Fiery Bride

by Cynthia Woolf

  Maggie put down the needlepoint she was working on. “Wow. That’s fast.”

  Cassie shrugged. “Not as fast as it would have been had I been a mail order bride for him. We’re actually getting to know each other first.”

  “I’m not criticizing,” said Maggie, looking up from her needlepoint. “I’m very glad you two found each other.”

  “What about you and Caleb?”

  “Ouch.” She poked herself with her needle. “There is no me and Caleb.”

  “Only in your mind,” smiled Cassie.

  “What’s only in her mind?” asked Caleb when he walked in.

  “Nothing. I just poked my finger.” She looked up from her needlepoint, the injured finger in her mouth. “Did you get Rachel down?”

  He chuckled. “She was out before the Mad Hatter’s tea party ended.”

  “I’m so glad she’s enjoying the book. I would have liked it when I was a girl.”

  He sat in the chair next to her in front of the fire and across from the settee where Cassie sat. Smiling, he said, “I can picture you as a girl. Bright red pigtails bouncing in the sunshine, the cutest freckles across your nose, just like now and the devil in your green eyes. Just like now.”

  “I’ll have you know there was never the devil in my eyes. I was the perfect child.”

  Caleb let out a shout of laughter.

  Maggie laughed, too, remembering the hell she’d put her parents through, when she wasn’t working in the fields, that is. Her curiosity often got the best of her and got her in a lot of trouble. Much as it had now.

  Cassie rose. “I think I’m going to retire a little early tonight. I have a new book I’m dying to start reading.”

  “Have a good night,” said Maggie, giving her a hug. “Thank you,” she whispered in her ear.

  Caleb also rose and stood by his chair. “Sleep well.”

  After Cassie left Caleb turned to Maggie. “Well, you have me all to yourself. What shall we do?” He waggled his eyebrows at her and winked.

  “Stop that,” she said returning to her chair and the basket of needlepoint in the seat. She picked up the basket and put it on the floor then sat down with her hands folded demurely in her lap. “I wanted to talk to you. Actually, I wanted to ask if you’d like to go on a picnic with me.”

  Caleb cocked an eyebrow. You want to go on a picnic with me? What’s that catch?”

  “Why does there have to be a catch?”

  “Because I know you. But,” he shrugged, “very well, you want to go on a picnic.”

  “Yes.”

  “Will Cassie be coming?”

  “No.”

  He leaned back in his chair and stretched his long legs out in front of him towards the fire. “Just the two of us?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I thought you could show me the summer pasture. You’ve been wanting to.”

  “And you haven’t wanted to go. Aren’t you afraid to be alone with me? I might take advantage of your girlish sensibilities.”

  She looked into his eyes. So vulnerable despite the bravado. “No. I’m not afraid to be alone with you. I was never worried about you and what you might do but about me. I just want to see some of the countryside and the weather has been so beautiful.”

  He leaned toward her. “I’d love to take you on a picnic.”

  “Good. Can we go tomorrow?”

  “I can’t. I still have a few horses to break. How about the next day?” He got up and went to the fireplace, putting it at his back so he could face her.

  “That would be wonderful. I’ll have Fran make us a nice lunch. We will be able to take the buggy won’t we? I don’t think I’m up for riding in the saddle all that way.”

  “Probably not all the way to the summer pasture, but I have a pretty spot to take you to. You’ll like it. I promise.”

  She smiled at him. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.” She rose to go to her room.

  Caleb grabbed her hand, raised it to his lips and said, “No. Thank you. I’ll see you to your room.”

  She started to protest but decided she’d like for him to see her to her room. To walk with her. Now was the time to begin enjoying her life. It was much too short to live by the strictures of the Eastern society she no longer belonged to. She wouldn’t be here for very much longer and wanted to pack as many memories as she could in the time she had left. She may hurt him but she couldn’t help that. As much as she wanted to stay, her fear was too great. Too great to keep her from leaving.

