Chapter 23 #2
When I hear my name, I’m not sure if it’s a plea or a prayer. Moving to the other breasts, I make sure to give it the same attention. Her innocent moans fill the room as I absorb the sounds of her pleasure like a man starved. It’s absolutely the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
I lean my head against her chest, listening to the rapid beating of her heart, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have left, especially after holding her night upon night, to let her go, but I am going to do right by her if it kills me.
I feel her hands tighten on me for just a second before I raise up, lowering her back into the water fully.
“You have no idea how hard it is for me not to lift you out of there, lay you on that bed, and spend the rest of the night learning what it takes to get more of those sounds out of you. But I am dirty, and we must be at the diner in about an hour. I am going to go get washed up, then I’ll come back and get you. ”
Jess doesn’t say anything, just looks up at me in a daze, and because I am a selfish bastard, I capture her lips in a kiss. Then I practically run from the room after I grab the things I need out of my bag.
A short while later, I am sitting in a huge tub washing the trail dirt off me with a huge grin on my face as I can still taste her on my lips.
The idea of being able to love her freely and come home to her after a long day is something I not only crave but also feel I can’t live without.
I’m aware Grant’s relationship with the local pastor has been strained, as many find him intimidating.
However, I’m confident we can handle this discreetly, ensuring no one suspects she isn’t my wife.
Drying off, it’s nice to put on clean clothes, and because it’s driving me nuts, I walk over to the barbershop, hoping he can get me in.
Opening the door, I find an older man cleaning brushes.
“Come on in, Sir, what can I do for you this evening? You caught me just before I was getting ready to lock up for the evening.”
“I need a good trim for now. This beard is wild, and I would like a few inches off all this hair; just up to my collar, as it keeps the sun from roasting my neck.”
“Hop in the chair and let’s see if we can find the face under all that.”
Thirty minutes later, I walk out feeling ten pounds lighter, my hand running over my short beard before heading across the street to pick up Jessica. Once again, I sprint up the stairs, but I stop and knock lightly before opening the door. “Can I come in?”
“Yes, I am just putting the last pin in my hair now.”
I find her sitting at a small vanity in a pale green, day dress, its only ornament being a string of pearls. She turns quickly when she sees me in the mirror.
“You cut off your beard!”
“I was scared a small bird would build a nest in it. It sure was a ratty-looking thing. You look quite stunning. Are those the pearls Victoria gave you?”
“Yes, I hope they are not too fancy.”
“No, in fact, I think you’re still missing something. Hold on a minute.”
I’d pushed this package into my bag when we left Chicago, intending on giving it to her sooner, but the time never presented itself. Once I get it out, I straighten the blue ribbon and the edges before handing it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
I should have known she would unwind the ribbon, slowly placing it to the side, while I wanted to jerk it out of her hands and rip it open.
“Ugghh, woman, open it already! This is torture and I can’t imagine you opening presents at Christmas, half the year would be over before you got to it.”
“I wouldn’t know, never got a present for Christmas.”
I hear her say that lowly as she pulls the lace shawl out of the paper wrapping, and I force that information deep into my brain so that I know she needs to be spoiled, especially on that day.
“Oh, Reggie, it’s the shawl from Violet’s. Ohh, thank you so very much! It’s so beautiful. I had no idea you bought this. I was scared to touch it because the lace was so intricate.”
I watch as she runs her fingers carefully down the seams. “The gloves are in there too, but I understand if you don’t want to wear them with us going out to eat. Stand up, and I’ll put it on you so you can see it in the mirror.”
She hands the weightless piece of material to me with tears in her eyes as she stands up.
I motion for her to turn around so she can face the small mirror.
It takes me a minute to figure out how it lies as my rough hands catch on the delicate fibers before I lay it over her small, but strong shoulders.
Standing behind her, I can see completely over her head, and I will say we make a pretty couple with my hands draped possessively on her arms. Kissing the top of her head, she smiles up at me through the mirror as she gathers the ends of the shawl together, tying them gently, only for me to hear her belly growl.
“We’d better feed you before that little demon eats us both.”
“I have no idea why, but I have been hungry all day, and I ate breakfast.”
