Michael walked in with a tray of glasses filled with wine. After handing them out to the guests, he nodded to Johnny.
Johnny raised his glass and looked at the couple. “To the bride and groom. May their life be long, and their love forever.”
Glasses clinked and Letty sipped the sweet liquid. Paul looked down at her and their gazes met.
She swallowed at the sudden dryness in her throat. Then he leaned down and kissed her.
She quickly got caught up in the feelings he created, and reached for the front of his shirt and held on as her world suddenly began to spin.
***
Later that evening, the newlyweds did what was expected of them. They drove the wagon back to the ranch, and Johnny stayed in town at the boarding house. This was planned to give the couple some privacy, although her brother let them both know, once again, this marriage was in name only.
Paul pulled the wagon up in front of the house and lifted Letty down to the ground, then grabbed the basket from the back.
He surprised her as he walked her up to the porch. “Aren’t you putting the horses away?”
“I will, just as soon as you’re inside safely.” He swung open the door and motioned her to go inside.
She felt disappointed. If they were truly man and wife, her husband would carry her across the threshold.
Paul’s voice broke through her reverie. “Letty?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” She quickly walked inside.
With the sun setting, the cabin was a little cold and dark. Paul quickly lit a lantern, and then knelt down in front of the fireplace. After adding some logs, he struck a match and set the kindling in the hearth aflame. “The room should warm up soon.” He stood and turned to her.
His eyes filled with merriment as he looked at her. She found she wanted him to kiss her again.
He came to her. “I wanted to tell you how lovely you looked today. I’ve never seen a prettier bride.”
“Thank you, Paul.” She nodded toward his suit jacket. “You looked mighty handsome yourself.”
“I didn’t want to embarrass my bride.”
Paul Slater was a good-looking man. Any woman would want him standing beside her. “You could never do that.”
They stood there a moment, and then he retrieved the basket filled with food the ladies sent home for their wedding supper. “Well, I should tend to the horses. I’ll go change upstairs.”
Not wanting anything to happen to Prudence’s expensive gown, Letty had changed at the Morgan’s home. She reached for the basket. “I’ll go fix us some supper.” She walked into the kitchen and set down the basket, then uncovered the food inside. She found a note.
“Paul and Letty,
We hope you enjoy your wedding supper.
Regards,
Your friends in Morgan’s Crossing.”
Tears filled her eyes as she found the roast with potatoes and carrots. There was also a basket of warm rolls and a big apple pie on the counter. “Leftover, indeed.” She was touched they went to the extra time and effort to make this day so special. She was going to hate to leave this town. She looked down at her wedding ring. It was going to be harder than she ever dreamed.
***
“This was so good.”
Paul sat across the table from his bride, eating his second piece of pie. He knew right off that Mrs. Tisdale baked it. In his opinion, she rivaled Bertha as the best baker in town. He glanced across the table to see Letty pushing her food around her plate. “Is something wrong with your food?”
She shook her head. “I guess in all the excitement, I lost my appetite.” She smiled, nodding to his plate. “I guess today didn’t bother yours?”
Why should it? Getting married to a woman so he could help her save a company, and in turn, he could help the ranch. Paul put his fork down, reached across the table and gripped Letty’s hand. He enjoyed touching her, maybe too much, but she needed to know how he felt, or at least part of it.
“Look, Letty, I agreed to this marriage to help my good friend. I don’t have any regrets about today.” Maybe one or two, he thought, thinking about his lonely marital bed upstairs. “I want you to be happy that Johnny is going back to Chicago and helping your mother. Unless you think I’m such an ogre to live with.”
She smacked at his hand. “You know that isn’t true.” She grew serious. “Don’t you feel strange, suddenly being married?”
“I don’t, because nothing will change. You’re still the same person, and I’m still the same. I just don’t want you to start acting uncomfortable around me. People in town will expect us to be a loving couple. As if we’re building a life here, together.” He arched an eyebrow. “Do you know how to ride?”
