Howard readily agreed.
“Traditional it is then.”
She hadn’t wanted to waste money on fancy flowers, and the nearest florist was in Aspen Ridge, so Molly Payton generously picked a couple of beautiful bouquets of wildflowers up at their ranch and brought them by earlier for Violet and June to carry down the aisle.
“Ready when you are,” June said entering from the door into the sanctuary and hugging her friend. Sophie and Melanie each gave her a quick hug, too, and left to take their places in the audience. They’d decided against inviting many people to the ceremony. Just their two families, plus June and Jeff Walker who were standing up with them, and the pastor. After the ceremony, they’d then meet their friends and neighbors out at the Walker Ranch for the reception. They’d requested no gifts, and she hoped their friends honored that request. At their ages, the last thing they needed was more stuff.
She adjusted her skirt, took one last look in the mirror, and followed June to the back of the Sanctuary as the wedding march began to play. The next few minutes passed in a blur. She walked down the short aisle and placed her hands in Howard’s warm, calloused ones. He stood there smiling, dressed in a new, light gray suit with a matching tie. He’d never looked so handsome. She gazed into his dark brown eyes and repeated the words spoken by the reverend. Howard’s smile engulfed her, and she smiled back trying to convey all of the love she felt for him. The words jumbled together. She was consumed by Howard’s presence and his love for her.
Howard willed himself to concentrate on what the pastor was saying, but he was blinded by the beautiful woman standing in front of him about to become his wife. HIS WIFE. He never imagined that he’d be this happy. Thank you, God.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Howard pulled her into a deep embrace, to the applause of their families. Grabbing her hand, he led her over to their small group of their loved ones. He exhaled, glad the ceremony part was over. He wasn’t much for being the center of attention. The reverend brought over the marriage license and the proper signatures were completed. They’d decided against hiring a photographer. Too expensive, and who wanted a bunch of photos of two old people anyway? However, Sophie, an aspiring photographer, stepped in and started ordering everyone into various groups for pictures. When she’d exhausted all possible combinations, the pastor volunteered to take a few more so that Sophie could pose in them, also. Howard smiled on cue enough that the tie around his neck started to itch.
“We’re done here,” he grumbled.
“Okay, Grandpa.” Sophie gave him another hug returning the smile to his face.
“Let’s all head out to the Walker ranch. We’ll meet you there, Dad.” Melanie guided everyone out the door to their waiting vehicles.
He hung back with his bride to give a last thanks and donation to the reverend. As they exited the church, he reached up and unfastened the top button on his shirt beneath his tie. He hated wearing suits. He would have been a lot more comfortable in his overalls.
Violet looked over at him and winked. “You may take the tie off now.”
“Are you sure? You look so nice. I can endure it for a while longer.”
She hugged him. “Howard Crandall, I sure do love you. But yes, no need for a tie at the reception. Relax and get comfortable.”
Rounding the corner of the church, Howard frowned as his truck came into view. “Just Married” was written on all of the windows and a string of tin cans trailed off the back.
“Looks like Sophie and her friends have been up to no good.”
“It’s sweet,” Violet said climbing in the passenger side.
“I don’t like people fussing over me.” Howard started the engine and reached over to grab his bride’s hand while they drove. “Let’s get this party over with and get on to the honeymoon.”
“Now Howard, this whole community loves you. I doubt there’s anyone inside Peak County borders that you haven’t helped out at one time or another. Let them show you their appreciation. We’ll have plenty of years to spend time alone.”
“You’re right. But they’re coming more for you than for me. You brighten everyone’s day with your warm smile each and every morning. Not to mention keeping some of us alive with your delicious food. You can’t blame me for wanting you all to myself for a change.”
He lifted their joined hands and placed a gentle kiss on hers.
As they descended the lane into the Walker spread, even Violet stared, amazed by the number of trucks and cars parked on the property. Their whole community came out to join in the celebration. Above the door hung a huge banner that read “Congratulations Violet and Howard.” The afternoon remained warm, allowing their friends and neighbors to spill out of the house onto the large porch and adjoining lawn.
“They’re here.” Someone yelled as she stepped out of the truck. Instantly, conversations came to a temporary halt, and everyone joined in clapping and cheering for the newlyweds.
Violet thoroughly enjoyed the next hour and a half. It seemed like everyone she know was there; Jim and Molly Peyton, the Andersons, Reverend White, and many others. The food tasted incredible, and plenty of champagne was poured. She resisted the urge to drink more than one glass of the bubbly liquid, switching quickly to plain soda water. She wanted to stay awake and alert for her wedding night. She had waited so long to make love to Howard, the last thing she intended was to fall asleep as soon they got to their honeymoon cabin. Nope, she wanted to love her man for the entire night.
Howard wasn’t much of a drinker, and she noticed that instead of alcohol, he stuck to coffee. She hoped that he wanted to stay awake for a long, sensuous night as much as she wanted it. To her dismay, soon after they arrived they became separated, Howard pulled down by the barn with some of the men to discuss the Walker’s new horses, and she swept inside by the women. It was funny how at these sorts of community gatherings the men and women still tended to congregate with their own gender. Oh well, she’d get him alone soon enough. The married women among them freely shared marital night advice, especially after a few glasses of champagne were consumed. If she wasn’t already feeling nervous enough about having sex for the first time in over eight years, all the chatter made it worse. She prayed she’d live up to Howard’s expectations. She let out a sigh of relief when she finally spotted Howard returning through the door, halting the conversation in its tracks.
