Tom grabbed her valises from the back of the wagon and went up the stairs into the house. Rosie picked up her skirts and scrambled after him. When she entered the house, the stairway was right in front of her with a hallway to the right. She would have to explore those rooms later. Tom took the stairs two at a time and Rosie ran to catch up. At the top of the stairs he stopped and waited for her.
“Sorry. I forgot you were behind me. Down this hall are the bedrooms and the bathroom.”
Rosie stopped. “Did you say bathroom? With running water and everything?” She envisioned a hot bath. A long, hot soak.
“Yes. We’re the first in the valley to have indoor plumbing. It was something I did to make Sarah happy. At least I thought she was happy.” He stopped at a door on the right side at the end of the hall, opened it and stepped back, letting her look in. It was the bathroom. With a large, claw-footed tub, a toilet with tank hanging on the wall above the bowl and a small sink. She was in heaven.
“There’s a boiler outside. That’s one of your jobs, to make sure that boiler has coal. Coal runs hotter and lasts longer than wood, although we use wood when we run out of coal. I get a wagon load once a month and put it in the coal shed next to the boiler. You’ll have to stoke it every morning. We use wood in the fireplaces and coal in the cook stove.”
“Am I expected to chop the wood?” The more she learned about all the chores she was expected to do, the more she decided he wanted a slave, not a wife.
He looked her up and down, apparently finding her lacking, thank goodness, before he answered. “No, I’ll chop the wood for you. You’re going to be plenty busy as it is.”
“Speaking of which, I’m sure the children are hungry. I should start supper. Can you show me to the kitchen?”
“Right. The kitchen is directly below us and also has hot and cold running water. Couldn’t see the point of putting it in the bathroom and not the kitchen. Might as well do it all at once. Took nearly six months to install everything, but it was worth it to see Sarah’s face when it was done.”
Rosie walked beside him down the hall and then behind him down the stairs. “Tell me about your wife. What happened?”
Tom stopped abruptly and rounded on her. “She left me and then she died. That’s all you need to know.”
Rosie felt like she’d been slapped. Again. She’d never had anyone talk to her with such vehemence in his voice, but she stood her ground. “I…I only thought I might help the children if I knew more about their mother. Your whole point of bringing me out here for this farce of a marriage was to have someone to take care of them. So give me the tools I need to do that.”
Tom wiped his face with both hands, clearly as tired as she was. She was dead on her feet. The trip had taken it’s toll. Her feet were swollen and achy. Her eyes felt like they had sand in them and her back was stiff from the ride in the buckboard. All she wanted to do was take her damn corset off and get into a hot tub, but that would have to wait. Getting supper on was her first priority.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…,” he said.
She raised her hand and shook her head. “Now I know exactly where you stand. Just show me to the kitchen so I can get one of my chores for the evening done. I won’t forget why you brought me here.”
“Rosie, I….”
She shook her head. Her vision blurred by unshed tears. She was tired. It had been a long week, she needed rest and there wouldn’t be any of that coming anytime soon.
He took a deep breath, turned and continued to the kitchen, in the back of the house. They passed the parlor and the dining room on their way there. The kitchen was large and square. On the wall across the room from them were the sink and icebox with counters in between. There were more cupboards and counter space on the wall with the door to the covered porch. Along the third wall was the doorway where they stood and a huge buffet and hutch with what appeared to be fine china in it. The last wall had the stove and a door to what she assumed was the pantry. In the middle of the kitchen was a large table with benches on either side and a chair with arm rests at either end.
“I better get cooking. Did you say there would be fifteen for supper?”
“Yes. I’m sure the ranch hands will be starving after eating Orvie’s cooking for two days.”
“Then you’d best go and let me get started.” She didn’t wait for him to leave but went directly to the icebox to see what was available. She found three chickens ready to be cut up for the fryer. She figured Orvie must have prepared them not knowing when Tom would return. In the pantry she found potatoes, canned peas, and the makings for biscuits. She also found two tins of peaches that she could use for a cobbler.
Two and a half hours later, she had all the food on the table and went to find Tom. She found Ben first and asked him if he would tell his father supper was ready.
“You just need to bang the triangle. Come on, I’ll show you.” He walked out to the porch off the kitchen where she saw the large triangle hanging from the ceiling near the edge of the porch. There was a rod attached to it. Rosie took the rod and ran it around the inside. The noise was deafening but effective. Within five minutes all the men, including Tom, were either on the porch washing up with the soap, basin and towels she’d put out for that purpose or sitting at the table waiting for her to sit before loading up their plates. She was surprised and pleased at the restraint and courtesy they showed her.
“Men,” said Tom, “This is my wife, Rosie. You’ll extend her all the respect due her as my wife.”
“Nice to meet you, Rosie,” they all said at once. “I’m Joe, I’m Bill…” and on around the table it went until all eleven of the men had introduced themselves.
“I’m happy to meet you all. I’d love it if you would give me some ideas of what you like to eat, I’ll see about accommodating you. Just don’t give them to me all at once, I need to be able to write them down.”
They nodded in agreement.
