Caleb

by Callie Hutton

  It didn’t take long for the tightening way low in her belly to increase until she found herself pushing against his hand, crying out as pleasure washed over her. She slumped just as he entered, filling her all the way up. Within a few strokes, she once again felt the need to reach that pleasurable place again.

  Wrapping her legs around his waist, she shifted so his flesh rubbed against that little part of her body that tingled with need. Their breathing increased, their skin grew moist as they continued on. Her muscles clenched once again, and she gripped his shoulders as he threw his head back, the warm liquid from his body pouring into her.

  He hung his head, the hair falling over his forehead. “I love you, Lily.”

  “It’s about time.”

  Epilogue

  September 9, 1881

  “Caleb, you sent me in here to get some rest and all that pounding is making any rest impossible.” Lily shifted her swollen body on the bed.

  He stuck his head into the bedroom door, a hammer dangling from his fingers. “Sorry, darlin’, but I want to get this room finished before the baby comes.”

  “Anybody home?” Mama Fraser’s voice mixed with the hammering Caleb had continued.

  “In here, Mama.” Lily swung her legs over the edge of the bed and glanced down at her feet. Swollen again. Like her belly. Like her entire body. She never felt so ugly in her life.

  “Lay back down, now, Lily. The doctor said you needed as much bed rest as you can get.” Mama bustled into the room, drawing the curtains, taking over as she was wont to do.

  Lily had finally accepted the woman as Mama Fraser. After she and Caleb had finished making love for three days straight after the train wreck, they went hand-in-hand to the main house to share supper with the family and thank Mama for bringing them together.

  The woman had cried. Caleb had cringed. Lily had laughed at them both.

  The other brothers and their wives were getting along just fine. Mama Fraser was happily playing grandmother to Ruby and Gideon’s little girl, Fiona. Mama still grinned every time she mentioned the baby’s name. Nothing like having a namesake.

  Lily was ready to deliver and Olivia was enjoying her pregnancy, not being so far along yet that she was miserable. Beth was close to her due date. The Fraser clan was growing.

  “I’m so tired of being as big as an elephant,” Lily said.

  Mama Fraser patted her hand. “Now, dear, we all feel that way toward the end, but it will all be over soon and when you hold that little one in your arms for the first time you’ll forget all this discomfort. Trust me.”

  “Honey, I have to run into town to get more supplies. Will you be all right?” Caleb entered the room, wiping his hands on a cloth.

  Mama waved her hand at him. “Go. Get what you need. Lily is just fine.”

  Once he left the room, Lily shifted again. “Honestly, the man is driving me crazy. He keeps watching me like he expects me to explode.” She sighed. “Of course I feel like I’m going to explode.”

  Caleb checked the wagon to make sure he had everything from his list. Thank God he had this room to build or watching every twinge Lily made would have driven him mad. This baby couldn’t come soon enough. Being so uncomfortable, Lily was a might testy these days, and having gone through the summer big as a whale hadn’t helped her mood any.

  Just as he was climbing into the wagon, Desiree came marching down the boardwalk, her hands on her hips. He grinned at her new attire. Since she had opened up a dress shop with Ruby’s help, Desiree dressed in modest frocks that showed off her excellent sewing skills instead of her other interesting assets. He shook his head at the change in the woman.

  “Caleb Fraser. What are you doing in town with your wife so close to delivering your baby?”

  “Pardon me, Miss LaRue, but I thought this was her baby as well.”

  The minx came nose-to-nose with him. “You put it there.”

  He reared back, pretending shock, a smile playing around his lips. “Miss LaRue! I am shocked that a gentle lady like yourself would say such a thing.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t change the subject. Get yourself on home and take care of that wife of yours. And you better head back into town when that baby arrives so you can spread the news.” She looked him up and down and tsked. “Who would have thought bad boy Caleb Fraser would turn into this.” She waved her hand at the wagon. “Go on home, now.”

  He tapped her on the tip of her nose and climbed into the wagon. Yes, who would have recognized him from what he’d been only a year ago. Now he was about to be a father, and if this baby was a girl, he’d keep his shotgun handy. No one would ever look at his daughter the way he had looked at other men’s daughters. And if any boy so much as put a hand on her . . .well, it would get downright ugly.

