Adored By The Rancher: Mail Order Brides Box Set

by Dreams, Brittany

Without thinking, she craned her neck up and kissed him. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, he was so handsome and all. And he was always touching her. Not pawing her like Father Rooney. Jack’s touch was most definitely sensual. So powerful and yet it was warm and tender. Not invasive.

  The kiss took them both by surprise. She liked the smile in his eyes and how that amusement turned to fire as he came in for a kiss of his own. He brushed her lips so softly. He parted them with a warm, wet tongue that was so tantalizing that she could not help but want more.

  His was a brief but arousing kiss. He was handsome and charismatic. Katherine was secretly excited to experience more.

  Chapter Two

  Jack and Katherine’s hands were threaded tightly as they walked hand-in-hand in Union Church. The preacher was waiting for them.

  “Katherine, this here’s my good friend Reverend Harley,” Jack introduced her boisterously.

  “Been friends since we were this high.”

  He indicated the height with his hand. Jack was so tall; Katherine thought it had to be a long time ago since he was that height. She shook the reverend’s hand daintily. The reverend took her fingers and without taking his eyes off of her, drew them to his lips.

  Being cloistered for so long, Katherine wasn’t sure if what he did was appropriate. She relied on Jack to make that call.

  “Okay now partner, that will do. You just stick to the marrying. Leave that business to me,” he said with a smile.

  “Let’s do this,” said the reverend.

  “You’ll have to pardon my friend,” said Jack to Katherine. “You would think that after so many weddins’ he would be a bit more romantic.”

  Katherine was warmed by the joviality of the friends. She and Jack said their vows and just like he said, they were done in a bit.

  “You may kiss the bride,” said the reverend.

  “Oh good,” murmured Jack and he took Katherine into his arms.

  She didn’t think she would mind an audience while he kissed her. At first she was caught up in the scent of him. His was such a masculine smell that filled her nose as his powerful arms enveloped her. His tongue twirling with hers, penetrating her mouth to taste all of it. He made her forget everything.

  Except that in the eerie quiet, she felt the eyes of the pastor on them. Particularly her. She peeked at him through her lowered lids and saw him gawking at her specifically. Katherine gently patted her new husband’s back. He let up.

  “Okay,” he relented.

  They walked into the church a man and a woman and walked out, a married couple. When they stepped out in the sunshine, Jack looked down at her.

  “Shall we go home, Mrs. Clearwater?”

  They were quiet as they strolled down Front Street, holding hands loosely but always connected. Every so often Jack would turn his handsome face, bending with a slight smile, to her.

  Katherine stopped cold. Off across the street, walking in a clergy clothing, Cossack and habit, was a priest and a nun. There would be no reason for them to be in Dodge since there was no church. They must be after her.

  “What is it, sweet?” he asked her.

  Katherine was mute. She could only shake her head.

  “No? Or nothing?” he ask.

  She shook her head again.

  “Use your words, Katherine. What has gotten into you?” he demanded.

  He was slightly irked she could tell. She looked up at him with big eyes.

  “Can’t be nothing if it’s got you like this? We better start communicatin.’”

  The charm of the moment was gone. He let go her hand once the wagon was in sight and mechanically lifted her up into it, her skirts swirling as he did. He sat beside her in the drive seat without a word.

  “Yah!” he said with a snap of the reins.

  His home was not too far from the town proper. Their home was pleasant. A very tidy place, with a crisp little but very adequate house and a newly built barn. The fencing around the immediate property and the pens also appeared to be new.

  “Nice,” she said with a smile shyly.

  He regarded her with a soft scold, still stewing about the moment back on Front Street. Katherine had no idea how it was the convent had found her but she had to make a plan. But for the moment, now that she was home, she felt safe.

  She walked with him as he put away the team even though he didn’t say two words to her. She felt like crying. Like she had done something wrong and he was now giving her the cold shoulder. She trailed behind him to the front door of the house, looking down at the ground as she walked.

  Without any warning, he swung her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold. He set her down and let her have a look around while he collected their things from the wagon. Food simmered on the stove as though someone else had been there but no one else was in sight. Katherine studied the pictures on the wall. There were one or two of people who bore a resemblance to Jack.

  “That’s my ma and pa,” he said, closing the door behind them.

  She turned to face him. He stood like a giant in the doorway.

  “Handsome people,” she said sultry.

  Her stomach growled and made an untimely noise. She clutched it, and flushed with embarrassment. He chuckled softly.

  “I reckon I ought to feed you,” he said. “Why don’t you have a seat? I see Hattie has us an early supper. Maybe we should give eating another try.”

  “Hattie?” Katherine inquired.

  “She’s a half-breed woman who helps with me keeping the house and such. I have her a little house out back. She’s been real good to my family and me. Nursed my ma when she took ill. So we kind of help each other,” Jack explained.

  Katherine went to the stove and put on an apron. She ladled out two plates of food while Jack sat at the table slowly.

  “So that’s my story,” he said. “What’s yours?”

