Thane chuckled and reached behind him, wrapping an arm around Jemma’s shoulders. He could feel her trembling in fear. Soothingly, he rubbed his hand along her spine then glanced down at her and grinned. “It’s just the coyotes welcoming us home. They like to talk at night. For the most part, they leave the stock alone, although they sometimes try to get at the chickens. You shouldn’t encounter them during the day. Unless one is rabid, they’ll leave you alone at night, too.”
“Coyotes? Aren’t they vicious carnivores? Don’t they pose a dire threat to us?” Jemma asked, still not certain the terrible noises echoing around the house could come from a harmless animal. Rigsly brushed against her legs, making her jump. When she realized it was their dog, she let out a ragged breath of relief.
“No, they don’t pose a threat. As long as they aren’t starving, which they aren’t this time of year, there’s no need to worry about them. There’s plenty of wildlife to keep them fed and happy.”
Gently taking Jemma’s arm, he turned her around and guided her inside the cabin. Once Rigsly strolled inside, he closed the door. Thane stepped over to the sink and pumped a glass full of water then handed it to his wife.
She set the lamp on the counter and accepted the glass. The cool liquid soothed her parched throat as she tipped her head back and drank deeply.
Thane watched with rapt fascination as she emptied the glass and set it on the counter. “Do you need something to eat? You missed supper.”
“I’m fine, but thank you. I believe I shall return to bed. I appreciate you showing me the um… the place where… the…”
“Outhouse,” Thane supplied, placing his hand on her shoulder and nudging her to the bedroom door. When they were both inside, he closed it. The click of the latch echoed through the tense atmosphere. He blew out the lamp and returned it to his bedside table. “It’s okay, Jemma. It’s what everyone calls it.”
“It sounds so vulgar.” Jemma wasn’t convinced he didn’t tease her with the name.
“How about privy? Does that sound better?”
“Marginally. I do believe I shall continue to refer to it as a lavatory, despite your suggestion otherwise.” Jemma shook her head and watched in dismay as Thane worked off his boots then dropped his pants to the floor. Discomfiture burned her cheeks as she spun around, turning her back to him. “You are not planning to sleep here. I forbid it.”
“Forbid all you want, but I’m beat and going to sleep. You can either crawl in here and stay on your side of the bed, or sit up at the kitchen table, because those are your two options.” Thane lifted the sheet and slid beneath the covers, letting out a satisfied grunt as he sank into the comfortable mattress. He’d be sure to thank Tully for ordering the bedroom set for him. It was nicer than anything he’d expected.
“I’ll go sleep with Lily.” Jemma took a step before something grasped the back of her gown, jerking her to a stop.
Thane held a handful of her dressing gown in his hand and pulled her backward as he stretched across the bed. “She’s got a single bed and needs to get used to sleeping alone. You’re gonna spoil her if you keep sleeping in her room. Besides, you’re my wife and this is where you belong. I won’t have my hands thinking I can’t control my household, and that includes you.”
“If memory serves me correctly, you assured me not once but twice that you would share everything with me except a bed. Unless I’ve sustained a head injury and this is all a bad dream, I believe that is precisely what we’re doing.” Jemma glared at Thane as he gave another tug, making her fall back on the bed. “What, sir, are your intentions?”
“I’m intending…” Thane sat up and loosened the ties from Jemma’s neck and waist. He grasped the top edges of her gown and gave it a jerk, sending buttons skittering across the floor. “To go to sleep, in bed, with my wife.”
An incensed shriek escaped her lips when Thane yanked off her dressing gown and tossed it aside. He roughly grabbed her ankles and tugged off her slippers, throwing them on the floor. Before she could squirm away from him, he flipped the covers over her and pulled her against his chest.
“I don’t intend to do anything other than sleep, Jemma. Just sleep. Understand? You’re safe from my obviously unwanted attentions. When I said that about sharing a bed, I referred to, well… you know what I meant. Sleeping is all I have in mind.”
She held her breath, feeling dizzy all over again as his warmth penetrated the thin cotton fabric of her chemise and drawers. Despite his assurance she was safe, he didn’t seem to realize the war of temptation he set off inside her with his teasing words and welcome presence.
