A Necessary Woman

by A. E. Easterlin

  “Like to think so, Boss.” Pete shoved his worn Stetson back on his head and grinned, showing strong white teeth.

  “I run the cattle and farming side of things, while the boss here primarily concentrates on the horse breeding end. We supply both beef on the hoof and horses to the U.S. Army outposts in Wyoming and Montana, some in Colorado.” He glanced toward the cattle cars on the train. “We also ship cattle back to Independence and St. Louis for the folks back east.”

  “It sounds quite a large concern,” she commented.

  “Pete’s mother, Martha, is my housekeeper and the world’s best cook,” Jake added.

  Suzanna flashed him a smile. “I believe you mentioned her.”

  Jake cleared his throat. “Hm. Yes, I believe I did.”

  Pete shared a sideways glance with his boss and stuck his hat back on his head. “Put your foot in it, did you, Jake?” he asked and laughed.

  Already she liked this man. With a predictable male response, he didn’t try to hide his roving eyes and appreciative gaze. She smothered a smile. Rather than being offended, she was flattered.

  “Don’t blame you for going to fetch her. You did good, Boss…real good.” He courteously offered his hand. “Welcome Miss…er…Mrs. Cantrell. We are surely glad to have you home. It’s a real pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Randall. The pleasure is all mine,” she warmly responded, with an answering smile.

  “I hear the flavor of the South on your tongue, ma’am. Charms this cowboy’s heart. You’re everything Jake said you were in his wire. Well, maybe a little prettier. It’s no wonder he was in such a hurry to get to you.”

  Jake cleared his throat. “Down, Pete. This little lady is taken. Suzanna, watch out for this cowpoke—he’s got quite the reputation with the ladies.”

  “Totally undeserved, ma’am. Besides, there’s not a man in Wyoming that can hold a candle to the boss. He’s not one to call the kettle black.” Pete shot a teasing look Jake’s way.

  “Shut up, Pete.” Jake frowned.

  “Oh, really?” Suzanna tilted her head, and raised a questioning brow. Had she married a reformed ladies’ man? Entirely possible. He did possess a certain appeal.

  “All in the past, Suzanna, all in the past.” He gruffly attempted to change the subject. “You’ll have my undivided attention from now on. Let’s get started. It’ll take about two hours to get home, and we want to be there in time for dinner. You’ll want to see the main house before it gets too dark, and Martha will be happy to show you around—especially the kitchen. She’ll be happy to learn my bride is as good a cook as she.”

  Suzanna wondered about having to fit into an established household; it sounded as if Jake’s home was well run, with little need of her input. The last thing she wanted was to usurp another woman’s position or cause friction in the house. If Martha took care of the chores and cooked the meals, what would she find to do?

  “Jake, I don’t want to cause any problems. I wouldn’t want to offend Mrs. Randall. If she’s used to doing things a certain way, she might not appreciate my coming in and upsetting things.”

  Pete hastened to reassure his new mistress. “Wait till you meet her. Ma has been after Jake for years to take a wife. It’s not likely she’ll complain about anything you want to do. She’s looking forward to meeting you, ma’am, so don’t worry she won’t make you welcome.”

  “Suzanna, my home is now your home. You may do as little or as much of the everyday chores as you wish. I married you in part to become the lady of the house, not a slave to it. Martha will work with you, just as Pete works with me.”

  He cast a glance over her shoulders, avoiding a direct gaze. She thought she observed a tinge of pink color in his tanned cheeks. What could cause Jake to react so? He lowered his voice for her ears only.

  “Let’s hope soon you’ll be with child, and your attentions will be engaged caring for my son. You’ll be glad of Martha’s help when that happens.” Her heart kicked in her chest, and she gulped. Reality seeped in. The long trip to Laramie was over, and she would soon find out other pleasures marriage had to offer.

  They clomped down the boardwalk with Pete leading the way. Suzanna watched as Jake quickened his pace to catch up with Pete. His long legs ate up the ground as he swaggered down the wooden sidewalk with his foreman, greeting by name those with whom they came in contact. Passing men naturally deferred to him; the few women she saw followed him with their eyes. He was so deliciously attractive with his muscled body and easy gait. A man’s man, as her father would have said, and she felt her face grow warm as she recalled his touch on the train. She’d always considered herself a very self-controlled lady, though she’d fought to act the lady last night.