  Katherine was quiet and avoidant. But there was no getting around his question. They had corresponded only twice before agreeing to be together. She sent him a picture of herself. He proposed right away.

  She sat at the table to answer him. He could tell by his expression that he was waiting for her.

  “I hail from Philadelphia,” she began timidly.

  He raised an eyebrow. “I know that,” he said

  “I am one of several children. I am next to the youngest,” she said.

  “Who whipped you?” he asked.

  Katherine’s lipped quivered. “I really would not like to speak of such things.”

  “I am going to ask you straight out. Are you married?” he demanded. “Have you got a man already?”

  “No,” she protested. “Good night, what do you take me for?”

  “What am I to think?” he asked her softly. “You have a fit walking on Front Street and you don’t give me an answer as to why?”

  It was a fair response. She could not tell her own husband, even though a brand new husband, that she was afraid she was being chased by people from back East. She did not want to go back there. Not ever.

  But if she told him what if he turned her over? He got annoyed with her by the silliest little things. Things she had no control over. Like having no appetite when she first arrived. She sure would have loved to have eaten the lovely dinner he bought for them. But the travel did not agree with them.

  In fact it was catching up with her again. She didn’t feel so good. She swayed as though she were going to faint.

  “Hold on now,” he said gently.

  He carried her back into their bedroom and set her atop the made bed.

  “You haven’t eaten anything I will be in forever, have you?” he said.

  It felt like he was scolding her again. She had grown up with that all her life. She couldn’t tolerate it if he was to be that way too.

  He fetched her dinner plate and brought it into her on a tray. He rested it on his lap and loaded up a forkful.

  “Open up,” he said.

  She did
as he asked and he fed her. Food was definitely what she needed. She sipped some water that he brought for her. My goodness was she thirsty. She paced herself but she cleaned her entire plate.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Yes, I am better. Thank you for taking such good care of me,” she said.

  “I made a vow,” he said. “I meant it. And think in light of your travel and our important day maybe you ought to get some rest and we postpone our wedding night until you are feeling stronger.”

  Katherine blushed. She knew exactly what he was talking about. One of the girls at the convent was there because she was experienced in such things and she told all the other girls all about it. In blistering detail.

  Jack kissed her on the head and took the tray away. He returned to help her undress and to get under covers.

  “I’m going out for a while. Hattie will be here. She lives out back in her own house. But you’ll be safe. Don’t wait up for me. Get some rest,” he said.

  Katherine was too exhausted to be heart broken. As her body sank into the feather mattress, she was asleep that fast.

  Chapter Three

  Katherine awoke when the weight of her new husband clumsily tumbled into the bed beside her. She could see out the window of their room that the day was about to break. He was in a pretty good mood which was fortunate for he had been drinking. Coming from where she came from, she had had her share of drinkers. A happy drunk she could handle.

  She crawled out of bed, amused rather than upset. Jack Clearwater was just too adorable. He had given up his wedding night after all so that she could get some rest. She rounded the end of the bed and tugged on his boots.

  “What are you doing?” he asked with a smile.

  “I am putting you to bed,” she replied softly. “You did it for me and I am doing the same for you.”

  “Is that so?” he asked rhetorically. “I gotta say you are a pretty woman. Your white blond hair and blue eyes. I thought I would melt when I saw you. I was so happy.”

  Katherine smiled as she worked on the second boot. She pulled and she pulled and off it came. She went flying. She landed right on her rump. It smarted badly.

  “Oh baby,” Jack regained a certain amount of sobriety to rush to her aid. She lived through worse but the event brought tears to her eyes.

  He scooped her up and brought her back to the bed. In a single swift move, he laid her on her stomach and had her bloomers down. He planted a soft kiss on her the curve of her buttocks.

  Katherine colored. She could feel it. The heat flooded her face intensely. Most of the heat caught in her throat for she was pretty sure she was going to choke.

  Jack was not as drunk as she thought he was. His drinking didn’t seem to impede his ability to make love to her. Though she had no experience in that department, save for the unwanted advances of a few priests and nuns, and the other inmates of the convent. But instinct, and the amazing feeling, told Katherine that her husband was a gifted lover.

  She had unwittingly ensnared herself in passion. Each time Jack’s lips brushed her vertebrae; tingles burst within her and rushed her whole body. Her nipples were hard and she was damp between her legs. These were things she probably should be mortified of but she could not find it possible to be so. Something within her desired to experience more and more. She wanted this.

  She arched up against his kisses, like a cat. Jack gently encouraged her over. His mouth found her nipples. He suckled her, tugging slightly and running his tongue on her flesh. The hot wetness of his mouth plus the tension went straight to her core. Her belly was warmed and aching.

  Jack nestled in between her legs. His torso rested on hers. He rose up and she could feel his erection pushing at her entrance. He took her mouth, ravishing it fiercely moaning into her as his hands found her between them.

  He stroked her soft wetness, pressing on her in places that made her need for him surge. She trembled as he stroked her. He put one finger inside of her. It was a strange feeling. He moved it in and out of her. Her breathing rose and she could not focus. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around his hips.

