by Maggie Ryan
He paused, and she could imagine him picturing what he had dreamed of for so long. "I won't ever lie to you, Anna. It won't be easy. The trip alone will be arduous—but together I have every faith we can do this. Even if I managed to build that ranch, it would be nothing without you by my side." As twilight began to darken the day, she listened to his words and discovered that, not only could she visualize all he was saying, but she wanted to take every step with him. As the first fireflies began to glow along the riverbank, she had her answer.
"I think I've loved you for a long time," she admitted softly. "I think I've been waiting for you to come home. I want to share in your dream." She turned to look directly into his eyes. "Yes, I'll marry you."
He didn't speak as he smiled, the look in his eyes causing a rush of heat to spread from her tummy to settle between her legs. She began to tremble even before his lips moved to hers. The kiss was unlike any other she'd ever experienced, opening her heart to the deep, intimate love shared by two people who had discovered the other half of their soul. She clung to his shirt, pressing herself as closely to him as she could. When he pulled away, she gave a soft mewl of distress.
"I guess it's a really good thing we need to get hitched quickly," Richard said, kissing her lightly. "I feel as if I've waited half my life to have you in my arms."
Anna didn't question his words; the feeling of his arms around her, his mouth on hers felt absolutely perfect. She'd grown up watching her parents and had known beyond a shadow of a doubt that they loved each other deeply; they were constantly reaching out to touch each other's arm or to give a gentle kiss. She looked up at him, then quickly looked away.
"What is it?" he asked.
Shaking her head, she had no answer for him.
"Anna, my darling, as I've already said, we don't have the luxury of time to court. We will be wed as soon as possible, as the wagon train will not wait. It's important that you know this—there will never be anything that you can't discuss with me, no matter how embarrassing you might believe it is." He bent to kiss her again, causing her to almost forget her question. When he drew back, he continued. "You will be my wife, and I shall know all of you and you me. And, little one, no matter how much you might not wish to answer a question, I will always expect an answer."
"This is so fast, and yet I feel it is right," she said softly. "But do you believe our marriage will be like that of my folks? I mean, they've been married forever, and still act like newlyweds at times."
He nodded. "Yes, I have no doubt of that. Every day, every year, our love will continue to grow as we grow together."
Worries about the future disappeared as his lips claimed hers again, the kiss igniting her very soul. This time, when he pulled away and lifted her off his lap to stand, her legs were trembling and though the air had grown cooler, she definitely didn't need her shawl. Her entire body felt as if it were on fire.
"Let's go tell your family that you have a wedding to plan."
* * * * *
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." Hearing the words that would change her life, Anna looked shyly up at her new husband. His smile had her heart skipping a beat and when he bent towards her, she closed her eyes, her entire body quivering as his lips met hers. Two weeks ago she'd been nothing more than a girl, and yet today she was married! Richard took her hand as they turned to face the congregation gathered in the small church as witnesses to their union. Everyone was smiling, and cheered as the young couple walked down the aisle to the door.
Anna's mother gave a soft sob as her husband led her out of the church onto the lawn.
"Quiet now," he instructed, "today is a happy day, there will be time enough tomorrow to be sad." John slid his arm around her waist as she took a deep breath and nodded.
Martha wiped her eyes yet again with her damp handkerchief. As they were congratulated by their friends and neighbors, the men joked that he must be relieved that his headstrong and feisty daughter was no longer his responsibility. The women, mothers themselves, understood that, mingled with the joy of having her daughter wed, Martha had to know that it might be months or even possibly years before she'd see Annabelle again. Their offerings of congratulations were tempered with gentle compassion, and assurances that Richard was a good man. They were quite positive that Martha's new son-in-law would keep her precious daughter safe as they moved west.
John gave his daughter a hug before shaking Richard's hand. Anna was beaming with joy, her eyes shining as she stood in the wedding dress that had first been worn by her Ma. Margaret's talents included more than just cooking, and she'd made alterations so the gown would fit her smaller sister. She'd also helped weave fresh flowers through Anna's waist-length hair; the red tresses shining like fire in the sunlight.
"You look beautiful," Margaret had said, as the sisters hugged each other before the ceremony. Though neither spoke of the following day, it was as if both made sure the hug shared would remain with them for a long time. Martha wiped her eyes and then gathered her first baby into her arms.
"Oh, Ma, I'm so happy! I'm a married lady now," Anna said, hugging her mother tightly.
Martha gave her a quick kiss, reaching up to stroke a hand down her cheek. "You're such a beautiful bride, and your Pa and I are so happy for you."
Anna couldn't stop smiling, even though she also knew that her parents—especially her mother—were trying to hide their sadness. Richard and she were moving west, farther west than anyone she knew had been before. While the women had been preparing for the wedding, Richard and his brothers, her Pa and her brothers had been working hard to make final preparations for the long trip ahead of the newly wedded couple. The wagon was almost loaded, the oxen in the barn waiting for the heavy yoke. Richard had told her the herd had already been moved by his hands, to mingle with the other cattle that were going to be driven alongside the train of settlers. She would meet the man he'd hired to be his foreman the next day. Excitement warred with worry in the pit of her stomach. Anna was anxious to explore what seemed to be endless possibilities for her and Richard's future, and yet she was leaving the only place she had ever known. Eighteen years had passed since her birth in the bed that dominated her parents' bedroom. Her childhood had been spent with a familiarity and routine that allowed her the freedom of doing pretty much whatever she wanted, never really considering the fact that life would change so dramatically with adulthood.
