An Unexpected Mother (The Colorado Brides Series Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

took most of the beard off.”
    “It doesn’t matter.” I sat on a wooden chair, staring at the fire. “None of it matters. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I’ve never felt so low.”
    “Give it some time, Fanny. Things will look better in the morning. Mark my words. This isn’t the worst thing you’ll ever experience. Life is full of little horrors. They’re just spread out over time.”
    I glared at her. “Thank you, mother. I feel so much better now.”
    “I think I’m going to need a glass of wine. A big one.”
    Once the sun had gone down, the party continued, as people laughed and shouted; the miners were well into their cups, having purchased considerable amounts of alcohol. I found myself faced with the very real possibility of having to consummate this farce. My husband had assembled a tent, which he fully expected to share with me. It didn't seem to matter to him that we had only met yesterday and that we had hardly spoken two words to each other since daybreak. He was determined to claim his husbandly rights, and I tried valiantly not to vomit at his gloating and eager expression.
    I could not rely on my parents to rescue me from this impossible situation. I lacked the courage to throw myself into the river, and I had run out of options, seeing that I was now his lawfully wedded wife. While he waited for me to undress, glossy, slightly bleary eyes staring at my person, I tamped down revulsion, hating him with an all-consuming passion. The violence of these feelings left me trembling, my fingers struggling with the hooks and eyes of the dress. When I had finally freed myself of the corset, his eyes seemed to bulge, the watery surrounds glistening.
    It was then that I began to wonder if there was something wrong with him. A strange tick moved the skin beneath his left cheek, while his mouth had formed an O. “Sir?” I had yet to remove the shift, praying that perhaps he would let me keep it on. There was a lamp, but it was dim. “Sir?”
    “You sure do look…purdy.”
    It was unimaginable that I would lose my virginity to this person, but…it seemed inevitable. “Thank you.”
    He got onto his knees, reaching for his belt, which encircled his waist. His movements were clumsy, slow, and unfocused. Perhaps he had imbibed far too much whiskey. A work-roughened hand pulled the leather free, dropping the belt onto the blanket, but then he swayed, leaning backward and then forward.
    “Are you well, sir?”
    His expression appeared void, yet puzzled, as if he wasn’t aware of what was happening, although he wanted to focus on me, his eyes staring in my direction. He grimaced then, sucking in a sharp breath, while clutching his chest. I realized then that something was indeed amiss.
    “Oh, my goodness gracious!” He groaned, grimacing, falling forward onto the blanket, where he landed with a thud. I had barely cleared a space for him. “What’s the matter with you?” I grasped the dress, tossing the garment over my head, while eyeing my husband, who had yet to move. Not wanting to touch him, I pulled on the half boots, hastening from the tent to find help. “Mother!” I found her preparing for bed.
    Her look was sour. “Please, I’ve had enough for one day. I can’t bear to hear how I’ve ruined your life one more time—”
    “Something’s wrong with him!” I grasped her arm. “You have to see. He’s collapsed.”
    “He drank an awful lot. Perhaps, he needs to sleep it off.”
    “I don’t think so. Something’s not right.”
    “I’ve had a long day, Fanny. It’s been an ordeal for everyone. Can’t we just call it a night? Must everything be tears and dramatics?”
    “He’s not moving! Come have a look.”
    “Oh, very well, but I’m not happy about this.” I followed her to the tent, where she peered inside. “Mr. Hatch?” She glanced at me. “He’s drunk, my love.”
    “Is he breathing?” I hated the fact that I was excited about the prospect of him