She wasn't ready for this. Truly she wasn't ready to face her duties as his wife. Yes, so far he was the kindest man she knew, but he was also the only man she knew. If she had her way, would she ever be ready to lie with her husband in the marriage bed?
"First, my wife and then the horse."
Was he being thoughtful, or would he take her virginity as soon as they entered the house?
"Oh," she said as he helped her from the wagon. Would he expect them to walk into the house and do the deed right there? How long would it take?
As they walked up to the door, he scooped her up in his arms.
She cried out at the sudden movement. "What are you doing?"
"Carrying my bride over the threshold. That's what a groom is supposed to do," he said laughing at her. "How many weddings have you been to?"
Never had she attended a wedding. Never. "Ours."
With a thump, he sat her on the floor and the lit the lantern. Slowly she turned in a circle staring at the beautiful home. This couldn't be happening to her. No, she was the girl with all the bad luck. This didn't happen to Quinlan Clark.
"Decorate the inside any way you want," he said, smiling at her reaction.
Sure, the home could use a woman's touch in places, but the living area made her want to curl up in a chair with a good book and relax.
"The house is gorgeous and big and..." she sighed, "feels like home."
In the light of the lantern, he took her in his arms. "Thank you. I'm glad you feel that way, because this is our home. Since you're my wife, the house is just as much yours as it is mine," he paused. "That's unbelievable. I'm married with a wife."
"Yes, for me too. You're my husband and..."
Staring into his beautiful eyes, she tried to read his mind and learn what kind of man he would be as a husband. Maybe Nellie was right. Maybe she needed to give him a chance to prove he would not be like her father.
Losing herself in his gaze, she watched as his mouth descended toward hers and she realized she, Quinlan Clark - Adams was about to receive her very first kiss.
At first, his lips were tentative against hers, but when he moved his lips over hers, demanding and taking in a way that had her wrapping her arms around him and clinging onto him for dear life. What was he doing to her?
Why did the touch of his lips cause her center to tighten in anticipation, her blood raced through her veins as his hands gripped her cheeks holding her in place.
The sound of the horse outside the door had him reluctantly pulling back from her, his forehead against hers as their hearts started to slow and his breathing slowed. "Our first kiss."
"My first kiss ever," she whispered.
A deep chuckle resonated from his chest. "There will be more."
So much more than a kiss was expected tonight and she felt strung tighter than a violin in a beginner’s hands.
"Let me put the horse in the barn and feed the chickens and take care of things. Why don't you unpack and get ready for bed."
Bed. That terrifying word - where everything happened between a man and a woman.
"All right," she said trembling. "Which way is the bedroom?"
"Right through those doors," he said. "I'll be back as quick as I can."
"Take your time," she said, thinking the longer the better.
With a smile, he turned and walked out the door. Oh no, what did she do now? The thought of what happened in that bed left her shaking like a lost soul in a blizzard.
Will hurried as his beautiful bride prepared for bed and he couldn't wait to experience more than just the taste of her lips. That kiss left his blood heated and she would be waiting for him in the bedroom. They were married and while this hadn't been his plan, he went along and look what life blessed him with—a wife he found adorable.
A gorgeous woman with a full figure, honey blonde hair, emerald eyes, and a smile that melted his insides into a puddle.
Yanking the bridle over the horse’s head, he knew he wasn't being gentle. The animal sensed his impatience and stood his ground, not cooperating one bit. All he wanted to do was hurry inside.
Years had passed since he spent any time with a woman. Yes, he promised her they would take it slow and they would after tonight.
Ralph, his dog came over wanting attention and he reached down and gave him a couple of quick rubs. The chickens had gone to roost for the night, the horse fed, but he still needed to put the equipment away. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he finished.
After he pinned the dog up, he walked across the yard to the house. The lights still burned. As he entered the front door, he couldn't hear her moving around. Locking the door, he turned out the lanterns as he made his way to the back bedroom.
When he opened the closed door, his mouth fell open as he stared at his bride, his chest clenching in pain.
Laying on his bed, wearing a nightgown and robe, it appeared she had prepared for bed and then sat down to wait. Only Quinlan had fallen over and lay there sound asleep. The thin material clung to her curves and he wanted to groan. How long had he waited for this night? All his life?
Disappointment slammed him hard as he stared at his wife. She'd traveled for days by train, gotten married today, and then arrived at his home. The body could only take so much and his wife's had shut down for the evening. How could he wake her when she slept so soundly?
Slipping his hands beneath her, he scooped her into his arms, the smell of lavender wafting over him, and placed her beneath the blankets. She moaned in her sleep but snuggled into the bed.
Leaning down, he kissed her on the forehead. Whatever he'd planned on tonight would have to wait for another day and maybe that was for the best. It would give her time to get to know him.
With a sigh, he pulled the covers over her luscious curves, thinking soon.
Walking into the living area, he found a bottle of whiskey and poured himself a drink. Something to soothe his frustration and let him curl up next to his wife. Soon. Very soon, he would make Quinlan his.
