by Sarah Silver
“You really are a city gal, ain’t you?” he said. “I own everything outside the fence too. That scalawag was trying to steal my beef.”
“All by himself?” asked Addie.
“No but I have ranch hands and Emory and we’ll all stand watch. There’s likely to be a few of them. But when this feller doesn’t return, they’ll get the message,” he said.
The notion that Galen Allen was potentially rich warmed Addie involuntarily. Or perhaps it was his physical closeness. He was having that effect on her again. It wasn’t travel. It wasn’t the upset of losing her father and being chased by the magistrate. It wasn’t her unfriendly brother or the rustler. It was him. There was no mistaking. Galen’s effect on her was dark and mysterious and delicious.
“I can’t go back to sleep now,” she said with a tremble.
“Can’t you now?” he asked wickedly. “Come with me.”
Galen took her hand and led her through the shadowy dark. Off in the distance was the filtering light of a lantern. Addie froze. There was someone sitting out on the porch.
“Careful,” he assured her. “It’s only my brother.”
Galen felt around in a cupboard and pulled out a bottle.
“Let’s go out front, shall we?” he said.
Addie really didn’t want to after all but she didn’t have the nerve to tell him. He was going to be her husband after all. It was time she practiced her obedience. Galen led the way and she followed. His brother eyed her as they stepped outside.
Addie realized at that moment, now that the smoke of terror had cleared, she was in her night gown. Oh well, she thought. She hunched over as she sat, to protect her modesty.
Galen de-corked the bottle and swigged. He gasped afterwards. Addie could smell it was whisky.
“Brothah,” he said, passing the bottle to his brother.
He encouraged Addie to sit. He sat beside her. He took the bottle back. He swallowed again and handed it to Addie.
“It will help you sleep,” he said.
She took a delicate taste and braced herself as she flushed with the aftertaste. Galen chuckled. Even his brother reacted. She took another sip.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“It’s nice,” she said, feeling soft and melty.
Galen was looking more and more attractive to her. Even his brother was making her yearn. She was going to take another but Galen stopped her.
“Two sips that’s enough,” he said.
Galen helped her to his feet.
“Night brother,” he said.
Galen stomped off to the bunk house. Something made no sense about him. It was like Addie’s very presence bothered him so. Galen shadowed her as he corralled her into the house. His hands gripped his waist as they maneuvered into the bedroom.
“I’ll tuck you in,” he said gruffly.
But something within her wanted him to stay with her. She knew they were not married yet but they would be. By her coming to his house, she had made her promise to him. Addie turned to Galen in the darkness and silently asked him to say.
He heard her. He felt her. He leaned his tall form towards her and kissed her. Addie had no experience with men but some kind of natural force guided her. That magical good feeling her stirred in her when he sat next to her in the rig all the way out to the house from Great Falls, was all the more powerful within her now. It was not the whisky. It was him. It was them.
Galen’s hands roamed her. His breath was hard through his nose like a bull ready to charge. Addie never knew a human body could be so hard. Galen’s was as hard as the floor they stood on.
Galen unfastened the single mother of pearl button hat held her neckline in place. He smoothly slipped her gown from her shoulders. He nudged her back onto the bed. Even though she had never done this with a man before and she had had no schooling, Addie was at ease. She knew what he wanted to do somehow. She lifted her hips and he slipped the bloomers from her body.
Galen looked enormous from where she lay. His entire upper body seems to be a canopy across the ceiling above her. She could see faint outlines of him as his hair caught the shimmer of the moonlight. He leaned down and kissed her. His kiss was warm and soft and made her belly melt.
Addie’s legs sought the small of his back. She wrapped her ankles around him and drew him to her. Galen chuckled.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked.
“Hold on there, wild cat,” he said. “No you didn’t nothing wrong.”
He pressed his lips to hers again and this time, he slipped his tongue inside her. She shivered at the new invasion. His pace was patient and slow as he explored her. She adjusted to the sensation and even liked the taste of him.
They wound their heads this way and that as they sought to almost fuse together. Galen drew his head back as he broke the kiss.
“You’ve never been kissed before, have you?”
“No,” she said. “Not like that.”
Galen growled. And renewed his kiss. It was more passionate than before. And while he tasted of her, he situated himself deep between her thighs. He expertly removed his pants by kicked and wriggling. His hands never left her. When he was naked, Addie felt the soft yet hard length of him, nudging at her wetness.
Galen cupped her generous, doughy breast. He planted his hot wet mouth on her nipple maker her arch off the bed. Addie cried out. He wedged his face deep into the crevice of her enormous bosom and kissed her on the delicate sensitive spot there.
Addie was grunting with passion. It was all so new to her. Galen showed her more of her magical places, suckling the ticklish dip at the base of her neck.
“Dear God,” she whimpered.
Galen kissed her again. It was now familiar and comforting. He pressed his need between her thighs as they had closed in around him. He touched her. Addie thought she would faint with utter shock. She supposed he knew what was decent to do.