Rosie noticed Tom stared at her while she talked with his men. She felt her color rise and was sure she’d done something wrong but couldn’t think what. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to ask the men what they liked to eat. But it would help her with menus if she knew what people wanted. She intended to get the same information from Tom and the children.
Tom drew her attention like a magnet. She couldn’t stop herself from glancing up at him every few minutes. The conversations going on around the table faded to the background. Tom sat at the end of the table directly across from her. Too far away to talk to.
She picked at her supper. All the men said it was delicious, so she was gratified. The things Tom said kept running through her mind, over and over again, like they were lines in a play she was supposed to memorize.
“I don’t need a woman. Been betrayed. Won’t do it again. Don’t want more children.”
That last one, the kicker. Rosie had to change his mind. She would never be happy in a marriage without children. Yes, she had two, but she wanted more. Glancing up she saw Tom was staring at her again. Something in his eyes gave her hope. The look told her he wasn’t as indifferent to her as he said he was.
“Me thinks he doth protest too much,” as the Bard would say, thought Rosie. She started planning her campaign to make her marriage real in all respects.
Later, when the men were filing out of the kitchen, their bellies full, she worked her way around the table and sat by Tom. “I brought some books and, with your permission, I’d like to let Ben start reading one tonight.”
Tom looked over at Ben, who was pleading with his eyes. Rosie watched father and son, and couldn’t help but smile. Both were so alike with their dark hair and blue eyes. Ben would to be a heartbreaker, if his father was any indication.
Finally, Tom answered, “I don’t see why he shouldn’t be able to start a new book tonight. Lord knows he’s read everything in this house at least twice.”
“With your permission,” she glanced up at Tom, “I’d like to send for my books. My brot
her can ship them to me. I have a good amount, as I’m an avid reader myself. I could put them in the parlor if you’d build some bookshelves.”
“Can she, Papa, please?”
“Sure. But I won’t be able to build you the bookcases anytime soon. We’re going to start branding soon. I’ll be too busy to build shelves. After that’s done, I’ll get the lumber. Oh, and I’ll have a few extra men coming on for the season. They’ll be here to help with the branding and then with taking the herd up to summer pasture.”
“Will you go with them?” asked Rosie innocently.
“Trying to get rid of me already?”
“No, of course not, I just….”
Tom laughed. She liked the rich baritone sound. He was teasing her. She liked that, too.
CHAPTER 5
After supper Rosie made Ben wash up before bed. She wanted him to take a bath but he balked and, considering their tentative truce, she agreed to just let him wash his face and hands and brush his teeth. Then she went upstairs and retrieved the book she’d promised him. He snatched it from her hands with a quick thank you, sat in front of the fire and started reading.
Rosie went back to the kitchen and did the dishes before getting Suzie for her bath. The little girl splashed and played getting Rosie almost as wet as she was.
Finally, both children were in bed. Now Rosie had to face time alone with Tom. Why did her heart race and her mouth become dry as dust? She’d spent time alone with Tom before. But that was before she saw the look of need in his eyes. Tonight she’d start her campaign to get him to change his mind about having a real marriage, one where he’d make love to her and she might have children.
He sat in one of the comfortable overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplace in the parlor. Rosie went over and sat in the chair beside his.
“You did fine on your first day. Supper was delicious, especially the peach cobbler with fresh cream,” said Tom, as he looked into the fire. He seemed lost as to what to say.
“Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think I’ll make tea, would you like some?”
“No, but I’ll take a cup of coffee if we have any.”
Rosie got up from her chair. “We do, and I believe it’s still warm.”
She came back with the drinks. “So, what are my chores tomorrow? Will you take me through them the first time? I already know I’ll need to milk the cows and gather eggs.”
“Yes, those are done first thing. Then you make breakfast. Afterwards there are dishes and tomorrow is laundry day. Sarah always did laundry on Saturday. The tubs are outside the kitchen and the buckets for filling them are on the porch.”
She sipped her tea, holding it with both hands so he wouldn’t see them shake.
“In the afternoon, if you get the laundry done, you can teach the children. Oh, and you’ll have to watch Suzie a bit. She still tries to get into things, as three-year-olds are want to do.”
“I’m sure she does.” She smiled and shook her head. “She’s quite the little pistol.”
He chuckled. “The secret is out. Suzie actually runs the place. Ben and I are at her mercy.”
“Well, that’s going to change. Suzie must learn boundaries. Both her own and ours. Is that going to be a problem? She’s not going to be happy about it, but she’s only three.” Rosie sipped her tea.
Tom sobered and looked over at Rosie. “If you can get her to behave, I’d be grateful. I haven’t had the heart to do much in the way of discipline and I know I’ve let Ben get away with more than I ought. He was so close to his mother and was devastated when she left. He’s the one who’s been watching over Suzie. You may have more of a problem with him than with her, when it comes to teaching her to behave.”
“Well, tomorrow is going to come early and it sounds like I have my work cut out for me. I think I’ll turn in.”
He nodded. “I’ll be up after I finish my coffee.”
“Fine. Goodnight.”
