“Maybe I can convince you differently.”
She ran her hands over his chest, caressing the hard mounds beneath his shirt. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy your attempts, but Bug, there’s something you need to know.”
As if startled, he jerked his head up. “What?
What’s wrong?” Concern glistened in his eyes.
“Nothing is wrong,” she whispered, breathing against the side of his neck. “But you should know I’m not the shy girl I used to be. I’m a determined woman who knows what she wants, when she wants it. When I say Saturday, I mean Saturday.”
He tugged her hips forward, plastering her stomach against his harden groin. “Oh, Eva girl,” he said, nibbling on her ear. “I knew that as soon as you smacked me in New York.”
She flinched at the memory.
He laughed. “I’d say our life together is going to be an adventure. An extremely fun and exciting adventure.”
****
Eva sat at the kitchen table, contemplating how well her conversation went with the women. Their happiness at the wedding was evident, but it was all of their support of how she took charge of the situation that surprised her a bit. Every one of the women, right down to Ma applauded her for her actions. They had left sometime ago with Ma announcing she’d have a wedding dress sewn before nightfall, and Randi insisting she and Hog would prepare the wedding supper.
Mrs. Porter had left with the Quinter women, upon Ma’s insistence. She wanted to take measurements of the children for wedding outfits.
Eva hadn’t protested, she’d decided long ago which battles to fight, and which to let lie. Most with Ma were better left to lie until they died. In most instances, they didn’t matter anyway. And the absence of everyone else would mean some alone time for her and Bug.
Jack had returned earlier, along with Jenny Staples. He’d loaded her in the buggy, and gone to town. Eva had no doubt Jack had told Chester Staples he’d make sure Jenny was at the hotel when her father was ready to talk with her.
Letting out a sigh, Eva picked up her cup and was half way to the sink when Bug opened the door a crack and stuck his head in. His water splashed face demonstrated he’d cleaned up some, but oil spotted his shirt collar and clung to his hair.
“Eva, I gotta go home and get washed up. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She rushed to the door, ready to say he couldn’t possibly be that dirty, however the words stuck in her throat when she opened the door all the way. He was black from his boots to his neck. “Oh,” she gasped. “Yes, you do need a bath.” A giggle then tickled her throat. “Did you go swimming in the crude?”
He gave her a teasing look. “No, your hired hands didn’t have anything to cap the well with. I rigged up a cap and sent some men with Chester to get the things needed to cap the well off properly, and to order a power cap and other supplies.”
“I guess I didn’t think about what to do once we struck oil.” The temptation to touch him was too great. Eva reached out and wiped a drip of water from his temple. Her finger slid across his oil coated skin. “I’m sorry.”
His grin was delightfully charming. “You’re quite the wildcatter, Eva girl. That’s a hell of a well.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I won’t know until we get the supplies we need, but I’d say we got a well that’s going to give us a couple thousand barrels a day.”
“Is that good?”
“Yes, darling, that’s very good. The Empire well out in Pennsylvania was drilled back in sixty-one and produced thirty-three hundred barrels a day. It still remains one of the big ones.”
She smiled, not only happy by the success of their oil well, but by the shine in his eyes. He did love his oil. And she did love him. “You could get cleaned up here. I’m sure Jack has something you could wear.”
He looked down. “I don’t know.”
She took his hand, oil and all. “I do. Come on, I’ll find you something to wear.”
“I shouldn’t go inside. I’m practically dripping.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll clean it up.” She tugged on his hand. He didn’t move. “Bug, please? We need to talk and might not have another chance while everyone’s gone.”
“Everyone’s gone?”
She glanced toward the backyard. “Are your brothers still here?”
“No, they left a while ago, along with Buffalo Killer and Chief Red Elk.”
“Then everyone’s gone,” she whispered. A sweet heat swelled inside her. Dr. Robb had proclaimed her completely healthy, in every way. There was no telling how soon everyone may start to return, so therefore, there was no time to waste. “Come on,”
she insisted, tugging him through the door.
