Lottie: Bride of Delaware (American Mail-Order Bride 1)

by Kit Morgan

  One day, the two of them might even share their bath with a child or two. What she wouldn’t give for indoor plumbing when the time came for that!

  She decided it might be best to wash her hair. Who knew when she’d get another chance between here and Clear Creek? What if Sam had spent all his extra money on this one luxury? Of course, she might be able to get a bath in somewhere between here and there, but probably not with indoor plumbing. It wouldn’t be the same bliss as it was now.

  With a sigh of contentment she climbed from the tub, dried herself off and put on her nightclothes. She ran a comb through her hair, quickly braided it, re-entered the bedroom, then noticed a tear in the left sleeve of her nightdress. “Oh drat.”

  “What's the matter?” Sam asked.

  She showed him the tear. “I’m going to have to fix this. But I don’t have any needle and thread.”

  Sam gave her a conspiratorial wink. “I think I can fix it.”

  “You carry needle and thread?” she asked, curious. Heavens, did the man sew too?

  He fetched his traveling bag, set it on the bed and opened it. “I have something for you. A little present I’ve been waiting for the right moment to give you.”

  Lottie smiled with delight. “A gift, for me?”

  “Consider it a wedding present,” he said with a smile. He lifted a white nightdress from the bag, shook it out and held it up in front of her.

  “It’s … beautiful,” she whispered. Their eyes met, and she felt her heart speed up again. “I don’t know what to say.” She was surprised when a tear escaped down her left cheek. No one since her parents had given her such a fine gift.

  “I dare say, there’s no reason to cry. It’s only a nightdress. I thought you might need something useful.” He closed the distance between them and held the garment against her. “Besides, it won’t fit me,” he added.

  Lottie laughed. “No, I imagine it wouldn’t. You’d look quite silly.”

  “But you’ll look lovely,” he said as he studied it against her.

  She took the nightdress from him and admired the lace trim. “I’ve never owned anything like it.” She offered him an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything for you.”

  “You married me,” he said as he took her in his arms. “That’s gift enough.” He tucked his finger under her chin, tilted her face up and gently brushed a kiss across her lips.

  Lottie thought she might faint! Heat shot through her as he kissed her again. His tongue flicked against her lips, opening them to him, and he deepened the kiss. A groan escaped him, deep and throaty, and he quickly lifted his face from hers. “Well then,” he rasped. “I think I’d better head to the tub and let you try on your gift.”

  Lottie, still holding the nightdress, nodded in agreement. She couldn’t even talk! Is this what the term kissed senseless meant? Her mind felt like pudding. She couldn’t think straight, see straight … heck, she could barely breathe!

  Sam let Lottie go and, much to her shock, she whimpered. “There, there, now,” he consoled. “There’ll be plenty more of that soon enough.” He kissed her on the nose, then strode into the bathroom and shut the door.

  Lottie, her breathing ragged, could only stare after him. Nothing had prepared her for the onslaught of emotion her husband had just caused. She looked at the nightdress in her hand and, fast as lightning, doffed her old nightgown and put it on, leaped onto the bed and scrambled under the covers.

  When the door to the water closet finally opened, she gasped. Sam crossed the room to the bed with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, his wet hair tousled, his chest bared and well-muscled. Her eyes went wide, her mouth wider. She’d never seen a man without his clothes on before. He wasn’t completely naked, no, but what was a towel? All he had to do was move his hand and he’d be naked enough.

  Sam approached the bed, grinning ear to ear. “Well now, dear wife. Shall we pick up where we left off?”

  Lottie shut her mouth so quick that it made an odd popping noise. “I … ah … my heavens …”

  “Yes,” he said as his eyes darkened. He let go of the towel. “Heaven is exactly where I plan to take you.”

  And he did.