  He held the door for her. “I won’t bite.”

  She preceded him out of the room and down the hall. “I never thought you would,” she said over her shoulder.

  “Unless you want me to,” he said softly.

  She stopped, surprised by his words. “Caleb,” she admonished him.

  He laughed, clearly tickled to get a rise out of her.

  “Are you going to make me regret my decision to go alone with you?”

  They’d reached her room.

  He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. “Maggie. I don’t want you to ever regret being with me.”

  Taking her face between his palms he lowered his head. His lips, soft upon hers as he kissed her. Her insides turned to mush and she only wanted to get closer to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his arms came around her and held her close. He deepened the kiss and she was lost. All she could do, all she wanted to do, was return his kiss, feel it, savor it. Make a memory.

  When they broke apart they both were breathless.

  “Don’t tell me we shouldn’t be doing that,” said Caleb, resting his forehead against hers. “It’s too good. Ah, Maggie, we’re good. Together. Can’t you see that?”

  She looked up into those beautiful brandy eyes. It was so hard to remain strong. “I won’t marry. I can’t. Can’t you understand? I know you’re not Edgar and never will be but I can’t, I won’t allow anyone to have that kind of dominance over me. In marriage, I have no more rights than your cattle, you’d own me. I’ve worked too hard to be independent, to be free, to give it all up.”

  “I’m not asking you to. You can continue with your business.”

  “You see? That’s the point,” she stepped away out of his arms. “I have to have your permission if we get married. I don’t need anyone’s permission to do anything within the law. Someday I hope all women will have the same rights as men but today is not that day.”

  He took a deep breath and then sighed. “You have valid concerns. I understand your fears. I hope someday to alleviate them.”

  She opened the door to her room. “I’m not sure that’s possible. But thank you anyway. Good night.”

  He stepped away from the door farther into the hall. “Good night.”

  * * *

  The day of their picnic dawned bright with cobalt blue skies and sunshine. Fran fixed them a picnic of fried chicken, potato salad, cheese, apples and a bottle of sweet cider. Maggie packed a quilt for them to lay on the ground.

  Caleb was all smiles as he climbed down from the buggy to help her up.

  “Let me assist you,” he said in his best knightly voice and with a deep bow. He’d been doing the voice and many others, as he read to Rachel from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The 1865 novel was still one of Maggie’s favorites.

  She could play along. “Thank you, kind sir,” she said with a curtsy and a giggle.

  Caleb got in and flicked the reins down on the horses behinds. They started walking. He slapped them again and they began to trot. He headed west from the ranch on a road that was little more than two rutted tracks.

  They reached the foothills and the road started to climb and wind its way up the hill. About half way up the hill, Caleb turned off onto a trail which he followed up and over a rise. They descended down into a small valley. A stream ran through the middle and fed into a small pond. It was as green and lush as anything she’d seen back East. There was a little cabin atop a little rise near to the pond. Scent fr
om the Ponderosa pines filled the air. Aspen trees dotted the valley floor, their leaves shimmering in the gentle breeze.

  “It’s beautiful. Is it yours?”

  “Yes. Ruth and I stumbled upon it when we were first married. I had to buy it. It belonged to an old miner who was pulling up stakes and happy to be rid of it.”

  “Oh,” she said looking away and out into the valley.

  “Why do you do that?”

  “Do what?”

  “Get a sad look and turn away whenever I mention Ruth?”

  “I didn’t realize I did,” she said, still not looking at him afraid he’d see the unshed tears in her eyes. As much as she didn’t want to marry, she wanted to believe that he was capable of loving her. Not likely, if he was still in love with his wife.

  “Maggie, look at me.”

  She shook her head.

  He placed a finger on her chin and gently turned her toward him. “I can’t pretend that Ruth didn’t exist. She gave me the most precious of gifts. Rachel. I will be forever grateful to her for that.”