As she had grown older, she'd found it far too easy to ignore her Ma's warnings that no man would want to marry her if she didn't settle down and begin acting more like a lady and less like a ruffian. The words had never meant much to Anna, as she'd had no such concerns. There wasn't a single boy within miles of their ranch that had ever held any interest for her.
Looking over to where Richard was speaking with her Pa, she felt her face flush with the surge of desire she felt for her new husband. Richard had left boyhood behind a long time ago. She wondered if he could even remember being a boy, as he was a decade her senior. No, she hadn't been interested in the boys that were her childhood companions, but the moment that this man had joined her behind the tree and taken her hand, she had been unable to ignore the way her heart had stuttered and all thoughts of climbing trees or playing cowboys and Indians had fled her mind. Richard was not a boy; he was a man—one she had just pledged to love, honor and obey until the day she died.
Chapter Four
Richard beamed as the afternoon wore on. He watched his new bride laugh and smile as she was congratulated on her marriage by both her family and his. Most of the residents of Crooked Creek were in attendance. Mary Beth and Margaret had served as Anna's bridesmaids. He couldn't help but notice that Cassidy had made it a point to congratulate Anna, and had been very proud when his wife had graciously accepted the girl's blessings
On the afternoon when the Johnsons' wagon had pulled up at Anna's house, his fiancée had been far less mature. Cassidy and Jacob had made their apologies, owning up to everythin
g they had done. Richard had almost grinned when he saw Cassidy giving quick looks over her shoulder to her Pa, as if to make sure he both knew she was apologizing and that he didn't have the strap he'd promised she'd feel in his hand. Anna had stood, her hands on her hips, as she announced that if she had her way, the two would be slung into jail for trespassing and theft. When John made no move towards his daughter, Richard understood that, as her future husband, he was basically being tested to see what he would do. Accepting the challenge, he stood next to Anna and bent down, whispering that she should be the better person and accept the apology. Instead of following his suggestion, she had whipped her head around and glared at him.
"You were the one who said it was a malicious thing to do!" Her eyes flashed as she continued. "I could have been bitten by that snake and died! I hardly think a mere apology would have been accepted then!"
Richard, not giving a hoot that there were other people in the room, had laid the palm of his huge hand against her backside in warning. Anna simply stepped forward to remove herself from the unwanted contact.
"If you'll excuse us for a moment," Richard had said, taking Anna's arm and leading her into the parlor at the back of the house. The moment he closed the door, Anna began to protest—only to shriek when he put his foot onto a stool and easily draped her over his leg. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he said, as his flattened palm landed with a crack against her rear. Several additional swats followed, until Anna was struggling to swim off his thigh and yelling at him to stop.
"I'll stop when you stop being a brat," he informed her, as he continued to spank. "And, little girl, if you don't stop immediately, then your skirts will come up and your drawers will come down."
"You wouldn't!" she said, turning back to look at him.
"Care to wager?" Evidently something in either his tone or his eyes had her hesitating for only an instant before she shook her head. "I asked a question and expect a verbal answer, remember, Annabelle?"
"No, sir," she whispered. "I'm sorry."
He'd set her onto her feet and taken her into his arms. The spanking had been an easy one, not meant to truly discipline but to remind her that such behavior would not be condoned. He had kissed her and then led her back to the front of the house. He didn't make mention of what had occurred, instead he simply stood, his arm about her waist, as she apologized for not graciously accepting the apology.
Her laughter, as she was swung around and welcomed into the family by Roy, brought his mind back to the present and his grin widened. The next time the little minx was naughty, she'd not only learn that he kept his promises, but also that he wouldn't be placing a reminder over her clothing. He'd be placing that reminder on her bare arse.
They cut the cake together and as he playfully fed her a bite, he watched her pink tongue lick the icing off the fork. He felt a definite twinge in his groin, and found himself unable to look away from her pretty mouth.
She smiled up at him, apparently blushing at the intense way he was looking down at her. Richard was very big; taller than her petite frame by a foot. Her head barely reached his chest, both her hands easily able to be engulfed in one of his. He bent down and kissed her, tasting the cake he had fed her. Feeling her quiver, he wondered if she was thinking about their wedding night. Seeing the pretty flush on her face, he grinned as he held her, knowing that he would be the one to teach her what it meant to be a wife. He was anxious for the party to be over. Not only did he have finishing touches to prepare on their wagon before tomorrow's journey, he wanted everyone to disappear and leave him to begin Anna's lessons on the intimate part of being a married woman.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye. The crowd began to drift towards their own horses and wagons, well wishes flowing over the new couple as rice was thrown. Anna giggled as Richard helped her up onto the wagon's seat. The rest of her family climbed into the back. Though he would have preferred they spend their wedding night in his bedroom on Roy's ranch, he had granted her request that they spend the last night in Crooked Creek with her family. Richard took his seat and picked up the reins, clucking to the horses. The wagon lurched and he put one arm around his wife's waist to steady her. He felt a sense of intense pride in her. She was no longer a child riding in the back of the wagon; marriage had made her a woman; his woman and his wife. Giving her a squeeze, he smiled fondly as she looked up at him, a soft smile on her lips.
