After Grace left her alone, Sarah began to get ready for bed. She undressed and using the wash basin of hot water so thoughtfully provided by Grace, she cleansed herself using some of the good soap she had brought with her at the suggestion of her sister, Martha. She wished she could have a real bath though. Donning her nightgown, she got into bed and fell asleep immediately and slept soundly through the night.
* * *
Sarah awoke and looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Today was her wedding day. She couldn’t help but wonder what it was going to be like, being married. She had never even thought of her sisters and their husbands. She had no personal knowledge of the intimacies of marriage. To be sure, she had heard the sounds of lovemaking between her parents, but gave no thought about what it involved. She was a virgin and didn’t really know what to expect. Just thinking of it made her blush. “Tonight I will find out for myself,” she thought. She blushed again at the picture of herself, unclothed, embracing a man equally unclothed. The thought of it caused her to giggle. She dressed and went to the kitchen where Grace was making breakfast.
“What can I do to help?” she asked. “I’m very comfortable in a kitchen.”
Grace answered, “You just sit down. Would you like some hot coffee? I’ve got everything under control here. Jed and John are at the church, lighting a fire and making sure everything is okay. They’ll be back here in a few minutes. Did you sleep well?”
“I surely did. After the train ride, I don’t think I turned over. After a week of hearing the train wheels, the silence was more than welcome. Thank you for the words last night. I needed to hear them. I am ready to be married. I’m going to suggest to Jedadiah that we go on to the ranch today. I see no point in a getting acquainted period. I have made up my mind and I am at peace with the decision.”
“Good for you, girl. I think you are right in your thinking. I believe I hear the men coming, just in time. Breakfast is ready,” Grace said.
After the vows were read and the pronouncement of the marriage, John said, “You may kiss your bride.” Awkwardly, Jed took Sarah in his arms and kissed her softly on the lips. As kisses go, it was a chaste kiss, but Jed, who hadn’t kissed many girls thought, “Her lips are sure warm and so soft.”
Sarah, likewise kissed only a few times, thought, “His arms feel so strong. They make me feel safe and secure. I am married. I never thought it would happen but it did.”
The congregation provided a lunch. After eating, the newly married couple loaded their personal items and some necessities Jed had purchased from the general store into their wagon,and along with Luke and Clara and left the church and Laramie behind and traveled on the road heading southwest from Laramie towards the J-Bar-B. At the stops to rest the horses along the way, Sarah and Clara who had met for the first time that morning became friends.
As they topped a hill, Jed turned to Sarah and said, “Just over the next hill will be the trail we turn on to go to our ranch. Luke and Clara will go on to their ranch, about three miles further on this road.”
Jed said, “We’re now on our land. The cabin will be just ahead on your right.” At the turn off, they said their thanks and farewells to the Hastings, Sarah felt the excitement build,
She looked around. “It’s beautiful here, Jedadiah. I think it’s the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. Jed beamed. She liked it! He pulled the wagon between the house and barn and began unloading it. Sarah came around to help. She took her things through the door and into the kitchen. Then she went back to help with the rest of the provisions. Her arm brushed against Jed’s arm as she reached into the wagon. She felt a tingle as they touched. “Did I imagine that?” she wondered.
They finished the task and were standing in the kitchen. “Jedadah, you did all this?” she asked.
“Well, all except the walls and the roof. It took the better part of two years, what with all of the gardening and working with the cattle,” he said.
“Well, you did a wonderful job, I must say.”
“Thank you,” a blushing Jed said. “I worked hard the last three months. I wanted it to be right for you when you came out. I didn’t want the cabin to be the reason you didn’t stay.”
“I would like for you to do something for me. Stop calling this a cabin. It’s much more than a cabin and now it’s our home.”
“I will try. I have to see to the cattle now, but first, could I kiss you?”
“Jedadiah, you’re my husband. Of course you can kiss me. I would like that. I would like it very much.”.
She moved into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was the first real kiss of their marriage. Neither was very experienced, but kissing is an experience that involves learning what the other person likes. They had just taken the first step in the learning process.
He showed her where dishes and pots were stored and the food products. “I’ll start dinner while you’re working with the cattle,” she said. She went to the well and filled the bucket from the kitchen, then went back, built a fire in the store and began preparing her first meal for her husband.
After dinner, Jed had pronounced the meal as delicious. After she put the dishes away and wiped everything down, she said, “Jedadiah, could we sit outside for a little while? I just want to look at the stars and the moon. A lot has happened to me in the past two weeks and I want to let it settle a bit before we go to bed.” She had no ominous feelings about going to bed with her husband for the first time. It was what people did and she was ready for the experience. After sitting on a large rock outside, she stood and said, Jedadiah, I’m ready to go to bed now.” He took her hand and they went into the house.