Walking up and sliding his arm around her waist, Howard said, “We still have a drive ahead of us, and maybe we’d better get going. I don’t see at night as well as I used to. Are you ready, darling?”
She looked up into his chocolate eyes and smiled. “Of course. Let me thank the Walkers again, and we’re off.”
Somehow amid well wishes and more congratulations, they managed to leave the party. Full and happy, she leaned back against her seat and enjoyed the late afternoon scenery while Howard drove across the pass to the small town of Estes Park. Turning down Fall River Road, he pulled up in front of a quaint cabin by the river. “We’re here.”
“Oh, Howard. It’s perfect.”
The sun had not quite set, and the warmth of the day lingered. After depositing their bags in the room, they decided on a leisurely stroll along the river bank. The height of tourist season hadn’t begun, leaving very few people out on the small dirt path that ran right beside the flowing water. In the fading light, a deer wandered close to them seemingly unbothered by their presence. Violet snapped a few quick shots with her pocket camera, before he bounded off into the trees. Stopping a couple walking in the opposite direction, they posed for a picture near a small wooden bridge. As the golden sun descended toward the mountain peaks, they decided to head back in the direction of their cabin.
“You hungry?” Howard asked.
“Heavens no. I ate enough at the reception for the next three days. Are you?”
“Nope, I did the same. Just checking.”
Howard turned the key in the old
door which creaked as they walked inside. She shivered. Now that the sunlight had disappeared, the interior of the small cabin felt a bit chilly.
“Shall I build a fire?” Howard asked giving the warped door an extra shove to make sure it securely fastened for the night.
“I’d love that,” she replied. She sat down on the chair beside the bed and kicked off her shoes. This was it. They were finally alone. No more interruptions for the night. She didn’t know about her husband, but she was ready for bed.
“I’ll go and change into something comfortable,” she said standing back up and grabbing her bag before heading to the bathroom.
“Sounds good. I’ll get the fire going.”
Before she closed the door behind her, she watched Howard kneeling down carefully placing newspaper and logs into the fireplace. She loved him so much. Whoosh, she let out a deep breath and shut herself in the small bathroom . A stray tear made its way down her cheek. “I love you, Stan,” she mouthed silently. “Thank you for all of the great years and thank you for understanding, as I know you do, about Howard. He’s truly an amazing man.” With that she pushed all thoughts of her former life out of her mind and concentrated on the man who was just outside the room waiting for her now. She carefully slipped out of her suit and hung it up on the back of the door, pulling the soft satin nightgown Sarah gave her over her head. Shivering again, she quickly covered the nightgown with her new, dark red, fleece robe and tied it loosely around her waist. She peered in the small hazy mirror above the sink. Not bad for an old girl. She reached in her cosmetic bag and retrieved the small bottles of his and hers, KY lubricants that she purchased for this occasion and slipped them into the pocket of her robe. She was ready. Boy, was she ready.
As soon as Howard heard the bathroom door shut, he grabbed his shaving kit and removed the bottle of little blue pills. Opening a water bottle, he swallowed one. It might take a half hour or so for the pill to take effect, and he wanted to be ready for his bride. He set the kit back down and lit a match to the paper and watched as bright yellow flames sprang up catching the wood and making it crackle. Reaching behind him, he opened the bottle of wine he had stashed in his suitcase and set two wine glasses on the table next to the bed. He could hear Violet moving around in the bathroom. He considered joining her, but then decided to give her space—for the next few minutes—that is.
Turning as he heard the door creak open, his heart swelled. “My God, you’re beautiful,” He managed to say, staring at his wife dressed in a soft robe the color of the wine he’d just opened. He wanted to grab her and pull her into his arms, but his hands were covered in black soot from the fire. He’d better clean up first. He didn’t want to ruin her new robe. He gazed at her, and his mind wandered to what, if anything, she had on under that robe. The lower part of his body hardened. Maybe he didn’t need that little pill after all. Pulling himself back to reality, he grabbed his bag and headed toward the room she’d just vacated.
“Sorry, I’m covered with soot from the fire. I’ll clean up and join you.” He smiled passing her, feeling the heat from her body even though they didn’t touch. “I opened some wine, if you’d like a glass.”
Violet glanced around the small room already starting to warm up from the roaring fire that Howard expertly started. She always liked a nice fire to take away the chill of evening mountain air. Living back in the apartment above the café these last years, she’d missed that. She looked forward to many cozy nights in front of the huge fireplace in their newly renovated home. Walking over to the side of the bed, she removed the small bottles from her pocket and sat them on the nightstand and poured herself a glass of the wine. Kicking off her fuzzy slippers, she climbed carefully into the bed, smoothing her robe around her and pulling the covers up over her lap. She leaned back against the numerous, plump pillows. She sipped her wine and starred into the flames anxiously waited for Howard to join her. The door opened and there he stood—dressed in a plaid flannel robe, tied at the waist like hers. She instantly wondered what he had on underneath. She saw his chest hair beneath the V of the neck.