“Now, close your eyes and relax.”
“I hardly think I can relax with you holding me captive against my will,” she huffed indignantly.
Thane released his hold on her waist and settled his hand on the curve of her hip. “Is that better?” His voice came out in a husky whisper.
“Certainly not. You are the most intractable, incorrigible, imbecile I’ve had the displeasure of meeting.” Aggravated, she shoved his hand off her hip.
“Fine, have it your way.” Thane placed his hand on her backside and gently rubbed up and down, intentionally provoking her.
Shocked, she drew in a gulp of air and flipped onto her back, half-landing on Thane. “I ought to slap that smirk right off your face, you horrid…”
The bedroom door banged open and they both turned to look at Jack and Lily standing in the doorway, visibly frightened.
“What’s wrong, my darlings?” Jemma sat up and held out her arms. Lily bolted across the room, clutching her favorite dolly to her chest. Jemma swooped her up while Jack ran over to the bed and climbed up beside his aunt.
“Are there wolves outside? Will they get into the cabin and kill us?” Jack asked. Lily screamed when the coyotes let out another series of howls.
“No, Jack. Those are just coyotes. They won’t hurt you. They sometimes sing at night. I like to stretch out in bed with the window open and listen to their songs.” Thane reached over Jemma and lifted Jack, setting the boy down beside him. He brushed Jack’s bangs from his face and patted his back encouragingly. “Let’s sit here a minute and listen to them sing. This time of year, the pups leave to find their own territories. I think the mamas are telling them to be careful and to mind their manners. What do you think?” Jack nodded his head and relaxed against Thane’s side.
They listened to the coyotes howl for several moments. Rigsly wandered into the room and plopped down on the pile of Jemma’s ruined clothes, letting out a contented sigh as he dropped his head to his paws.
Jack struggled to keep his eyes open while Lily fell asleep in Jemma’s arms. Thane moved the boy so he rested beside him and motioned for Jemma to settle Lily next to her brother. As he slid down in the bed, Thane cast one more glance at his wife. “Good night, Jem. Welcome to the ranch.”
Sunlight lazily stretched yellow ribbons across the morning sky, offering the promise of a beautiful autumn day.
The ranch hands stood outside the cabin, gazing at the door, wondering what to do. No smoke rose from the chimney, no sounds indicated anyone was awake inside.
Normally, Thane was the first up and the last to bed, working long, tiring hours. He never expected more of his hands than he was willing to do himself, and had long ago earned their respect.
This morning, though, they hadn’t seen so much as a glimpse of him or his new family.
Thane taking a wife left them reeling in surprise. He swore up and down in front of them all on occasions too numerous to count that women were nothing but trouble and he’d never be mixed up with one.
However, one look at Mrs. Jordan and they could see why the auburn-haired beauty captured his interest.
Not only was she lovely, Tully told them she was a proper English lady. To the ranch hands, she may as well have been the queen.
“He’s probably worn out from travel and getting the family settled in.” Sam rocked back on his heels as he stared at the
cabin. He’d already fixed breakfast for the hands and they’d done all the routine morning chores. They could proceed as they had been the last two months, but out of respect to Thane, they awaited his direction for the day.
“Ben, go knock on the door. Maybe we just didn’t hear them. Or maybe something’s wrong. See if that strange dog is in there, too. He wasn’t in the barn this morning,” Sam said, pointing from the young cowhand to the cabin.
“Why me?” Ben asked, glaring over his shoulder as one of the other cowpokes shoved him forward.
“Because you’ve got the most charming smile.” Sam batted his eyelashes at the young man and held his hands beneath his chin, making the rest of them laugh.
“Fine, but someone else gets to do this next time.” Ben settled his hat on his head and marched up to the door, briskly knocking.
When no one answered, he stuck his head inside and noticed the empty kitchen. “Halloo? Thane?”
Ben stepped into the room and walked across the floor, peeking into the smaller bedrooms, and finding them both empty. As he walked back across the kitchen, he looked inside the open door of the big bedroom and couldn’t suppress the laugher that bubbled in his chest and spilled out his mouth.
