Alfie Read online

  Alfie

  GUILFORD CROSSING BRIDES

  BOOK 3

  Margaret Tanner

  Copyright © 2018 Margaret Tanner

  Thank you for downloading this e-book. It remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed for any commercial or non-commercial use without permission from the author and publisher. Quotes used in reviews are the exception. No alteration of content is allowed. If you enjoy this book, then please encourage your friends to purchase their own copy.

  This is a work of fiction, but to enhance the story, some literary license has been taken regarding setting. All characters are a figment of the author’s imagination.

  Cover Art and Formatting by Susan Horsnell

  Acknowledgement: Thank you Susan Horsnell for your on-going help and support. Couldn’t have done it without you my friend.

  Heat Level: Mild sexual content.

  Chapter One

  Guilford Crossing - Texas – 1870’s

  “Don’t do it Alfie,” Alex implored. “You know what Pa said. He means it. He won’t let you come back home.” Alex’s voice broke. “He’ll disown you.”

  “I love Toby and he loves me.”

  “You’ve only met him a few times, you hardly know the man, and he’s so young.”

  He’s twenty two, and he’s Jessica Isaac’s cousin.”

  “About three times removed. Pa says his family are no good.”

  “He says his father owns a large ranch near Austin.”

  “Toby could be lying.”

  Alfie scrubbed a wayward tear that had somehow escaped and trickled down her cheek. “I thought you would understand.”

  “I do, but you can’t just go off and marry a virtual stranger.”

  “Freddie did when she married Nick,” Alfie shot back.

  “That was different, anyway Pa said Nick saved Billy’s life. Giddup.” Alex slapped the horses’ rumps to hurry them up. They had taken freight up to La Grange and were now only an hour out of Guilford Crossing.

  You won’t help me?” There was a note of pleading in her voice but Alfie couldn’t help it. No two sisters could be closer than her and Alex, that’s why it hurt so much that she wasn’t prepared to help her sister out.

  “All right.” Alex gave a reluctant sigh. “Are you sure he’ll be waiting at the cross-roads?”

  “Thanks. Yes, he’ll be waiting. He promised.”

  “You’ll be leaving all your friends, and Freddie, Nick and baby Oliver.”

  “I’ll be back.” Alfie squeezed her sister’s arm. “If Pa refuses to let us stay with him, Freddie and Nick won’t mind having us.”

  “You should have spoken with Nick about it, or Matt and Lily even.”

  “I’m old enough to know what I’m doing.” Alfie gnawed her lower lip. She didn’t want to argue with Alex, as well as being sisters they were friends who had always confided in each other, but she loved Toby and wanted to marry him.

  Toby was the handsomest young man she had ever seen with his sun bleached hair and brown eyes, an unusual combination. He had been courting her in secret ever since they had met at her school friend, Jessica Isaac’s wedding. Strictly speaking, Jessica hadn’t been a close friend and she had been surprised to receive an invitation. There again, nearly all the young folk in Guilford Crossing received invites. Alex went, but left before the dance in the evening. Freddie and Nick stayed away because Nick hated crowds, something to do with his experience in the war.

  Freddie had helped her make a pretty blue dress with white lace trim, and she wore her brown hair loose. They had even cut a few inches off her hair so it would sit better. She quite liked the freedom of not having her hair tied back, and Toby kept telling her how much he liked it.

  She had admired him from the moment she saw him at the bridal supper. It was an unusual wedding for Guilford Crossing. A late afternoon marrying service followed by supper, with a dance to round off the evening at Jessica’s parents’ house. Her father owned the bank and her mother came from a rich New Orleans family, probably why Pa hated them. Of course, he disliked just about everyone.

  Mrs. Isaacs was horrible woman who always looked down on anyone she thought of as inferior, which meant most of Guilford Crossing. Jessica’s wedding gown had been made up in Houston, with the best French lace and material money could buy. The bridegroom, Charles, owned a large law office in Houston, and after a honeymoon in Europe they would settle in Houston.

