Bracing herself for discomfort, she waited. He returned his mouth to hers. As his tongue plundered, he shoved deeper into her secret core. Pain seared but his kiss caught her gasp.
He continued the thrusts and the sting receded. She met him by pushing her hips upward. Again and again he plunged into her. Faster and faster they moved. Higher and higher she climbed toward the heavens.
Waves of pleasure spiraled through her. Nothing had prepared her for the effect their movements created. Nothing had prepared her for the amazing bliss consuming her. Nothing had prepared her for the sensation of soaring upward into the sky.
His breathing grew ragged and came in pants. Or was that hers? She exploded into a thousand bright lights like fireworks and drifted gently back to earth. At the same time, he arched his back and she felt his warm seed spill inside her.
Would she conceive a child tonight? Elation filled her. Their coming together had been life changing. She wanted to talk to him, to tell him how she felt, ask him if he felt the same.
With a groan, he rolled off her and curled around her.
“G’night.” Within seconds, he was asleep.
How could he fall asleep as if nothing had occurred? She was devastated. Even though he hadn’t wanted a new wife, he darn sure had one. Was this all there was to marriage?
Did he expect her to provide services like a saloon girl while not interfering in the rearing of his unruly children? She slid away from him and grabbed her gown. Going to the washstand, she poured water from the ewer into the bowl.
Turning her back to the bed, she bathed the stickiness from her thighs. From the soft snoring coming from the bed, she needn’t have worried about modesty. She donned the garment and paced the floor. Thank goodness there was a rug.
After adding another small log to the fire, she pulled on her wrapper and sat in the rocker. There was no turning back now that they’d consummated their union. What had she gotten herself into with this marriage? How should she proceed?
Chapter Two
Jamie woke feeling renewed in every way. He hadn’t realized how much being without a woman had contributed to his restlessness. Damned if he wasn’t fit as a fiddle this morning. He lay in bed with his arms beneath his head.
Beside him, Olivia slept on her side, the light setting her long hair shining like pure gold. Embers in the fireplace still warmed the room but he was uncommonly loathe to slip from the cocoon of his bed. The door suddenly burst open and Jake rushed in followed by Cat.
Olivia raised her head. “Oh, here are the Woodsman and his assistant but they’re too late to save me.”
He leaned near her. “You didn’t appear to want saving last night.”
“Papa, why aren’t you up yet? Grandma said breakfast is almost ready.”
“Jake, what did I tell you about coming inside married folks’ room? You can’t go barging in on me or Uncle Gideon or Uncle Ethan now. A married lady needs privacy in her bedroom.”
Cat tugged on his hand. “Then come on and let’s go downstairs.”
He sat up, careful to keep the cover over his privates. “You two go on and tell Grandma we’ll be down in a few minutes.” When they didn’t move fast enough, he added, “Git on now or I’ll swat your behind. And close the door behind you.”
Jake slammed the door, letting him know his son was put out with him.
“Have you ever swatted them?” Olivia left the bed and reached for her wrapper.
“Once or twice.” His anger surfaced and he shoved his legs into his pants. “You act like you think I’m not a good father, but I am. My children mean everything to me.” He stomped into his boots.
She pulled her pantalets and petticoats on under her gown. “I know they do and I can see they love you. You just don’t discipline them. That’s a disservice to them and to everyone in the family.”
Taking a clean flannel shirt from a drawer, he pulled it on and worked the buttons. “I suppose you think you know all there is to know about raising children since you have so many yourself.”
She curtsied. “Touché, Mister Fraser. But I do know a lot about children. I’ve taught school for eight years and was well-respected by both students and parents, um, with one or two exceptions.”
He stopped dressing long enough to point at her. “Yeah? Well my children are an exception. I don’t need you interfering between me and my children.”
Her jaw set in what he figured was stubborn determination. “Yes, you do. Either I’m your wife and their stepmother or I’m just your doxy. Is that what you had in mind?”