Rigsly lifted his head from Jemma’s pile of petticoats and woofed, joining in the hired hand’s merriment.
Filled with hilarity, Ben backed out of the room to the cabin’s door and looked outside. “They’re alive but the boss will never live this down.”
Upon hearing Ben’s voice, Thane came instantly awake. Hastily attempting to sit upright in bed, he found he couldn’t move. When he opened his eyes, a finger poked his left one and he blinked in pain. Further inspection revealed a tiny hand clutching his ear.
As he lifted the one arm he could move, he discovered Lily lying across his neck and part of his face while Jack sprawled across his chest and other arm.
Quickly working to free himself, he scooted Jack to his side and lifted Lily above his head, searching for a spot to place her. That’s when he noticed his hands standing in the door, watching his every move.
“Mornin’ boss,” Sam lounged against the doorframe, grinning. “Looks like you’ve got your hands and bed full. If you want, we could bring in the other dogs, maybe a chicken or two. I can see now why you wanted such a big bed.”
Thane glared at the men, making them shift uncomfortably while Lily flopped in his arms like a rag doll.
Jemma chose that moment to open her eyes and roll over, coming face to face with all of Thane’s hired men. Grabbing the sheet that had fallen down around her knees, she jerked it up to her chin and screamed. “Good heavens! Thane? Thane!”
“You boys head out to the barn. I’ll be there directly.” Thane glared at them. “And shut the door!”
He heard Sam chuckling as he closed the bedroom door. Spurs jangled across the planks of the kitchen floor as the men trailed outside.
Lily and Jack startled at Jemma’s scream, wiggling around. Thane scrambled out of bed and carefully settled Lily into the space he vacated. Jemma glared at him like a jezebel with her hair in a snarled mess, her chemise more off than on, and fury blazing in her copper eyes.
“To what sort of… of… perverted place have you brought us?” Jemma stabbed a finger in his direction. “What kind of men watch people sleep?” Incensed, she noticed her husband’s smirk as he yanked on his denim overalls, pulled on a pair of clean socks, and put on his boots. With her fists clenched, she glowered at him. “What is so amusing?”
Thane lifted one of the shirts he’d moved to the dresser the previous evening and slipped it over his broad shoulders. Hurriedly grabbing his gun belt off the dresser along with his hat, he walked over to her side of the bed and bent down until his forehead almost touched hers. “You.”
“Indeed, Mr. Jordan. I do not find a single tidbit of amusement in anything that has transpired since we set foot off the train into this detestable lair of debauchery.”
“I’m right pleased you like the place.” Thane gave her a wicked smile and leaned back. “If you need something, ask Sam. He’ll be around the barn or the bunkhouse today. I’ll be back in time for supper. I like to eat about six, but for today, we’ll take our meals at the bunkhouse. Have a good day.”
Thane swooped down and placed a hot, moist kiss to the exposed skin on her shoulder, making a wild tremor race through her. Before she could smack him, he stepped out of reach and looked back at her with a devilish wink. “Sleep in a while with the kids, Mrs. Jordan. You’ll need all the energy you can muster for later and I’m giving you today to get caught up on your rest.”
Rigsly, the traitor, hopped up and followed Thane.
As soon as the front door closed, Jemma jumped out of bed and shook with both anger and the incredible sensations created by Thane’s lips on her skin.
Annoyed, she marched over to the dresser and glanced in the mirror, taking in her disheveled state. Appalled by her reflection, it was no wonder the hands stood gaping at her. She looked like she belonged in one of the houses of ill repute she’d read about in a dreadful book she’d found onboard the ship.
Determined to set herself and the cabin to rights, she took clothes out of her trunk and dressed while the children slept.
After combing her hair into a tidy chignon, she found the buttons to her dressing gown and set them on the dresser, planning to sew them on later. Folding the garment across the foot of the bed, she took the clothes Thane had cut and looked at them in dismay. The fabric had been all but ruined from the travel, but she’d planned to use what she could salvage to make something for Jack or Lily. Thane had only damaged a small part of the pieces, so she set them aside to tend to later.