  She didn’t liked Charles over much, like Mrs. Isaacs, he had looked down his nose at many of the guests, and spoke in such condescending tones she wanted to slap him. His eyes had been cold as they swept her from head to foot. He made it obvious he didn’t think much of her. Well, the feeling was mutual.

  Alfie cringed when she recalled overhearing him remark to Jessica about why she had invited such a strange person to their wedding. “And just look at that home sewn dress.”

  Several heads had swiveled in Alfie’s direction and she had never felt so humiliated in her life.

  Jessica gave a cruel laugh. “I only invited her and some of the others to make up the numbers. I wanted more people at my wedding than Lucille St John had.”

  Alfie slunk outside intending to go home, but Toby must have seen and heard what happened and followed her.

  “Miss Guilford.”

  She ignored the male voice.

  “Please, Miss Guilford, don’t take any notice of them. I think you’re the prettiest gal here.”

  “You do?” She crept out from behind the tall bush she had been hiding behind. I…I want to go home.”

  “No, you don’t. I’m Toby Montague.” He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips, and a bolt of heat raced up her arm. The music started up.

  “Would you care to dance with me, Miss Guilford?”

  “I would like to Mr. Montague, but I can’t dance.”

  “Call me Toby, please. It’s easy, just follow my instructions.”

  He took her hand and led her out of the garden and through the double glass doors leading inside. The lamps had been dimmed, and what had seemed a magnificent room in the light, became even nicer, the subdued glow somehow softening the area.

  Toby took her in his arms and spun her onto the dance floor. Following his whispered instructions she felt she was doing well.

  “You’re light on your feet, Miss….”

  “Call me Alfie.”

  “Alfie?” he exclaimed and she missed her step and trod on his foot.

  “Alfreda really, but I’m always called Alfie.”

  He gave a low laugh, which caused her insides to quiver.

  “I never expected to meet an angel like you in a place like this.”

  She giggled. This was the best night in the whole of her life. Unforgettable. “If I’m an angel, I must have a rusty halo.”

  “Oh!”

  “I have been known to cuss.”

  “Understandable, you being Sam Guilford’s daughter. Would you believe me if I said I like you more than any other gal I’ve ever met?”

  “We don’t know each other.”

  “I hope to remedy that.”

  She gasped. His confidence bordered on arrogance although it suited him. She liked strong men. What was she thinking? She didn’t really know any men who weren’t related to her. Preacher Steve was the only man of her acquaintance and he was happily married to Ruth, and after years of marriage they were finally expecting their first child. A miracle from God Ruth had said. Alfie agreed with her, after so many years it was indeed miraculous.

  “Sorry, what did you say Toby?”

  “The dance has finished, darlin’.” He took her hand as they headed off the dance floor.

  “Oh, I was just thinking about Preacher Stev
e and his wife having a baby after so many years of marriage.”

  The preacher who married Jessica and Charles?”

  “Yes.”

  He led her toward a chair. “Would you like a drink? Something to eat?”

  “A drink would be nice.”

  “Champagne?”

  “Yes please.” She ignored the poisonous stares sent her way by two young women who obviously fancied Toby. By their haughty demeanor they were probably related to Mrs. Isaac.

  Excitement surged through her. No one had ever been jealous of her before. It was empowering.

  Toby returned with two glasses of sparkling champagne. He handed one to her before sitting down. He swiveled in the chair to face her. “A toast to us,” he said, and clinked glasses with her.

  Alfie took a sip and quite liked the taste. Emboldened, she took a mouthful, laughing as the bubbles tickled her nose.

  “Not too fast,” he said with a grin. “I can’t have you getting drunk.”

  “I’ve never had champagne before.”

  “I know, darlin’.”