He splashed water on his face and combed his hair. “I had in mind staying single and raising my children. Since my mother brought you to the Circle F, you can spend the day talking to her and helping around here.”
She raised her eyebrow and smiled. “Should I move my things to her bedroom then? If I’m only here as her companion, there’s no point in my sleeping in here.”
He didn’t like that smile or being given what he figured was an ultimatum. He strode toward her. “Don’t you go there, Olivia Fraser.” He pointed at the bed. “You’re my wife and, by damn, you’ll share my bed every night.”
Her hands on her hips, she took a step toward him and her gaze locked on his. “Then, by damn, I’ll also be your partner and rear your children to be well-mannered and responsible individuals.”
She was mocking him and he didn’t like it, not one bit. On the other hand, he’d sure enjoyed having her warm his bed last night. Damned contrary, pushy woman.
What should he say to derail this argument? “They’re good children. They’re just boisterous and full of energy.”
With her back turned, she yanked off her gown. Sunlight from the window illuminated her and turned the beautiful skin of her back into smooth alabaster. In spite of his anger, his breath caught. He wondered if he could entice her back into his bed.
Before he figured a way to bring up the subject, she’d pulled on her chemise and dress. “I know Jake and Catriona are good at heart, but if you can’t control their behavior when they’re four and six, in a few years they’ll run even wilder than they do now. Do you want Jake in trouble with neighbors and the law and Cat in trouble with some slick-talking charmer?”
When she turned back toward him, she was buttoning a blue dress that matched her eyes. He supposed she didn’t wear a corset every day. Not that he cared. He couldn’t understand how a woman could tolerate the contraptions. Couldn’t be healthy.
Dammit, he wished his breathing would return to normal. “We need to go downstairs. How long do you spend on your hair?” He figured he was stuck here for half an hour or more. Maybe he should go down without her.
She smiled at him and picked up her brush. Within seconds, she’d de-tangled and twisted her long tresses into a neat bun at her neck. She walked over and opened the door. “Shall we?”
They were the last to arrive at the table.
Ethan peered at him. “About time you showed up. You almost missed Gideon’s grace.”
Jamie helped Olivia with her chair and then took his own seat. “As long as we don’t miss the victuals.”
Jake and Cat stared at Olivia wearing their mulish looks. He didn’t know how she was going to win them over because they sure didn’t like her now. He had mixed emotions. She was a passionate woman, but she had odd notions about children and husbands.
He took the bowl of eggs from Gideon. “Sleep well, brother?”
Gideon smiled at Ruby. “As a matter of fact, I did.”
Mama glared at Jamie. “Under the circumstances, that’s not a suitable question for the breakfast table.”
Olivia asked, “Jake, do you go to school yet?”
“Grandma said it’s too far for me to go by myself. She and Papa been teaching me to read and do my numbers.”
“That’s wonderful. Cat, do you learn with your brother?”
She didn’t stop eating or look up. “Could. Don’t want to.”
Mama smiled at her g
randchildren. “Olivia was a school teacher before she came here to marry your father. I’ll bet she knows a lot of interesting things to teach you.”
Jake glared at Olivia and held his fork upright with his hand on the table. “I want Papa to teach me.”
“I don’t want nobody teaching me.” Cat continued to eat, her tiny boots drumming against the chair legs.
Hell, why’d Olivia have to launch into his children now? He offered the two his sternest glare. “We’ll talk about it later. Cat, stop that racket with your feet and eat your breakfast.”
Talk changed to what the men had to accomplish that day and he said, “We’ll be working too far to return for lunch.”
Mama nodded at the cook and housekeeper. “Milly already packed you boys a bag of food. Be careful or you’ll freeze out there.”
Soon, he laid aside his napkin and stood. “Good meal, Mama, Milly.” He turned to his wife. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
His brothers stood and bid their wives goodbye. When they were at the barn, Caleb rode toward them.
Jamie whistled a tune under his breath as he saddled his mount.