  * * *

  Lottie couldn’t stop admiring her new husband. Anything and everything she’d ever heard concerning what happens between a man and a woman, Sam quickly disposed of last night. He did things to her she never thought possible, and she was still trying to wrap her mind around some of them. She didn’t know such pleasure existed. He’d indeed taken her to Heaven – and not just once…

  “Happy?” he asked as he took his seat beside her on the train.

  She could only nod in response. She hoped she’d be able to talk at some point. Every time she looked at him she was rendered speechless, as assuredly as if he’d just kissed her.

  He sat and gave her a light peck on the cheek.

  “Control yourself!”

  He turned in his seat. The same woman as the day before sat behind them. “My dear lady, I hope you are well this morning?”

  The woman gawked at him a moment or two, then said, “I am perfectly fine.”

  “I’m so glad to hear it,” he told her. “For a moment I thought something might be wrong with your eyes.”

  “My eyes?”

  “Yes, your remark made me wonder if there was something wrong.”

  “Whatever are you talking about?” she snapped.

  Lottie watched as Sam struggled not to laugh. “Kissing my wife on the cheek is hardly a crime. But, if one’s eyesight is poor, I suppose it might look like I was about to ravish her.”

  The woman gasped. “Why, I never!”

  “At this point, I’m inclined to believe that,” he replied frankly.

  Lottie almost choked trying to suppress her laughter. She didn’t usually enjoy ribald humor, but if anyone deserved it, it was the old biddy behind her.

  “Oh! I’m not going to sit next to the likes of you and your lurid behavior!”

  “Then by all means,” he said with a sweep of his hand. “Do see yourself to a more appropriate place on the train. I’d hate to soil your delicate sensibilities.”

  The woman snorted in indignation, got up and made her way to the front of the car where there were still a few empty seats.

  It was all Lottie could do not to cackle like a loon. “Did you have to get rid of her that way?”

  “If I’m going to ravish you, we can’t have her watching now, can we?”

  Lottie’s face went crimson. She glanced here and there as several other passengers eyed them with interest. “You did enough of that last night, remember?” she said, her voice a whisper.

  He leaned toward her. “I could never have enough of you.”

  Lottie sucked in a breath. “Samuel Cooke! This is not the place to be talking about … such things.”

  “Why, Mrs. Cooke,” Sam drawled, “look at the pink in your cheeks. I wonder what’s putting it there …”

  “Stop it, will you?” she pleaded. “People are staring.”

  “I know,” he said with a smile and a wink.

  “Egads, what sort of man have I married?” She began to fan herself.

  Sam reached up and stayed her hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it. “One I hope you grow to love,” he said tenderly.

  Lottie licked her dry lips. Everything about the man made her want to kiss him until he passed out. “I hope you’ll grow to love me too.”

  He reached his other hand up and stroked her cheek with the back of the finger. “I doubt it will take me long. I hope you’re able to keep up.”

  Lottie smiled and put a hand over his. Their actions seemed improper, yet so right at the same time. They were husband and wife, and they wouldn’t be the first couple she’d seen display their affection in public. “I’ll try my best,” she said as she entwined her fingers in his.

  “I was hoping you’d say that. I wouldn’t want to see you fall behind.” He kissed
her on the cheek again as the train whistle blew. The day’s journey was about to begin. Lottie, however, was still reeling from the pleasure of the night before. What would this day’s end bring? She smiled with pleasure, knowing she’d have the entire train ride to ponder the possibilities.

  Eleven

  “Oh, Sam, it’s lovely!” Lottie said, a hand to her chest. The simple day dress, lilac with white lace trim, was gorgeous. It might as well have been a ball gown. “Where have you been hiding it? I’m almost afraid to wear it.”

  “Nonsense,” he told her. “Why don’t you put it on right now, then we’ll go to lunch? We only have today and tomorrow to take a look around. Then we must be on our way home.”

  Lottie took the dress from him and hurried behind a screen in the corner. Their train had pulled into Chicago the night before, and after a light dinner they only spent a few moments talking before going to bed. And they didn’t go to sleep right away.

