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Davis ran his hand through his dark hair and gave it a slight jerk. He was doing the right thing. He was convinced of it. And in time, they’d both see that his interference was for the good of them both. Of course, Grayson could see the importance of it now, but he didn’t dare tell Michaela of the trouble her groom was facing or she’d put up more of a protest. That was the last thing any of them needed.
    Time, however, was exactly what the two of them needed. He was sure of it.
     

 
     
~Chapter Seven~
     
     
    TOOOOOT! TA TE TA TOOOOO!
    Michaela would certainly have been jarred awake by the sounds of the horn being blown directly outside the window of the room she’d slept in had she not been awake already.
    She pulled the covers over her face and covered her ears with her hands.
    If escape had truly been an option, Michaela might have attempted it last night. But she knew better. Her father’s temper was little better than that of an irate Indian tribe. At least there was only one of him. Not that it meant much, but enough to keep her safely on the settee Aunt Lucille had offered her. She’d been tempted to ask if she could stay with Ella last night but knew Ella’s acceptance would only make for an uncomfortable situation between Michaela, Ella and Jack.
    When the obnoxious song she knew so well ceased, she removed her hands and heaved a heavy sigh.
    If Pa was to be believed, today was her wedding day. There was no reason not to believe him; he’d given her little choice in the matter, but maybe she could talk to Gray at lunch and see if there was anything she could do to make him see sense and call off this sham of a wedding. Truly, what did he possibly stand to gain from marrying her? The last time she’d seen him, he’d been uncharacteristically kind to her all evening, loving even, then he took her to a brothel where he went into the room of a calling prostitute and said, “go to hell,” before slamming the door behind him.
    A shiver passed over her.
    “ Do you need help getting dressed, Michaela?” Aunt Lucille said, coming up to where she was still lying on the older woman’s sofa.  
    Michaela’s eyes fluttered open. “If you don’t mind.”
    “ I don’t mind at all, dear. Here, let me see what you brought that might be comfortable for you to wear around here until you can get more gowns.” Aunt Lucille found a simple green dress in Michaela’s trunk then helped her dress before going off to the kitchen to make them each a plate.  
    “ George went out early to talk to Jack and Gray so you’ll have to eat an extra large portion,” she said, setting the plates down at the table.  
    “ Since we scarcely stopped to eat on our journey here I fear that I might devour your entire kitchen.”  
    “ You won’t be very happy later on if you do that. I guarantee it,” Jack said behind her.  
    Michaela nearly jumped out of her seat to greet her brother-in-law and give her sister a hug. “I didn’t know you were coming back today.”
    “ All the officers’ wives spend their days here at the Lewises’,” Ella said.  
    Michaela nodded. Their mother had once mentioned something about ladies at certain forts and how they had to all stay together for safety from some of the men. A chill ran down her spine. “Is it just the three of us?” she asked after Jack kissed Ella’s cheek and took his exit.
    “ Five. There is Sarah Ridgely, the general’s wife, then Allison. They should both be here soon.”  
    Michaela nodded once as unease settled over her. What if the other women didn’t like her? Was it possible that in the few days that Ella had been here, that she and these other ladies had become better friends than she and Ella? She blinked to clear the thought. That was preposterous. But preposterous as it was, it didn’t stop her from wondering.
    “ Stop,” Ella whispered when they resumed their spot at the table. “You’ll love Sarah and Allison. They’re both very nice and