The Lawman (Historical Western Romance)

Chapter 9

When summer gave way to fall, Abigail wondered if things could get any better for her. She woke every morning and set about tending to her husband, and the house she was coming to love, and spent every night in Morgan's arms, surrendering to his kisses. It was bliss, or the closest she'd ever been near. Life was exactly how it should have been. Even the small inconvenience of her stomach revolting every morning was welcomed. She didn't want to speculate why, in case she was wrong, but the thought made her happier than she already was. She was near bursting to tell Morgan but kept the secret to herself.

She stopped off at the jail on her way to the mercantile, rolled her eyes when he asked if she missed her cell and kissed him long and hard enough he wanted to take her there in that smelly little building. She declined the offer, telling him she'd make it up to him when he came home for lunch.

Greeting Mrs. Jenkins in the mercantile, Abigail gave her the list of items she needed and browsed the store, picking up items and looking at the prices. She'd never had to worry about such when she was with Fletcher. Anything she wanted, she bought and charged it to him. She wore the latest fashions, had more jewelry and baubles than any one woman could want and had never given a thought to what she spent. Coming from nothing and then having the world at your feet usually did that. Now though, the prices of things did matter. Morgan had the nicest home in town but she wouldn't assume he had a bank account to rival Fletcher's. How much could a town marshal make? She didn't think it was much. His family owned the largest horse ranch for hundreds of miles but she wasn't going to assume any of that money came his way and she wasn't about to ask. It felt wrong, somehow, to pry into his private life. Being his wife didn't erase the fact her past was a guarded secret she didn't ever want to share. One she hoped never caught up to her.

She should have known it would. Mrs. Jenkins proved it the next instant. "I didn't know Morgan smoked."

Abigail turned to look at her. "He doesn't." She smiled and shrugged her shoulder. "I used to enjoy the taste every now and then. Now, I just want to smell it burning." She laughed. She would add that small craving to her list of ever growing speculations about her current physical state. "I wasn't sure if you carried that brand here, though."

Mrs. Jenkins looked scandalized, probably due to the fact Abigail had smoked. The woman shook her head and gave her a disapproving look instead of saying anything about it. "No, I'm sorry to say we don't. It's a bit fancy, and expensive, for way out here." She looked down at the counter, back at the list. "It's the most peculiar thing though," she said. "I had a man in here the other day ask for this very same tobacco."

If it was physically possible, Abigail was sure her heart stopped beating then. When it started back up, it hammered against her rib cage so hard she was dizzy from it. She grabbed the table next to her as her vision blurred and Mrs. Jenkins' voice was nothing but an echo in the distance.

The woman was in front of her the next instant, grabbing her arm and yelling for someone. Her rapid demands to an unseen person. Abigail was guided into a chair, her head swimming.

Thoughts she'd rather not be having flashed before her eyes so quickly she shut them, blocking out everything around her. Images of Fletcher came to her unbidden then, his face, and the cruel smile he used to give her. The smell of his tobacco. The same tobacco she'd put on her list. The tobacco someone else had asked for.

She was going to be sick. Her stomach revolted and she inhaled deeply to try and control the urge. She heard Morgan's voice and wanted to weep when she caught his scent. Opening her eyes she saw him, there on his knees in front of her. "I don't feel so well."

He smiled, leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I can see that. I'll take you home."

Lifting her and tucking her into his arms he turned to Mrs. Jenkins and asked if she'd send Edna to his house. Abigail knew he was concerned if he asked for Edna. The two still didn't get along well but the town didn't have a doctor and Edna was the closest thing to one Willow Creek had. Abigail started to protest the need to be looked at but Morgan silenced her with a look.