He penetrated her with one finger and then with the next, stretching her. Filling her. She almost had a conniption but he made no sudden move and Addie calmed. Then he drew his fingers in and out of her. She got used to it. She settled so that she could actually enjoy it.
His hand stayed where it was. He took the tip of his member and put it into her. Slowly at first. It was an altogether different sensation. Addie wanted more. Once again, on impulse she wrapped her ankles around his back and inadvertently impaled herself. Galen was completely inside of her. The pain was horrific. She whimpered.
“Shhh,” he said. “Let me take the lead.”
He kissed her more until her body relaxed. The pain gave away to melting warmth. Galen moved within her. Addie was alive with an excitement that made her want to move. She rocked her hips up against his. She drew her knees up boldly. Every which way she moved she experienced a new thrill.
He was possessed by the same spirit. They danced against each other. Addie was driven. She wanted something – chased something – but she did not know what. Every brush of his flesh against hers made her draw up tight around him. The feeling was so beautiful and delicious that it made her head swim.
She thrust against him with more power, more purposes until Galen clasped her buttocks and drove into her as though this were not her first time. But she kept pace with him, bucking and reeling until he cried out and collapsed.
Galen’s arm possessively laced around her though he was completely spent.
Or so she thought.
He moved. She thought it was to curl up and retreat to what would be his side of the bed. But he didn’t. He propped up on one elbow and drew his hand down between her legs. He pressed and he wagged his fingers. She writhed, exhilarated by the sensation.
“Shhh,” he said.
She closed her eyes and let it happen. Soon she was rocking against his touch, again with that age-old passion. Again with the pursuit of something she could not name. Galen did not let up until she burst from within with wave after wave of exquisite pleasure. It pushed through her, washing
every part of her. Addie’s heart beat in her ears like Black Eagle Falls. She relaxed against the mattress and let it take over her.
Galen was inside of her again. Hard with desire for her. This time, after she had found her pleasure, the sensation of their union was quite different. The pleasure was almost too much for her to take. Galen moaned and groaned as he pumped. Both of them trembled and shook, weak with passion but driven to move.
Her ankles tangled around the wide expanse of their back. He rose up onto his knees and took her that. Addie’s curves shook with the force of his driving. She closed her eyes and decided she could be this way for every, it felt so wonderful.
Galen threw his head back and howled as pleasure took him. Addie copied what he did before and touched herself in back and forth motion. It was magic. It pleasured them both. She had his undivided attention. He struggled to watch as his lids were so heavy with passion. She climbed, climbed, climbed until once again she shattered with ecstasy. This time it struck it was all the more powerful. She wailed with all that she had.
It was not long after that, that they collapsed into a dreamless sleep until chores awoke them.
Chapter Four
Galen let Addie sleep late. She heard him rise from their bed before sun up but she fell back to sleep. He returned to wake her.
“Rise and shine. Time to get married,” he said. “We have time to have our breakfast after we dress. The preacher will be here nigh on an hour.”
Galen and his brother hoisted a tub of water into the bedroom for her to bathe. It was lovely and the first bath she had had in days. Addie squatted in the tin tub and splashed wherever the water did not reach. She had carried a cake of soap for herself. Oh but she was tender. The water was soothing. When she was through, she smelled of roses.
She dried off with her own personal towel and powdered everywhere. She slipped into her Sunday clothes and brushed her hair. She was ready to be married. When she was properly dressed she called to Galen to remove the tub.
He stopped in his tracks at the sight of her.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
Addie believed he meant it.
“I am going to take seconds on your tub. I’ll be but a moment,” he said.
Addie put on an apron and cracked some eggs in a skillet for them.
He too emerged from the bedroom looking sharp in his church finery. He called to his brother who entered the house in a suit. Together the men carried the tub out and dumped it. They returned and sat at the table as Addie dished them up breakfast.
“How's our rustler?” asked Galen, digging in robustly.
“He's fine. Resting comfortably in the barn. Funny thing is Gale; he says he is not a rustler,” said his brother.
The brother shoveled fried eggs into his mouth aggressively.
“No?” asked Galen. “Good cooking, Addie.”
Addie poured coffee all the way around and sat down and sipped a cup. She waited for her eggs to cool.
“Says he's after your bride," said the brother.
Addie’s eyes flew opened. Terror trickled to her belly. She wasn’t eating her eggs after all.
“Does he now?” said Galen like he was amused. “Oh you know what? Where are my manners? Adaline Filcher, I don't believe I properly introduced you to my brother.
"Emory Calhoun, Adaline Filcher," said Galen coldly.
Addie pushed back from the table. How small could the world be that the brother of the man she was about to marry was the man she swindled out of cash. Of course, it had been a set up. And she fell for it.
"What is this?" she asked, her face slack with fear. The rattle of the preacher’s rig grew louder and louder till it came to a halt. The preacher parked the rig out front. Galen came around behind her. He gripped her beneath her armpits and encouraged her to stand. Addie locked her legs but Galen scooted her out the door, in front of their house, to her place beside him in front of the preacher.
"This here's a wedding," said Galen answered finally.
Emory framed her in. Between two big brawny men there was no escaping. Addie shook her head.
