Tuesday Tales I would think attempted murder would void any marriage promise. #ASMSG

 Welcome- this week's work is Twenty- This is a new book I'm writing about a Mail Order Bride.

Shannon took a deep breath and slowly let it out before turning to face him. “We no longer have reason to ever talk again. I would think attempted murder would void any marriage promise.”

“Attempted murder? Are you crazy? You disrespected me and you got what you deserved. Anyway, I’m not talking about the marriage contract. I’m talking about the money I sent you to get out here. I demand you return it.” He threw his cigar at her feet and crossed his arms in front of his barrel shaped chest.

“That’s one of the reasons I’m trying to find a job. I’m good for the money, I promise.”

Her hopes dashed as his mocking laugh grew louder. “You stupid cow, I own you. You’ll pay me back I can guarantee it. I bet there are plenty of men willing to give you a go, even if you’re ugly as sin. Funny how a little liquor changes how a man defines beauty. It makes them willing to take any female offered. Of course I might have to give them a twenty percent  discount for having to look at you.”

Boot steps echoed on the walkway. “Ma’am, get into my wagon. You’re going home with me.” Cinders hadn’t even glanced her way- he kept his gaze trained on John.

John glared at Cinders and laughed mockingly. His stance was wide and his right hand hovered over the gun in his gun belt. “I said she belongs to me.”

A lump formed in her throat as her heart beat wildly against her chest. She didn’t know much about men or guns but she did know the expression of hate on John Hardy’s face. “Thank you, Mr. Cinders, for coming to my aid but I’m not worth getting shot over. The fact is, I do owe him his money back and truly who would hire me now?” Her fingers gingerly touched her bandage.

Cinders didn’t take time to glance in her direction. He kept his gaze on John. “I’ll hire you. Now get in the wagon.” His voice was low and even as though he anticipated more trouble.

“Not until I get my money,” John snarled.

A tall, older gentleman clad in a crisp white shirt and wool pants stepped into the street. He stood between the two men while shaking his head. “I’m warning you, I haven’t had my breakfast yet. What seems to be the problem?”

“Cinders here is trying to steal my wife.” 

The man turned and faced Cinders. “Is that true? You know a wife belongs to her husband. I can’t get into the middle of this. Now if the town would open its tight purses we’d have a sheriff here to take care of these matters and I’d be eating my breakfast.”

“Judge Gleason, I’m sorry about your breakfast but the fact is they aren’t married.”

“Yet!” John shouted

The judge turned. “Damn it, John, I’m right here. There is no need to yell into my ear.” He scanned the gathering crowd and rested his gaze on her. 

Shannon quickly adverted her eyes as she tried to be inconspicuous, however it was impossible with the huge strip of gauze hugging her cheek. Slowly she lifted her gaze and met his knowing stare.

He smiled. “Well I can see what all the fuss is about. We don’t often have such a fine woman come to our town.”

John coughed loudly as he stepped toward her. “I’m still willing to take her even if she is hideous.”

Judge Gleason tipped his flat-brimmed hat. “Ma’am, would you like to join me for breakfast? You can tell me what this is all about.” He walked toward her, extended his arm and waited for her to place her hand on it. The crowd parted as he escorted her in the direction of Eats Café and he called over his shoulder, “Cinders, I want to talk to you too.”

“What about my story?” John asked.

The judge shrugged his shoulders and kept walking.

“Well?”

They reached the door to the eatery and Cinder’s opened the door and held it for them.

“I already know your story, Hardy.” Judge Gleason ushered her through the open door.

Tuesday Tales Picture word Prompt- #ASMSG #IARTG

Welcome to Tuesday Tales- This week we are using a picture as our prompt- it isn't part of a book just a short piece inspired by the picture

Mary stopped her Junker of a car at the familiar turnoff. Sweat poured off her body as her heart jammed into her throat. Was it a good idea? The same question repeatedly ran through her mind. Grabbing the steering wheel, until her knuckles turned white, she glanced into the back seat where sweet baby James slept.

What type of reception would she get? Her parents scurried her out of town as soon as she confessed her pregnancy. They’d sent her to live with her aunt and planned for her to place the child for adoption. It’d been hell living with Aunt Trixie. She was one mean, spiteful woman who treated her as though she’d committed a mortal sin. There had been many days, when Trixie made her scrub floors on her hands and knees.