After leading him into the washroom upstairs, she left to gather a pair of pants and a shirt from Jack’s room. Halfway back down the hall, she paused. They had a lot to talk about, but this chance really was too tempting to overlook. Biting her tongue to hold in an excited squeal, she flipped around and raced to her room.
Ten minutes later, dressed in nothing more than her night coat, she padded down the hallway and knocked on the door.
“Yeah?” His question was muffled by the sound of water splashing.
“I have some clothes for you,” she said through the door.
“Just leave them in the hall. I’ll grab them in a second.”
She tried the knob, and smiled when it turned beneath her hold. “Bug?”
“Just leave them in the hall,” he said louder. “I’ll get them in a min—”
She closed the door behind her, grinning at his opened mouth gape. Soap ran down his forehead. He pushed it away with both hands, blinking.
“Eva—”
“Are you ready to start that adventure?” she whispered as she undid the loop of the belt holding her night coat closed.
Chapter Seventeen
Bug tried to pull his eyes away, but he’d never encountered something more difficult. Eva’s fingers grasped the edges of her night coat near her throat.
The slender slope of her shoulder came into view, and his breath locked in his chest. She pulled the front lower, exposing the upper swells of her breasts.
Bug, coughing, emptied his lungs and shot to his feet. Sloshing and dripping water, he bounded over the edge of the tub and pulled the material from her fingers, covering the heavenly globes.
“Eva…” he had no idea what he should say. His body was saying one thing, loud and strong, but his mind plunked honorable thoughts down one by one.
“Bug.” Her breath tickled his neck, and her fingers ran up and down his sides as she stepped closer. The thin material of her coat was worse than if she didn’t have anything on. “We are getting married tomorrow.”
“I know, Eva darling,” he wanted to bite his tongue, but didn’t. “We can’t do this. Not right now.”
She swayed her body against his, branding him at every point. “Yes, we can.”
He pressed his lips against her hairline, and drew in a deep, fortifying breath. “Believe me when I say there’s nothing I want more than to carry you down the hall and make you mine forever more.”
“Then—”
“Shh…” Digging deep into his reserves, he quieted her. “Shh…” He couldn’t very well set her away from him. She’d see just how aroused he was—as if she couldn’t already feel his excitement pressing against her flat stomach.
Her face tilted up. Those glorious eyes pleaded with him.
“Eva. I love you, and I won’t have our first time rushed or covert. We’ve waited our whole lives for this. Tomorrow night we’ll be married.” He glanced to the door. “And there won’t be any chance of someone coming along and interrupting our union.”
The corners of her eyes dropped, and a red tint grew on her high cheeks.
“Oh, no,” he whispered, “none of that.” Her eyes met his again. “No embarrassment, Eva girl. I want it as bad as you do, and it’s not
hing to be ashamed of. I just want it to be perfect. I’ve been dreaming about it for years.”
“You have?”
He nodded, and unabashed, admitted, “I’ve waited for you, Eva. You’re the only woman for me.”
“I am?” Her eyes grew wide. “You’ve never…”
“Nope. I’ve never wanted to be with anyone but you.” He already knew, but he asked just the same.
“Have you?”
Her spine stiffened. “Of course not.”
He chuckled and kissed her nose. “I know.”
She frowned. “You haven’t even with Jenny?”
“No.” He couldn’t believe he was standing naked as a jay bird and having this conversation. “There has never been a woman, including Jenny, who could erase you from my mind or heart, and there never will be.”
She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his chin. “Oh, Bug. I love you so much. I’ve dreamt about us…I just want…”
“Shh. I know. I want the same thing. And we’ll have it.” He cupped her face and held it in front of his. “Tomorrow night.”
Her little grin made his body groan with need all over again. “All right,” she agreed. “Tomorrow night.”