  As if he could read her thoughts, her husband glanced back at her and smiled. Clapping Pete on his shoulder, he held his other hand out for Suzanna. She moved closer as he leaned down, a question in his gaze.

  “You seem to be quite the popular fellow, sir,” she teased, and stumbled.

  Jake caught one elbow, and Pete hurried to catch the other. A frown furrowed between Jake’s silver hard eyes as he raised a brow, and Pete immediately let go of Suzanna’s arm. She realized with incredulity that he was a possessive man. Why that particular character flaw should make her happy caused Suzanna not a little consternation. She had so much to learn about her husband.

  Pete cleared his throat. “Boss, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about Nathan. He was a good man. All of us hated to get the news. Is there anything we can do?”

  Jake shook his head, sadness clouding his eyes. It took a minute for him to speak, and when he did his voice ground low and tight with grief.

  “No, he’s gone. Nothing anyone can say or do to make it better.” The muscle in his jaw pulsed as he reined in his emotion. “I appreciate all the extra hours you and the men put in while I was away. Once we get Suzanna settled, I’ll want to be brought up to date. Anything I ought to know about?”

  Pete glanced sideways at Suzanna as if deciding whether to speak his mind. “Boss, I hate to bring it up, but, yeah, you ought to know before we get underway…”

  Suzanna held on a little tighter to Jake, and he put his arm protectively around her. “Well, spit it out.”

  “The Indians have been causing a bit of trouble again. The idea of reservations isn’t setting well with some of the chiefs. There have been a few raids—nothing lethal, more harassing than anything, but they’re out there. I thought you should know.” He glanced at Suzanna.

  “Black Hawk?” Jake quietly asked.

  Pete nodded. “He’s been spotted on the outskirts of the property. Bears watching, but we don’t think he means any harm. You’ve been pretty generous with him, letting him take some cattle for food and all. It’s like he’s feeling us out—trying to see what we’ll do when he comes around. A few of the hands have seen evidence of unshod ponies out near the river. For right now, we’re just keeping a close eye, waiting to see how you want to handle it.”

  “If Black Hawk wants to talk, he knows where to find me. How many head has he taken?”

  “Not many. Enough to feed his people for a while. A few of the boys wanted to confront him, but I told them to hold off. Word is some of the tribes are heading north to escape the government’s orders to move to the reservations. Can’t say as I blame ’em. We heard Black Hawk’s tribe was one, but he hasn’t gone anywhere. If something doesn’t happen soon, the army will intervene, and that means bloodshed.”

  Suzanna gasped in alarm. “Jake, will there be trouble?”

  “It’ll be all right, don’t worry. I know Black Hawk. If he meant us harm, he would have made his move before now. No, if he’s hanging around, he’s got something else on his mind. Likely he’s been watching for me—waiting for me to make an appearance.”

  They reached a loaded wagon with four large mules hitched to it. They were both beautiful and comical animals, without the grace of their purebred brethren but eq
ually as noble.

  “I thought you raised horses,” she commented.

  “And mules. They do the real work on many farms and ranches. Sturdy—not at all stupid as many mistakenly believe. We do a good business with both.”

  Suzanna accidentally brushed Jake’s body as she moved closer to the wagon. Her bottom rubbed against his groin, and Suzanna felt his arousal against her soft hips. She heard a soft hiss, and he reached between them to make a discreet adjustment in his trousers. She pursed her lips, and darted a look at Pete. He either didn’t notice or ignored the interaction.

  Jake growled, for her ears only, “No fair teasing me, Mrs. Cantrell. I have my ways of getting even.”

  “Yes, well, that I can see, Mr. Cantrell.” She managed a flutter of her lashes and a glance at his trousers. The trip had not cooled her husband’s ardor, and his eyes raked boldly over her. The sound he made in his throat, deep and low, was disturbing to her in every way. Again, the heat rose to her cheeks.

