Her answer thrilled him to his bones. He managed to lean down enough to kiss her, feeling Little John’s hands patting his back enthusiastically, while the others exploded in cheers and clapping. With difficulty, he made himself stop kissing her and look up at Stephen. “The three of us will be going along with you too, but first Catherine and I will see that circuit preacher when she’s well enough, so we can be a real family.”
He bent his lips to hers again. Pulling away was even more difficult this time.
He turned to his new son. “And Little John, I want you to be my best man.”
“A fine choice,” Stephen said, “on both counts.”
“What’s a best man?’ Little John asked.
“A best man is a lot of things,” he said, “it’s someone you are very close to, someone you respect and admire, someone you can trust, but most of all, he is a man who will always stand at your side, no matter the challenges you both face.”
“I can do that,” Little John said, grinning.
“I know, that’s why I asked you,” Sam said, deliberately keeping his face serious.
“Congratulations to ye both,” Bear said vigorously shaking Sam’s hand. “And as soon as Catherine’s healed up some, I’ll be giving her a congratulatory kiss too.” Bear winked at Catherine.
“As long as it’s only a brotherly peck on the cheek,” Sam threatened, with a half-smile.
“When you’re both healed up, I’ll play my fiddle and we can have a real dance,” William said. Laughing, he tugged Kelly into his arms and danced playfully with her as he hummed loudly to the music in his head. Bear picked up Martha and Polly, one in each arm, and did the same. Then Jane grabbed Little John and whirled him around while he giggled the entire time.
When they all finally stopped, Kelly, Jane, and the girls knelt down and surrounded Catherine.
With delight, he watched the women and girls, also appearing lighthearted and jaunty, talking excitedly. A wedding had to be about the most exciting occasion the women and girls could imagine, and after a day like yesterday, it was nice for all of them to think about a joyful event.
He felt a grin spread across his face, his mood unexpectedly buoyant, his soul fully alive. But what made him smile the most was his own happy heart. He was in love! And he was going to be married. He had trouble believing it.
“Well now, Catherine, from now on we’ll both be watching Sam’s back,” Bear said. “And the lad’s too.”
Catherine turned to face Bear and Sam again. “Agreed,” she said, her face radiant with joy. “We’ll all take good care of Little John.” She squeezed the boy’s hand affectionately.
“May I call you mother?” Little John asked sweetly.
Catherine laughed merrily. “Of course you can. May I call you John? I think a boy who is going to be a best man is too big to be called ‘Little’ anymore.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Catherine’s face lit up like a perfect sunny day.
Surprising himself, Sam actually wanted to dance too, and he would have if his leg wasn’t injured. It had been far too long since he had known this kind of unbridled joy. Actually, he had never known this much happiness.
He was happy for Catherine too. When she smiled at him, he saw love flowing from her eyes. It made them look like priceless sparkling sapphires. What a treasure she was.
And how rich their future together would be. Catherine had made the long journey from Boston to the Kentucky wilderness and found his heart at the end of it and a son she could love—her own destiny—a new life in a new world.
CHAPTER 34
Sam never minded being alone. He even relished solitude. Until now. Now, he could barely stand to part from Catherine for even a few minutes, and all he wanted to do was relish every inch of her. At the moment, his whole being seemed consumed with an overwhelming need to be close to her. He was tired of waiting for this moment to arrive.
They had both spent a couple weeks healing before their wedding day. Catherine had kept her arm in a sling for a week and then gradually started using it again. She recovered quickly and now had only a slight soreness and some stiffness in the shoulder muscle. She spent most of her recuperation time designing her own wedding dress and the gowns for the other women and girls to wear to the ceremony. Then she spent another week and half with the town seamstress having the woman and her helpers execute her designs. The millenary recently received a shipment of fine fabrics and Catherine seemed pleased with their selection, especially considering their remote location.