She nodded. “Yes, my father taught me, and I rode at the school.”
“Good, because with Johnny gone, I might need your help.”
She hid a smile as she placed her hands on her hips. “You mean I can’t just sit around and eat candy?”
He folded his arms over his chest. “Afraid not, Mrs. Slater. You’re a rancher’s wife now, and that means you have to help out sometimes.”
“I guess I'd better dust off the jean pants.”
His heart raced at the thought. He liked seeing her in pants. “Hard work has its benefits.”
Letty smiled and began to eat in earnest.
Together, they washed the dishes and put away the food in the icebox. The lanterns were put out, and they headed up the stairs.
Letty tensed, realizing how much she’d come to care for this man. She’d spent two nights with him at the cabin, and she ached to have him hold her again. Now they were married and she couldn’t help being nervous.
At the top of the stairs, Paul took her hand. “I have something to show you.” He walked down the hall to his room, opened the door and motioned her inside.
Letty hesitated, but walked in and gasped.
Paul smiled as he stood behind Letty and gazed at his bed. There were snowy-white sheets covering the mattress, with a beautiful patchwork quilt that lay folded at the bottom of the iron frame.
“Oh, my, this is lovely, but who did this?”
With a racing heart, Paul looked at his bride. No, she was the lovely one.
She turned to him. Her big brown eyes sparkled with excitement and awe.
He wanted nothing more than to carry her to the bed and show her how much he cherished her. Instead, he handed her the piece of paper. “Here, I found this note.”
Letty opened and read, “This is from Michael and Prudence. Oh, my, they have done so much for us already.” She walked to the bed and reverently touched the quilt. “Johnny allowed them in the cabin so they could surprise us.”
Several thoughts went through his head, and none were appropriate for their situation. Paul looked away from his tempting bride. “They sure went to a lot of trouble. Someone should appreciate all their efforts. Letty, you should sleep in here tonight.”
She turned to him and whispered softly, “I can’t take your bed, Paul.” She walked to him. “I wish…why couldn’t this be like it was at the cabin, and we had to sleep together?”
He was about at the end of his rope, so he didn’t need to hear her wishes. “Don’t tempt me, Mrs. Slater. It is difficult enough to find the strength to leave you.” He reached for her and pulled her close. His lips brushed across hers.
She drew in a sharp breath.
He did it again and he received a soft whimper and his mouth crushed hers. It was a gentle kiss, but he was far too hungry for her. Maybe if she got a taste of the fierceness inside him, she’d be frightened enough to keep her distance.
It backfired. She welcomed the passion and returned it as her arms went around his neck, and she pressed closer.
He inhaled her sweet scent and her addictive taste until he was close to losing control. He finally tore his mouth away. “I can’t sleep in here with you, Letty, not because I don’t ache with every part of my body, but we made a bargain.” He recalle
d the promise to his best friend. He kissed the end of her nose. “Sleep well, my bride.” He turned and walked out, praying she didn’t call him back. He was weak when it came to her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next morning, since he hadn’t been able to sleep the night before, Paul had gotten up before dawn. He was afraid he might give in to temptation and go to his room where his bride slept. The woman he'd longed for since they’d met, but he could never have her. She belonged in Chicago, living in her upscale home. So it was best he went on with his life here on his ranch.
In the barn, he saddled Simon and took him out for a ride. The air was crisp and cold, but he didn’t mind as he raced across the open prairie. Thanks to the warm March sun, the snow was all but gone and spring grass began to sprout up through the fertile soil. Once in the pasture, he tugged on the reins to slow his mount to a walk and began to make a wide circle around the small herd of mamas and babies that were grazing peacefully. He was happy to see that three calves had dropped since he’d left last week. After a closer examination, he was hoping his Hereford and Angus bulls sired them. His hopes were dashed a little, not seeing any results of his new breeding program.
