“You wouldn’t?” Jemma asked as she continued clearing the table. She slipped a voluminous apron over her head to keep from ruining her dress and began washing dishes.
“I’ve grown to like some of your strange English concoctions and ways, wife. Some, I even missed.”
“Did you miss me, Uncle Thane?” Lily climbed onto his lap and placed her small hands on his cheeks, then pulled his head around until he looked directly at her.
“Yes, honey. I missed you and your brother very much.” Thane held her close and kissed the top of her head when she settled down against him.
“Did you miss Auntie Jemma, too?” Jack gave Thane a hopeful glance. “She missed you, didn’t you, auntie?”
Annoyed the boy put her on the spot, Jemma turned to look over her shoulder with a smile. “I did miss your uncle, Jack. It was lonesome without my sparring partner constantly bandying about insults and barbs.”
Jemma’s impish grin made Thane smile in return. “I’ll try to make up for lost time.”
He rose to his feet and carried Lily over to her favorite chair by the fire. With a contented sigh, he sank into the comfortable rocker. He shifted Lily over and motioned for Jack to join his sister on his lap.
The boy hesitated only a moment before he leaned against Thane’s broad chest, happy to share in his uncle’s attention.
When Thane’s chin brushed against Lily’s face, she scrubbed a fist at her cheek and glared at him. “You’re scratchy and itchy, Uncle Thane. I like your face better smooth. And you’re stinky.” Lily crinkled up her little nose.
“Lillian Jane!” Jemma admonished the child. “It is not acceptable for you to speak to your uncle, or anyone in such a manner. You know it is impolite to tell someone they are stinky, even if they smell as though they’ve wallowed in a pile of filth and the wiry growth on their face could be used as a scrub brush.”
Thane took Jemma’s comments as agreement that he needed a bath and shave. If it hadn’t been so cold outside, he would have stopped by the river and bathed before he returned home, but the notion of jumping into the freezing water held no appeal.
“I promise I’ll smell better tomorrow, Lily, and my cheeks will be much smoother.”
“Okay.” Lily jumped off his lap and ran off to her room to retrieve a book she wanted him to read. He read and rocked her until her eyes could no longer stay open and Jack fought to keep awake as well.
Jemma smiled at the children. “Jack, you get ready for bed while I help Lily, then we’ll tuck you both in.”
She bent down and lifted Lily, kissing her forehead. “Come along, poppet. It’s time for bed.”
Lily mumbled something about Thane helping her. Jemma rolled her eyes at him. “I’ll pop her into her nightdress and you can tuck her in.”
Thane nodded his head, watching Jemma tenderly carry their niece across the room. He’d missed observing her graceful moments, hearing the melodic lilt to her voice, resting in the comfort of her presence.
He’d closed his eyes for just a moment or two when he felt something bump against his leg and glanced down at Lily’s upturned face.
“Tuck me in, Uncle Thane. Please?”
Thane picked her up in his arms and carried her to her bed. Carefully tucking the covers around her, he kissed her cheek and promised to be there to have breakfast with her in the morning.
“Sleep well, honey. I love you.”
“Love you, Uncle Thane. Don’t be deaded anymore.”
Thane shot Jemma an inquisitive look, but she shook her head, indicating she’d explain later as she lifted the lamp and they walked out of Lily’s bedroom.
“What does she mean dead?” Thane asked as they stepped over to Jack’s bedroom door.
“She thinks if you leave for more than a day, you’ve died, like her mummy and papa. She was convinced you were dead and wouldn’t return.”
His steps came to a stop and he turned to Jemma with a sorrowful look on his face. “I’m so sorry, Jem. I didn’t realize it would upset the kids to have me leave like that. I promise I won’t ever disappear without saying a proper goodbye. I’ll even try not to be gone that long again. I fully intended to return before Thanksgiving, but there were unexpected delays and then the mine collapsed.”