Mary turned onto Country road number seven and drove into town. The people of the town always compared themselves to Mayberry, a fictional town of a TV show. Little did they know they were quite the opposite. Hypocrites every one of them, except for Jack. Jack was as good as they came and he probably hated her for leaving. Her parents shuffled her out of town without allowing her to say goodbye. No internet, cell phone, mail or telephone allowed.

Baby James began to fuss until he began full-blown wailing. It was feeding time. Pulling off to the side of the road, she got into the back seat and lifted James. She’d just uncovered her breast when a car stopped behind her and Jack knocked on the window and opened the door. Quickly she fumbled to cover herself.

“Thank God you still have the baby.”

“You knew?” 

“I know your body and your heart. I knew you’d be back, my love.”

Tears rolled down her face.

Thank you so much for stopping by for more Tuesday Tales-

 

Tuesday Tales- Great Free Stories- #Asmsg #IARTG

 Welcome to Tuesday Tales!! This is the continuation of my new Mail Order Bride Novel- this week's word prompt is "nail"

Her stomach knotted and she felt the blood drain from her face. “Shannon. What do you mean? Do you know where he is? I’d like to talk to him.”

“He’s at the saloon. He owns it.”

Shannon jumped up. “Is it all right if I leave my bag with you? It appears  I have something to straighten out.”

 

Edith nodded. “Of course.”

She saw something akin to pity as she walked by the other customers. She lifted her chin and straightened her back as she marched down the walk to the saloon. The scarred, wooden, swinging doors were imposing as she stood looking at them trying to gather her courage. A saloon? There had to be a mistake.

The clinking of glass and the roar of laughter stopped when she stepped through the doors. She didn’t care if they stared, she had to locate Mr. Hardy and get an explanation.

“It’s not often we get a pretty little thing like you entering my place.”

Her heart dropped when she set eyes on the rotund man with dirty, greasy, dark hair and the look of the devil in his eyes.

“Are you John Hardy? The John Hardy who proposed marriage to me?” She held her breath wishing for him to say no.

“You must be my Shannon.” He smiled showing the lack of bottom teeth. He stepped in front of her and looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on her breasts. Putting his arm around her waist, he turned so they were both looking at the rag tag bunch in the saloon. “What do you think guys? A new one to add to my little doves.”

The crowd cheered as she tried to loosen his bruising grip. “Now look here, you misrepresented yourself. I’m not marrying you. I’m sure I can find another groom much better than you.”

“Better than me?” he asked his voice full of anger.

“Not better than you, I meant someone more suited to me is all.” Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she could tell he wasn’t buying it.

“Are you refusing to marry me?” His body tensed and he appeared mad enough to spit nails.

Not knowing what else to do she nodded and the next thing she knew she flew against the wall from being backhanded across her face. Quickly she lunged for the door, but John grabbed her by her hair and led her to the bar pinning the side of her face to the top.

She could hardly breathe and froze in fear. The pain was so horrific she screamed and screamed and before she knew it, she was thrown out the swinging doors into the street, landing in the dirt street.

John followed and laughed. “No one will want you now. You might as well get inside before everyone sees how hideous you are.”

Reaching up she touched her throbbing painful cheek and felt the blood before she brought her hand in front of her to confirm it. He’d slashed her face with the knife he held in his hand. The pain almost blinded her as spots crowded her eyes but she held on. “I’d rather be dead than be with you.” Her voice trembled as she tried to pretend she wasn’t scared.

John growled and stepped forward. “I can arrange that for you.” His dark eyes flashed at her and she believed him capable of killing.

The world seemed eerily quiet as she pushed herself up from the hard packed dirt, only to fall back down. Tears filled her eyes, as she looked around. There stood the women who were just in the mercantile, staring with their eyes full of fright. She’d get no assistance from them.

John Hardy stepped into the street and laughed while he gestured for two men to pick her up. “Come on, honey, it’s time for our honeymoon.”

She heard the clomping of hooves and the turn of wagon wheels behind her but it didn’t stop to help her either. By this time there were men standing with the group of women and she tried to plead with her eyes but they glanced away.

The two men grabbed at her getting ready to haul her back into the saloon when there was a loud cocking of a gun.

“Put her down.” The man threatened.

John stepped forward, thrusting out his chest. “Listen, Cinders, this is none of your business. It’d be in your best interest to leave things be.”

Shannon blacked out.

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