloyd sent Bill to Kiowa Crossing to fetch Doc Johnson and told me to come here and find you.”
“This doesn’t make sense to me.” Merril scrubbed his face and sat back in the chair. “I need to get back to the ranch.” He stared at the coffee cup Amy set at his elbow.
“I’ll go with you.” Nichole ran a gentle hand across his shoulders.
Kevin and Renata both dead?
She cared for neither of them, but couldn’t imagine The Shilo without them.
Jason shook his head, his face pale but determined. He looked from Nichole to Merril. “Nicki stays here.”
“We’re going to be married.” Merril raised his head and looked at Jason.
Jason continued to shake his head. “Not today. Not before you need to leave.”
“There’s a Justice of the Peace on Park Avenue, just past the livery. I saw the sign as we rode in yesterday.” Amy set Jason's tea on the table and smiled when he looked up at her.
“We can stop there on our way out of town,” Nichole suggested.
I can only pack a few things.
She would need to leave her trunk here.
“None of the horses we rode yesterday have had enough rest,” Tom chimed in.
“Not all of us can leave today, anyway.” Amy looked from Tom to Jim. “Jim needs to heal a few more days before he gets back in the saddle.”
Jim nodded. “Tom should go with Merril and Nichole. Lloyd will need him. The rest of us can follow in a couple of days.”
“This marriage is a reckless decision,” Jason cut in, color returning to his face. “You shouldn’t marry on the heels of such devastating news. What’s the rush?”
“There’s no rush to marry, but I won’t be separated from Merril.” Nichole shrugged at Jason. “Besides, as far as we’re concerned, we’re already married. I told you last night.”
“You were outrageous last night.” Jason sputtered. Red crawled up his neck from his collar. “I excused your behavior for being distraught by my confessions. However, your compulsion to be disagreeable at each opportunity must cease.”
“You what? You excused my behavior?” Nichole blinked, then narrowed her eyes as she advanced on Jason. “I go where Merril goes, Jason. Period. I’m not asking for your permission.” She put her fists on her hips and glared at her cousin. Her voice dropped low. “My disagreeable behavior is no longer your concern.
Jason's face flushed dark. He looked from Nichole to Merril, then shook his head and looked down at the table, fists clenched beside his teacup.
Nichole’s voice softened. “I love you, Jason, but I’ll make my own decisions—outrageous or not.” Her arms fell to her side. “Accept this, please, and let's not fight about it anymore.”
Jim caught Nichole’s desperate glance and turned to The Highlands’ messenger. “Kelly, head over to the Justice and ask what time he could come by the house today.” When Kelly tipped his head, Jim looked across the room. “Tom, see if the livery can loan us three horses. I think most of the animals there are ours, but they stable some of their own.”
Jason looked up from the table and nodded at Jim. “In that case, Merril and I should take down what’s left of the front porch and talk to Albert about a mason.”
Amy nodded to her husband, then gave a soft smile to Nichole. “You and I need to find something for you to wear.”
Nichole tried to find a smile for Amy but turned instead to Merril, who sat silent, staring at his fists. She crouched by his chair and took his hands. They were cold. She remained quiet, and warmed his fingers with hers until he raised his gaze. “If this is too soon, I understand. We don't need to marry today. I will go with you to The Shilo, either way. We can marry later.”
Merril gripped her hand and offered her a half-grin. “No, I want this. I’ve wanted this for what seems like forever. I’ll be damned if I’ll let Kevin and Renata come between us again. Kevin made his choice. Nothing I do will change that.” His voice lowered, and he spoke only to her. “My love for you and our life together is the only good thing I can see right now.”
Tom and Kelly slipped out the back door as Merril and Nichole spoke.
Jason and Merril exchanged a long look, and Jason gave a slow nod of his head. “Let’s look at the porch, Jim.” Jason stood, and Jim followed him outside.
“I’ll be upstairs if you need me,” Amy stated. She dried her hands then disappeared up the stairs.
Nichole sat back on her heels and waited. Sympathy, tinged with guilt, wracked her heart.
How much worse for Merril?
Both sorrow and anger shadowed his eyes. When his gaze rose to meet hers, he swallowed twice and cleared his throat. “Kevin and I were never close. Most of the time, we weren't even civil to one another.” He released her hands and rubbed his forehead. “Christ, the last time I saw him, I tried to beat him to death.” Merril’s stare was sightless as he lowered his hands to his knees. “Until then, I had hoped he and I would someday come to understand one another.”
Nichole rose to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. “You can hate someone and love them at the same time.”
He pulled her close and rested his cheek against her hair. “I know.” His whispered voice was a low rumble in his chest.
“You had a difficult relationship with Kevin, but there were good times, too. I even remember a few of them.” She spoke into his shirt. “Your father’s death changed him.”
“It was more than Pa’s death. Kevin’s world collapsed, and he couldn’t find a way back.”
“Have you even had time to mourn your father?” Nichole slid into the chair beside him. “You suffered his loss as well and now Kevin—”
He shook his head “No.” He stopped her before she could continue. “I know I need to grieve, and I will. But not today. Not tonight.”
Nichole leaned across the table and touched her lips to his. “I’ll be with you.”
“Nichole, can you come look at these dresses?” Amy called from upstairs.