“Good girl.” He planted a soft and gentle kiss on her lips, knowing his body couldn’t take much more than that, and then turned her about face.
Whispering in her ear, he pushed her toward the door. “Now be a good girl, and let me finish my bath.”
****
It turned out to be a very good thing Bug hadn’t taken her up on her offer. He was still in the bathroom and she’d just gotten dressed and was only half way down the stairs, when the front door opened.
“That girl is maddening,” Jack declared as he tossed his hat on the side table. “Where’s Bug? His horse is still here.”
Eva walked down the remaining steps. “He’s in the bathing room, washing off the oil. I gave him a pair of your pants and a shirt to wear.”
He glanced around, and then looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “And everyone else?”
“Mrs. Porter took the children over to Ma’s so she could measure them for outfits for the wedding.”
Eva, much calmer than she should have been, or at least that’s what she thought considering how on fire her body had been moments ago, walked toward the kitchen.
He followed. “The wedding is tomorrow.”
“I’m not likely to forget that,” Eva assured.
“She can’t possibly sew outfits for three kids in one day. Half a day actually.” He sat down at the table and smoothed back his hat-flattened hair.
“Yes, she can. Trust me. She also plans on making me a wedding dress.” Eva filled the tea pot, and then the coffee pot with water and set them both on the stove.
“That’s impossible.”
“Then you don’t know Ma Quinter.” She scooped the bits of beans Joanna had left in the grinder into the larger pot and replaced the lid. “I’ll bet you your shares of my next two paintings the kids and I’ll be boasting new outfits by this time tomorrow.”
He chuckled. “I may be a gambling man when it comes to some things, but even I don’t like the odds on that one. I’d never bet against Stephanie Quinter.”
“What’s Ma want to bet on?” Bug asked, strolling through the doorway. He set the basket down that held his oil crusted clothes and boots.
Eva walked across the room, and raised her chin for a kiss. Bug grinned and planted one on her lips.
A solid kiss that had her head whirling all over again. Settling an arm around her shoulders, he asked again, “What’s Ma betting?”
“Nothing,” Jack said, eyeing Bug up and down.
“Those clothes look pretty good on you. You should wear black more often.”
Bug shook his head. “I’ll give you a pointer.
Don’t wear black around Ma.”
Jack frowned. “Maybe that’s why she’s never been overly fond of me.”
Eva laughed and eased from under Bug’s arm to gather cups and saucers. The opening of the back door stopped her.
Mrs. Porter peeked in. “The children wanted to see Mr. Quinter, is that all right?”
“It sure is!” Bug exclaimed. He crouched down, and as soon as the woman pushed the door open wide, Tucker, Reed, and Heather rushed forward.
Bug wrapped them all three in his arms. “I’ve missed you. All three of you.”
Eva’s heart swelled at the sight. Bug looked up and reached for her hand. She wrapped her fingers around his, and he tugged her down beside him.
Crouched on her knees, eye level with the children, a wave of love filled her. Three sets of green eyes stared at Bug with child-innocent devotion.
“How you feeling, Reed?” Bug asked, patting the boy’s tiny face.
“Good, Bug, I ain’t been coughing at all,” the child answered. He turned and looked at Mrs.
Porter. “Isn’t that right, ma’am?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Joanna Porter assured. Her smile was bright and sincere.
“How about you, Heather, you been eating?” Bug asked.
The little girl nodded her head, making her pigtails jiggle about. “Yes. Every bite.” She, too, turned to Joanna.
“That’s right, Mr. Quinter. She’s not shy about eating anymore. Not at all.”
Bug ruffled the cowlick on Tucker’s head.
“You’ve done a good job, Tucker. I’m right proud of how you’ve taken care of your brother and sister.”
Tucker puffed out his little chest. “I promised I would, Bug. I never go back on my word.”
Joanna readily agreed. “That’s true. He’s a real good boy. A real good helper.”
Bug put an arm around Eva. “You’ve all met, Eva?”
