The mother knew of Bridgewater and understand their small town. She was giving them her blessing. Jesse’s respect for her went through the roof. Now he was certain they had chosen the right woman.
Mattie laid her head on her mother’s hand. “No, Momma, please don’t make me leave you.”
“Go pack your things,” she said as she glanced at Alex. “You’ll marry her today?”
“Yes, ma’am. You have my word.”
“And mine,” Jesse said.
Alex reached out and took Mattie’s hand. “Mattie, I give you my word that we will never harm you. Now go pack your things. It’s time for us to leave.”
Confusion filled her eyes and he feared she would give them trouble, but they needed to get her out of here before Frank and his father came home. Or there would be a bloody battle.
After she left the room, her mother turned and gazed at them. “Mattie is an heiress. Her father left her a lot of money that she will acquire when she turns twenty-one. Frank and Edward don’t love her, they want her inheritance. She turns twenty-one in two months. They’re desperate for Frank to marry her before that time. So please, be aware, they will come after you.”
Let them. Jesse would enjoy tangling with Frank and his father. Letting some of the rage inside him explode on them at how they treated Mattie and her mother.
“Mattie will be safe with us.”
Her mother glanced at them. “Please take care of my girl. Promise me you won’t hurt her.”
“Like we said before, we will defend her with our life,” Alex promised her.
Just then Mattie came through the door with a satchel in her hand. “Please, Mother, don’t make me go.”
She came to the bed and sat beside her and took her in her arms. “Honey, you know what’s going to happen if you stay here. This way I know you’re safe. This way I can die in peace knowing these two fine men are going to take care of you.”
Mattie leaned back. “You’re certain?”
“Yes, now go. I love you a
nd I’ll be looking down on you to make certain you’re safe. Never forget how much I love you. You’ve been the joy of my life.”
Alex moved forward when he saw her mother trying to push her out of her arms. Jesse wanted to be the first one to hold her and comfort her, but Alex was there. Jesse would get his time to comfort her later.
They all turned to walk out the door. Mattie sobbing, she turned for one last look.
“Bye, Momma, I love you.”
Her mother shed tears quietly and waved a hand. Tonight, they would need to comfort Mattie. But first they had to find a judge and make her theirs. Then it would be a two-hour ride home.
Could he wait another night before he touched their woman? Oh, hell no. Even now, the thought of taking her home and fucking her was more than he could bear.
4
ALEX
* * *
Alex lifted her onto Jesse’s saddle and then Jesse climbed up behind her. Tears streamed down her face as they spurred their horses away from her home. Jesse spoke softly to her, trying to give her comfort.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you,” Jesse said. “We’ll protect you.”
Mattie sniffed. “I don’t think I should leave her.”
“Lass, if you don’t go with us, you will wake up in the morning married to Frank. Is that what you want?”
Alex was certain there was no way Frank would risk her getting away after what had happened today. And it sounded like her stepfather was greedy.