  “The sooner we get you in the wagon, the faster we get to the ranch. Am I making myself clear, wife?”

  His glance caused a hitch in her breath and an ache between her thighs. She’d waited so long to belong to a man. She and Jason had not anticipated their vows, and she found herself both curious and anxious to experience the joys of the marriage bed. Especially with Jake.

  “As glass, husband,” she replied, lowering her lashes and touching an errant curl that hung near her breast. Playing with fire? No doubt. But she couldn’t deny the attraction of his virile appeal.

  Pete jumped into the wagon from the other side and held his hand out to Suzanna to assist.

  Jake, biting back an impulsive curse, palmed her bottom and slid his other arm up around her waist. Suzanna froze at the contact and lifted an embarrassed face to Pete, who stared straight over her head. He was deliberately taking every opportunity to touch her, to tease her, perhaps to claim her as his.

  “Strike the match, madam—you might get burned.”

  It was obvious from Pete’s repressed grin he’d heard Jake’s reprimand. She glanced over her shoulder and shot her husband a scathing glance. That he snorted an unapologetic chuckle added insult to injury.

  “Jake,” she softly protested, “someone will see you.”

  He laughed out loud, “Let them look. I’m only helping my beautiful wife into the wagon. Lest any man on the street think you are fair game, I’m making it clear you are spoken for. This is the west, Suzanna. People out here aren’t easily scandalized or embarrassed. Relax and enjoy the ride.”

  Another innuendo, and this time Pete chuckled. Once Suzanna was up, he immediately jumped down and untied the reins of a golden horse with a pure white mane and tail. Mounting in one quick, efficient movement, he rode ahead of the mules and made a loud clicking sound. The horse and the mules moved slowly forward. They were finally on their way home.

  “What a beautiful horse, Jake. I haven’t seen another like it.” She admired the color and conformation of the animal.

  “It’s called a Palomino. I breed them for a business associate back east. All Palomino horses are a shade of gold, some dark, some almost white. They always have white manes and tails—it’s their coloring that makes them Palomino, not their breed. There’s one mare in particular I’d like to make your acquaintance—she’ll be yours if you like her.”

  “If she’s anything like the horse Pete is riding, I’ll love her. I can hardly wait to get to the ranch and see everything, meet everyone. I’m so glad to finally be here.”

  “I’m glad to have you here. Won’t be long now.” He pulled her close, and they rode in silence for a while. Suzanna wondered what on earth had happened to her husband. She’d known him as a suitor, bent on winning a woman. She’d seen his compassion and selflessness as he buried his brother and cared for his sister-in-law. She’d shared both his strength and his weakness as he came to her room, temporarily broken in his grief and seeking solace in her arms.

  Yet, as soon as they’d set foot on the untamed soil of this western land, he’d taken on an entirely different persona—wild and irreverent. Brash, hard, challenging. A man comfortable in his element, and ruler of his domain.

  She was both attracted and a little frightened. How would she ever hope to tame him? Why would she want to? She was beginning to like him just the way he was. As silly as it seemed, it just now dawned on her. She’d married a cowboy.

  Jake let his gaze slide over her, one filled with promise of things to come, unfamiliar things, and she felt like a girl of eighteen again. A lady should feel embarrassed to be looking forward to the experience of becoming a wife in the biblical sense, yet excitement built within her. She was ready. It was time.

  As if he could read her thoughts, he remarked quietly, “Relax. You’ll get used to it, Suzanna. I intend to touch you, tempt you, and taste you as often as possible. You’re my woman; I want you. And tonight, I’ll make you mine.”

  More heat. More tingles in private places. To her surprise she found she enjoyed their risqué repartee. It added to the anticipation, and she answered his smile as a delicious shudder teased her body.

  Jake grinned into the wind, called to the mules, and slapped their shiny flanks. “Gee, haw! Let’s get this wife of mine home before sunset, you lazy beasts!”

  Chapter Eleven

  Two hours passed quickly for Suzanna.

