Page 5 of The Gold Rush Bride

After her bath, Sadie felt much better. Her cheerful countenance had returned. She did, however, feel her mining clothes would be more appropriate for this town rather than her dresses. She’d only brought one dress and one skirt with a blouse with her. But she’d gone against Mr. Ogilvie’s directions of the clothing to bring. She packed more of certain items, such as two pairs of wool pants instead of one and two overalls. She also put in six pairs of artic socks and wool socks. She was determined to be as comfortable as possible. Besides, since she didn’t have to bring things like a tent, she had more room for clothing in her duffle bag.

She brought all the food, and some of the tools recommended by Mr. Ogilvie’s guide. It had to be enough to survive for a year, usually weighing in at around one-thousand pounds. Canada wouldn’t let you cross their border without it.

Dressed in a pair of wool pants, she also wore long underwear underneath, for comfort against the itchy wool. She put on a heavy cotton shirt and miner’s lace-up boots. She wouldn’t have to worry about them coming off in the mud like her half boots could. Then she donned her coat and gloves. Sadie headed downstairs and found Barnaby Drake sitting in the lobby, waiting.

He looked up and his eyes opened wide enough for the eyeballs to pop out.

She walked over. She’d realized he was a big man. When they’d been standing next to each other, she’d had to look up at him, which was unusual since she was five feet ten inches. But he dwarfed the chair he sat in. His hair was the darkest brown, as was his beard, and his midnight blue eyes seemed to bore into her. “These should keep me from falling again.” She flashed a smile and twirled in front of him. “Don’t you agree?”

He took her arm and pulled her to the side of the room. “What I agree on is if those miners see you, you’ll start a stampede. What do you mean, wearing clothes like that?”

“I mean to go to my claim and work it, just like any other miner.”

“You can’t go into the wilderness alone.”

“I won’t be alone unless you’ll let me buy you out,” she countered.

“That. Is. Not. Happening. Ever.” He fisted his hands.

The anger on his face almost gave her pause about her idea. But she forged on. “Then what do you propose?”

He was silent for a moment as he pulled his beard to a point on his chin. “There is only one way you can go up there.” He stopped and narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure you won’t just let me buy you out? It would make things a whole lot easier on everyone.”

She tilted her head and lifted her brows, then crossed her arms over her chest. “No, I won’t sell. What’s the way out?”

“You’ll have to marry me. If you’re my wife, no one will bother you.”

He was testing her, trying to make her turn tail and run. But she wasn’t about to. Perhaps a marriage of convenience was just what was called for. She could use his protection. She wasn’t stupid and knew what he was saying was true. Having all those men surrounding her at the saloon taught her that. “Very well. When can we do it? I’d like to be on our way as soon as possible.”

His mouth formed a thin line.

She lifted a brow, knowing he hadn’t expected her to agree, and now he’d have to marry her.

“Today. Here. In one hour. I have to go find the preacher. He doesn’t have a church, just goes saloon to saloon and preaches.”

“Fine. I’m waiting here so I’m ready when you return.”

“Fine.” He stomped out of the lobby.

Sadie looked at Kitty. “Is he always so cranky?”

Kitty laughed. “Only on days he gets married.”

Shaking her head, Sadie crossed her arms over her chest, then dropped them and sat in the chair Barnaby had vacated. She crossed and uncrossed her knees but couldn’t seem to get comfortable.

She jumped up when Barnaby returned around thirty minutes later with a man carrying a Bible and wearing a long black coat. He had the white collar of a reverend. His hair was black and hung stringy around his face, but his face and hands were clean.

He smiled.

Sadie smiled back and relaxed.

“My name is Reverend Calloway. I understand you and Barnaby are getting married. You can’t imagine how happy that makes me. I’d love to see other couples do the same, but...” He sighed. “Women are in short supply here.”

“Which is why we’re getting married,” growled Barnaby.

Reverend Calloway chuckled. “So, you are. Are you both ready?”

“Yes, Reverend.” Sadie smiled at the man of God.