by Kit Morgan
* * *
Ryder broke the kiss, his body shaking, and pushed them apart. “Now it’s my turn to ask, what are ya doin’ to me?” he breathed.
Constance could only stare at him. “I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?”
He took a deep breath and swallowed. “No, darlin’… ya just … ya just … make me want to love ya all the more.” He gazed at her, his eyes roaming her face. “I’m startin’ to understand all that talk I’ve heard folks say about what it’s like to feel for a woman. I used to think it was a lot of hog wash.”
“Feel?”
He nodded and looked at the rafters above them. “I’m pretty sure they was talkin’ about fallin’ in love.” She laughed, and the sound tickled his senses. Tickled for heaven’s sake. How was that possible? “I … I ain’t never been in love before.”
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Neither have I …”
Her voice came to him a breathless whisper, and he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms again. “Constance …” he felt the weight of calling her by name, as if it could bring their hearts closer together. “Constance …” he whispered, his heart in his throat. A raw protectiveness erupted out of him, and he caught himself as he tightened his arms around her. She didn’t protest, nor did she try to pull away from the arms the encircled her like two bands of steel. Instead, she moaned. It was his undoing.
Ryder’s chest rose and fell, rose and fell, as he stared at her, his breaths coming in shallow rasps. He kissed her then, unable to help himself, and no longer taking his time with it. He was mad for her, and it struck him like a lightning bolt. He was on fire, but not with his body so much as his heart, and he couldn’t get enough of her. “Constance,” he breathed into her ear, his voice a husky whisper. He looked into her eyes again. “I don’t know what’s happenin’ to me.”
She smiled. “I think it’s the same thing that is happening to me.”
He nodded. His heart felt as if it were about to explode, his mind and soul with it. The sheer power of it scared him. He gently pushed her away from him, and stumbled back.
“Ryder, is everything all right?”
He shook his head. He felt as if he’d been drinking and could scarce stand. “What have ya done to me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He looked at her, and it was all he could do to keep from launching himself into her arms and consummating their marriage right then and there. But he wasn’t about to make love to his wife in a barn. Or was he?
She eyed him, and caught the seductive gleam in his eye. “Mr. Jones,” she stated. “What are you about?”
He smiled. “You, Mrs. Jones.”
Her eyes widened. Just before he lunged …
* * *
Several hours later, Mr. and Mrs. Jones stumbled out of the barn, their laughter ringing across the yard in such a way it even caught Harriet’s attention. The animal mooed in response from the distance, and began to plod her way toward them.
“Oh my! I do believe we’ve scared poor Harriet,” Constance giggled. She was giddy beyond anything she’d ever felt, and gazed at her husband in pure adoration. He’d made love to her, taking her to places she didn’t know existed, before he gently brought her back to reality, his strong arms around her. Then he did it again.
The power of it amazed her, and she had so many questions, but he was as inexperienced as she. So they’d puzzled together, marveling at how God had made such a beautiful thing for a husband and wife to share, and then thanked Him that he did.
“It’s way past lunchtime, Sugar. Harriet’s probably wonderin’ about her supper.”
Constance stared at him, her mouth half open. “Oh dear, is it that late?”
“Afraid so. Guess we’d better see to our own supper. I’ll help ya get it started then I need to tend to the horses. Othello’s probably ready to bust a gut knowing two mares are in the barn.
Constance glanced at the corral. Othello’s ears were pricked forward as he stared at the barn with interest. “I see. Yes, you’d best take care of that. Is there time?”
“Yep, if’n you get supper ready.”
“I’ll do my best.”
They went into the house and she watched as Ryder got out the frying pan, two plates and cups. “I’m thinkin’ eggs and bacon, that’s easy and quick.”
“And I can do those!” she said with a happy smile.
“You sure can. Eggs, bacon, some nice fresh … oh Dagnabbit!”
“What’s the matter?”
Ryder smacked his forehead with a hand. “I forgot about the milk! It’s still out in the barn. But that’s okay, at least it’s cooled. I’d best go fetch it.”
She laughed as he left, then turned to see to their supper. She started the bacon first, got that done, and set it aside on one of the plates to cool. By the time she was done with the eggs, (of which she broke every last yolk, bugger that) Ryder came back. He stared at what she’d done, laughed, and kissed her on the nose.
They ate and chatted. Ryder told her his plans for the ranch, and asked her what her perfect farmhouse looked like. She’d been embarrassed to tell him at first, but he wheedled it out of her, and almost choked at her detailed descriptions. “Wow,” he finally said, his eyes wide. “That’s a lot of lace in one house …”
She’d smiled at him then, her eyes bright. “Yes, but think of how pretty it will look!”
He chuckled. “Whatever you say, Sugar. Who am I to argue with the lady of the house?”
She’d melted across the table from him, looking at him again with so much adoration, he thought his heart would burst. He would do anything for her, his wonderful new bride, and couldn’t fathom not having her at his side.