  Sam watched as Lottie flung her old dress over the top of the screen. “I hope you haven’t any more surprises for me,” she called from behind her cover. “I feel guilty enough not having gotten you a wedding present.”

  “Tell you what,” he said with a wide smile. “I’ll pick out something and let you buy it for me.”

  “With what?” she asked. “I haven’t any money.”

  “My money is your money. We’re married, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, but …”

  “But what? Can’t my wife buy a gift for her husband?”

  “Well, yes … but it still remains that I don’t have any money of my own.”

  Sam’s smile faded. She was an independent sort, used to caring for herself and her sister. He couldn't fault her thinking, but also wanted her to know that he meant what he’d said. “What if I were to give you an allowance?”

  “An allowance?” Lottie said as she came around the screen and crossed to where he stood. “I’m afraid I’ll need help with the buttons.”

  Sam put a hand on each of her shoulders and kissed her on the nose. “Turn around,” he instructed. He swallowed as he took in the sight of her chemise. Too bad they were on a tight schedule today … “Husbands often give their wives money to do with as they please. Why not you?”

  “Maybe if I’d married a king or a prince, he might allow me a coin or two,” she teased.

  “Lottie, I’m serious.” She tried to turn around, probably to protest, but he stopped her. “Stay still, you silly woman, I’m not finished yet.”

  She stilled and faced forward again. “I think rather than giving me any sort of allowance, you should take that extra money and put it away. You never know when we might need it. What if the roof leaks and you need to buy shingles? Or some of the livestock dies – not to say that that would happen, but …”

  “Perish the thought, dear lady.”

  “Better the thought than the livestock,” she shot back with a giggle.

  “Behave yourself – at least until I finish with these buttons. And yes, your idea has merit. Just so you know, I do have some money put away, as you appear to be concerned about such things.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear it. I’ve saved money too.”

  “Have you now?”

  “Yes, but … I left it with Leora. I hope you don’t mind.”

  Sam finished with the last button. “Why should I mind, sweet? It is your money. You have the right to do with it what you want.”

  She turned to face him. “I’m a bit frugal, I suppose, but when you have five mouths to feed and house you tend to get that way.”

  “Somehow I think you were that way even before that. You can’t have made much money at the mill.” Lottie closed her eyes a moment, and Sam wondered if mentioning her former place of employment was such a good idea. He knew it to be a sore spot and that she became distracted whenever it was brought up. Their wedding day was a prime example.

  “No, we didn’t,” she agreed. “No one did.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Then you will be happy to note, dear wife, that you don’t need to worry about money anymore. I will take care of you.”

  “I can take in work if I need to.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” he said with a chuckle. He wasn’t ready to tell her yet about his family’s wealth, but this was starting to get ridiculous. “Besides, there’s enough work to do on the ranch. I won’t be able to spare you to do someone else’s.”

  Lottie gave him a tentative smile. “I hope I haven’t insulted you, Sam. I didn’t mean to imply that you couldn’t provide for me. I’m sure you’re a very hard-working man.”

  “Indeed I am, as is the rest of my family. We work long hours and we work hard.”

  “I’m used to that.”

  “I’m sure,” he said as he lowered his face and kissed her. He wanted to get off the subject of money, and this was as good a way as any. When he finally broke the kiss she was breathless, and it was all he could to get them out the door and on their way.

  Once outside Lottie took one look and gasped. “The buildings are so tall!”

  “You didn’t notice that last night when we arrived?”

  “It was too dark, if you’ll recall, and I wasn’t looking up. I thought the buildings were no bigger than the ones in Lawrence – six stories at most.”

  “You’ll find many of the buildings here much taller than that, my dear. Come along – I have something special to show you.”

  They took a horse-drawn railcar into the city center, and once again Sam found a hotel that wouldn’t give away his true status. He wondered if Ferris was still in his room or out seeing the city, then pushed the thought aside. Ferris was a big boy; he could take care of himself.

