The Teacher's Star

part he played, Rol leaned down to kiss her after the ceremony. Her lips softened under his. A part of him treasured that.
The woman enjoyed his kiss. Too bad he wasn’t husband material since he had no doubts about her having wonderful potential as a wife and mother. Might be that part of Eenie’s trouble came from not having a ma to talk to about problems.
For Delia, the entire event was dream-like. It couldn’t be happening, but she knew logically that it was. She was meant to be a courier, nothing more. How had being a marshal gotten her married?
He’d muttered something about maintaining their covers. This was going too far, though. It was difficult enough wrapping her mind around the fact that Rol Anders wasn’t a criminal. Now she had to see him as both a marshal and her husband.
And just what had he meant about an annulment? She’d never heard of anyone annulling a marriage. Everyone and his brother knew marriage was for life. Unless Rol knew about her heritage. Could it be that he knew marriage to her was illegal in many states.
Her mind came to a grinding halt. Wait! He had said his vow using the name Roland Anderson. She knew that wasn’t his name. The marriage wasn’t valid with a false name, was it?
Maybe that was why he told her they’d seek an annulment. Thank goodness. Someday she’d marry, but definitely not wearing a plain brown dress!
A squeeze on her hand drew her attention back to the group. She tried to smile while Mrs. Stewart congratulated her. Truly, she didn’t think this ceremony warranted congratulations. She did appreciate their good intentions, but her head was spinning at how her life had changed in the last half hour.
No sooner had the coattails of the last person disappeared through her doorway than Rol’s charming smile evaporated. He scowled and pointed a finger at her.
“Where are the papers? You know, the ones I should have had almost four months ago.” Sarcasm filled his voice, along with something more. Shock had her stepping back from him as she understood that he blamed her for not making contact with him!
Rather than pulling out the envelope, she tried to explain. “When Jessup said your name, he somehow put the idea into my head that you were the warrant he was chasing.”
A tightening of Rol’s lips let her know he found the excuse flimsy at best. Crossing his arms, he stared coldly.
Doing her best not to stammer, Delia slowly asked, “Do you think I’m lying?”
Uncrossing his arms, he crossed the few steps and banded his strong hands around her arms. Still, he didn’t hurt her and kept his grip almost tender, she thought.
His closeness felt exciting rather than frightening. The thought confused her so she struggled to ignore the stirrings of attraction and focus on the face above hers.
Staring down at her with accusing eyes, he growled, “You know by now my name’s not on the warrant. It’s as clear as the ink on the papers you still haven’t given me.”
“No, I don’t. My job, well, it was only as a courier.” She stopped to take a big gasp of air. Her nerves made breathing difficult.
Arms that gripped her softened and came around her back to hold her close. “Shh. Sorry I’ve frightened you.” His hand soothed the spot between her shoulders. Unconsciously, she relaxed against him, accepting his comfort.
In a low, soft voice, he almost crooned his words when he spoke. “Okay. You didn’t read the papers. I’m surprised you didn’t go to the sheriff with them. Marshals let the local law know when they’re in town.”
She shook her head, rubbing against the softness of a cambric shirt that had seen many washings. If she’d dreamed of a wedding, her groom wore a suit. Rol’s work clothes were as bad as her faded brown dress. Another reason to be glad this marriage was only for show. She could still have her dream wedding one day. So much for her belief that marriage was forever. She almost snorted aloud at the thought.
His soothing motion stopped. Rol pulled away from her and stared down, one eyebrow raised in question.  Rats! She’d missed something during her mental meanderings.
When she only stared, he sighed. “You mean you can’t remember where you put them? That’s just dandy!” His voice rose on his last words, frustration evident.
“I know where they are. Calm down. They’re right here.” She grabbed her oversized reticule, fishing a hand inside to snag the envelope. When she drew it out, Delia looked into Rol’s eyes. Determination as well as satisfaction warmed his dark brown gaze.
“Jessup wired that he had a warrant for HG. We use code like that when we don’t trust folks in a town.” Rol spoke as he opened the envelope and smoothed out the papers on her small table.
Looking around his shoulder, Delia read the name on the warrant. “The initials for that name aren’t HG.”
The name came as no surprise, though. Satisfaction warmed her voice when she spoke. “I knew that Jubal Yarborough was no good.”
That gained Rol’s attention. “Why? Did he do something to you?”
She reddened and looked away, but his hand gently brought her face back to his. “Tell me what happened.”
“He trapped me in the school and said he was going to…” Her voice trailed off.
Rol’s expression grew hard. “Did he harm you like he planned?”
Unable to look at him, she pulled away and sat down on the bed. Head bent, she answered his question. “It was awful! But, no. He bent me over my desk. That let me get my hands on a pair of scissors laying there.”
She couldn’t suppress the shudder. “I stabbed his arm and ripped into his cheek.”
A finger under her chin lifted her face. Rol hunkered down in front