  “You still love her.”

  He was silent for a few moments. “I cared for her. Ruth and I grew up together. We always assumed we’d marry so when she turned twenty-two we did. I’d sowed my wild oats by that time. I was twenty-four and had been on my own for a long time. I’d started the ranch and was doing well at it. We were married for eight years before she got pregnant with Rachel. The pregnancy wasn’t easy for her. The doctor was sure she’d lose the baby before she could bring it to full term. Ruth was determined that wouldn’t happen. She stayed in bed for most of the last three months. Anything she could do to keep that baby. Turned out she was right and gave birth to Rachel. But it took everything out of her and it was too much for her fragile body to withstand.

  “She was a lot like you. Independent and stubborn to the core. She didn’t have the red hair that you do but she might as well have. Let’s get down and walk a bit.”

  Maggie let him help her down then he held his arm out for her. She took it and he placed his free hand on top of hers. She was sorry that Ruth had died and yet not. If she hadn’t died, she wouldn’t have met Caleb. But she hated to see Caleb and Rachel so sad.

  “The cabin?” she nodded toward the small structure at the other end of the pond. “You built it?”

  “Yes, but not for the reason you think. It wasn’t for us. It’s a line shack for my men. Someplace they can go and be safe from the weather if they need to be. It’s stocked with firewood, tinned food, bed, blankets, there should even be a deck of cards.”

  “It’s good of you to think of something like that.”

  “I have several around my property. Sometimes in Colorado, the weather can change in an instant and there isn’t enough time to get back to the ranch to get out of it.”

  They were silent for a while, just walking together. Taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the glorious countryside. Maggie was still in awe of the beauty she saw everyday. Flowers of every color imaginable surrounded them. Purple columbines, red Indian paintbrushes, white honeysuckle and blue bluebells, plus many more she couldn’t name yet. There was that word. Yet. If she stayed. But she couldn’t. It was getting too hard to resist him. He was nothing if not persistent.

  He’d given cursory attention to Cassie when she arrived, but that was all. He was polite, nothing more. There had been no spark. Not like between him and Maggie. If only she could surrender to her feelings. But then that was the problem. Surrender. She couldn’t give up all that she’d worked so hard to get for the unknown. Caleb, as wonderful as he was, was still the unknown.

  Then stay, her mind told her. Find out what he is, who he is. Make him the known rather than the unknown. I can’t. What if he finds me lacking, like Edgar did? He’s not Edgar, her mind said. He’s Caleb and he’s a good man. Yes, one who deserves much better than me.

  “You’re awfully quiet.”

  “I was just thinking how beautiful it is here. Thank you for bringing me.”

  He rubbed her hand. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it. The only problem is that it’s starting to rain and if rains hard we could get caught in a flash flood. We have to get to the shack quick and get the horse into the shelter there. I built it on the high ground for just such an occasion. That’s why it’s not closer to the pond and the stream.”

  Caleb whipped the horses into a gallop and as the buggy rocked back and forth, Maggie held on for dear life to the strap hooked to the side wall next to her. Caleb seemed unaffected by the jostling, his concentration focused solely on getting them to safety before a flash flood.

  They reached the cabin in time, though soaked clean through. The quilt was dry as Maggie had put it inside the buggy under the seat.

  Caleb came around to help her. She retrieved the basket and the blanket and followed him inside the small shack. It was cold. Her soaking clothes did nothing to ward off the chill.

  He went to the wood pile next to the fireplace and quickly started a fire.

  “I have to take care of the horses. I’ll be right back.”

  Maggie nodded not trusting her teeth not to chatter if she tried to speak. While he was gone she explored the cabin. Had to keep moving to stay warm. There was a bed along one wall with sheets and blankets neatly folded on top of it. Across the room from the bed was a table with two chairs. On the wall between the table and the bed was the fireplace, opposite that was the door. The cabin was small and functional but nothing more. Just enough for a cowboy for a night or two.