“No, you didn’t, you ate a couple of pieces of bacon, and that was it. I saw you give your portion to Henry.”
“Well, he is a growing boy, so he needs more fuel to keep all that energy alive. I’ve been hungry plenty of times in my lifetime, and if I am able to keep another from experiencing that, then I will.”
“You have become quite attached to him.”
“He’s a good kid, his heart has not been hardened by the world yet, and his innocence is a pleasure to be around.”
“Then you will be happy to know that I hired Marcus, and so both of them will be living with or near us on the farm … ranch, I’m not sure what to call it.”
“Us?”
“Us! Let’s go before that little bugger eats all our dinners too.”
I tuck Jessica’s hand into my arm as we walk down the walkway toward the diner.
We pass several men along the way. They each nod at me, but their eyes immediately wander to Jess.
I can’t hate them for noticing her beauty, as that pale green dress really sets off her eyes and dark hair, but I don’t have to like it either.
Opening the door, I put my hand on her lower back as we walk through, looking for the others, only for Jacob to wave from the back of the room, where a couple of tables have been pushed together to make room for all of us. Henry is instantly on his feet, pulling out the chair right next to him.
“Miss Jess … I got all cleaned up for you, and I would like it if you would sit next to me for dinner.”
“I would be honored, kind sir. You sure look handsome in your button-up shirt. I’ve never seen that one on you before.”
“Momma made it for me, so I only wear it on special occasions.”
Marcus looks away, and I can tell the words have torn at a fresh wound he has tried to hide from us all, as you can instantly see the sadness in his eyes. Henry, on the other hand, is still standing straight, doing his best to get the girl.
Jessica loosens her shawl, then leans down, kissing Henry on the cheek before taking the seat he was holding out for her, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing when little Henry’s cheeks turn bright red.
Jacob moves down a seat so that I can sit on Jessica’s other side.
I’ve barely gotten settled when a young woman comes out holding a tray.
“Got you gentlemen some coffee and the lady some tea, as per the young man’s instructions.”
She winks at Henry, and the entire table laughs as Jessica grabs his little hand in hers. “Thank you for thinking of me, Henry. It means everything.”
“You are most welcome, Jess. I just thought you took such good care of us that we should think of you as well, and you always make a face at that first sip in the mornings, so I knew you didn’t like coffee.”
“You’re right, I can barely tolerate it.”
I wait until she has handed out all the cups and finished topping them off before saying, “Ma’am, you can bring out our dinners at any time.”
“They are plating them now; it will only be a moment. I am sure you are all famished after such a long trip.”
When she heads back into the kitchen, I tap the side of my cup with a fork to get everyone’s attention.
“Now that we are here, I want to talk to you all about what we are going to do over the next few days. I would like to head to Grant’s in the morning unless you all would like a day of rest?”
“I’m good … What time do you want us up? … Are we taking all the wagons?”
I get something different from each of them at the same time.
“Well, yes, we will be taking all the wagons, two of them I purchased, but the other two were rented, so they’ll have to be returned.
I’d like to get Grant’s items delivered, then take the other wagons out to the property I purchased sight unseen and drop them off there. ”
Colby is the first to speak up. “How are you planning on getting those wagons back?”
“I figure I will have to hire a few men to take them back.”
He looks over at Jessica, then at me, and I slide my arm around the back of her chair, pulling her closer.
For a second, I see his anger spike, but before he can say anything, the server comes out the door with our food.
The conversation shifts as we all dig into our food and we talk about the meals Jessica had fixed, and we keep praising her for making a cobbler the same night she was almost mauled by a mountain lion.
By the time they bring out the fresh apple pie, I can barely take another bite.
Henry just keeps slipping farther down in his chair, and Jacob is yawning so much he’s making the rest of us do it. When the server comes back to refill the coffee cups, I hold my hand over mine as I am ready to go.
“Jess, honey, you ready to turn in?”
“I am. Miss, thank you for taking such good care of us, and it was nice to be waited on after such a long journey.”
“Not a problem, Mrs. Kerns. It was our pleasure. Will we be having you all back again tomorrow?”