Catherine also insisted on having the tailor prepare a new set of buckskins for Sam, and a matching set for Little John, with room to grow. Relieved that she didn’t expect him to wear traditional clothing, Sam had gladly complied, although someday soon he would buy another white linen shirt just to see that look on her face again when he’d worn one the first time.
He had whooped with delight when he helped Little John—no John, he reminded himself—into the boy’s new buckskins and attached his little knife to the belt. John looked like a miniature version of himself.
It wouldn’t be long now. He hadn’t seen her since the noon meal, after which the women and girls had made some pastries and then left to bathe in the river. After the giggling bunch returned, all but Jane disappeared into Catherine’s wagon. Before she joined the rest of the women, Jane sent all the men and Little John to the river to bathe with some of her strong lye soap. She told them to dress on the other side of camp and to stay away, or she would be sure their next meal was scorched black as tar. No one doubted she would do it and that it would taste like tar as well.
Sam had heard that some women thought it unlucky for the groom to see his bride before the wedding. He guessed Jane wasn’t taking any chances.
At last, much to Sam’s relief, the circuit preacher arrived and it was time for the wedding. As he shook the reverend’s hand, there was a distinct tingling in the pit of his stomach and he felt ripples of excitement race through him. Several of the townspeople joined them for the happy event, including Judge Webb, Lucky McGintey, Doc McDowell, Tom Wolf, and the owner of the Bear Trap Tavern, Charles O’Hara, already a close friend of William’s.
Along with the other men, all gussied up, he waited with the preacher in a shady spot by the river, his heart as thunderous as a summer storm.
The women finally appeared. First Polly, then Martha, followed by Kelly and Jane. They all looked lovely, but he strained to see past them to catch a glimpse of his bride. When he did, he thought he might be the luckiest man in the world. No, the most blessed man in the world. No, both.
She glowed with a nearly surreal beauty. Like a princess from some romantic tale, she was both noble and exquisitely beautiful. Her ivory satin gown shimmered in the early afternoon sun and her shiny black hair was pinned on top of her head, with ringlets draping down her long neck. Sam chuckled to himself as he noticed that, as usual, she wore the dagger. They really were a matched pair. Soon, they would be a wedded pair. He couldn’t wait.
Undoubtedly, she was the most beautiful bride ever seen in Boonesborough, or Kentucky for that matter. For as long as he lived, he would never forget how she looked now as she walked slowly toward him.
When she was close enough, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. She smelled like a meadow of wildflowers. Her eyes held a glint of wonder. When he mouthed, “I love you,” they misted and filled with glimmering stars.
The ceremony seemed to take no time at all, but the celebration lasted well into the afternoon and early evening. William played all their favorite tunes on his fiddle, including Sam’s favorite, ‘Soldier’s Joy,’ and Catherine’s pick, ‘Fisher’s Hornpipe.’ Sam’s recovering leg permitted dancing only to the slow songs, but with the help of his brothers, Catherine danced to nearly every song.
Finally, she said she’d danced enough. “My feet are going to fall off,” she said, laughing, “and I might never be able to breathe right again.”
Ho
lding up a goblet of fine wine, from one of the bottles their brother Edward had given them when they left New Hampshire, Bear offered a toast in his booming voice. “May you each be able to provide what the other needs—comfort in times of sorrow, a glad heart on occasions of happiness, a clear vision through darkness, and strength in moments of weakness. Be a mighty sword and unbreakable shield against the other’s enemies. But let grace and peace fill your home always. May you each be a warm sun, full moon and shining star for the other. And, after your love of the Almighty, may your shared love be the foremost part of all your days.”
Sam thought it was the most inspiring toast he had ever heard and a fitting moment to say their goodbyes.
Before the wedding, he had packed a small bag. He quickly retrieved it and the considerably larger bag Catherine had packed. With dusk approaching, he started saddling their horses. He couldn’t wait to get her to himself. They could ride at least a couple of hours before they would find a place to spend the night. The thought made him work at an even faster pace.