  He reached between them and put himself inside of her, just some.

  “Hold on,” he said into her ear.

  He wrapped his arms around the small of her back and thrust into her.

  “Ohh,” she cried out in pain.

  He paused and kissed her long and tenderly until she relaxed. Slowly he began to move. He took hold of her hips and thrust into slowly. Katherine liked the way it felt. She moved her hips against him mimicking his movement. He took hold of her thigh and pushed it back to push more deeply into her.

  It was such a wicked and delicious move. It was wrong and so right at the same time. He pushed up on his hands locking his elbows and moved inside of her. He drew his leg up on to his shoulder and braced her legs as he moved into her some more.

  Then he let her legs fall up like a v and he pressed between her legs. He made little circles till she thought she would burst. The more her body tensed, the quicker he moved. At last Jack was rocketing into her so quickly, working her center until she burst with pleasure.

  Katherine’s breath hitched as wave after wave of rapture rushed her whole body. Tight sugared spasms rolled through her cove to her abdomen. Sweet. Sweet. As his hardness moved in and out, her flesh gripped him. His eyes rolled back as he looked upward, a smile curling his lips. He groaned like a bear until the ecstasy passed through them. Jack crumpled onto the bed.

  Katherine was bewildered and amazed by the wondrous moment that they shared. Her entire life she was told these things were wrong and painful and yet they were joyous and pure rapture.

  Jack’s hand rested on her flat belly. It was a comforting as well as arousing sensation. The weight of his hand felt protective. She felt a part of him. Like they had really joined in marriage and were a part of each other.

  She thought he was slumbering but his hand moved down to gently stroke her between her legs. She was tendered but not where he was touching her. Her body was still alive with the passion that they shared – so sensitive and responsive. His touch caused her core to draw up and tighten. It sent shivers throughout her.

  He eased over her slowly. He kissed the base of her neck and the pleasure was almost too much to bear. She cried out with it. It drove through her belly and out of her throat.

  He parted her legs and rose above her. He swept her hair back away from her face and kissed her oh so tenderly. When he entered her again, there was some pain but that soon fell away. She was readied for him and she welcomed the feel of his hardness within her.

  Passionate ignited her. Her nipples were at attention and hard against the soft skin of his chest. Her breasts bobbled back and forth with his rhythm. He was steady and purposeful. Somewhere within her she knew this would be fast.

  His thrusts were rigorous and merciless. Each stroke fueling the sugared sensitivity of her channel. He was going to bring back to life that tempest that overtook her before. She knew it now.

  Katherine breathed in and called to it. She willed her body to welcome the rapture she knew before. She rocked her hips up against his and spurred it on. She could hardly think to move. She was almost paralyzed with the bliss that he gave her.

  “That’s a girl,” he murmured.

  And just like that she shattered with the powerful sweet spasms that had rolled through before. They were so much stronger the second time. So much more reactive to his hard length as it gently battered into her body. Both of their cries filled the house. In their ecstasy each of them continued to push forward, milking every little seizure for all the sweetness it could give.

  Finally both of them collapsed on the bed. Katherine was tender for sure. Her body was slick with sweat. He drew her to his incredibly warm body.

  “I have to sleep,” he whispered apologetically. “I will make it up to you. I promise.”

  She understood. She kissed him softly on his forehead and let him rest. She explored th
e little house some. She filled a basin with pump water and bathed herself. It was not a bathtub but it was not the horrid bathing situation at the convent where she had to be naked in front of others like hens in a coop. She dabbed her tender places and cleaned the sticky perspiration from her. She dressed and set about to do some chores.

  Chapter Four

  Katherine stoked the stove and set some water on it to boil. As she went outside to check out the barn and the critters she remembered Hattie. She thought she would introduce herself. Hattie was mucking stalls in the barn. She turned to Katherine with a vinegar face. Katherine knew that look. It was on the face of every nun in the convent. She did her best to be brave and civil.

  “Hello I am Katherine Clearwater,” she extended her hand to Hattie.

  Hattie was not much older than she was. The way Jack had described her she got the impression that she was much older.

  “I know who you are,” Hattie said reluctantly accepting Katherine’s hand.

  “What needs to be done?” Katherine said enthusiastically.

  “Well if I have to tell you how to run a house,” Hattie smirked.

  “Not at all,” said Katherine not rising to the bait. She used her best nun tone with her. “I am asking you to tell me what you’ve done so far so that I can take it from here.”

  Katherine’s sternness was effective. Hattie backed down.

  “Muck that side,” she said.

  The two women worked quietly and efficiently until the barn was fresh and tidy. They worked in tandem to put the morning meal on. Hattie collected eggs from the chickens. Katherine went to the stove and fried up bacon. She then cooked dough she flattened out in a frying pan. One of the other girls in the convent made bread this way and as simple as it was, it was delicious.

  Hattie liked it. They ate scrambled eggs and bacon and the bread cooked in the bacon drippings that Katherine then cut up into wedges. She loaded up another plate. Katherine eyeballed her. Maybe there was another person who lived with them after all?