His body cried out at the torture he invoked on himself by having to wait. But Quinlan was worth the delay.
Chapter 3
Dawn peeked through the windows of the bedroom and Quinlan rolled over and hit a hard male chest. For a moment, panic rushed through her before she realized her husband slept beside her. The memory of sitting on the bed nervously awaiting him overcame her.
They were married. She was his wife and it was her duty to submit to him, but last night exhaustion from the trip and the wedding overpowered her and she fell into a deep sleep. Maybe she should try to sneak out of bed before he woke.
Glancing over to see if he was awake, the most stunning blue eyes stared at her, causing her heart to skip a beat. Last night, he'd been the one to put her in bed. A quick look confirmed she slept with her robe on. The man hadn't removed her clothing and that surprised her.
"Good morning," he said, gazing at her as he hauled her against him. The touch of his hard-muscled chest against her was shocking as he pulled her in tightly. Fear spiraled through her, gripping her insides. This was it. Any minute, he would crawl on top of her and shove his man parts into her body.
"Good morning," she said shyly.
"Last night, you were sound asleep when I came in from the barn. You must have been really tired from the train ride and the wedding."
"Yes, I didn't sleep well on the train."
"How about last night? How did you sleep?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble that sent tremors through her.
All she remembered about last night was sitting down on the bed to wait for him to come in, anxiety making her tremble. The next thing she knew, it was morning and she had no recollection of him putting her to bed.
"I'm sorry about falling asleep," she said, her voice low, wondering if he would begin to berate her for not having sex.
With a squeeze he held her. "You needed the rest. How about we get up and fix some breakfast. After that, we can make room for your clothes
and things in the bedroom. And I wouldn't be a bit shocked if my mother and father don't drop in to check on us. Now that we're married, my mother is going to start counting the days until we announce you're expecting."
A gasp escaped from her lips as she gazed into his eyes that were understanding.
"I'm not being critical of Mother, but I'm trying to prepare you for what you can expect. It's never done with malicious intent, but rather because she cares about her family."
With no remembrances of her prior family except for the bad times, Quinlan didn't know what to foresee. Since a child, she had planned on being alone the rest of her life and now she was having to make some adjustments.
"Yesterday, you promised me, we'd take it slow," she said against his chest. His skin felt smooth and warm and nice. Never before had she witnessed a man's naked body. Sometimes she hated her naiveté. It made her less than informed. But somehow she expected that would probably end very soon.
"We will. Last night in all the wedding stuff, I was a little excited at the thought of us doing more. Let's wait until we're both ready."
How could she tell him she might not never be ready to experience her husband?
"If we have time, could you take me to the schoolhouse? I'd like to see where I'll be teaching," she said, her hand on his chest, course dark hairs curled between her fingers.
With a frown, he glanced away. Oh no, there was no building? She'd traveled all this way only to learn that there was no place for her to teach. The money Madam Wigg would donate to the school would be denied if she didn't have a dedicated place to educate the students.
"The building needs some work and a thorough cleaning. Nothing that I can't repair."
What did that mean? From what she understood, it was nothing more than one room.
"If possible, I'd like to start school the last of August," she said. "Do you think we can be ready by then?"
"We'll make it happen," he said.
Leaning down, he kissed her on the lips and she gasped at the feel of his mouth on hers. A tremor of awareness rippled through her before he released her.
"Come on, let's cook some eggs and do the chores before our company arrives."
When he climbed out of bed in his underwear, a hot flush spread across her cheeks. Never before had she witnessed a man undressed before. Swallowing, she quickly turned and looked away. How long would it take before they became comfortable with one another?
Will knew without a doubt his wife as an innocent. This morning in bed, she had blushed while he held her, and when he kissed her, she'd been tense as he moved his lips over hers. But then slowly, she responded and he realized it was going to take a while before he could bed Quinlan and for them both to enjoy the experience.
Though he hadn't wanted or planned on this wedding, he wanted the marriage to work.
So he left her in bed, leaving her alone to rise and prepare for the day.
Fully dressed, she walked into the kitchen and watched him fry bacon. "You do realize I don't know how to cook."
"You're a teacher. I'm sure you'll be a fast learner."
Sitting across from him, she smiled. "How far did you go in school?"
Flipping the bacon in the pan, he said, "I finished all twelve years."
Actually, David pushed him to complete his education. Will would have quit and gone to work as a carpenter, but his brother encouraged, nagged, and even made a bet he couldn't finish his schooling. So he did.
"Good for you. What subject did you enjoy the most?"
A laugh escaped as he remembered his younger years. It all seemed so long ago. "Recess."
"Oh come on, there must have been something else?"
"Our teacher at the time was a man. Some of the older boys he took aside and taught us some analytical math skills and angles. Today, I use what he showed me doing my carpentry."
Nodding, she said, "Where are the plates? I'll get them."