Relieved, she lifted the petticoats and patted them, planning to move the money she’d tucked into special pockets sewn into the seams into her trunk, only to find it all gone.
Thane had taken her money and left her penniless.
Furious, she tossed down the petticoats and stalked out of the bedroom. Quietly shutting the door behind her, she yanked open the front door in time to see Thane ride off with two of the hands across one of the hills.
She fought the urge to slam the door, but managed to shut it softly then leaned against the wood of the doorjamb, staring at her surroundings. When Thane said his cabin was small and unfurnished, he hadn’t spoken in jest. Jemma took in the large open room separating her bedroom from Jack and Lily’s rooms.
One side had a sink with a pump, a long counter with cupboards, and a new stove. A table with two chairs provided a place to eat. On the far side of the room, one worn, overstuffed chair sat next to a square end table by a large rock fireplace. A trunk in the corner held extra blankets and a few pillows.
At least wooden planks covered the floors, instead of bare dirt. She’d read about homes in the prairies made of sod. Thoughts of living in a house of dirt, with all manner of insects and vermin burrowing inside made her close her eyes in revulsion.
Yes, she could be grateful for a solid, well-built cabin with windows and wooden floors, even if it didn’t seem homey.
The two open doors on the far wall drew her interest. She examined the children’s bedrooms. Jack’s room must have been Thane’s since it had a worn dresser and a bigger bed. A washstand with a mirror stood at the end of the room near a window.
Lily’s room smelled of new wood and had no ornamentation at all, other than a white-enameled iron bed with a beautifully carved chiffonier.
Upon returning to her bedroom, Jemma noticed, for the first time, the beautiful bedroom set that appeared to be new. Thane must have ordered it after she accepted his proposal.
With no idea how he’d managed to have rooms added to the house and furnished, she decided to ask him later. As soon as she discovered the whereabouts of her money, she’d take him to task for finding such pleasure in her humiliation.
She opened her trunk and removed a small case, carrying it to the kitchen table. After settling her skirts around her
on the rickety chair, she lifted the lid and removed several sheets of paper along with her inkwell and pen.
In need of a bracing cup of tea, a search of Thane’s cupboard revealed little more than a tin of stale shortbread biscuits and a small sack of coffee beans. She removed the coffee from the cupboard and set it on the counter, looking for a coffee grinder and not finding one. She added it to her list.
Jemma pumped a glass of cool water and sat down at the table again.
Diligently compiling a list of everything necessary to them settling in, she would insist on going to town the following day to purchase supplies. If Thane wanted her to create a home for the children, he at least needed to provide her with the basics.
The money he inherited from Henry would easily provide Thane with funds to build a grand manor if he chose, so he could well afford to purchase rugs, material for curtains, food supplies, and the like.
If she could acquire her own money back from the arrogant man, she might even purchase one of those newfangled sewing machines she’d seen in a store window in New York.
As she made plans and wrote out more lists, she wondered what she’d feed the children when they awoke, then recalled Thane telling her to eat at the bunkhouse.
Bitterly swallowing her pride, she rose to her feet, opened the door, and marched down the steps across the barren expanse of dirt and past the barn. The sound of horses whinnying caused her to change direction and enter the barn. Once her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she walked down a row of stalls and studied each animal. Thane owned an impressive collection of horses. In the end stall, she grinned as Jael poked her head through the open door.
“Hello, sweetheart. Did you miss me?” Jemma rubbed the horse’s head and kissed her velvety nose. Jael nodded her head in response.
“You don’t look any worse for wear. Perhaps tomorrow we can go for a ride, as soon as I find my saddle.”
After giving the horse some attention and finding a bucket to give her a little extra feed, Jemma walked out of the barn and almost ran into Sam.
“Howdy, Mrs. Jordan, or should I call you Lady Jordan or is it…” Sam stumbled over what to say to Thane’s wife. She looked every inch a proper lady in her fancy brocaded gown with her hair combed into a neat chignon at the back of her head.
Crumpets & Cowpies: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 1) Page 17
