In The Beginning by Gail Daley (top 100 books of all time checklist .TXT) 📕

Outside in the hall, Carlos stood with one hand braced against the closed door, breathing hard for several minutes before he straightened up. He walked back down to the regular bar and ordered a stiff drink. He downed it in one gulp and ordered another.

"You okay, son?" inquired Henry Miller, who had come up to the bar. He studied the young man curiously.

"Yes, I’m fine," Carlos bit out. "Did you have something to report already?"

Henry gave him the fisheye. However, he was familiar enough with the behavior of young men in love to keep his thoughts to himself. "I made connections and picked up a few rumors," he said. "Let’s go sit at that table in the back. We can talk there without being noticed too much." He turned and threaded his way through the crowded room heading for a table in a darkened corner. After a brief hesitation, Carlos followed him.

Ties That Bind

BETHANY'S WEDDING TO Alexander McCaffey four days later was attended by the whole town. Bethany wore a wedding dress made for her by Giselle with help from Lisette and Margo. Jeanne and Iris both looked beautiful as bridesmaids.

Although Jeanne pinned on a bright smile whenever anyone looked at her, she could not help reflecting that a wedding of her own was extremely unlikely. Too many obstacles stood between her and Samuel Johnson getting married.

When Bethany and Alec's marriage announcement and that of the engagement of Carlos Madonna to Iris had appeared in the town paper, Ira Johnson got his sons out of town. He told his friends that his business in Junction City required the presence of his two remaining sons. The Johnsons left on the regular steamboat that afternoon.

Bethany and Alec were pronounced man and wife on Sunday just after the evening service finished. Having performed his duties as best man, Henry disappeared soon after the ceremony to begin his investigation for Carlos. The family walked back to The Hotel afterwards and had a quiet celebratory supper. While Alec, Carlos and Michael had a drink in the bar, the women escorted Bethany upstairs to help her out of her wedding dress.

When they had dressed her in a soft green nightgown and brushed out her hair, Margo produced a small bottle from her pocket and poured a minuscule amount of the liquid into the water glass.

Jeanne stared at the glass. "What on earth is that?"

"Brandy. To help her relax," Margo explained. She regarded her foster daughter thoughtfully. "Did your grandmamma explain what will happen?"

Bethany nodded mutely.

"It is better not to be afraid," Margo explained to Jeanne. "A good man does not like his wife to be afraid of loving. There will be pain only first time, Nina. After that if you are persistent, you can teach him to help you enjoy loving too."

Giselle kissed Bethany on the brow, and whispered, "It will be fine, you’ll see."

Margo drew the girls out of the room.

Bethany sipped her brandy and curled up in the chair to wait for her husband.

Apparently, Alec and Margo were of the same mind because he brought a bottle of champagne up with him. He set the bucket of ice on the table, looking at her glass with surprise.

Bethany saw him looking at it and said defensively, "Margo gave it to me. I guess she could tell I'm a little nervous."

"Me too. I mean I'm a little nervous too," Alec responded.

"You? Why would you be nervous?"

He succeeded in in removing the cork from the champagne bottle and poured two glasses. He handed one to her. "I've heard a few real horror stories about wedding nights, and I don't want this to be another one."

Alec picked up Margo's offering and sniffed. "Brandy?" he inquired.

Bethany sipped cautiously at the champagne. The bubbles tickled her nose. "Yes. Your remedy tastes much better than Margo's," she admitted.

When he held out his hand, she allowed him to pull her to her feet. To her surprise, he sat down in her chair and pulled her back down onto his lap.

"Relax," he said, feeling the stiffness of her body against him. "Let's just talk for a while."

"What do you want to talk about?"

She tensed a little as his hand stroked her hair.

"Let’s talk about you. Did you spend much time out here growing up?"

"When I was ten, Gran came and got us and took us back east. We came back to visit a few times, but mostly I lived with Gran. It was exciting traveling on the railroad."

Under his gentle prompting, Bethany told Alec a great deal about her early life. Insensibly she relaxed, taking sips of the champagne as she talked. It was some time later that she realized her champagne glass was empty. By this time, she was feeling a little lightheaded.

When Alec pressed the first light kiss on her lips, she found it easy to kiss him back. Under her fingers, she could feel the trip hammer pulse of his heart. Tentatively, she slid her arm around his neck. Alec made a soft masculine groan of satisfaction against her lips and his tongue thrust into her mouth, deepening the kiss. He cupped her breast in his hand. Bethany gasped with surprise and pleasure when his hand grazed her upstanding nipple.

He lifted his head so he could watch her face while he caressed her. "Unbutton my shirt," he said hoarsely. "I want you to touch me the way I'm touching you."

Obediently, she undid the buttons and slid her hand inside to touch his chest. When she found the hard, masculine nipples, and brushed them lightly with her fingers, he moaned, and caught her hand, bringing it to his mouth.

"Sorry, Darling," despite his best effort, his voice was shaken. "Bad idea. I'll never last if I let you touch me. I want to make it good for you this time."

Bethany regarded him under lids made lazy by a combination of desire and champagne. "I feel good now."

Alec stood up with her in his arms and walked to the bed.