So this was married life …
Eleven
Sometime after dinner, Ryder realized neither of them had seen Cutty. He disappeared that morning to go dig up Camas bulbs and had yet to return. But Cutty was a strange sort, and often took off to his home in the caverns without a word. Maybe he felt like he was imposing on the newlyweds and so hightailed it into the hills for a spell. Ryder would be forever grateful if he did. It might put him behind in the work that needed to be done around the ranch, but spending time with his bride was more important.
He sat at the kitchen table and watched as she did the dishes. She was beautiful, inquisitive, and smart about the things she did know, which told him she’d be smart about the things he’d like to teach her. Cooking, skinning, hunting, fishing … she’d be well rounded, no doubt about it.
Speaking of well rounded, he’d better see to the horses. He’d gotten things set up, but had yet to get Othello. “Well, I’m off to the barn. What say we take a walk later, Sugar?”
“A walk?”
“Yep, ain’t rainin, and it looks like it’s gonna be a clear night. Nothin’ like gazin’ at the stars on a clear night.”
She smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”
“It is.” He stood, grabbed his hat, and headed for the door. He could feel her eyes on him as he left, and felt his back grow warm. They had something special between them and he knew it. Of course he couldn’t describe it if he tried, but it was there. He’d heard of such a thing before, from Cyrus Van Cleet. Cyrus told him he and his wife Polly had a special connection, and that one always knew if the other was in trouble. They’d met one other couple that shared what they had, Duncan and Cozette Cooke. But the new duke and duchess of Stantham had already left Clear Creek when Cyrus told Ryder about ‘unbreakable connections’, and so he never got the chance to question Duncan Cooke about his own experiences with it.
“Unbreakable connections …” he said to himself as he walked to the barn. “I got myself one unbreakable connection.” He smiled, took a deep breath, and went to work.
A couple of hours later he put Othello back in the coral, and headed to the cabin to woo his wife. He couldn’t get her out of his mind when he was in the barn, and chuckled at the thought of getting he
r out under the moonlight. He never thought of himself as a romantic before, but found he liked it.
He entered the cabin and found Constance admiring the necklace and earrings he’d given her as a wedding gift. “Hey there, Sugar,” he said, his voice soft and gentle.
She looked up and smiled.
“Are ya ready for that walk?”
“Yes.”
He went to the bed and pulled off the quilt. “Then let’s go.”
“What are you doing with that?” she asked as she set the jewelry down.
He winked at her. “You’ll see.” Tucking the quilt under one arm, he took her hand and led her from the cabin. It was dark now, but there was a half moon, and its light was enough to see the trail that led out onto the prairie toward the tree line.
“It’s dark …” Constance said nervously.
“You don’t have to worry none, I’m here, and ain’t no critter gonna bother us.”
She glanced around and squeezed his hand. What was she afraid of? Didn’t she know he was perfectly capable of protecting her?
They continued on until he had them on top of a small rise. He shook out the quilt, spread it on the prairie grass, and grinned. “There, all ready. Are you?”
“Ready for what?”
“To look at the stars. Ya can’t look at em standin’ up.” He sat on the blanket and held a hand up to her. She took it, and he pulled her down alongside him, then with his arm around her, laid them both back upon the quilt. “There now, this is what I’m talkin’ about. Look, Sugar, see all them stars?”
She looked up and gasped. “Oh, Ryder, they’re beautiful!”
“Ain’t they though? They always look better when you’re lying down.” He turned his head and gazed at her in the dim moonlight, her features masked by the darkness. “Yeah, even more so when you’re lookin’ at them with someone special.”
She smiled, and turned to face him. “Yes, I can see that.”
He turned the rest of his body to her, and gave her a tender kiss. “You know what, Mrs. Jones?”
“What?”
“I don’t think I could ever watch the stars alone again. Not after tonight.”
She swallowed hard, and he wondered if she was about to cry. “Me too,” she said, her voice no more than a whisper.
He cupped her face and began to caress one cheek with his thumb. “I plan on workin’ real hard to get that house you’re dreamin’ of built. I expect August will be over before long, and I’m sure he’ll help.”
“You don’t have to push to get it done unless you want to. We talked about this.”
“I know, Sugar, but I want to, especially now. For all we know, next month you’re gonna find out you’re in a family way.”
He felt one of her hands move to her belly. “I realize that, and … it’s all right. We’ll make due with what we have if that happens. We can’t very well keep the good Lord above from giving us the gift of a child.”
He smiled. “Well put.” He turned, pulling her with him so she rested in the crook of his arm, and looked to the sky again. “I hope we have seven.”
“Seven! Good Heavens, what do you think I am?”
“I think you’re a fine woman, and I’m sure a great mother.”
“I dare say, your confidence in a woman who can’t so much as fry an egg without your help is encouraging. But I think we’d best wait to see what sort of mother I’ll be. We might want to stop at two, maybe three.”
“Look at you, talkin’ bout havin’ babies.”
“You brought it up!” she said as she smacked his chest.
“Yep, sure did. And while we’re on the subject …” he turned, wrapped his other arm around her, and kissed her soundly.