“You go ahead and get ready for bed,” Jed said, “and I’ll be in in just a few minutes.”
“That’s not necessary, Jedadiah, but I appreciate the thought.”
“I just want you to be comfortable,” he said.
“I am comfortable, now let’s get ready for bed,” she said.
In the bedroom, she turned her back to him and asked, “Would you please unbutton the back of my dress for me?”
He did so, with shaky fingers. When his fingers touched her bare flesh, she felt the tingle again. She shrugged her shoulders out of the top of the dress, letting it fall to the floor. She lifted her chemise over her head and let it drop to the floor also. Now, clad in her corset, bloomers and undergarments, she stood before him. She moved into his arms and uptilted her face to be kissed. Wrapping his arms around her, Jed pulled her close, feeling the points of her breasts hot as they mashed against his chest. He kissed her softly and as she moved tighter in his arms, he could feel her the softness of her lips moving against his. He looked at her, and murmured, “You’re beautiful, Sarah. You are truly beautiful.” As he continued to look into her lovely face, he thought, “Her green eyes are like the deep pools of a mountain lake.”
“Thank you Jedadiah. No one has ever called me beautiful before.”
She marveled at the soft tenderness of his gaze. That such a strong man could be so tender was surprising. His gaze was like the softness of a caress. His eyes moved to the creaminess of her neck. He felt moved to kiss it, and did so, bestowing his kisses just below her ears, moving downward, ever kissing her. As he kissed the tender flesh beneath her chin, she arched her back, and tilted her head back, giving him more access. She moaned slightly as he moved his lips over the soft flesh. He put his mouth over her lips. She parted them, allowing him to enter. His tongue traced the outline of her lips, then her teeth. He began exploring the inner regions of her mouth. She moaned louder and pulled back from his embrace.
“Please help me with my corset, Jedadiah.”
The untied garment fell to the floor allowing her breasts to become exposed. Never in his life had Jed seen so much of a woman. Tentatively, he lifted his hand to touch the soft skin. The nipples firmed up and he moved his hand over the breasts.
She could feel the rock hardness of his member against her thigh. She undid his be
lt and tugged his pants down over his hips. He stepped out of his blue jeans. She unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders and down his arms, leaving him standing in his long johns. They stood there in the sputtering candlelight, each looking at the other, enjoying this new experience, their passion still just below the surface. She lifted her last layer of clothing over her head and stepped out of her bloomers, and stood before him, with her entire body revealed to him. He unbuttoned his long johns, pushed them down and stepped out of them.
Her gaze fell to his manhood as it sprang out, now free and quivering in the semi darkness. He stepped forward and once more pulled her into his arms. Now touching from head to toe, her breasts crushed against his hairy chest. Her hands moved up and down his back pulling him even closer, his manhood now touching the silky hair guarding the entrance to her vault. They kissed again, deeply, and slowly moved backward until she felt the bed against her legs. She allowed herself to sink to the bed still in his arms.
As they lay on the bed, their bodies moved involuntarily against each other, Jed massaged her firm breasts. He rubbed a nipple between his fingers, its pebbly surface now firm and erect. He put his lips to the nipple, then touched it with his tongue. She shivered beneath him. He took the nipple in his mouth and felt the tremors in her body increase as he began sucking it, his other hand began massaging the other breast. Pulling his head back slightly, he pushed the breasts together and took both nipples into his mouth. She was now moving against him, her hips pushing her sexuality against his member. He moved his left hand slowly down her body, pausing momentarily to trace the outline of her navel. Continuing the trek downward, he moved his fingers through the silky hair guarding the entrance to the cave and slid one finger past the entrance and inside. The wetness surprised him as he continued to move his finger around. It touched her magic spot and she…
She exploded beneath is touch. It was as if she was possessed. A low moan from deep within came out slowly, increasing in volume. She arched her back and began thrusting her hips against his hand. “Oohhhh, oohhhh,” she cried. “Ohhhhh…” and slowly relaxed against his touch. Moving her hand down, she grasped his member and massaged it. She would have thought it impossible for it to get harder and larger but it did. She moved it down and guided it to the lips of the entrance to her inner being. Jed put his hand over hers and slowly replaced it. He pushed the head into her opening. He moved against it. He withdrew. “Did I hurt you,” he asked.
“No, no, you didn’t hurt me. She guided him back inside and pulled him in. In a bit further and it met resistance and wouldn’t go any further.
“Push harder,” she gasped. “Harder.” The membrane tore loose and she cried out at the sharp intense pain she felt. He started to pull back. “No, don’t do that. It’s all right now,” and she began undulating her hips against the rigidity of his shaft. He felt her muscles tense again as she was overtaken by another onrush of passion stronger than before. He began moving up and down as her thrusts increased in speed. She cried out as she reached the peak of her feeling. She continued moving against him. His thrusting increased and increased again. She could feel the pumping of his member as he emptied himself within her. Finally, he relaxed and allowed his body to lower itself against her. Holding her tightly, he rolled slightly and pulled her tightly into his arms, his sex still inside her.