He heard his name called and looked around to see Johnny on his big chestnut, galloping toward him. He saw the urgency in his face, and Paul met him halfway.
“Where’s Letty?” Johnny asked.
“She was still asleep when I left the house this morning.”
Paul started to ask him about the herd, but Johnny cut off his words. “I have to leave for Sweetwater Springs right away.” His horse shifted, and Johnny explained as they rode back to the barn.
“I’m traveling with Roger Jacobs back to Sweetwater Springs. El Davis came back early from his supply trip, so we’re catching a ride with him.” Johnny looked toward the house. “I need to pack and talk with Letty.” He looked at Paul. “You know I’d take Letty with me if I could, but for her safety she needs to stay here. I have no idea what Jensen will try and do. He isn’t going to give up easily, and Letty and I stand in his way.”
“I thought that was the plan, for her to stay here. To make the marriage look genuine.”
“I know. But I’m not sure when I can get back here. There is so much to take care of. Somehow, I have to gain access into the house and get Mother out of there.”
Paul nodded. “I wish I could help.”
“Thanks. You’re helping plenty. Could you hitch up the wagon? We need to leave for town and sign the rest of the legal papers.”
“Of course.”
Once at the barn, Johnny handed off his horse to Paul and hurried up to the house.
Paul got the wagon hitched, and then drove it to the porch. He hadn’t seen Letty since he’d left her in his bedroom last night. How he’d been able to walk away from her was still beyond him. He opened the back door and found the brother and sister in the kitchen.
“The sooner I get to Chicago, the faster I’ll be able to help our mother.” Johnny frowned. “I thought that was what you wanted.”
Letty blinked at tears. “Of course, you need to go, but I was hoping to spend a little more time with you before you left, but I know you have to go. Mother’s health, maybe even her life could depend on your return.”
He embraced her. “Oh, Sissy, I’m hoping this won’t take long, and then I’ll send for you to come home.” Johnny then noticed Paul in the doorway and released his sister. “Paul, I forgot to tell you, if you need help here, Michael can give you the names of a few men to hire.”
“And I can help, too,” Letty added. “I can still ride a horse.”
The men exchanged a look, and Johnny spoke. “Letty, herding cattle is a lot different than a causal ride through the countryside.”
Her spine straightened. “I’m aware of that. I rode with Father, and at the school there was horseback riding.”
Johnny nodded. “Okay, if you say so, sister.” He turned to Paul. “You are going to have your hands full, my friend.”
Paul already knew that, but not for the reasons Johnny thought.
“That’s why I should go home with you, Johnny.”
Her brother shook his head. “We don’t want anyone to question the legitimacy of your marriage, and Paul needs to stay here and take care of the place.”
Letty looked thoughtful. “You’re probably right.”
Paul could take care of the ranch himself, but he needed to think about Letty. If there were any question about the legitimacy of their marriage, they had to show that they live together. That meant she had to play the part of his wife.
Johnny reached for his travel bag. “We better get into town.”
After getting her coat, Letty followed the men out to the wagon, and Paul drove them to the mine. Michael was gracious enough to let them use the office to do their business with Roger Jacobs. The lawyer also asked Michael to sign as a witness for the legal documents.
Later that morning, Letty hugged her brother goodbye, but couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever see him again. She glanced at Paul. She knew she'd made an issue of staying here, but she found she didn’t want to return to her mundane life, not yet. Would Paul send her away after Johnny settled in Chicago, or would he ask her to stay? Would she want to stay? “I love you, Johnny.” She hugged him tight. “Tell Mother I love her, too.”
“I will.” Johnny looked at Paul. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, my friend. Take care of my sister.”
The two men shook hands. “I will. Don’t worry about anything. Now, go and play big tycoon. I know you can do this, and your father believed in you, too.”
Johnny nodded and tossed his bag in back of the huge wagon pulled by a team of six mules. Then he jumped in and sat down on a backbench with Mr. Jacobs.
