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

rock, where I stared at the water. The urge to join the fish and swim away was strong. I longed to escape, but there wasn’t any conceivable way out.
    “God,” I whispered. “How can you make me marry someone I have no feelings for? I beg you to reconsider. Please don’t make me do this. Please.” I added, “He’s disgusting. He…is hardly suitable for any young woman. Please, I beg you. I’ll do anything you want, just don’t make me marry him.” I lowered my head, as the tears came. I’d never felt so forlorn before, so powerless. Whatever hopes and dreams I had for my future seemed to have disappeared. How I could possibly enjoy my life from this day forward was a mystery.
    When I returned to camp, I was surprised to find everyone awake, and the fire lit. My parents drank coffee, while staring into the flames. I approached. “Where’s Jason?”
    “He’s gone to the river, I presume,” said father. “Where have you been?”
    “The river.”
    “My dear, you look peaked. Are you not feeling well?”
    “I am as well as can be expected for someone who is about to face her execution.”
    “Oh, Fanny.” Mother seemed to brace herself.
    “I want you to know that I’m marrying this person against my will. There isn’t a cell in my body that isn’t thoroughly repulsed by the prospect. The thought that I…might have to…perform…wifely duties with that man makes me want to vomit. I shall never forgive you for making me marry him. Ever. From this day forward, my life is completely ruined. I’m utterly shattered. I shall never recover. I plan to take to my bed, and I never want to see either of you ever again, for as long as I live.”
    Mother’s mouth fell open. “Well, she’s in a fine mood.”
    “That she is,” chuckled father.
    I wanted to pick up rocks and throw them; my anger was so acute. I’d never been in such a fury. The intensity of the emotion was slightly worrying. I knew my behavior was ill-mannered and the words I had spoken were hurtful, but I wasn’t able to control any of it. Things did not improve as the day wore on, and I was forced to dress for the ceremony, wearing a cream-colored gown I had bought for this purpose. When I had purchased the pretty garment, I’d been in a far better state of mind, thinking that the man I would marry was someone handsome, well-mannered, and charming. Jason Hatch was none of these things and never would be.
    As we stood before the preacher who presided over the nuptials, my parents were nearby, along with several families we had befriended, wanting to lend their support. None of them knew of my inner turmoil. I schooled my features, swallowed my pride, which felt like a lump in my throat, and within a few, horrible moments, became Mrs. Jason Hatch. I’d never felt worse in my life! Congratulations resonated around us, my parents beamed with happiness, and someone hugged me. I cursed them all, wanting to hide in the wagon and escape, but this was impossible.
    The afternoon was celebratory. There was music from a banjo, the happy tune filling the air, while fires had been lit to prepare for a feast of epic proportions. My husband had been given a metal cup, which held whiskey, and it was frequently refilled. I had changed my dress, fearing that the dust would discolor the fabric. I wore a functional calico ensemble with a high neckline. The heat of the sun had dampened the cloth under my arms, and the corset pinched around the ribcage, but I suffered in silence, staring at the simple gold band around my finger, wishing I could toss it into the prairie.
    “Now, you mustn’t be so sore, Fanny,” chided mother. “It’s unbecoming, darling. You look like a sour schoolmarm.”
    “My life is over.”
    She sighed. “Oh, my goodness. Such dramatics.”
    “You never had to marry someone you loathed. You would’ve never tolerated such a thing, but I have to. You don’t care one wit that my happiness is ruined.”
    “He’s made an effort. He