  She was fascinated by the wide open space and endless waves of prairie, the long grasses swaying in the brisk breeze warmed by the hot sun. The heat released a heady fragrance from their seed pods, and she inhaled the fresh scent and held it. It smelled sweet but with a contrasting earthiness. She loved the pure, fresh scent and enjoyed the way it cocooned her, enveloping her with its presence.

  Wyoming was a beautiful place.

  A peaceful silence prevailed, broken only by the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves and the squeak of the wagon’s springs. Jake occasionally braced her to provide a buffer from the roughest part of the trail. Deep ruts left by the wheels of previous wagons bounced her body and jarred her teeth.

  He looked down at Suzanna, concern and sympathy in his eyes. “Don’t worry. We don’t have far to go now.”

  When the mules tossed their heads and fought to forge ahead, Suzanna assumed they were getting close. Jake took a firm grip on the leads and held them to a controlled pace.

  After a few minutes, he stopped the wagon at the top of a grassy hill and stood, legs splayed, and surveyed the horizon. It was as if every care had been lifted from his shoulders, and his joy in reaching home was evident in every line of his body. When he grabbed her up to join him, she sheltered her eyes from the afternoon sun and shared the view as he pointed.

  On each side of a widening trail stood two tall posts. Joining them at the top was a log with enormous carved and blackened letters: JC.

  They’d finally arrived. They were home.

  Below them lay a lush valley of undulating grass scattered with glistening patches of melting snow. A cool breeze swept her face, and the pungent aromas of animals and manure drew her attention.

  To the east flowed a dark blue swath of river surrounded by a thick stand of cottonwood trees and some sort of willow, its graceful branches pulsing with the strong wind off the plains. Occasional gusts laid flat the grass and lifted the chaff to float with the currents of air. The wind was ever present, something she would have to get used to, for it blew without ceasing with nothing to stop it. It even sang its own song, ranging from a high whistle to a low moan, eerie and uniquely beautiful. She understood why he loved this land—it was breathtaking.

  Suzanna noticed darker forms dotting the distant landscape and turned to Jake in question.

  “Cattle, the Cantrell cash crop,” he answered, pride and satisfaction evident in his tone. Groups of animals—so many she could not count them all—lowed a welcome and wandered as they foraged.

  Under the bright, blue Wyoming sky, the colors and textures painted an idyllic image—a r
ustic landscape. Peaceful. Serene. Perfect. Suzanna sighed aloud at the sheer beauty of the sight. Directly below them, a smooth, wide road pointed them forward. A flat stone bridge crossed a gurgling creek and passed between two huge tree trunks marking the entrance to an assortment of buildings. It called to her; it said home.

  A large, white, two-story structure rose at the end of the road. A covered portico showcased by smooth columns reminded Suzanna of the grand houses of the South—before the war, before the Yankees destroyed everything. This was no crude ranch house but a warm and welcoming home. Built for a wife, a family. She caught her breath at the resplendent vision before her.

  “Jake, it’s incredible. I never expected to see such a house out here in the West. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was back in Alabama. I can’t believe how hard you must have worked.” Without thinking she grabbed his arm. Beneath her fingers, his hard muscle contracted, and her gaze flew to his.

  Silver eyes darkened, and he winked. “You expected a soddy? Or a cabin of pine and mud? Not for my wife. We started small, added on as our needs grew, and devoted a lot of energy to building this home—a family home. All it needed was a woman—you—to make it complete. You and the sound of small feet padding over its floors. I hope you like it.”

  So close she could felt the heat of his breath, Suzanna watched in fascination as his eyes focused on her mouth and darkened. The thudding of her heart beat so loudly she thought her husband surely could hear, while her mind chanted, soon. Her thirsty lips unconsciously parted as he hovered, then leaned in for a soft kiss. It wasn’t enough. She lifted her chin and pressed for more.

  Jake’s hand palmed the back of her neck, holding her where he wanted as his tongue hungrily explored the cavern of her mouth. Lost in the fever of his kiss, the presence of his foreman faded from consciousness. All she could think…all she could feel…was the touch of his hand as it trailed down her neck, and the taste of his tongue as it danced in her mouth. A hot, wet heat scorched her woman’s place, and she pressed her legs together, letting her gaze drop. Wanton. Shameful. She didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Jake.