Caleb asked, “What’s got you so cheerful? You must have had a good night.”
He glanced at his brother and grinned. “Sure did, didn’t you?”
Caleb didn’t meet his eyes. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
“No reason. Guess you’re happier with your bride now.”
Caleb leaned over to pat his horse’s neck. “Lily’s not as bad as she looked at first glance.”
Pete slapped Ethan on the back. “How’s married life, young ‘un? You got over holding a grudge against your mama?”
Ethan blushed and looked at his boots. “Yeah, marriage is fine and dandy. Couldn’t ask for a prettier wife, could I?”
What the hell was wrong with Caleb and Ethan acting so odd? Fortunately, Gideon was always himself. Gideon was the one of his brothers who was the peacemaker, even tempered and good natured.
Gideon mounted his horse. “None of us could have done better on our own. We’re all four pretty lucky.”
The ranch hands joined them and, with Spunky Barton and Old Monty driving the hay wagons on sled skids, they headed for the back range.
***
Olivia helped Ruby, Fiona, and Milly clean up the kitchen from breakfast. She missed Lily because they’d become good friends on the trip. Ruby was sweet but Beth thought she was better than the rest of them. She’d been outraged to learn she had to gather the eggs each morning and help milk the cow and had a lot to learn about living on a ranch. Of course, they all did because the four of them had lived in various towns around Chicago. However, Beth apparently had no desire to learn the skills needed as a rancher’s wife.
Olivia left the kitchen with Mama teaching Beth and Ruby to cook a pot roast—against Beth’s protests. Olivia couldn’t help smiling at the fact that Beth had received a lecture from Mama. In her opinion, Beth had played on her looks too long and needed to adjust her attitude.
Olivia hummed to herself as she dusted, swept, and straightened the parlor and dining room before she moved upstairs. Afterward, she climbed to the master bedroom. Heat rose to her cheeks as she changed the sheets that revealed proof of her virginity. Recalling her wedding night, she wondered how often Jamie would want to repeat their coming together.
Closing the door as she left, she walked into the children’s room across the hall.
Jake sat on the floor playing with toy farm animals. He looked up and frowned. “Why are you coming in here?”
“I’m going to help you tidy your room.” She picked up and bundled dirty clothes littering the floor and set the soiled things by the door.
Cat shoved at her. “You can’t come in here. This is my room. Only Papa and Grandma and Jake can come in.”
The surprise attack almost toppled Olivia. She grasped the child’s hands. “I can, Cat. I’m your stepmother, but that’s like a mama. I’ll help your papa take care of you now.”
The little girl pulled away. “Nuh-uh. Don’t want you.”
Jake got to his feet. “We told Papa we don’t need a Mama.”
Perplexed about what to say and saddened at the need, she put her hands on her hips. “Whether or not you think you need me, the fact is I’m married to your father. That means I’m your new mama and you have to do as I say.”
He kicked at his toy animals. “I don’t want you here. You should go back where you came from. I’ll bet they didn’t want you there either.”
“As a matter of fact, they did and asked me to stay, but I wanted to marry your papa. Now that we’re married, I’m part of this family and belong in this house.”
Cat rushed at Olivia and struck at her. “Get out. You can’t be our mama. Our mama was beautiful and you’re ugly.”
Olivia’s heart ached. She knew she wasn’t particularly attractive, but no one had ever called her ugly. Tears stung the back of her eyes. Don’t be silly, she told herself, they’re only children. Don’t make too much of what they say.
She took a deep breath. “My mama taught me that pretty is as pretty does. What you just said and did was mean-spirited, shameful, and cruel. So, what does that make you?”
Neither child spoke, only stared at her.
“Why would you think you’re allowed to say hateful things or hit me? You can think about that while you sit in the corner.”
Touching Cat’s shoulders, she guided her to one corner of the room. “You sit there, facing the corner until I say you can move.”
“I don’t have to.” Cat dug in her heels.