Rosie went up the stairs to the bedroom. She’d been so busy since they got home, she hadn’t even put her clothes away. Her valises were just where she had left them. She opened one and unpacked it. She opened drawers in the bureau hoping to find room for her things. She found that Tom had cleared out a couple of drawers and part of the wardrobe for her. She was touched that he would think of her needs. Maybe there was hope after all. She would use the small gesture to fortify her during his belligerent times. She was afraid they might be many.
Even as rude as he was, Rosie couldn’t imagine leaving him if he loved her. Obviously he’d loved his wife, or he wouldn’t be so upset after all this time, would he? She didn’t know. All she knew is she needed to get a move on if she wanted to have her unpacking done before he came up to the bedroom.
Both valises were emptied and slid under the bed for storage. Unbuttoning her blouse, she peeled the sleeves down her arms and took it off letting it hit the floor. Then she undid her skirt and it followed the blouse. It was a good thing tomorrow was laundry day, her blouse needed a good scrubbing, as did her skirt. She’d have to brush her jacket and get as much of the dust out of it as she could. As she unfastened her corset she heard the door open and turned to find Tom staring at her.
“Well come in and close the door,” she said as she continued to unlace her corset. She had on her chemise underneath, so it wasn’t like she was naked. Though from the look on Tom’s face she might as well have been. Rosie wasn’t experienced, but even she recognized the look as one of pure lust. Time to put her plan in motion. “I’m glad you’re here. I can’t seem to get this lace undone. Will you help me, please?”
He didn’t say anything but moved forward like he was made of wood. Her corset laced up the front so she could get in and out of it without a maid, but he wouldn’t know that. She turned to face him. She’d unlaced it from the bottom up especially for this occasion. Then she knotted the silk laces just below her breasts, so he would have to help her and brush up against her breasts to undo the laces.
Raising her arms, she began taking out the pins that held her hair in its bun on top of her head. It also had the side effect of raising her breasts and thrusting them forward. Quite nicely, she thought.
She watched his hands shake and he took a deep breath before he took a hold of her corset laces and undid the knot. Proof positive he wasn’t immune to her.
Her breasts spilled into his hands as he opened the top lace and the corset fell to the floor. When their skin touches, she cannot help herself and has a sharp intake of breath. At that his eyes opened and their gazes met. Something passed between them, his hands turned and caressed her plump breasts. His thumbs teased her nipples through the fine fabric of her chemise, until they were hard little points.
Rosie let her unpinned hair tumble free and grasped Tom’s shoulders for support. Then she moaned with pleasure as his thumbs worked their magic. Her moan broke the spell. Tom’s eyes opened and their gazes met again, both full of need. He pulled his hands away from her.
“You tempt me, woman, more than I thought possible, but I won’t change my mind.”
He turned his back on her and left the room.
“Well, that went well,” she said to herself. She shook out her hair and began to brush it. “I won’t give up on you, Tom. I won’t. You’re my husband and I will have a real marriage,” she vowed aloud to his fading footsteps, not caring if he heard. Now that he’d left, her breathing began to return to normal. She fanned herself. Lord, it was hot in here.
*****
Tom poured three fingers of whisky in a glass and drank it down. Then he poured three more. What the hell had come over him? Didn’t he remember what Sarah did to him? Women weren’t to be trusted. A little voice inside him spoke up. But Rosie’s different. Rosie is nothing like Sarah.
The voice was right. Sarah was never happy living on the ranch. She didn’t like the work, didn’t like the house and, apparently, didn’t like him or the kids either. But Rosie…Rosie was different. She had her own money and stil
l came. She didn’t have to tell him about the money, but she did. Even after learning about all the chores he had for her, she stayed. Rosie liked his kids, was already thinking about them and their needs for the future before she’d even met them.
Ben already liked her. She brought him books. Loved the fact that he cherished reading. Sarah never could relate to that. She wasn’t a reader and couldn’t understand her husband and son’s interest in it.
No, Rosie was light to Sarah’s dark, but did that mean he could trust her? It was too soon. He’d only known her for two days. No, that wasn’t exactly true. He knew her through her letters.
They’d exchanged several letters before he’d finally asked her to marry him. There were other responses to his advertisement but none stood out like Rosie’s. Her letters always gave him a smile whether she was relating some atrocious thing her new sister-in-law had done or telling him about the neighbor’s new puppy.
Then she’d sent a photograph. He’d actually fallen a bit more under her spell with the picture. He saw her full lips and clear eyes. He saw her light hair but hadn’t expected it to be as lovely as it was.
Even covered in dirt and grime from the trip, she’d been stunning. And then at Mary’s, when she’d finally been able to wash her face, he’d been awestruck by her simple beauty. Her pale skin, unblemished, her dark brown eyes, pools of brandy on a perfect canvas. And her lips. Full, red, ideal for kisses. His kisses.
All of it made him more determined than ever to keep her at a distance. She didn’t care for that idea. Her ingenuity at finding ways to have him touch her made him smile and also sent him flying down here for a whiskey or two.
He had to keep her at arms’ length, but how was he supposed to do that when he slept with her every night? How was he going to keep his traitorous subconscious from making love to her? That was the real question. He was afraid he’d wake to find her under him moaning in pleasure, much as she’d done tonight.
Tame a Wild Bride, a Western Romance Page 4