  When Caleb returned she was standing in front of the fire holding her hands out to it. She was still freezing.

  He came up behind her and rubbed her arms up and down vigorously.

  “Maggie, you’re freezing. We need to get out of these wet clothes.”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine.” Her teeth chattered with each word and she was sure she was turning blue.

  “You’re being obstinate. If you don’t get out of those wet clothes you’ll take a chill. Now are you going to do it yourself or do I have to take them off for you?”

  When she didn’t move, he started to unbutton her dress. She swatted his hands away. “I’ll do it. Give me the quilt out of the basket and turn around.”

  He dutifully handed her the quilt. “Sure you don’t need help with those buttons? Your hands are shaking they’re so cold.”

  “I’ll be fine. Turn around.”

  Sighing, he turned his back on her. She could see he was undoing his own buttons and soon his shirt came off. Her hands stilled and she squeaked. Caleb quickly twisted around. Faced with all that naked chest she could only stare. Edgar had never looked like this.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, stepping closer.

  She nodded. “I…I’m…good.”

  “You’re not good. Hurry up and get out of those wet things.”

  He turned his back on her again and she hurried with her clothes. Her dress pooled on the floor in a sodden mess followed by her chemise and bloomers. She took off her shoes and socks which were also soaked. Totally naked she was almost shivering too much to wrap the quilt around her. Immediately the dry cloth started warming her up.

  “You can look now.”

  Caleb turned and his eyes widened. “You’re beautiful.”

  “I’m in a quilt.”

  “Yes, but it does nothing to hide your beauty.”

  “You’re going to freeze if you don’t get out of those pants. Do what I did and wrap yourself in the blanket from the bed.” She didn’t wait to see if he did it, instead she started laying out her clothes on the floor in front of the fire.

  “All done. You can look now.”

  He had wrapped the blanket around his waist leaving his chest gloriously naked. She almost swallowed her tongue. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

  “You’re staring.”

  She closed her mouth and her eyes. “Sorry. It’s just…well…Edgar never looked like you do.”
<
br />   “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Oh, yes.” She opened her eyes and nodded her head vigorously. “Most definitely a compliment.”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad you like what you see.”

  Maggie faced away from him unable to look and not stare. Unfortunately, where she faced was toward the bed. Oh dear.

  “Maggie.”

  “What?”

  “Sit at the table and I’ll make us some coffee. There’s a barrel to catch rain water just outside the door and coffee on the shelf. Why don’t you get that deck of cards and we’ll play poker.”

  “I don’t know how to play poker.”

  “Good. I’ll teach you.” Under his breath he added, “it’ll keep us both busy.”

  She went to the shelf on the wall next to the fireplace and grabbed the single deck of cards. Then she went to the fire and took down her hair. It would never dry wrapped in the bun. Moving her dress she sat on the floor in front of the fire and undid the bun, running her fingers through her hair.

  She heard a sharp intake of breath and looked up to see Caleb watching her, coffeepot in hand.

  “Are you all right?” she asked him, getting up from the floor and going to him. When he didn’t say anything she said, “Caleb?”

  “I’ve never seen you with your hair down. It’s beautiful.”

  She lowered her eyes and took a fistful of her hair. “I thought about cutting it off so many times but just couldn’t. It’s one of the few things I’ve always been proud of.”

  He came closer, reached out and took some into his hand. “It’s so soft. Just like silk.”

  “Thank you.”

  Winding her hair in his hand he brought her closer. “Maggie,” he said as his lips crashed down on hers. He drank from her, taking and giving. His tongue clashed with hers dueling, playing.

  Maggie wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her. Sharing, taking all he had to give. She wanted this more than anything. Wanted this memory.

  “Caleb.”

  “Let me love you.”

  “Yes.” Her quilt had worked its way loose without her arms to hold it up. She released it completely, letting it fall to the floor.