They lay relaxed this way until she felt him growing inside her. As it grew firmer, she began moving against him, he thrust into her. Her hips increased their speed, she tensed and tightened against the staff as she rode it to completion. Jed rose to the occasion and once again began pushing onto her body until he too reached completion.
Totally spent, they lay in each other’s arms, relaxed and sated, they fell asleep. The candle continued its flickering. Some time during the night, Jed’s hand found her breast in the darkness. It moved down and found her very wet and very ready again. He entered her and they began slowly, gently moving against each other until they both came together.
The next morning, when they awakened, still in each other’s arms, Jed looked into those deep green eyes and said, “Mrs. Barnette … Sarah. You were wonderful. I hope I didn’t hurt you too much last night.” He kissed her gently on the lips.
“It hurt at first, but after that it wasn’t too bad. Thank you for being so gentle with me on our first time.”
“It was my pleasure,” he said, “and I really mean that.”
She giggled and moved against him, and felt his firmness once again. Reaching down, she grasped the shaft and guided it home once again. Slowly and gently they made love again and in this manner, the second day of their marriage began.
Sarah got out of the bed and moved to the corner of the room. She cleaned herself using the water they had brought in the night before. She got dressed and moving to the bed. “Husband of mine, if you want, take a nap and I’ll fix breakfast. We both probably need it.”
“No, I’m going to get up. There are some chores I need to take care of before I eat.”
“It will be ready when you are, and Jedadiah?”
“Yes.”
“I think I’m going to stay on the J-Bar-B with you.”
“I’m glad. I was hoping you would.”
Getting To Know Each Other
When Jed came back from his chores, he was lugging a large tub. "I thought you might want to take a bath after breakfast. I'll help with the water and you can heat it directly in the pails."
"How thoughtful of you, Jedadiah. That would be a luxury."
Jed brought the water in and put it on the stove. When it was heated and poured into the tub, he added cold water until it was a comfortable temperature. "I'll get on with my chores, he said. I'll show you the garden later." He left the room and Sarah had her first real bath since she left New York. It felt wonderful. After she bathed, she washed out her clothes and took advantage of the heated water as much as she could. When Jed returned, she had his lunch ready. When she served his plate, impulsively she kissed him on the cheek. He was embarrassed and revealed it by blushing.
After lunch, Jed showed her the garden. She was impressed with the size of it. While it was barren now, due to the winter, she could envision the scope of the work involved. "This garden pretty much helped me get started. Asa Thompson, the storekeeper in Laramie pays me a really good price for them. The money from the garden helped me buy the lumber and to finish out the inside of the cabin… er ranch house." Sarah smiled at his remembering her request not to call it a cabin. Looking around, she decided she would help as much as possible in the garden, leaving Jed to spend more time with the cattle.
Sarah moved easily into the role of housewife and its incumbent chores, after all, it wasn't something to which she was unaccustomed. She had learned to cook under her mother’s tutelage. Her mother required each girl to help with the cleaning and to do their own laundry. She was looking forward to their next trip into Laramie. She wanted to get some spices, since there was only salt in the kitchen now. If money permitted, she wanted to buy some cloth and make another everyday dress for herself.
"Jedadiah, I forgot something," she said. She went into the bedroom and returned with a small bag. It contained the money she had not spent on her trip. She upended it onto the table.
Eyeing it, Jed asked, "What's this for?"
"I didn't need all of the money you sent and I had some left from my teaching. I didn't want to spend more than necessary, since I realized how hard you had worked for it."
"Sarah, I intended for you to use it. I wanted you to be comfortable."
"I was comfortable. I had what I needed and we can use it on the ranch."
"You are incredible. I was lucky to find you, number 412."
The next day, Jed rode over to the Twin Bar H to see if Luke or Clara needed anything from Laramie. After their greeting and handshaking was complete, Clara asked about Sarah. "She's really wonderful. She has pitched right in and has made my life different."
"How are y
ou two getting along?" she asked.
Jed turned red. "We're doing okay. She's really good company. It's a lot less lonely over there."
"Is that all?" Clara asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Jed's face turned an even deeper shade of red. Luke said, "Clara, leave the man alone. You're embarrassing him."
"Everything’s okay," Jed said.
"I'm glad. You must bring her over to dinner Sunday."
"Thank you, Clara, I will. She needs someone other than me around. Now, I'd better get going."
After Jed left, Luke turned to Clara and said, "Sounds like us when we first got married doesn't it?"
"I hope it's as good for them as it has been for us." She moved into his arms and he kissed her soundly. "Better be careful there, cowboy. You know what that leads to."
Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride Page 5