"Oh yes. You're going through with this ceremony. You're taking your medicine," said Galen.
Addie resisted.
"Do I need to turn you over to the magistrate?" scolded Galen.
Addie's lip trembled but she remained silent.
"Then behave," said Galen.
Pictures of the moments she shared with Galen played through her mind like a salve to her broken heart. She felt she had fallen in love with him at the height of their passion. It was a bitter pill to swallow indeed to know that such tender exchanges could be made so callously. Galen was playing her. Sort of like the promises she made to Emory Calhoun without a second thought.
“What’s my name going to be?” she whispered.
“Calhoun,” he said with a scolding glare.
Addie decided that no matter her fate, she was going to take her vows to heart. If it made her right with God, she would not take her vows in vain. It was bothersome that the magistrate was shackled just off to the side of the ceremony venue. He and Addie looked one another in the eye a few times.
With a few words and promises, Addie Filcher was a married woman. Every other waking thought was a prayer. As soon as the brief ceremony was through and Emory loaded the magistrate into the preacher’s rig, Addie gripped Galen’s rock hard arm and begged him for mercy.
“If you take him back to town, they’ll hang me. Please at least let me tell you what happened,” she said.
Galen mulled it for a moment.
“Emory gets to hear. He has a right to listen to this,” said Galen.
“Fine by me,” she said.
“Hey preacher,” Galen called. “Hold up. We need an impartial witness.”
Then he looked to the magistrate. “You run off on me while I have words with the preacher, I will skin you alive.”
The magistrate’s eyes flared with fear.
Emory, Galen and Addie sat at the meal table. The preacher leaned in the doorway, a pistol on the magistrate in case Galen’s threat did not hold. Addie folded her hands, gathering her thoughts.
“My father disappeared for a week. We had a little bit of farmland left just on the edge of the city proper. Just enough for a cow, chickens, pigs. Daddy was all the time getting offers on it. He had no intentions of selling. Anyhow, he disappeared. The next thing I know this man - the magistrate -- shows up at my door, explaining how daddy was strung up by a group of angry people -- “
Emotion broke her words. She drew a deep breath and continued.
“Said daddy sold the farm twice,” said Addie.
“Runs in the family,” Galen said acidly.
“So he showed me papers saying I had to pay back one of the buyers and vacate the property so the rightful owner could take possession,” said Addie.
“Mrs. Calhoun,” said the preacher. “You ever attend a formal proceeding? Were you ever arrested or meet these people who your father allegedly swindled?”
Addie searched. “No sir. I just only met the magistrate He said I had to come up with the money or they would hang me too,” she wept. “I had to do something.”
Galen and Emory and the preacher made the same face as though struck by the same thought. The brothers’ jaws popped and flexed intensely with a new fury.
“Are you going to kick his ass or am I?” growled Galen.
Both brothers rushed the door. The preacher blocked them.
“Now boys, you don’t want to be doing something foolish. Don’t want to be leaving this poor creature bereft of the only family she has now, do you?” counseled the preacher.
“I don’t understand!” cried Addie. “Will someone please explain to me?”
“Mrs. Calhoun,” said the preacher. “You were swindled. There was no double buyer or likely even a buyer for the farm.”
Addie brightened. “Then daddy –“
The men shook their heads.
Emory charged. He said more in the next sentence than Addie heard the entire time she had arrived. He flew into a rage.
“You sonofabitch! I’m going to knock the living stuffing out of you!” he shouted.
“Now wait a minute!” protested the magistrate. “I didn’t figure on her going and being so stupid.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what you figured on,” said the preacher.
Addie staggered. Had her father been murdered for his prime real estate? Had she really been swindled? How could she be so dumb and not see the game? And then to flee thinking she was getting away from it all only to have been duped again.
“What you think preacher, think we should run his likeness by the sheriff and see if he’s wanted for something?” asked Emory.
“Might be reward money in it,” said the preacher coolly.
“How much did you take off of my wife?” asked Galen.
“I took no money,” insisted the magistrate.
“Try that again. How much?” growled Galen.
“I am a magistrate,” insisted the magistrate. “I am legitimate.”
“How the law can come after her for someone’s alleged crime? You ever see a body, Addie? Go to a burying?” asked Galen.
“They took care of all of that,” she said, her heart breaking just thinking about it.
The pain made her crumple where she sat. Galen braced a powerful arm around her.
“It’s not any kind of a weddin’ day to have us go back in town but I don’t think the preacher here should be left to fend against him by himself,” said Galen. “What’s say we drop him off at the jail and stay the night in Great Falls.Might be a nice place for a honeymoon.”
It was the first time since he was angry with her that he looked in her in the eye, gently. Vivid memories of him above her in their bed, flooded her mind’s eye. Her face was hot in an instant. Galen’s eyes twinkled. Once again, Emory could not look at her.
Emory. He had sent such tender letters and she in response. It was an ugly but necessary game she played or so she thought to save her hide. If had been another place and time, Addie might have been married to him instead of Galen. But Galen had her heart. She was in love with him and there was no turning back.