As he pointed her to a cabinet, she hurried over and pulled the dishes out and set the plates next to the stove. Then she found the silverware and placed the utensils on the table.
As she bustled around the kitchen, he watched her skirts swishing back and forth and thought he wanted to get use to this. Being together every day.
After he drained the bacon, he broke a couple of eggs and fried them in the pan.
"Why didn't you continue your schooling?" she asked.
Will wasn't ready to tell her about his brother David, the reason his life had been forever altered. Eventually, he would tell her. But not until he felt more confident his story wouldn't send her running out the door, catching the first train back to New York.
"Life changed. I made the decision it would be better for me to stay here and help my parents," he said.
Will only stayed through the funeral, making certain his mother was all right before he went in search of the men who had destroyed his security and killed his brother. Maybe the best thing would be to turn this around and ask her questions.
"How long did you live at the orphanage?"
A quick glance, her emerald eyes shining with anxiety before she stared at her eggs. "Since I was seven."
An uneasiness reflected in her gaze. What happened that even today caused fear to appear when asked about her past?
After sliding the eggs onto the plates, he carried them to the table. "What happened to your mother and father?"
"They died," she said, cutting up her eggs and diving into her food, not looking up at him. "This is good."
"Thank you," he said, wanting to ask her about their deaths, but feeling like he'd hit a wall. Why didn't she want to talk about the tragedy that had befallen her family? Twenty years had passed, and he thought she could speak about it by now. "Why didn't other family members take you in?"
Lifting her eyes, the look on her face was one of horror. "The best thing that ever happened to me was being taken to the orphanage. There was food to eat, other children, and so many books. Mother never kept enough books on hand for me."
Why did she circumvent his question? Unless no one wanted her. What happened to make someone not take this woman in as a child?
"What about your childhood? Have you always lived in Zenith," she asked and he recognized she was using the same diversion tactics.
Leaning back in his chair, he grinned at the woman he married. No one could ever accuse her of being dumb. "No, we moved here from Pennsylvania when I was five. My father wanted to start someplace fresh. And here we are."
"Nice," she said. "Are there any local Indian tribes in the area? Have you ever seen an Indian?"
He almost spewed his coffee. Now why in the world would she ask about the tribes around here?
"Yes," he said. "Most of them now live on reservations, but a few still hang around."
Her face became animated. "I’ve been studying the Apache and Comanches. If possible, I would love to visit one of the villages or speak to someone about their tribe. Until we robbed them of their land, killed off their food, and infected them with our diseases, they appeared a peaceful band. How can you blame them for not liking us very much?"
Will didn't disagree with her, but there were two sides to every story. The last thing he wanted was for his wife to be out scouting for Indian tribes to study. Most of them wanted the white man to know very little about their way of life and he understood why.
"The Indians also killed a lot of people for homesteading. Do you know the tale of Cynthia Ann Parker? Somewhere around here, I have a book on her life. I'll find it so you can read her true story."
Watching her, he could see the excitement building in her eyes. "Go find the book and I'll wash the dishes. While you're working outside, I will unpack and then I want to start reading."
When she became excited about something, she was adorable. At the thought of reading, her eyes had filled with warmth and already she was jumping up to do the dishes. Unfortunately, he heard a buggy rattle up the driveway and if he was a betting man, he’d be
t it was his parents.
"Well, honey, while you may want to read, I think you're going to need to put that off for a little while," he said, gazing out the window.
"Why?"
"Because my parents just drove up. A word of advice. When my mother asks you about the wedding night, tell her it was great. She wouldn't understand that I let you catch up on your rest last night."
A frown gathered between her eyes. "Really? That's an interfering mother. You think she would ask me about last night?”
Oh, this innocent woman had no idea about his mother. "Yes, I do. I knew you were smart."
Just then his mother ran inside, not bothering to knock as she said to Quinlan. "Good morning, dear. How are you this fine morning? How was your wedding night?"
Will busted out laughing as his wife's mouth dropped open. Staring in shock, she gazed at him. "The best night of my life."
Shocked his wife would say that, he winked at her, pleased at her response.
"The last time I slept so soundly, I can't remember," she said grinning at her husband.
Oh no, how would his mother take that information.
For a moment, she frowned and looked confused and she glanced back at Will. "The two of you had a long day, and after being alone with my son, no wonder you were exhausted."
"Never slept better," Quinlan said smiling.
After Will's parents left, he went out to the barn to do some work. Afterward, they were going to the schoolhouse, if it wasn't too late. In the meantime, Quinlan had unpacked her trunk and now sat reading the book about Cynthia Parker's life.
What a fascinating tale that had her deeply entrenched until someone knocked on the door. Glancing around, she was uncertain if she should answer the door, but realizing this was her home now, and as its mistress, she should be polite.
Rising, she went to the door and opened it. Four women stood outside smiling at her.
"Hello, we wanted to meet the new teacher, bring you food, and welcome you to the community," a pregnant woman with long red hair said as she strolled through the open door like she did this every day.
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