  It warmed her heart when he called her darlin’. She was behaving foolishly, but couldn’t help it. Glancing up she saw the groom staring at her. He looked as if he’d swallowed a horn-toad backward. Giving him a taste of his own medicine, she stared at him, letting her gaze wander up and down his body until he turned away.

  “Whereabouts do you live?” she asked Toby?”

  “My parents own a ranch a few miles out of Austin. It will be mine eventually. I’m an only child.” He shrugged. “I do most of the running of it now. Pa had a bad spill when his horse got spooked. It made him realize he’s getting old and isn’t invincible.”

  “My Pa is like that, thinks the freight business would close down if it wasn’t for him. He doesn’t even drive any more, that’s left to me, my sister, brother and brother-in-law.

  “Surely your father has trained his son to take over like Pa did with me.”

  “Um, Billy isn’t, well normal.”

  “What!”

  “Oh, he wasn’t born like it, came back from the war with a Yankee soldier’s bullet in his head, and it….”

  “I understand, my older brother died in a hell-hole Yankee prison camp.”

  “It must have been awful for them.” Alfie shuddered.

  “Yeah, it ruined a lot of families. One of my uncles lost all three of his sons. I’m glad I wasn’t old enough to fight.”

  “I’m glad, too.” Daringly, Alfie reached out and gently squeezed his fingers. “Real glad.”

  “Can I walk you home, darlin’?”

  He said it again, darlin’. He must have strong feelings to call her darlin’ all the time. He certainly raised strong feelings in her.

  Love at first sight? She would have scoffed at such a thing, even when her sister Freddie had said she got strange feelings for Nick almost immediately. He had saved her life, so she had thought that explained it. Apparently not.

  “Will we have another dance?” he asked.

  His words were music to her ears. She’d been hoping he would ask her again. He took her glass and placed it with his own on a chair. Taking her hand he led her into a group of dancers.

  Toby was tall, her chin only reached his chest. It was nice feeling his strong heartbeat against her cheek. As if he knew what effect he was having on her, he tightened his grip as they danced. She chose to ignore the shocked gasps from a young woman who was dancing close by at Toby’s familiarity. She should have pushed him away, but didn’t because she liked it. Would he think her wanton? Surely not. After glancing up she caught him smiling and everything was right in her world again.

  “May I walk you home, Alfie?”

  “I’d like that.” She had been going to walk home on her own as it was only a few hundred yards. Pa had forbidden her to attend the evening festivities, but she was glad she had defied him because she wouldn’t have met Toby. It must have been fate.

  “How about we leave now?” he suggested. “I hate all that waiting for the bride and groom stuff.”

  “Met too.” It was a lie, she’d never been to a wedding reception like this before.

  He edged her toward the double glass doors so they could duck out into the garden. A side entrance opened on to an alleyway, which led into the main street.

  “I have to kiss you, darlin’.” He maneuvered them into the overhand of a large tree. “I can’t wait a moment longer.”

  He dragged her into his arms, flattening her breasts against his chest. His mouth covered hers. It felt good, only she didn’t know what she was supposed to do, except lock her arms around his waist.

  Easing back a fraction he said. “Open your mouth for me, darlin’.”

  She did so and his tongue darted inside. She trembled with an emotion previously unknown to her. Instinctively she curled her tongue around his and soon they were exchanging passionate kisses. Nothing had ever felt so good or so right.

  Finally, he released her and she had to clutch hold of his waistcoat so her legs wouldn’t collapse and send her to the ground.

  “I’ve never met a gal like you before.”

  Arm in arm they strode along the street, quiet except for the tinny sound of an out of tune piano and loud female laughter. A drunken cowboy hung over a horse trough dunking his head in the water.

  The spring air had a slight chill to it. With her arm linked through Toby’s the heat of his body kept her warm. Every few steps they stopped to exchange kisses.

  This is the best day of my life Alfie thought. Falling in love was everything she had dreamed it would be.

  “May I call over tomorrow?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  His goodnight kiss was a long, tender one.