Olivia picked up the child and set her in the corner. She must have caught Cat by surprise because the girl remained there.
Pointing across the room, she said, “Jake, you sit in this corner.”
If looks could kill, she’d be dead and buried, but he followed her instructions. “Each of you stay where you are while I clean this room. From now on, you will keep it tidy.”
She gathered toy soldiers and returned them to their box and set the miniature animals in a pile on the closest straightened bed. “Having toys on the floor is all right when you’re playing with them, but you must put them away when you’re through.”
At least she was pleased to see one fancy doll beside a larger rag doll on the bed where Cat slept. She’d wondered if the little girl had anything feminine or childish. Perhaps there was hope for Cat after all.
Olivia deliberately took her time tidying. Although the children remained where she sent them, they cast glares at her when they didn’t know she was watching. She caught Cat sticking out her tongue and had to stifle a laugh.
When she’d wasted all the time she could on one room, she picked up the bundle of soiled clothes. “All right, you may each leave the corner now. I hope you’ve thought about how unpleasant and rude you were and will strive to be nicer in the future.”
Cat stood up. “I’m telling Papa on you.”
She raised her eyebrows at the two children. “Perhaps I’ll tell your papa about your behavior.”
She left and descended the stairs wondering who’d won that round.
***
Jamie and his brothers and the ranch hands broke for lunch at noon. The cattle they’d moved milled around the piles of hay thrown onto the snow for them. He took out the lunch Milly had packed for his brothers and him while the ranch hands ate from the food packed by the bunkhouse cook.
Gideon smiled as he accepted his share of the meal. “Seems to me, big brother, you have a definite spring in your step today. Marriage must be treating you well.”
He paused before passing Ethan his share. “Matter of fact, I feel a mite more, um, relaxed today. Having a woman share my bed on a cold night is not bad. I have to admit Mama might have been right this time.”
Ethan looked at his horse. “Having a wife turned out pretty well. Of course, she wants a real house instead living in the barn. Says the smells make her sick.”
Caleb stared off i
n the distance. “I already had a willing woman before Mama came up with her plan, but I admit last night was full of surprises.”
After swallowing a bite of his sandwich, Gideon grinned at his brothers. “You two don’t sound as convincing as Jamie. I’m glad the marriage question is settled and I can be done with mothers throwing their daughters at me every time I turn around.”
Jamie chuckled. “A lot of young women are gonna be mighty sad, especially that Gloria Spalding. Looked to me like she thought she had you in her snare.”
His minister brother nodded. “She’s a little too sure of herself. Ruby will make a good wife. She plans to help me call on the sick and homebound. She’s sweet and compassionate.”
Caleb raised his eyebrows. “And pregnant. That’s gonna cause talk.”
“She can’t help her husband dying. I’ll consider her baby as ours.” Gideon took another bite of his meal.
If anyone could be happy marrying a pregnant bride, Jamie figured Gideon could. He admired his minister brother for his patience and being just plain good-hearted. Not that he wasn’t a lot of fun either, for Gideon had a good sense of humor.
Wishing he could be more like Gideon, Jamie stuffed the napkin from his sandwich back into his saddlebag. “By this time next year we’ll have at least one more Fraser, maybe four.”
Caleb snorted. “We’d better buy more land. This ranch is likely to get mighty crowded otherwise.”
Jamie looked at each of his brothers in turn. “Sounds nice to me, being neighbors and having our children play together. Taking our families to town to visit their cousins, having them come here. I look forward to that time.”
Smiling broadly, Gideon raised his canteen. “I’ll drink to that.”
Chapter Three
That night when Olivia and Jamie were in their room, she slowly undressed. All day she’d thought about what she would say. How naïve to think she could trust this man so easily. How stupid she’d been not to ask more questions before surrendering to him.
Somehow, she had the sense of having been cheated in the marriage bed. She had no real experience to go on because she had no one in whom she could confide. Judging by the novels she’d read, though, there should have been talk after their coming together.
Jamie Page 4
