“I don’t think things are supposed to stay that way.”
“Oh, I realize that. I mean, I know it’s not that way all the time. But there should be moments where the spark comes back.”
Jenny couldn’t fault Sally’s reasoning. It seemed logical.
“Enjoy the honeymoon period. Sure, you’ll have fights, but there’s nothing like that first year you’re with your husband.”
She smiled wryly. “It’s not like I have a typical marriage.”
“Maybe it didn’t start that way, but you two look happy together.”
“I do like Irving. I thought he’d be old and boring, but he’s not. However...” Jenny hesitated to broach a subject that was sensitive, but she thought it might help Sally feel better about her situation. “Well, Irving had an accident back when he lived in South Carolina, and it rendered him unable to perform in bed.”
Sally brought her hand up to her cheek. “Oh no.”
“He wrote me about it ahead of time so I knew. I didn’t care because I wanted to get married so Clyde would leave me alone, and by the way Irving sounded in the letter, I didn’t get the impression that he was likable enough to want to share a bed with. After dealing with Clyde, I learned the value of a man who was a friend. You know?”
Sally nodded. “Of course, I do. No woman wants to be with a man like that if he doesn’t truly love her.”
“Right. And that letter didn’t give me any reason to hope that I might be marrying someone who had the capacity to love me. In fact, he seemed much too devoted to his job. In a way, he was already married, and he agreed to marry me in order to do the sheriff a favor.”
“So it’s turned out better than you hoped?”
“Yes, it has, which is why it’s a real shame that he can’t...you know.”
Sally nodded. “I do. At least your husband has a valid reason.”
“Well, I think it’s time that you and Rick got the spark back into your marriage.”
“Don’t think I haven’t tried.”
“Now you have my help.” Jenny squeezed her sister’s hand. “We’ll see what we can do about Rick. I know he loves you. He just needs to remember how desirable you are.”
“From your mouth to God’s ears.”
“We’ll figure something out,” Jenny promised.
Chapter Eight
That Saturday, Owen purchased a wagon and led his new family out to the home that Sheriff Meyer had given them to buy.
The quaint little home was situated on the outskirts of town with a good five acres around it and a good-sized lake not too far away. Owen liked it immediately, and he turned to Jenny and Jeremy who sat beside him in the wagon to see what they thought.
Jeremy bounced up and down in between him and Jenny. “Wow! This is for us?”
“It sure is,” Owen said. “And I’m going to pay for all of it too. It might take a few years, but this is going to be ours.” Then he lifted his gaze to Jenny who had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen on a woman. “What do you think?”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “It’s the most wonderful place I’ve ever seen.”
“Then there’s no need to cry,” he teased.
“Grandpa says women cry over everything,” Jeremy whispered in his ear. “Don’t worry about Ma. That’s her happy crying.”
He grinned and winked at the boy. “Thanks.”
Behind them, a puppy poked Jeremy in the back. He picked the dog up and cuddled him the best he could despite the animal’s squirming.
“That poor thing is more slippery than a fish,” Owen said, chuckling as the dog bounded out of the boy’s arms and into the back where all of their belongings waited for them to take into their new home. He pulled the wagon up to the front door. “There’s the barn!” He pointed toward the rear of the house. “This place has everything we need, doesn’t it?”
“It sure does!” As soon as the wagon stopped, Jeremy crawled over him and climbed down. He turned and caught the anxious puppy. “Rover likes it too!”
“Well, don’t run off too far,” Jenny called out as the boy and dog headed out to play in the fields.
“I won’t!” he called out, not bothering to look back.
“He’s a great kid,” Owen said. “You did a good job raising him.”
She shrugged. “I did the best I could.”
“You’re not used to taking compliments, are you?” Before she could respond, for he could tell that the question startled her, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “You’re a good woman, Jenny. A man couldn’t do better than you.” Then, so she wouldn’t have to respond for it seemed to him that she’d long ago learned to suppress her vulnerable side, he kissed the top of her head and added, “Let’s go see if this place is as good inside as it is out.”
Blushing, she nodded.
He jumped down and helped her down. She felt good in his arms, so he took a moment to hold her. He wished he could kiss her on the lips, but he wondered if Irving would do that. What did a man who was unable to consummate a marriage do anyway?
Deciding to press his luck—or Irving’s luck, he kissed her cheek. She didn’t turn away. In fact, he thought she leaned into him. He knew that was all he could get away with today, so he didn’t go any further. The fact that she allowed him to get close to her lips was enough for the time being. Somehow, he hoped to work his way up to kissing her on the mouth. Then, perhaps, Irving could overcome his “problem” because she “healed” him. Yes, that seemed like a good plan.
Standing up straight, he smiled at her and happily noted she smiled back. “You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen.”
She lowered her eyes and shrugged.
“I mean it, Jenny. You really are.” He took her hand and led her to the front door. After he opened it, he glanced slyly at her. On impulse, he picked her up.