“I understand, Thane. Just please try to be more considerate of the children in the future.” And me, she wanted to add. She’d been every bit as distraught as Jack and Lily to find him gone. Now that he was home, she didn’t quite know how to act around him.
Together, they tucked in Jack and wished him sweet dreams before returning to the kitchen.
Thane asked for a piece of pie and Jemma cut a generous slice, putting it on a plate with a dollop of whipped cream.
“Would you like me to make a fresh pot of coffee?” she asked as she set the plate in front of him at the table.
“No. What I’d really like is a cup of your tea and if you tell anyone I requested it, I’ll deny it to my dying day.”
“Tea it is, then.” Jemma smiled as she slid the teakettle onto a hot part of the stove and prepared two cups of tea. A short while later, she set a steaming cup in front of Thane, noticing he’d devoured his pie. “Would you like another slice?”
“Yes, please. It’s very good, Jemma. I appreciate the fact I married a good cook.”
She glanced at him to see if his words were sincere and determined they were before she cut him another slice. She set the plate back in front of him and started to return to her seat, but Thane grabbed her hand and pulled her down onto his lap.
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he smirked at her.
“Ben said you read the note I sent.”
Entranced by the light in his eyes, she held still. “Yes.”
Thane waited for her to elaborate but when she remained close-mouthed he took a bite of pie and studied her a moment.
“What did you decide?”
“About which particular topic?” Jemma attempted to sound cool and aloof, but it proved challenging when she wanted so badly to sink into Thane’s strength and never leave the safety of his arms.
“Sharing.”
“I made you not one but two pies. I hoped that with your gluttonous tendencies toward sweets, you would satisfy yourself and leave a piece or two for the children.” Jemma kept her face impassive but her tone carried a hint of mirth.
Thane raised an eyebrow at her and cut off another bite of pie. Holding it to her mouth, he waited for her to take the bite. When she did, he watched her tongue come out and lick a crumb off her lip. He fought the urge to do the same.
“I’m more than happy to share, my lady. In fact, there are untold wonders I can hardly wait to share with you, if you’re of a mind to let me.”
Jemma stared at him when he held another bite of pie to her lips. She chewed thoughtfully while he wolfed down the remaining bites on his plate. The tea grew cold as their gazes locked and held, exchanging promises and dreams.
Slowly rising to her feet, she took his hand and pulled upward, motioning for him to stand. She meshed their fingers together and tugged him to the door of their bedroom. As she pushed it open, Thane noticed the bed lacked the barricade of pillows and blankets marching down the center that had resided there since the second day they were at the ranch.
“I do believe, Thane Jordan, I’m ready to share more than just your pie.” Jemma’s smile held an invitation that warmed Thane more than the fire or the hot meal he’d just eaten.
“Are you sure, Jem? Are you ready to release me from my promise?” He took her arms in his hands and studied her face.
She blushed but held his gaze as she nodded her head. “I’m sure, Thane. I formally and completely release you from an idiotic promise you should never have made in the first place. Although, in all honesty, I wouldn’t have married you if you hadn’t.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest and he started to pull her into his embrace, but she pushed against him, turning her face to the side.
“Ho
wever, Lily is correct. You smell quite malodorous. If I didn’t know better, I would be given to thoughts that you rolled in something dead, like your despicable mutts have taught Rigsly to do.”
Thane chuckled again and took a step back from Jemma. He planned to take a bath regardless of whether she removed the barricade or not. Now that he knew she’d welcome his affections, he’d even take time to shave. He had all the time in the world to seduce his wife and he planned to make it a night she’d never forget.
He turned his thoughts back to her comment. “I’ll have you know Salt and Pepper are two of the finest cowdogs you’ll find in Eastern Oregon. A friend of mine breeds the dogs to be intelligent, agile, and good with cattle. He’d take it as the worst kind of insult to know you called those two mutts. Besides, Rigsly likes being here on the ranch where he can chase birds to his heart’s content.”
