by Kit Morgan
“Me?” She said in shock. “I’ve never driven a wagon before.”
“No time like the present to learn, sweetheart.” He held the lines out to her, waiting.
“Forrest, no, I couldn’t.”
“I didn’t think that word was in your vocabulary.”
“‘No’?” She guessed.
“‘Couldn’t’. I figgered you were braver than that.” He studied her.
It made her nervous. “A lot of people are afraid of new things,” she countered.
“Doesn’t mean they should be. Once you learn how to do something, it’s easy. You can’t let a thing scare you just because you never done it before. Besides, what if something happened and you had to hitch up the horses and take me to Doc McBride in Baker City?”
“I see. Since you put it that way …” She took the lines. “Now what?”
“Not much. The horses know the way home, but you’ll have to steer them around anything that gets in their way.”
“Such as?”
“Another wagon, for one. We’re not the only ones that use this road – there’s a few other farms and ranches besides ours and the Capshaws’. Speaking of which, how did you and Alice get on?”
Effie couldn’t help but smile. “I like her. She’s a sweet woman. I… wish I could be more like her.”
Forrest rested his elbows on the back of the wagon seat and relaxed. She must be doing all right driving – he hadn’t instructed her any further. “Alice is a fine woman,” he agreed. “She’s generous, kind, good-natured, and loves John more than life itself. He’s a lucky man to have a woman like that.”
Effie felt herself shrink a little inside. Was he saying she was none of those things? But then, how would he know? They’d only known each other a little over a day.
“Why are you here, Effie?”
She started at the question. “What? Because I married you.”
“No. Why did you have to become a mail-order bride?”
“Oh, that,” she said with dismay. “It’s not something I like to talk about.”
He straightened on the seat and turned to her, one arm sliding behind her back. “Tell me. I need to know. I don’t want to start our marriage with secrets between us.”
She laughed. “It’s hardly a secret. It was in all the papers.”
“That bad, huh? What happened?”
“In short, my father and uncle were swindled out of their businesses. They lost everything.” She looked him in the eye and waited for a response.
His eyebrow slowly rose in understanding. “That would explain a lot. But were things so bad you had to leave?”
“My stepmother can be very persuasive. And tyrannical. She convinced my father that my sisters, cousins and I would be better off as mail-order brides than begging in the streets.”
“I’d have to agree with her,” he said. “I just don’t understand how things could go bad so quickly. When did this happen?”
“A little over a month ago.”
“And you had no prospects in New York? No one to marry?”
She shook her head. “The man that ruined my father’s and uncle’s businesses did the same with their reputations. My sisters and cousins and I were marked – we had to leave if we had any hope of marrying. I’m not even sure where the others were sent. I can only hope I receive letters from them and learn what happened.”
His arm slid around her shoulders, and she flinched. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I’ll take care of you. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
Her eyes drifted up to his, and she saw genuine concern that made her heart melt. If only she’d heard those words from her father. But no, he’d let Fanny pack them up and ship them off to marry strangers. The man she now gazed at was quickly becoming less of a stranger and more a comfort.
He pulled her close. “You look surprised,” he whispered.
“I do?”
He nodded. “Taking care of a woman’s what a husband’s supposed to do. Protect you, feed you …” He leaned closer. “… keep you warm. You won’t have to worry about any of that while I’m around, Effie.”
She took a shaky breath. Funny how simple things suddenly meant so much. Her life had consisted of wearing the finest clothes, having the nicest things they could afford – which for them had been a lot. They weren’t wealthy like the Astors or Vanderbilts, but were certainly well-off. Yet what Forrest offered her was so personal, so … intimate, like she’d never experienced before. She’d always had a roof over her head, food on the table, the protection of her father’s name. Why was this man’s offer of the same things so different?
“Effie?”
She tightened her grip on the lines and looked at him. “Yes?”
“I want to kiss you.”
“What?” She blurted.
He laughed. “Don’t sound so shocked. You are my wife, after all. Pull back on them lines and tell the horses to stop.”
She glanced between him and the leather in her hands, her heart thundering in her chest – not because she had to bring the team to a stop, but because she knew what would happen when she did. “But I … I …”
He put a hand over hers. “Stop the team, Effie, or I will.”
Effie gulped, pulled back on the lines and yelled, “Stop!” It was worth a try – it had always worked when she’d ridden back home.
The animals’ ears flicked back, and they slowed to a stop.
Forrest smiled. “Well done.” Before she knew it he had both arms wrapped around her. “I’ve been fretting over why you came here. Don’t know why it bothered me, but it did. I’m glad you told me. I know I ain’t got much compared to what you had in New York, but I’ll be as good as I can to you. I promise you that.”
Effie could barely breathe. He was so close, so warm, so handsome. She closed her eyes as his lips descended on hers.
He pulled her against his chest as he kissed her, banishing all thoughts of her previous life. In that moment, her husband made sure the only thing she wanted was him. He was right – he certainly was being good to her. And she wanted more of it.