“Can I pour you like a glass of wine?” she asked.
“Please. I’ll throw a few more logs on the fire.”
She watched, mesmerized, as he stoked the fire and crawled into the bed beside her. Handing him the second wine glass, he clinked it against hers. “To a long and happy marriage.”
She took another small sip of the liquid as they both gazed at the crackling fire. Setting her glass aside, she scooted over so their sides touched and looked into her husband’s eyes. “I love you, Howard.”
“I love you, too.” Howard handed her his glass, which she deposited next to hers and turned back to face him.
Howard reached over and gently pulled her face to his, finding her mouth with his own. She moaned as he deepened the kiss and their tongues tangled together. Without losing contact, they shifted slightly down into the covers so they faced each other. Violet looked into Howard’s eyes and the reflection of her love.
Howard continued to kiss her—oh so slowly. Her body temperature rose in anticipation as he pulled her closer and pushed his leg between her throbbing thighs. She felt his hardness pressing up against her and she pulled him closer tangling her fingers in the hair on the back of his head.
Howard reached down and untied her robe slipping it back off of her shoulders. “You’re so beautiful.” He sat up slightly doing the same with his own robe. Returning to his former position he pulled her closer and kissed her long and hard, taking her breath away. He had nothing on under his robe except for a matching pair of boxers. Violet ran her fingers up and down the warm skin of his back and felt his hand find its way under the silky nightgown and up to her naked breast. She moaned again as his fingers found her nipple and closed around it. She hadn’t ever wanted anything so much so she wanted him right now. She lifted her arms above her head, and he slipped the nightgown off and threw it aside. His warm skin pressed against hers. His erection pushed against her thigh and told her he wanted her, too. She let her hand roam down his back and under the waist of his boxers. With a moan of his own, Howard lowered his head and took her erect nipple in his mouth and sucked hard. She rubbed her lower body against his in urgency as he sucked harder and harder and drove her over the edge.
Laying back to catch her breath, she smiled up at him. “I want you inside of me, right now.” Howard slipped off the only remaining barrier between them, and she reached behind her and found the two small bottles.
“Here. We should try…” Howard cut her off with another deep kiss. Heat on heat. They fit perfectly together and she matched him thrust for thrust as he moved inside until she clench against him and screamed with pleasure, and he emptied himself within her.
She expected for him to let her go, but instead he only pulled her closer and cuddled her against his chest.
“You make me the happiest man alive,” he breathed.
“The feeling’s mutual,” she murmured. The warmth of his chest radiated under her cheek. She squeezed him tighter. Cradled in his arm, his fingers lightly run up and down her back, she stroked her fingertips along his chest. A bead of sweat trickled off his arm and ran down her side. Breathing softly, so as not to disturb the moment, she concentrated on all the sensations that assaulted her. If there was ever a perfect moment in life, this was it. Oh how she loved this man! There’d no lonely nights from now on. For whatever time they remained on this earth, they’d fall asleep together, wake up in each other’s arms. And have breakfast for two. She was blessed with a wonderful man, for the second time in her life. How did she ever get so lucky? His hand paused and went limp against her skin as his breath shifted and she felt him shift into slumber. She held on tight and fell asleep in her husband’s arms.
Did you enjoy meeting the people of Peakview, Colorado? Go back to where it all began and pick up a copy of the first book in the series, COLORADO SUNSET, available at Amazon.com.
We all fell in love with Luk
e Walker in COLORADO SUNSET, now it’s his turn to find love. Don’t miss COLORADO CABIN IN THE PINES, to be released in early 2016. See excerpt below:
CHAPTER ONE
“Damn!” Luke swore as the hammer came down on his thumb, still he kept right on nailing the shingles to the roof. Physical pain he could endure. It was much easier than the emotional kind.
“Hey stranger, what you doing up there?”
Startled, Luke lost his hold on the nail gun, and before he could grab it, it careened down the slope of the roof toward where she was standing. “Look out below!” he barely managed to yell, before the heavy gun crashed to the ground a few feet from where she stood.
“Trying to kill me already?” Penny laughed.
The sound of her voice, her laughter, it slayed him, just like it always had. What was she doing here? Grabbing on to the peak of the roof for support, he turned and tried to regain his composure. There she stood, all five foot two inches of her, long blond hair flowing down her back. Dressed in her riding jeans and boots, she looked the same as she had before she left four years ago. For a moment he thought he was seeing a ghost, but then she spoke again.
“I stopped by the ranch house and your dad told me you were up here. Nice cabin, by the way.”
Still shaken by her presence, Luke decided he’d better get off the roof, before he went the way of the nail gun.
“Give me a second, and I’ll come down.”
He quickly gathered the rest on his tools and backed down the ladder. Once on solid ground—at least physically—he looked over at her slim, attractive body.
Breakfast for Two (Peakview series Book 2) Page 17