“I’ve noticed. He brought home some bedraggled looking bird just yesterday with the most beautiful feathers. Sam said it was a grouse.”
“Yep, the males, like most species, have the beautiful coloring.”
Jemma put her hands on her hips and stared at him. “I do believe you could turn into a peacock strutting about with little to no trouble.”
“Maybe, but this is one peacock who truly would like a bath. It’s too cold to take one at the barn and I’m not going to the bunkhouse, so you’ll have to make do with me setting the tub in front of the fire.”
Thane waited for her to argue about the impropriety of him doing such a thing, but she nodded her head in agreement. He noticed she’d already set several pans of water on top of the stove to heat. She must have planned for him to take a bath all along.
Fully anticipating a hot bath as well as the evening ahead, Thane hurried outside, brushed the snow off the tub, and set it by the fire to warm. He filled a bowl with warm water and took it into the bedroom where he whipped up a creamy lather, brushed it across his cheeks and chin, and shaved in front of the mirror above the dresser.
When he finished removing his beard, he decided he appeared much more presentable. After turning the wick of the lamp on the dresser so it burned soft and low, he took the bowl of suds back to the kitchen. He dumped it out then glanced at the tub where steaming water rose in feathery plumes.
“That looks like a little bit of heaven, Jem. Thank you.” Thane walked to where she poured in one last kettle of water into the tub.
“If it’s too hot, let me know and I can add some cooler water.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.” Thane gave Jemma a long glance as she stood unmoving, staring at his face. As he leaned toward her, he smirked. “Want to help me shuck out of these clothes?”
“No, you… you…” Jemma spluttered, although the idea held considerable appeal.
“Insufferable beast? Incorrigible brute? Unendurable dolt?” Thane supplied, using terms she’d called him numerous times since they first met in September.
“Yes, to all the above.” Jemma grinned as she took her coat from a peg by the door and slipped it on.
“Where are you going?” Thane stopped in the process of removing his boots as she wrapped a scarf around her neck.
“I should very much like to visit the horses. Ghost needs a treat for taking such good care of his master.” Jemma wound a scarf around her neck and ears then yanked on her mittens.
“I don’t want you out there in the cold, Jem. Stay in here. Stay with me.”
“I shan’t stay here while you strip down to…” Jemma’s cheeks flushed bright red as she pictured Thane naked in the firelight. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she jerked open the door, welcoming the cool air on her hot cheeks. “I’ll only be gone a few minutes, I assure you.” She sailed outside, quietly shutting the door behind her.
Thane grinned at her flustered state as he removed his clothes and sank into the tub of hot water. Thoroughly soaping himself, he used the washcloth Jemma left on the edge of the tub to scrub away what felt like a month’s worth of grime, then spent a moment letting the heat from the water sooth his tired muscles.
He closed his eyes and let his thoughts drift to Jemma. She stole the breath right out of him when he walked in the door before supper. His wife was beautiful, charming, graceful, frustrating, exasperating — and all his.
Cool air circled through the room when Jemma returned. Excited and curious, he kept his eyes closed, waiting to see what she would do.
He could tell from the noise behind him she removed her outerwear and hung it by the door. Her quiet footsteps moved across the floor, accented by the rustling of her skirts. He opened one eye and saw her peering at him from near the kitchen table.
“I won’t bite,” he said in a deep, husky voice, turning his head and smirking at her.
“Oh, I thought you were asleep.” Caught ogling him from afar, heat seared her cheeks.
“No, ma’am. I’m just enjoying the water and the fire, thinking of you.” Thane started to rise from the tub but Jemma spun around. He stepped from the tub, grabbed a towel she left on the hearth, and dried.
In no hurry, he wrapped the damp towel around his waist and studied Jemma. Although her back was turned, he grinned as she peeped through her fingers over her shoulder.
“Why don’t you come over here, my lady?” Thane held out a hand to her.