“Go find a dress, sweetheart. I’ll head outside and help Jason. Jim needs to take it easy.”
They both rose, and Nichole wrapped her arms around Merril’s waist and hugged him close. “Don’t leave without telling me,” she instructed, then released her hold and ran up the stairs.
* * *
The front porch had been cleared, the broken lumber stacked beside the steps, and the house straightened to Amy's satisfaction by the time the Justice of the Peace arrived.
Jason’s dour mood was no match for Nichole's excitement, and once Kelly started decorating, even Jason began to smile.
Amy and Kelly had pushed the kitchen table out of the way and tied late blooming lilacs and snowball hydrangeas, cut from the backyard bushes, down the staircase railing.
The Justice stood at the far side of the kitchen, across from the stairs, with Merril, Jim and Tom to one side, Amy and Kelly on the other.
At the top of the stairs, Nichole clutched Jason's arm and looked down the steep incline. From where they stood, no one below was visible, only the empty space where she and Merril would stand. She turned to Jason and studied his profile, so like her own. “Are you still mad at me?”
He turned his head to look at her, and smiled. “No. Are you?”
Nichole shook her head and whispered, “I love you, Jason.”
“I know,” he said, and kissed her forehead. “I love you too.”
“We’re ready down here,” Jim called up the stairs.
“Don't let me trip.” Nichole tightened her hold on Jason’s arm.
“I’ll go first.” Jason started down the narrow stairs with Nichole's hand on his shoulder.
Since none of the men wore formal attire, Nichole refused Amy's offer to borrow a fancy dress. Instead, Nichole chose the lavender skirt and jacket with a white frilled blouse, and carried a bouquet of purple lilacs and white snowball flowers.
At the bottom of the steps, Jason waited for her to take his arm. When they reached the Justice, Jason placed her hand in Merril’s. Jason kissed her forehead again then moved back to stand beside Amy.
Nichole smiled at Jason and Amy, but her gaze was drawn up to Merril’s. No grief or guilt marred the joy in his eyes. His grin sent her pulse racing.
The Justice performed the short version by request.
Nichole had asked the Justice to omit the word obey, and instead say cherish, before she had gone upstairs.
Both Jason and Jim chuckled when the Justice reached that part.
Merril surprised her with a ring. As he slipped it on her finger, she ground her teeth and tried to stop her tears.
When the Justice declared, “You may now kiss the bride,” Jim and Tom gave a loud hoot, while Amy clapped her hands.
Jason had to give Kelly his handkerchief to dab his tears.
Merril intended a brief kiss, but Nichole wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him thoroughly.
Jason cleared his throat, and Nichole pulled away with a laugh.
Merril drew her back into his arms. “I have another surprise for you.”
“You do?” Nichole grinned at her husband through tears of joy.
“Tom and Kelly reserved us a room for tonight at an inn on Park Avenue. We’ll have a wedding dinner there, just the two of us. We’ll leave in the morning with Tom.”
“How wonderful! Are you sure we have the time?” Nichole’s face flushed with thoughts of their wedding night. She had dreaded spending tonight in the saddle or camped beside the road with Tom. Now, she would have time with Merril. Her husband.
“Lloyd can handle the ranches for one night. We need this. We deserve this.” He lowered his head and kissed her again.
Kelly laughed. “You two lovebirds need to keep your clothes on until you get to the inn.”
Nichole hesitated. “Let me change first. I don’t want to wear this on the ride tomorrow.” She left her bouquet on the table and hurried up to their room.
She removed the lavender skirt and jacket, folded them into her empty trunk, and dressed in a dark brown skirt with a matching jacket and tall boots. She paused, then took the photograph of herself, Merril, and Kevin from the mantel and placed it on the lilac-colored skirt in the trunk.
Just as I found it.
She closed the lid and hurried down the stairs.
Their saddlebags were packed and on the borrowed horses, ready for the ride to The Shilo in the morning.
At the front door, Nichole turned and gave Jason a swift hug, then embraced Amy and whispered into her hair. “I left my traveling case in my bedroom. Please store it in the attic, just as it is.” Nichole stepped back, Amy’s hands clasped in her own. “The rest of my clothes are folded on the bed. Would you bring those with you, when you come home?”
Amy stared several moments into Nichole’s eyes. Then she nodded. No questions asked.
Nichole squeezed Amy’s hands and let go. “Thank you.”
“Be safe on the road.” Amy stepped beside Jason. “We should see you in about five days.”
Nichole nodded and walked to where Jim, Tom and Kelly stood talking with Merril.
“Are you ready?” Merril asked as she approached.
“One last thing.” Nichole paced away, turning her back to the men. Without warning, she tossed her bouquet of flowers over her head at the group. All three men reached for the flowers, but Jim, with his long reach, gave a grunt of pain as he plucked the bouquet from the air.
Nichole’s laugh faded when she spun around and saw the grimace on Jim’s face.
“What the heck was that about?” Jim returned the flowers to Nichole.
“A foolish thing that brides do. I’m sorry, Jim.” She hugged him. “Take care of yourself and hurry home. I need you.”
“I know ya do, gal. Go on, now. Have a good evening with your husband.” Jim winked at her as Merril helped her mount. She waved at Amy, then smiled at Merril as they rode toward Park Avenue.