Forrest wasn’t sure if kissing his wife like this was a good idea. But as soon as she’d told him her story, his heart ran off ahead of his mind. He wanted her, badly. Not that he meant to ravish her or anything – this wasn’t lust. This was his heart wanting another heart to share with. This was the reason he wanted to get married – to have a woman to love, to take care of and protect, to woo and carry to places she’d never been before. He certainly hoped he was doing just that.
Well, she hadn’t slapped him. That was a good sign.
Effie moaned in his arms, sending a thrill up his spine. Yeah, he was taking her somewhere all right. Problem was, they were only halfway home, and if he went any further they’d end up in the back of the wagon. And if one of the neighbors happened along … well, that could get awkward.
With great reluctance, Forrest broke the kiss. “Effie,” he whispered against her lips.
“Forrest?” she panted.
He put a hand on the back of her head, guided it under his chin and continued to whisper her name. To his delight, she put an arm around his waist, still holding the lines in her other hand. He kissed the top of her head and gently pulled away. “I’d better get us home. I’ll drive now.”
She stared at him, still catching her breath, and nodded. He took the reins from her as she reached up and touched her fingers to her lips. “What’s the matter, darling? Ain’t you ever been kissed before?”
“No.”
“Oh!” His chest swelled. “Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. But I’m going to get you home first.”
She blinked and nodded again. By golly, he’d plumb kissed her senseless! Proud of himself, he gave the horses a slap of leather and they were on their way. The sooner he got home, the better.
When they arrived, he unhitched the wagon and took care of the livestock in record time. He went inside and found Effie in front
of the cookstove, a perplexed look on her face. “What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
Effie shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just… overwhelmed.”
Forrest came up and stood before her. “You’ve gone through a big change – I ain’t gonna argue with you there. But it don’t mean life stops. There’s lots of work to be done around here, and I need your help.”
She lifted her eyes to his. “Is that why you wanted a wife? So you’d have someone to do the work for you?”
He caught a flash of something in her eyes he didn’t like, and pulled her into his arms. “That’s only part of it. A man needs a woman just like a woman needs a man.”
“What?” she said with a laugh.
He studied her a moment. She was still frightened; he could see it in her eyes. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re my wife now, you hear? Now I don’t blame you if you want to find your sisters and other relations once they’re settled – I’d want the same if they were mine. But you have a new life now, with me, and while it’s gonna be a lot different from the one you had … by Heaven, Effie, I’m gonna make it the best you ever hoped for!”
She swallowed hard and stared at him. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she shook her head. Good grief, had he rendered her speechless with his words as well as his kiss? Maybe he’d better kiss her again while it lasted. He pulled her close, cupped her face with his hand and lowered his lips to hers.
To his surprise, she met him halfway.
He tightened his arms around her, his tongue diving into her mouth, exploring. Other than earlier that day, it had been a long time since he’d kissed a woman – in fact, he’d never kissed a woman like this. And now he knew why – because he’d been saving his heart for this one, the one he would spend the rest of his life with.
His lips still locked on hers, Forrest swept his wife into his arms and carried her into their room.
Chapter 9
Effie lay curled in the crook of Forrest’s arm, her hand resting on his broad chest. She’d never been kissed by a man before, let alone experienced what happened after. Nothing had prepared her for that!
Fanny told her a few things about the marital bed, all of them unpleasant. It made Effie want to not think about her wifely duties, so she hadn’t. But now … what she’d shared with Forrest could hardly be called a duty. On the contrary, she looked forward to the next time they shared their bed.
“Best we cook us up some dinner, darling, or we’ll be mighty hungry,” Forrest groaned. He turned onto his side and pulled her into his arms, locking a leg around her. “I think I’m gonna like being married to you.”
She smiled. “I should hope so, considering you already are.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I didn’t hurt you too much, did I?”
“Only a little. Not as bad as peeling potatoes.”
Forrest chuckled. “I’m sorry, darling. But I hear it’s only like that the first time – you should be fine from here on out.”
“And how far out is that?” she asked. After all, what did she know?
He shrugged. “However far we wanna go. We’re husband and wife now. Loving each other’s just part of it.”
Effie smiled as her heart swelled, and so did her body. She wanted her husband again. But she was also hungry and agreed they should eat something.
“How about another cooking lesson?” he asked.
“You haven’t given me any cooking lessons yet. All you’ve done is stitch up my finger, shove a potato in my mouth and … this.” She kissed him.
When they broke the kiss Forrest smiled. “I’m gonna make you the happiest woman alive, you’ll see.”
Effie smiled back. Yes, he’d just made her body sing, but could he really make her the happiest woman in the world after she’d left so much behind? Only time would tell. For now she was still caught between two worlds – one she desperately missed, the other largely unknown to her.
Weeks later …
Effie sat in the corner of the stall next to Alice and let go the squirming piglet she’d been holding. It scurried over to several others that John Capshaw and Forrest were examining. Aphrodite was in the next stall over with the rest of her piglets.