* * *
The next morning Constance awoke with a start. There was a commotion outside the cabin, and it took her a moment before she realized it was the sound of a dog barking and an approaching wagon. Ryder was nowhere to be seen, and must already have set about the morning chores.
Sure enough, she heard him call out to someone, and her guess was it had to be August Bennett, which meant … “Penelope!” she gasped and jumped from the cot. “Oh!” she breathed when she realized she hadn’t on one stitch of clothing. She quickly dressed as she recalled the wondrous events of the night before, and giggled with delight.
Before she could finish pinning up her hair, her sister burst into the cabin. “Constance!” Penelope hurried across the room and hugged her. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, and Eloise! One would think it’s been months!”
Penelope sighed in agreement. “We don’t do well separated, do we?”
“After spending all of our lives together, what else would you expect?”
“You’re quite right of course … oh dear …”
Constance let go of her sister as she perused the cabin. “I know it doesn’t look like much now …”
“Nonsense, you can button it up and make it … what ever your heart desires.”
“You don’t sound very sure of yourself. It’s all right to say it’s awful.”
Penelope’s shoulders slumped as her face twisted into a lopsided grin. “It is awful.”
Constance laughed. “See? That wasn’t so hard was it?”
Penelope hugged her sister again. “August tells me Ryder wants to build a new house.”
“How do you know?”
“Colin told him last evening. They had us for dinner. It was quit delightful, I wish you and Ryder could have been there.”
“We’ve been busy.”
“Do you like it?”
“What?”
“Being married of course. I adore it, myself.”
Constance blushed a deep red, and smiled.
“I can see that you do,” Penelope commented with a giggle.
“What are you doing here?” Constance blurted.
“August told Ryder we’d come to visit at your wedding. We didn’t want to come right away, every newlywed couple needs a little privacy.”
Constance nodded, but chose to say nothing of Cutty being there the first couple of days. At that news, Penelope would become the “big sister” and no doubt lecture her on proper etiquette for the newly married. “How is Eloise?” she asked instead.
“Pining after her Mr. Jones. Sadie is having him to dinner in a few days. You’re coming to the ladies sewing circle this week aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good, we can all be together again!”
Constance smiled, then realized how late it must be. “Good Heavens, what time is it?”
“About half past eight I should think.”
“I haven’t made breakfast yet! I over slept.”
“Ryder didn’t wake you?”
Constance blushed. “No, he must have let me sleep in.”
“I’ll help you make breakfast.”
“Would you? I only know how to make one thing.”
Penelope blanched. “You do? I’ve only mastered one thing too, and not very well I’m afraid.”
“If we both make what we know, then we’ll have two items for breakfast.” Constance suggested. “What is it you can make?”
“Bacon and eggs.”
“Oh dear.”
Penelope started at her. “Not you too?”
Constance nodded, and they both burst into laughter. “Well, as long as our husbands love bacon and eggs, then how could they complain?”
“Very true, dear sister. Besides, they count as two separate items, don’t they? Let’s get to work.”
By the time Ryder and August came into the cabin, the women had breakfast and coffee waiting. As Ryder had only two plates, he and Constance shared one, while their company shared the other. The women sat at the table as the men stood hovering over them and stealing bites of food here and there. They talked about the new house, Ryder’s horses, and buttoning up the roof of the cabin, among other things, and soon the meal was over.
The women cleaned up and did the dishes as August and Ryder continued to discuss the building of the house and chickens as they sauntered out of the cabin. “He’s quite handsome you know,” Penelope commented.
Constance blushed. “I know.”
“Which of us will have a child first, do you suppose?”
Constance stared at the stovetop and twisted the dish rag she was holding. “I have no idea.” She looked at Penelope. “Maybe we’ll have children at the same time.”
“Belle’s pregnant.”
Constance gasped in delight. “She is? How wonderful! Sadie thought she might be, and told me so yesterday when she and Harrison were here. But Belle wanted to make sure.”
“Yes, she saw Doc Drake and told Colin at dinner last night.”
“What did he do? Tell me everything!”
“I dare say, the man almost fainted!”
“No!”
“Yes! And not only that, Harrison …” Penelope started to giggle and couldn’t stop. She fanned herself, as if that was going to help. “He fell out of his chair!”
Constance gasped, the sound cut off by both her hands flying to her mouth.
Penelope nodded, her face red. “Yes, it was hilarious! I thought Jefferson was going to … what is the term … bust a gut?”
Constance laughed, and then snorted.
Penelope did much the same. “And … and when Colin stood up to come around the table to hug Belle, he tripped over Harrison!”
Constance roared with laughter, her air cut off by her snorting cackles. Penelope joined her, hiccupping, coughing, and trying to get her breath back. Ryder came running into the cabin, his brow furrowed in confusion. “What in Sam blazes is goin’ on in here? It sounds like somebody’s dyin’!”
Constance and Penelope took one look at him, and snorted in unison.
Ryder jerked back at the sounds, and then laughed himself. This of course, set the women off again. Now all three were in hysterics, with Ryder having no idea what he was laughing about. All he knew was the usual prim and proper English misses were beside themselves with their riotous giggles.