  Sam took Lottie to a small restaurant across from a city park. He enjoyed watching her gawk at the tall buildings and crowds of people. He was also glad she was wearing the dress he’d purchased for her. He could tell it made her feel pretty and more confident.

  After lunch, he escorted her to the park across from the restaurant and strolled down a winding path to a small pond. They took a seat on a nearby bench and watched a group of ducks waddle their way to the water.

  “Look at them,” Lottie exclaimed. “I wonder what kind they are.”

  Sam shrugged. “How many varieties of ducks do you suppose the good Lord made?”

  “I have no idea. That’s a good question. Perhaps we should try to find the answer.”

  “I have a friend whose mother has several books on the subject. I’m sure we can find an answer in one of them.”

  Lottie smiled. “What were you reading the other night?”

  Sam cleared his throat as he recalled the look on her face when she caught him with a book. “Oh, it was nothing.”

  “Was it a novel?”

  He cleared his throat again. “After a fashion.”

  She raised her eyebrows at him. “What do you mean by that? Either it was a novel or it wasn’t.”

  “It was … a collection of short stories.”

  “Oh,” she said, turning back to ducks. “I love novels.”

  “Then you’ll love the ranch. There are no end of books at the Triple-C.”

  “Really?” she said, eyes suddenly wide with interest.

  “Yes, you’ll see them when we get home. In the meantime, there are a few other things I’d like to show you.” He stood and held his arm out to her. “Shall we, Mrs. Cooke?”

  Lottie gave him a brilliant smile as she stood and took his arm. “Yes, Mr. Cooke, we shall.”

  * * *

  Lottie was in awe. Chicago was incredible, its sheer size overwhelming, its people even more so. Never had she seen so many in one place, and as that “place” was huge, it made for a lot of people indeed. Beth told her about Boston a few times, but Boston, as it was explained to her, was more like an endless series of small neighborhoods, many of the streets paved-over cow paths from a century before. Chicago was a single, modern city.

  She was surprised Sam k
new so much about it and its inhabitants. He told her about the great fire that had occurred back in 1871, and how most of the buildings they’d seen had been built after the disaster. He talked of the great Columbian Exhibition the city would host in a few years – wouldn't it be wonderful to return to see it?

  Her head swam with the thought. Of course it would be wonderful if they could, but how? She supposed that if she began saving money right away, they might have enough to make such a trip. That is, if they didn’t need the money for something else first. She sighed and tried to concentrate on putting one sore foot in front of the other. Never had she done so much walking in one day. What she wouldn’t give for a hotel room with a bathtub again.

  But alas, no such luxury tonight. What they did have, on the other hand, was each other.

  “Whatever are you thinking about?” Sam asked.

  Lottie jumped at the sound of his voice, a hand to her chest. “Good heavens, you startled me!”

  Sam laughed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. Are you ready to call it a day?”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but yes.”

  “Then we’d best hurry back to the hotel. Another train will be arriving soon and the dining room will fill up quickly. We want to be able to get a good table.”

  Lottie stifled a yawn. The mention of the hotel made her realize how tired she was. The thought of going straight to bed teased her. But she was hungry, and Sam was right – the dining room at the hotel would fill up quickly. “Let’s go then.”

  By the time they reached the hotel, another train had indeed arrived. “I hope we’re not too late,” she said as she watched people file up the front steps.

  “We’ll soon find out,” Sam told her as they entered. The lobby was filled with people milling about and just as many heading into the dining room. “Oh dear, do you think we’re too late?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Lottie replied. “I recognize some of them from last night. They probably had the same idea we did and are coming to dine early.” She tried not to groan. Her feet were killing her and she would give anything to be able to take off her shoes. Soon she’d have to ask Sam for money to purchase a new pair – she didn’t think her current ones would last more than a few weeks more.