“Off so soon?” Stephen asked, walking up behind him.
“What would you do in my boots?”
“I’d already be gone,” Stephen replied.
Sam chuckled. “All right then, finish saddling Catherine’s horse while I get this pack horse loaded with our supplies.”
It wasn’t long before they headed, side by side, toward a crimson sunset.
“Sam, wasn’t that the most wonderful wedding?” Catherine grinned as she stepped out of the saddle. In fact, her jaw was beginning to hurt from either laughing or smiling all day. She glanced around. Sam had selected a lovely spot near a brisk creek for the evening’s campsite. Their first night together. Imagining what would happen later, her pulse leapt with anticipation.
“I admit our nuptials greatly exceeded my expectations. I actually found the entire affair quite enjoyable, especially every time I gawked at you in that stunning gown. Which, I admit was nearly every second. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You looked positively ravishing. I was completely entranced.” He tossed their bags down and reached for her hands.
“And there was never a more handsome groom than you. I was completely charmed.”
Sam laughed out loud. “Married only a few hours and you’re already lying to me?”
“It wasn’t a lie. You were charming.” She couldn’t believe this good-looking, virile man was her husband. “And you are now, my Sam.”
“For that flattery, I will be forced to kiss you. Keep it up and your punishment will grow even more severe.”
He grabbed her around the waist and kissed her until her head spun and her knees went weak. When she finally pulled away to catch a much needed breath, her lips throbbed, branded with the imprint of his passion.
“Your punishment is too lenient,” she said smiling, “I fear I deserve further chastisement.”
He pressed his lips to hers again, this time caressing her mouth more than merely kissing it. She felt her heart swell another notch. As a flower blooms in the warmth of the sun, she felt their love grow with each of his kisses.
While Sam took care of the horses and then gathered firewood, Catherine set up camp. The moon was a few days away from being full and it gave her plenty of light to work by. She had, with Jane’s help, changed out of her wedding gown and delicate slippers before they left. Now she wore her leather boots and a dark green riding habit more suitable for traveling horseback. Nevertheless, she thought her getup stylish and flattering, and she still wore her new delicate lacy undergarments underneath. She hoped Sam would like them—and enjoy taking them off her later.
As she worked, she stole secretive glances at her new husband. She could see that, as ever, he was alert to his surroundings. He carried his shoulders with latent energy, ever ready to be a warrior. Just his presence made her feel safe, protected, even here miles from anywhere. He moved with such strength and self-assurance. His well-muscled arms removed the heavy saddles and supplies from the horse’s backs as if they weighed nothing. As he wiped down the three steeds and gave them water and grain, she perceived a gentleness and a quiet calmness. He will make a kindhearted father to Little John. Yet she believed he would also set high expectations. She blinked back tears and swallowed hard, trying not to let her emotions gain the upper hand. How she wished she could give him a child. But she managed a half smile as thoughts of Little John, now just John, entered her head. He had called her Mother. She couldn’t wait to show the boy a mother’s love.
Sam sat an armload of firewood and kindling down, dusted his hands and arms off, and reached for her. She inhaled his scent deeply, letting it reach all the way to her heart. He smelled of wood, spice, and the leather of his new buckskins.
She reached up and grabbed his arms in her hands as he kissed her again. The feel of his strong muscles beneath her fingertips sent tingles to her toes and back again. This would be an evening she would remember forever. Her prolonged anticipation of this night during the weeks before their wedding was almost unbearable. And tonight, her heart teemed with excitement.
When Sam finally pulled away, he said, “I better stop before I get carried away. I need to get this fire made. It will keep wild animals away and let me see every charming inch of you this evening.” He bent down to start his task.
Catherine could feel the hot blush on her cheeks, and was glad he probably couldn’t see it in the moonlight. Even though she’d been married before, and wasn’t some frightened virgin, the thought of Sam seeing her unclothed caused her entire body to flush with heat.