Everyone talked about the perfect day and the ride home was soon accomplished. Richard put the brake on and then helped his wife down, swinging her from the high seat and twirling her around. She wrapped her arms around his neck, oblivious to her family as they climbed out of the wagon. Richard set her on her feet and bent to kiss her, none too gently this time. Pressing his lips harder against her own delicate, soft ones, he felt her quiver again, her small hand reaching up to touch his cheek. They broke apart only when Paul started making gagging sounds, and Anna blushed as she stepped back, her shyness apparent as she looked away from his intense gaze. Richard motioned her towards the house as John helped him unhitch the horses. Paul and his brothers, David and Jacob, led the horses into the barn to brush them down. As the boys took care of the horses, John turned to Richard.
"Son, I'm very proud of you. I know you'll make a good husband for my Annabelle, and that you'll keep her safe on your journey. Martha and I wish you could stay close but I understand your need to go and stake your own claim."
Richard nodded. "Thank you, sir. I'll do my best by your daughter and promise to take good care of her. I'll take the lessons I've learned from you and put them to good use. I will build her a new home, and hopefully someday you and Martha can come out and stay for a long visit." While he knew it was unlikely that his new in-laws would actually be able to—at least for several years, as they still had children to raise—he did hope that one day in the future, they would come to see their daughter and any children the two might be blessed to have.
John smiled and nodded. "Just remember, son, you've married yourself a spitfire—don't let her run over you. That short spanking in the parlor the other day won't always keep my daughter in line. My hope is that you'll remember all the lessons I've given you."
Richard laughed loudly and shook his head. "Believe me, sir, that won't be a problem. You've shown me what's needed to keep Annabelle on track, and I promise I won't hesitate to continue her lessons should she need discipline."
John clapped his new son-in-law on the back. "That's good, your wife will definitely test you. Martha sure tested me until she learned I meant business. It's important you make sure she understands from the very beginning that you are the head of your household. Son, never forget to love her after you've had to redden her bottom. Annabelle will learn to understand your right to discipline her, but will accept it far more easily when she learns that your doing so does not make you love her less. You might be familiar with being the boss of the men out on the ranch, but being the head of your family is a great deal of responsibility and requires constant attention. Your men obey your instructions but they are paid to do so. A wife, well, she'll be far more willing to obey once she learns to respect and trust that you mean what you say—both before the discipline and after."
Richard grew serious. "I promise to keep that in mind. I love Anna, and would give my life for her." The older man turned away but not before Richard saw his eyes fill. Of all his children, John's feisty firstborn was most like him. Richard was grateful, because he knew that she'd need that spirit and the strength she'd inherited from her Pa. Richard also knew that John would miss his stubborn daughter every day.
John squared his shoulders, then headed towards the barn to check on his sons. Richard watched the older man walking away and promised himself that Anna would be safe and happy for the rest of her life. He would take his responsibility seriously, and perform his duties with love and respect for the woman who'd stolen his heart. He walked towards the house, anxious to see his bride.
* * * * *
An
na was in her bedroom. Her mother was with her, helping her out of the wedding dress before it was packed away. Martha had worn the dress as a bride almost twenty years previously, and Anna knew that one day, Margaret would wear it at her own wedding. As they closed the trunk, Martha turned to her eldest. Anna stood in her underclothes, her hair still bedecked with flowers.
"Here, I'll do your hair. Sit down." Anna sank to the floor beside the bed, between her mother's spread knees. She began to sigh as Martha removed each flower and handed them to Anna, who smelled and stroked each one as if preserving a memory. When Anna's hair was free of the blossoms, Martha picked up the heavy oak hairbrush and began stroking it through her daughter's hair. Anna felt herself relax as the brush soothed her. This was something she had always enjoyed, and something her Ma seemed to enjoy as well. Even though Anna knew the brush served two purposes, one for her hair and one to discipline her bottom, she had never truly feared the implement. While her Pa used switches or the razor strop, her mother preferred the heavy brush to tend to her children. Anna was grateful her backside was now safe, and closed her eyes as the brush was drawn through her thick hair.
After a few minutes, Martha stopped and spoke softly. "You're a wife now, Annabelle. You are Richard's wife and, well, he will expect certain things from you." Anna turned her head to look back over her shoulder. She saw her Ma look at the doorway, as if to reassure herself that they were alone. "Annabelle, you just do what your husband tells you. It might frighten you, but… well, just try to be a good girl, and you'll be fine."