The children nodded. Reed grinned. “She bought us peppermints sticks.”
“She did?” Bug asked as if it was quite a feat.
The children nodded again.
“Did she tell you that she and I are getting married?”
Eva held her breath. She hadn’t told the children, and had asked Joanna not to either. She wanted to wait until Bug was here, so there was no chance the children would have any doubt they’d experience disappointment again.
Tucker was the first to comment. “No, Bug, she didn’t. But we heard as much over at your mother’s house.” He scanned her up and down with a cautious appraisal. “I suspect the two of you will be having your own kids then.”
A chill made her cheeks quiver. Bug squeezed her shoulder. “Well,” he said, “I don’t think we’ll be looking to have any more kids, least not right away.
You three are going to be plenty for us to start off with.”
“Us three?” Tucker asked suspiciously.
Bug nodded. “Yes. I told you on the train that I’d adopt you. That we’d all live together some day.”
Tucker still looked distrustful. Eva couldn’t blame him. She could only imagine the number of times these children had been let down. Joanna knew very little about their past, only what the Children’s Society worker, Mrs. King, had told her—that their parents had died and the children had been at the orphanage for the last three years.
Eva leaned forward and laid a hand on Tucker’s little shoulder. “Tucker, you’re a lot like, Bug. He never goes back on his word either.”
Tucker’s cheeks flushed, and he looked at his shuffling feet.
Reed, on the other hand, grinned openly. His eyes twinkled as he stared at her and Bug. He turned to his sister. “I told you, Heather. I told you we were gonna have a ma and pa.”
The girl had her head on Bug’s shoulder, tucked up to his far side as close as she could get. Heather gazed at Eva. Eva nodded, smiling at the child.
Shyly, Heather slipped between her brothers and Bug and then wrapped her little arms around Eva’s neck.
The emotions flooding into Eva’s chest made her wobble. Bug’s hold tightened on he
r shoulder. She wrapped Heather’s tiny frame into a deep embrace and smiled at Bug over the little girl’s bright red pigtails. The wondrous smell of the child, like sunshine and spring flowers, filled her nose, and Eva drew in a deeper breath. Contentment filled her.
Sniffle sounds made her turn her gaze to the others in the room. Joanna dabbed at her eyes, but it was Jack who pulled a handkerchief out of his back pocket and blew his nose.
“I’m gonna go check on the men. I think I heard a wagon,” Jack said, moving toward the back door.
Bug sat down and crossed his legs. His movements encouraged Eva to copy his actions. She situated Heather onto her lap as Bug patted the floor, indicating the boys should sit down as well.
While they were getting comfortable, Eva noticed Bug’s bare feet under his folded knees. His toes were long, and made a perfect curve from the largest to the smallest. Did she love him so much she even thought his feet were handsome? For they were, and the sight of them had her stomach fluttering.
Eva, smiling due to the bliss filling her insides from her hair to her not so perfect toes—her second ones were longer than her big toes, felt an inkling of doubt. She closed her eyes, wondering for a second if Bug would think her feet were ugly. The thought fluttered away. He wouldn’t care if her toes were long or short. He loved her, as she did him, and they both loved the children. Opening her eyes, she gazed his way. Not only was she marrying the most amazing man on earth, he’d already provided her with three wonderful children.
“I’m sorry,” Bug was saying, “that it took so long for us to be together. And I’m proud of all three of you for being so good for Mr. and Mrs. Porter.”
Reed crawled onto Bug’s lap and hooked an arm around Bug’s neck. Bug winked at him. Eva knew Bug had become acquainted with the children on the train, but she hadn’t realized how deep the affection had grown. Then again, Bug was easy to fall in love with, as were the children.
“I have one more favor to ask of you kids,” Bug said. “Whatever it is, we’ll do it, Bug,” Tucker said seriously. He sat directly in front of Bug. “I’ll make sure Reed and Heather behave, too.”
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