Awed by the sight of the firelight playing across his muscles, turning his skin to bronze, she swallowed hard. Hesitantly, she took a step forward and stopped.
Fear and anticipation warred within her.
Thane was her husband. The man she loved. The man she wanted to spend the rest of her forever loving.
She had nothing to fear.
Thane smirked, that familiar lifting of the corners of his lips that she adored, creating twin brackets around his alluring mouth. He crooked his finger, motioning her to approach him. “Come over here, Jemma.”
She took a few more steps until she stood an arm’s length away from him.
He shook his head as a fiery flame danced in his eyes. “That’s not good enough, sweetheart. Come a little closer.”
She took another step.
“Closer.” Thane reeled her in with the look in his eye and the love in his heart.
Her next step brought her toe-to-toe with him, although she still wore her boots and he stood barefooted. She glanced up at him, lost to everything except her love for the rugged, teasing, astoundingly handsome man in front of her. “Is this close enough?”
“Nope. I need you closer.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her so close nothing but her clothing separated them.
Lowering his head to hers, he teased and tasted of her lips, reveled in the sweet richness of them. Rapidly working her into a state of longing so intense, she moaned as she wrapped her arms around his neck, trying to get closer to him.
As they kissed, Thane maneuvered her backward until they stood inside their bedroom.
Absently pushing the door closed with his foot, he continued working a mesmerizing spell with his lips as they traveled from her ear along her neck and back to her mouth.
One by one, he removed the pins from her hair, carelessly letting them fall to the floor. In the amber glow from the lantern, he untwisted the long, silky rope of her hair and watched it fall around her shoulders and down her back.
After running his hands through it, he buried his face in the glorious tresses and inhaled the intoxicating scent.
“Jemma, do you have any idea how much I want you? How long I’ve wanted you?” Thane looked into her copper eyes, blazing from the inner fire he continued to stoke.
“Almost as long as I’ve wanted you,” Jemma whispered, returning his gaze with a shy boldness that made heat pour through Thane with an almost painful force. “I love you so much, Thane. I think I’ve loved you from the first day you set foot in the cottage.”
“I loved you from the moment you stood framed by sunlight in the cottage door, looking at me like I was something you needed to scrape off your boo
t.” Thane ran his thumb across her cheek and along her lower lip. A lip he intended to kiss many, many more times before the night was through. “You were, and are, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry I ran away, Jem. I just couldn’t stay here any longer and not have you.”
“If you’d opened the door that night, Thane, you wouldn’t have needed to leave. I moved the pillows while you emptied the water from my bath.” Jemma removed her cameo and set it on the dresser.
Thane groaned. “You mean I spent the last miserable weeks thinking you were gonna leave me for no reason?”
“Yes, you have. And you made me suffer in the process. I fully expect you to make up for it.” The saucy look she gave him made him reach out and begin unfastening the buttons on the front of her dress. “Just so you understand what’s going to happen, Jem, the only thing I’m not taking off you are my eyes.”
“Then by all means, sir, make haste with those buttons.” Jemma tipped her head and grinned while Thane smirked again.
“Yes, my lady.”
Epilogue
“Morning, Jem. Merry Christmas.”
Jemma stretched lazily in the haven of Thane’s arms and rolled onto her back as she opened her eyes. While blinking away the last vestiges of sleep clouding her thoughts, she smiled into his beloved face.
She reached up a hand and ran it over his firm jaw, already rough with stubble although he shaved the previous morning. His hair stuck out around his head in messy spikes and the fiery light in his cool blue eyes made warmth spiral from her heart to her toes and back up to her head. Breathing deeply of his scent, absorbing his comforting presence, she snuggled closer against him.
“Good morning, Thane. A happy Christmas to you.”
In the past two weeks, since they opened their hearts to each other and admitted their love, Thane spent every day falling more and more in love with the enchanting, teasing, tempting woman he currently held in his arms.
Crumpets & Cowpies: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 1) Page 28