“Do you want some coffee and warm corncakes?” she managed to ask.
“Coffee would be nice. But you’re the only cake I want.”
“But Sam, you need to keep your strength up. You might need it later.”
“Later? Now, why would I need it later?” he teased.
Later, he did need his strength and she did too.
It had started slowly, a gentle kiss, a soft caress down her back. But within seconds, Sam’s desire flamed to a roaring firestorm of passion. They had both waited too long for this. Their need for each other had been delayed, put off, held back, pent-up, until, once released, there was no slowing it.
He quickly discarded his clothing while she slid her riding jacket off her shoulders and stepped out of her long skirt. When she glanced up, her lashes flew open and she felt her mouth drop. She stood there, amazed, trying to breathe.
Unclothed, he appeared even more powerful. She ached to touch him to see if the muscles defining his broad shoulders were as hard as they looked. Dark hair sprinkled across his massive chest and down the center of his rippled abdomen.
Her eyes, more daring than perhaps they should be, could not resist roaming over the rest of him. The irresistible and impressive sight made her heart tremble and her head spin.
Deliberately taking her time when she reached her stays, stockings, and lacy undergarments, his bold stare assessed her unhurriedly and seductively.
After his head-to-toe caressing gaze, he eased her down on the blankets she’d brought, the light from the fire illuminating their already hot skin.
Sam stared at her with a greedy possessiveness. His eyes grew darker, revealing the urgency of his need. He shifted his body above hers and she heard herself moan with pleasure at just the feel of his marvelous body against hers. His shoulder muscles were as hard as they looked.
She buried her hands in his hair and wrapped one leg around him, drawing him even closer while his hand lightly explored her waist and hip. The gentleness of his touch made her feel protected and valued, as though she had just entered a haven of love. She wanted to weep with joy.
He slid his hand beneath her and gripped her bottom. Her desire surged at the intimacy of his touch. Her head lolled back as his warm lips trailed a path of kisses down her throat, across the top of her shoulder, and descended her chest to her burning breasts. If she weren’t already laying down, she would have swooned with sheer amazement. Her ey
es bulged and she gasped, at the wondrous sensations Sam made her feel for the first time in her life.
He nuzzled her neck as she held him as tightly as she could. He was all muscle, head to toe, and his sheer masculinity made her heart beat even faster. Every place she touched made her ache for him, for the love she waited her entire life for.
Even more astounding, he was her husband. “Husband,” she breathed, her heart full.
“Wife,” he whispered the word reverently.
Then he recaptured her lips and her world changed forever.
It was heavenly ecstasy.
Only God could design love this powerful, this exquisite, this meaningful. In his arms, she felt valued and cherished by his soul. She had never known such happiness. Such love. Such tenderness. It was exactly what her life had been missing.
He was her champion, her knight in buckskins, and he saved her from a loveless life. Yet, as powerful as he was, he never tried to control or dominate her, but rather supported her strengths with his own.
And, at last, love shattered the hard wall that he had built so carefully around his heart. Now they could share their destinies in a future together. She could tell that he had stored up a lifetime of love for her. And she sensed the strength of that soul-reaching love in every kiss, every tender caress, and every urgent breath she had to take as explosive bolts surged through her.
As their passion raged, the bolts became lightning, flashing through every vein, and she surrendered completely to the thunderous joy.
She wanted to match his ardor with her own, to take him to a place he had never been. A place where no pain existed. No doubts and no fears.
Only pleasure. And love.
She ran her fingers slowly across his chest. The golden glitter of sweat made his muscles and dark hair shine in the fire light. Her fingers prickled with the heat radiating from his skin. She savored the feel of him, as her hands and lips continued their hungry exploration of his magnificent body. Then her lips traced a sensuous path to pleasure. The intensity of his response to her seduction stunned her.
New Frontier of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 2) Page 26