“What are you doing?” she asked, surprised.
“Carrying my bride over the threshold.”
She giggled as he stepped forward. “Oh Owen, what a silly thing to do. But it was very sweet.”
“Well, I figure this will get us off to a good start on our life together in this house.” He gently set her down. “What do you think?”
She took her eyes off of him and turned to the cozy kitchen. Gasping she ran to the window. “It has a view of the land! I think I can see the lake from here.”
He grinned at her enthusiasm. Every woman needed to have a good view when she cooked a meal, his aunt had often told him. “I hope this will make your hours slaving away in here worth it,” he joked.
She looked at him and laughed. “I love it. I really do. I’ve always wanted a kitchen where I could make meals for my husband and children.” She paused, her face growing red. “I mean, of course, you and Jeremy. I had this thought long ago—when I was a child...” Avoiding eye contact, she turned to inspect the shelves along the wall.
There could be children, Owen thought. As soon as “Irving” could make that possible... He’d caught the wistful look in her eyes. He suspected that she dreamt of having a house full of children running around and causing chaos everywhere they went. She did, after all, come from a good-sized family. He rather fancied the notion himself. We’ll see, Jenny. In due time, our dream might come true.
She inspected the pump at the sink before she touched the round table and four chairs. “The furniture is in good shape.”
Curious, he made his way to the parlor and saw the couch and two chairs and table. “It looks good in here as well. Want to go upstairs and check on the bedrooms?”
“Our own bedrooms!” she squealed as she rushed past him and up the staircase.
He frowned. Our own bedrooms? What exactly did that mean?
She reached the first bedroom and motioned to him. “Come on!”
What? Did she find the one he’d be staying in? Was she planning where he would sleep and where she would sleep? Even if he didn’t get much sleep next to her in bed, he stil
l wanted to be with her. He’d gotten used to her soft body pressing up against his. Sure, it drove him crazy. But still...the impotence ordeal was temporary.
“Owen?”
Reluctant, he trudged up the steps. When he reached the bedroom, he saw the small, empty room.
“I think Jeremy will like this one. It looks out toward the lake. You know, he’s excited to learn to fish. I think looking out his bedroom window will be exciting for him.”
“Yes.”
She took his hand and hurried out of the room, practically dragging him along. She stopped and glanced at the second room which seemed to be the same size as the one she’d just reserved for Jeremy. “Maybe we can put the toys in there.”
Owen’s ears perked up. Toys? As in, this would not be his bedroom? When they reached the last one on the other side of the hallway, he noted it was the largest of the three, and it even came with a bed meant for more than one person.
“I love it!” She released his hand. “Two windows! You can see to the west and the south. Just look at all the land around us. It feels as if we’re in our own little world, doesn’t it? My parents bought a house out on a farm because they hated living in the city, so I got used to being out with the fields. I loved it then, and I love it even more now because this is our home.”
“Right. And this is our bedroom,” he said, just to make sure he hadn’t misunderstood her intentions.
“Yes. Isn’t it beautiful? I can’t wait to see how my pillows look on the bed. And curtains! Will flowers on curtains bother you if I make them blue?”
Relieved that they would still be sharing a bed, he waved his hand and said, “Honey, you can have pink flowers for all I care.”
“You mean it?”
“Sure.”
“Well, since you’re sincere, I would like pink roses on the curtains. They’d match my pillows and blanket. I never could make those kind of curtains at the boarding house because it wasn’t my place to decorate.”
“This is your home. Do whatever you want. I’m easy to please.” Feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders, he clapped his hands together. “Well, I’m going to start bringing our things in.”
She seemed to be so focused on checking the width of the window frame that he didn’t bother repeating himself. He enjoyed seeing her happy, and she was definitely happy. As was he. He wondered how soon was too soon to really get enjoyment out of that bed.
***
Sally took a deep breath and examined the new bookcase in the den. She had dusted all the books and placed them on the shelves, just as Rick had arranged them. He’d been eyeing this bookshelf for a good six months but hadn’t bothered to buy it, so she saved up some of their money and thought today might be a good day to give it to him.
The front door opened and she nearly jumped with delight. Rick was home! She ran to the front door to greet him. “How was your day?” she asked.
He looked at her and smiled as he shut the door. “It was good. Where’s Greg?”
“He’s spending the night at Richard and Amanda’s. I thought it’d be nice to have some time to ourselves.”
His smile widened and he drew her into his arms. “I can’t remember the last time we were alone. What’s the special occasion?”
Shrugging, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I don’t know. I thought it might be nice to be together, just the two of us.”
He bent his head and kissed her.
Her heart beat with excitement. She really should have thought of this sooner. Maybe that was why he hadn’t been this romantic with her for the longest time. When the kiss ended, she sighed. “That was nice.”
“Nice?”
“Wonderfully so.” Then she remembered his gift. Pulling away from him, she said, “I got you something today.”