The teamster flipped the reins over the animals and the wagon jerked forward then began to roll down the dirt road.
Letty kept waving until the image disappeared over the rise.
Paul came up to her. “Hey, it’s going to be all right. Don’t cry.” He removed his gloves and brushed the tear off her cheek.
His blue eyes held such tenderness and compassion. She lowered her gaze. “I’m being foolish. I only got to spend such a short time with him.”
A quirk of smile appeared across his handsome face. “And in those two days, you’ve found a lost brother, obtained a husband and gained part ownership in a cattle ranch. You have been busy, Miss Loretta. Correction, Mrs. Slater.”
A shiver went through her, hearing him call her missus. They both laughed.
Once they sobered, he said, “Your brother is doing the right thing, Letty. And hopefully, everything will be settled in a few weeks, and he’ll be back here.”
Letty nodded. “You’re right. We can only take one thing at a time. First and foremost is rescuing our mother from Henry, and then booting him to the curb.”
“And I think Johnny is the best man for that job.”
Letty brightened.
“Hey, how about I take my new bride to breakfast?”
Again, she felt a thrill hearing him call her a bride. “I would love that, Mr. Slater.”
Paul offered her his arm, and they walked down the dirt street to the boarding house. They stopped and greeted a few of the town residents, who offered them their best wishes. Once they reached the boarding house, Letty felt Paul’s strong hand escort her up the steps before he opened the door.
Once inside, the aroma made Paul’s mouth water. The room was nearly empty, being that most of the men were already working at the mine. So they took a seat at the window.
“Looks like we got lucky,” Paul said. “Since Bertha took over the cooking here, most times the place has been too crowded to get a seat. I guess the secret is to wait until later to eat.”
The swinging door from the kitchen opened, and Bertha Bucholtz walked in.
She moved swiftly and gracefully across the room, even with her ample build.
When she recognized Letty, a broad
grin spread across her face and her blue eyes shined with happiness. “Letty, Paul. This is a surprise to see you this morning.”
The couple stood and Letty greeted her new friend with a hug. “We just sent Johnny off to Sweetwater Springs,” Letty explained. “So my husband is treating me to breakfast.” She lowered her eyes, playing the part of a blushing bride. “We got a late start this morning.”
Bertha’s cheeks turned rosy, too. “I would think just getting married allows you a little tardiness. What can I bring you to eat?”
They ordered apple spice muffins and ham omelets. After Bertha brought them coffee and their muffins, she left them alone.
Paul took the time to try and straighten out the misunderstanding between them. “Letty, about last night…” She looked at him with those big brown eyes, and he started to lose his train of thought. Oh, boy, he was in trouble.
“I don’t want us to feel funny around each other. We got along so well when we were stranded in the way station. I don’t want that to change.”
“Oh, Paul, I don’t want that, either.” She leaned forward and whispered, “It just feels a little odd being married, doesn’t it?”
“That all depends.” He tried to make light of their situation. “Are you going to be one of those nagging wives?”
Letty sat back and gave him a pouty look. “Not unless you provoke me, husband.” Soon they both began to laugh.
Just then, Bertha carried two plates to the table. She set them down and then stood back and watched them a moment, smiling. “Will you look at you two? You are so sweet together, and obviously so in love.”
***
After breakfast, Letty asked to stop by the company store before returning to the ranch. She needed clothes, and unless by some miracle they dropped from the sky, she had to purchase some. She walked in to find Prudence behind the counter.
The mayor’s wife came around to greet her. “Good day, Mrs. Slater, Mr. Slater.”
“Hello, Mrs. Morgan,” Paul said.
“Good day to you, too, Mrs. Morgan,” Letty said. “How are you today, Prudence? I hope all the wedding preparation didn’t cause you any stress.”
Montana Sky: Slater's Bride (Kindle Worlds) Page 10