“They’re all so cute,” Effie said, grabbing another as it came within range.
Alice sighed heavily. “Lots of animals are when young. Then they grow up.”
Effie saw the woman’s forlorn expression. “What’s wrong?”
Alice glanced at her husband, then leaned toward Effie, her cheeks reddening in shame. “I … I cain’t seem to give John no little ‘uns,” she whispered.
Effie’s heart went out to her. She’d visited Alice several times since their first meeting and they were becoming good friends. “Maybe it’s just taking longer for the two of you.”
Alice shook her head. “We been married five years, Effie. The good Lord just ain’t given us none, ‘n I dunno why not.” She fiddled with a piece of straw. “But who knows what he’ll do with you and Forrest. I know the two of ya only been married a few weeks, but maybe He’ll bless ya right away …”
“I haven’t given much thought to children. I’ve barely gotten used to the idea of being married.” Effie unconsciously put a hand to her belly. She and Forrest had made love practically every night since their first time, along with quite a few mornings and the occasional afternoon repast. Each time seemed more heavenly than the last. If they kept it up, she was going to be with child sooner rather than later.
But that wasn’t all they’d shared – Forrest had taught her how to cook a few things, do the wash, feed the hogs, mend his shirts and many other essential tasks. Sure, they were chores, but she enjoyed the time spent with her husband. She’d also gotten cooking lessons from Alice, in addition to just talking about anything or nothing. Today, however, there’d be no lesson – John had come to inspect piglets with an eye toward purchasing some.
“Was it hard leaving your family?” Alice asked.
“Yes, very hard.” Effie glanced down at her yellow day dress, which she’d already torn twice and mended haphazardly. Alice had taught her how to tear out stitches and redo them the right way. “I can’t thank you enough for helping me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Alice beamed. “What are friends for? Speakin’ of which, are you goin’ to town with John and me? I need some more fabric and trimmins’ for the dress I’m making for the July Fourth picnic and dance. Ya and Forrest’re goin’, ain’t ya?”
“I believe so, though I’d have to check with Forrest to be sure – he said he always goes, but he may have changed plans. Still, I’d like to – I haven’t been to a social function in …” Effie stopped and set the piglet down. “Well, since I arrived here.”
“It’s lots of fun. Everyone has a great time. I like seeing what all the other women are wearing. That’s why I want a new dress this year.”
Effie was about to say she’d like a new dress too, but thought better of it. Any of her current dresses would be far superior to anything Alice could muster up. She’d have to stop thinking she had to have something new made for every social function – those days were over. Now, maybe the general store had some ready-made work outfits, corduroy or denim – she could really use a couple of those …
“The best part’s catchin’ up with everyone,” Alice continued. “Folks bring younguns we never seen before. Sometimes they got relations visitin’ and bring ‘em too. I’m sure Forrest’ll wanna come. ‘Specially now that he’s married.”
“Especially now that Aphrodite’s had her litter – I think that was his biggest concern,” Effie replied with a laugh. “Maybe we could even spend the night in town.”
“A lotta folks do. If ya left home real early in the mornin’, I think everythin’d be all right.”
Effie glanced at the men and smiled. As much as she loved her husband, to be in civilization again, surrounded by people, was too good to pass up. “I’ll definitely ask For
rest, just to be sure.” She gave Alice’s hand a squeeze. “I’m glad we’re neighbors, Alice, I really am.”
Alice gave Effie a hug. “Me too. Now let’s go talk to the menfolk.”
Much to Effie’s delight, Forrest not only confirmed they’d be going to town for July Fourth, but allowed her to go earlier with Alice and John. He decided to stay behind to take care of Aphrodite and her piglets. They were his stock and trade, after all, and he wanted to make sure nothing happened to them, coyotes being his greatest concern.
Effie didn’t blame him, yet felt guilty for going without him. But he insisted, and even gave her a little spending money. In New York she’d thought nothing of asking her father for money to have a few dresses made or a new hat. The cash was always just … there. But her new life was different, and money was scarcer. Here it was a precious tool, not to be wasted.
And there was more that she was learning. Before, she’d never thought about where her food came from, or how the servants took care of the house, or any number of other things. Now she was not only the wife of a hog farmer, she was his partner. She’d learned to feed them, look after them and keep up the small farm, while also keeping in mind the possibilities of expansion. A hundred and sixty acres meant a lot of resources that were so far untapped. Forrest, thankfully, had a wealth of knowledge about farm life, and a deep reservoir of patience to go with it.
She’d come to realize that much of what she’d learned in life up to this point was useless. Only her talent for embroidery had come in handy. She was even teaching Alice. And on the day they went to town, she’d decided to try and find some thread to decorate a pillow for the main room of the cabin.
“I’ll drop the two of ya at the general store,” John said when they reached town. “Take yer time and get what ya need.”
“Where’ll you be?” Alice asked.
“Lessee … post office first to get our mail, then the bank, then the blacksmith to see if he cain’t do somethin’ with that broken harness I brought along.”