“Did you? What is it?” He put his hat and light coat on a hook in the closet.
“You have to come with me to find out.”
His eyebrows rose in interest. “Well, now you got my interest.”
She pretended to pout. “You mean I didn’t have it when I was kissing you?”
Chuckling, he tucked his hand around her arm. “You already know the answer to that.”
Maybe. But it would be nice to hear it. Pushing the matter aside, since it was a minor one, she led him to the den. “Do you notice anything different?”
“Oh come on, Sally. You know I’m no good at these games.”
“But you’ll like this one. Give it a try. Take a good look around and see if there’s anything here that you’ve been wanting for months now.”
“Alright.” He let go of her arm and stood in the middle of the room. After half a minute, he snapped his fingers. “The bookcase?”
She nodded. “I saved up some extra money and got it today. It looks terrific, doesn’t it? I just love oak!”
“It does look nice.”
“And I took care to keep your books in the same place where they were on that old bookcase.”
He examined the shelves. “I see that.” He glanced at her. “Thank you, Sally.”
“I’m glad you like it.” In fact, this turned out even better than she hoped.
He walked over to her and kissed her.
She leaned into him and let their kiss deepen. Two kisses before supper? She was on a roll, and she planned to do whatever she could to keep it going.
He gave a low groan as she wiggled up against him. His hands roamed places they hadn’t touched in awhile.
Her heart pounded with excitement. It’d been so long since they made love, but she was definitely ready for it.
A knock at the door interrupted them and he sighed. “Duty calls.”
She blinked. Duty? What duty?
He cleared his throat and adjusted his pants. “Jack’s bringing over the notes for the case I have to hear on Monday.”
“Another hearing?”
“Judge Townsend got ill, so I’m taking his place.”
“Again?”
“The doctor’s not sure what’s wrong with him. Hopefully, it’s something that can be quickly resolved. I hate to think it’s something serious.”
She followed him out of the room and down the hallway. “But you don’t have to start on the notes now. You just got back from visiting the sheriff about the bank robber.”
“I have to study up on this one.”
“Now?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Her face grew warm with anger as he opened the front door.
“Good afternoon, Jack. You got Judge Townsend’s notes for me?”
“Yep.” Jack handed over the large stack of papers. “Says it’s his life’s work.”
“We’ll see if we can put this one to rest for his sake then. Tell him we’re praying for him to get better.”
“Will do.”
Sally gritted her teeth and shut the door since Rick’s arms were full of work. Work. That’s what she was competing with. It didn’t dawn on her until that moment what she was up against. Rick loved his job. And she was more interesting than his job, wasn’t she?
Forcing aside her irritation, she strode after him as he went back to the den. “You know,” she sweetly began, “it’s always a good idea to take a break sometimes. Even I can’t go on with the housework and budget unless I take a break.”
“I know but I need to refresh my memory on this.” He motioned to the papers.
“That’s not the only thing you need to refresh your memory on.” Her eyes grew wide. Did she say that aloud?
He placed the ton of papers on his desk and frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Well, if the cat was out of the bag... “I just think it’s been too long since we’ve been together. You know, as man and wife.”
He groaned. “I can’t. As it is, I’ll be up until midnight studying all of this.”
“But it doesn’t take a long time to do what I have in mind.”
“There’s a lot of other things that come
into play when we get together.”
She crossed her arms, knowing she wasn’t going to like this but unable to stop herself from asking the question anyway. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that you want to talk and cuddle. That will end up taking a couple of hours.”
“You didn’t mind spending a couple of hours with me when we were first married.”
“Well, I can’t spare a couple of hours this weekend.”
“When can you spare a couple of hours?”
“I don’t know. Townsend might be gone this week.”
“So I have to wait for whenever you have time to be with me?”
He sighed. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what?” she snapped.
“Make this about the way I feel about you. I love you. I never stopped loving you. But I have responsibilities to take care of.”
“And those responsibilities have nothing to do with me?”
“Of course, they do. If I didn’t work, we wouldn’t have a roof over our heads or food to eat.” Then, as if the matter was settled, he sat behind his desk and started sorting through the stack in front of him.
A responsibility? That’s all she was to him? “Fine,” she finally said when her shock wore off. “Since you’re so busy, I suppose you won’t have time to eat supper either!” Before he could protest, she left the room and slammed the door behind her.
Chapter Nine
Two weeks later, Owen chased the man who just stole another man’s horse. The two rode on horseback toward the outskirts of town.
“Get back here!” Owen yelled.
The thief ignored him.
He groaned. Why couldn’t any of the bandits he’d been chasing around actually stop? He’d love it if one would obey him. After all, he was the deputy. Shouldn’t that carry some weight in this town? He reached for his fishing rod. Yes, real deputies like Irving Spencer carried a Colt .45. Owen carried a fishing rod. But the rod worked.
Wrong Husband Page 7