  “I’ll come over about ten. I’ll hire a buggy so we can go on a picnic.”

  “Don’t hire a buggy, why don’t we ride,” Alfie suggested, unwilling to let him know this blue dress was the only decent one she possessed.

  “All right. I can bring a picnic lunch in my saddlebags.”

  “Yes, oh yes. Goodnight, Toby, I’ve had a lovely time.”

  “Good. The first of many I hope.”

  He walked away whistling, while she watched him disappear into the darkness.

  She smoothed out her hair and composed her features. She didn’t want Pa catching her grinning like a weasel in a henhouse.

  “Gawddammit,” Pa snarled as he flung the door open. “Where have you been?” He grabbed her by the arm to drag her into the kitchen.

  “Jessica’s wedding.”

  “I told you to be home for supper.” He glared at her.

  Alex glanced up from washing the dishes. “Pa, she isn’t very late.”

  “Too late,” he snarled. “When I tell you to do something, you do it.”

  “I met a nice cowboy.”

  Alex groaned out loud, and shook her head in exasperation.

  “So, that’s it, rolling around in the hay with some saddle tramp.”

  “I did not.”

  “I had one daughter who got a baby in her belly before she was wed. I don’t want another.”

  “We didn’t do anything wrong, just danced and talked. He asked me to go riding with him tomorrow, he’s calling in here at ten.”

  Pa looked ready to explode. What was wrong with him? Surely he couldn’t expect her to keep driving the freight wagon and end up an old maid?”

  “We’re not working tomorrow, Pa. Let Alfie step out with him if she wants. He might turn out to be a good driver like Nick.”

  “Who is he? Where’s he hail from? What’s his name?”

  “His Jessica’s cousin. His father owns a ranch just out of Austin and his name is Toby Montague.”

  “Montague!” Pa leapt from his chair. “Those sonsofbitches.”

  “Pa! He’s nice.”

  “Nice? It was Johnny Montague’s fault your brother is like he is.”

  “What!” Alfie rocked back on her heels
.

  “Cowardly polecat ran off and left Billy to die like a dog, to save his own miserable hide.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I know. They’re low down rustlers, too.”

  “They’re rich. Why would they need to rustle cattle?”

  “They weren’t always rich. Joe Montague rustled hundreds of head of cattle before the war.”

  “Even if the father did that, it isn’t fair to blame Toby.”

  “He’s lived off the ill-gotten gains. His mother was a Judge’s daughter, so not only are they rich, but also powerful. No-one dares say anything against them, but they ain’t shutting me up.”

  “It isn’t Toby’s fault. He asked me to go with him and I am.”

  “Don’t you defy me again, gal.”

  “And what will you do?”

  “I’ll take my belt to you, that’s what I’ll do.” He cuffed her across the back of the head and stalked off.

  “I’m going out with Toby tomorrow, no matter what.”

  “You know how ornery Pa is,” Alex said. “And once he takes a set on you, that’s it.”

  “I know, but he hasn’t met Toby. You can’t blame him for the sins of his father and brother. Can you keep a secret?”

  Alex nodded.

  “Toby kissed me.”

  “Was it good?”

  “It was beautiful, I didn’t believe it could be like that. I know Freddie gets all funny like and looks like the cat who’s just licked up the cream when Nick kisses her.”

  “You’ve seen them actually kissing?”

  “A couple of times.”

  “Well, I don’t think I’d like it. The man might dribble on me.” Alex shuddered with distaste.

  “It’s not like that, it’s, it’s, I don’t know, Alex I can’t explain it.”

  Chapter Two

  Next morning Alfie rose early to get all her chores done so Pa couldn’t complain about that. She was going riding with Toby no matter what.

  Luckily, she had washed her hair for the wedding, also had a bath, so after a quick wash she changed out of her work clothes and into her best buckskins. If only she had something better to wear. Alex had let her have a few dabs of lavender water for her wrists and throat to make her smell good. She had used the last of hers for the wedding.