The Widow's Little Secret

Mattie’s back stiffened. “I made the restaurant what it is. I can’t just turn it over to hired help.”

A little frown creased Jared’s forehead. “Anybody can run that restaurant, Mattie, but only you can have this baby.”

She wished he’d stop making so much sense. Jared clasped her elbow and they walked to the church.

As they crossed the yard beneath the trees, Mattie’s steps slowed again until he was nearly pulling her along. At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped completely, with Jared on the step above her, glaring down. The door stood open and Reverend Harris’s voice drifted out. He was rehearsing his sermon, it seemed.

“We don’t even know each other,” Mattie said.

Jared raised an eyebrow at her. “We know each other well enough.”

Mattie’s cheeks flushed, remembering the extent of their intimacy. She’d spent many a night thinking about U.S. Marshal Jared McQuaid in the weeks after he’d left Stanford, left her bed. Their one night together had been like no other.

Then she’d found out she was pregnant.

Mattie lifted her chin. “Don’t think that just because we’re married that you and I are going to…well, you know.”

“What?” He looked a little confused, but Mattie saw the grin pulling at his lips.

“You know what I mean,” she informed him, crossing her arms in front of her.

“Oh.” Jared nodded broadly. “You mean make love.”

Mattie flushed bright red. “Shh. Keep your voice down. We’re at the church, for heaven’s sake.”

“It won’t hurt the baby, you know,” Jared said. His grin turned into a full smile. “And after that one night we were together, I figured you’d be anxious to—”

“Just hush!” Mattie pushed past him and stomped into the church.

Her bravado disappeared when she stepped inside. Where she was and what was about to happen smacked her in the face. Mattie backed up and bumped into the solid wall of Jared McQuaid standing behind her.

“Jared, I—I don’t know—”

“Reverend Harris!” Jared’s voice boomed over her head, carrying through the church and startling Reverend Harris, who was standing at the altar.

The reverend adjusted his spectacles and squinted at them, then smiled.

“Ah, yes, good afternoon,” he called, closing his Bible and stepping into the aisle.

Jared’s big, strong body pressed against Mattie’s back, easing her between the rows of pews toward the front of the church.

“Jared, I’m not sure—”

“We want you to marry us,” Jared called out.

Reverend Harris looked as stunned as Mattie felt, hearing the words spoken aloud. Jared splayed his hand over her back, urging her down the aisle. Mattie dug in.

Jared moved to her side and looked down at her. “This is for the baby, Mattie. Not you. Not me. The baby.”

He’d said it softly so only she could hear.

“It’s the only sensible thing to do,” Jared said.

Sensible. Yes, it was that. And Mattie had been sensible her whole life. Well, most of it, anyway.

“Let’s get this over with,” he said.

Jared pulled her down the aisle behind him, clutching her arm with one hand, offering his other to Reverend Harris. His palm felt rough, his fingers strong. Jared held tight to her as if he feared she’d bolt for the door.

Maybe she should.

“This is quite a surprise,” Reverend Harris said, looking back and forth between the two of them.

“Like I said, Reverend,” Jared said, “I want you to marry us. Right now.”

Reverend Harris’s eyebrows bobbed toward his hairline. “Well, now, this is sudden. You’ve just arrived in town, Sheriff, only this morning.”

Jared leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. “I guess you heard about Mrs. Ingram’s…condition.”

The reverend glanced at Mattie. His cheeks flushed. So did hers.

“Well, yes, I’d heard,” he said. “But still, I don’t understand. You want to marry her?”

“A woman alone? Having a baby?” Jared shook his head. “A woman can’t raise a child by herself. It’s not right. Not natural.”

“Yes, that’s true enough,” the reverend agreed. “A woman needs a man to take care of her.”

“Damn right—excuse me, Reverend—of course she does.”

“But still…” the reverend said.

“It’s my duty to do the right thing by her.”

Reverend Harris frowned. “Your duty?”

Jared drew in a breath. “Del Ingram was my friend. We grew up together. Del saved my life. I owe it to his memory to take care of his wife and baby.”

“Oh, I see.” Reverend Harris nodded thoughtfully. “Saved your life, did he?”

“He did,” Jared said.

The reverend mulled it over for a moment, stroking his chin, then nodded. “Well, all I can say is what a good man you are, Sheriff McQuaid, taking on this responsibility.”

Reverend Harris smiled at Mattie. “You’re a mighty lucky young gal to have this man stepping in the way he is. I hope you appreciate what he’s doing.”

“I want you to marry us right away,” Jared said. “Today. Now.”

“Well, all right. Can’t see any point in waiting…considering.” Reverend Harris glanced at Mattie’s belly. “I’ll go get the missus for a witness.”