  Lily’s screams reached his ears before the wagon even came to a stop. He pulled the brake and set it, and left the wagon sitting right there. He raced into the house just as Olivia came hurrying from the room.

  “What happened? Is Lily all right?”

  “Yes. She’s fine. The baby is on its way.”

  He felt all the blood race from his head. “This fast? I only left a few hours ago.” He followed her into the kitchen where pots of water boiled.

  “Sometimes it happens this fast. Not very often, though. She’s very lucky.” She touched the slight bump her stomach made underneath her dress. “I hope I’m just as lucky when my time comes.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Go up to the main house and wait there. We’ll call you when it’s all over.”

  Lily set out with another scream. Followed with words he never imagined she knew. Mostly directed at him. “I think I’ll do that.” He turned and strode to the door.

  Jamie was no help at all when he caught him in the barn doing chores. “Nothing to it, little brother. I’ve been through it twice before.”

  “Oh, yeah, well I plan to laugh my ass off when Olivia is shrieking and calling you names in a few months.” Caleb picked up a rake and helped him.

  “Names, huh?

  “Yeah. Where the hell did she learned that stuff?”

  “The library?”

  Caleb snorted.

  They’d barely finished supper in the bunkhouse when Olivia entered the noisy room. “Caleb.”

  He jumped from his seat, knocking the bench over. “Is it finished?”

  “Yes. You can go on home now.” She looked him in the eyes. “I’m glad to see you didn’t succumb to liquor like so many men do.”

  He grabbed his hat from the peg by the door. “Nah. Lily would throw something at my head.” He turned, a grin on his face. “She’s good at that, you know.”

  The house was quiet when he entered. Not knowing why, he tip-toed across the main room floor and eased the bedroom door open. Mama bustled around the room, straightening things up.

  Lily sat up in bed, leaning against several pillows, holding a small bundle. She beamed at him and his heart melted. He didn’t think it was possible to love this woman any more, but at this moment, he sure did. He walked quietly over to her and gently sat on the bed.

  “Would you like to meet your daughter?”

  “A girl?” If he didn’t know better he would think the tears in his eyes were from her news. That couldn’t be.

  “What should we name her?” He touched one work-worn finger to her soft cheek. “She’s so pretty.”

  “I agree. The most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen.”

  He tilted his head and studied the small face with rosebud lips and satin skin. “I was thinking of Laura Kathleen.”

  “Caleb, what a pretty name. I like that.” She frowned. “Wait a minute. That’s not the name of one of your lady friends, is it?”

  “I have no lady friends, darlin’. I have all I need right here. A wife I love, and a daughter who makes my heart throb.”

  He smiled at Laura Kathleen. “And a shotgun.”

  The End

  There are three o
ther Fraser brothers whose stories you might enjoy:

  Jamie: Olivia Stewart risks everything to accomplish her dreams. She’s tired of being pitied because she’s been jilted, tired of teaching other people’s children without any of her own. When she signs with a matrimonial agency, a letter from Jamie Fraser sounds perfect. A widower with two young children will give her a head start on the family she’s determined to have. But Colorado holds surprises for Olivia that endanger her goals and even her life.

  Rancher Jamie Fraser is shocked to learn his mother has written for a mail-order bride for him! He has two children and no plan to marry again. Ever! His late wife taught him women can’t be trusted. Even his beloved mother isn’t above tricking her sons to achieve her heartfelt ambitions. Now he’s stuck with a wife he didn’t want—a stubborn woman bent on changing his home and his life.

  Can two strong people at odds achieve happiness? Angel Springs, Colorado is a small town that inspires big dreams. Olivia and Jamie just might find their dreams meld to form a powerful and enduring love.

  Gideon: As the local preacher, Gideon Fraser often talks about the many virtues of a good marriage, but that doesn't mean he has the slightest inclination of claiming a bride of his own. No, he's been burned before, by greedy women who only want the prestige and money the Fraser family name can provide. When his mother's devious matchmaking results in his unexpected wedding, Gideon looks at the beautiful face of the woman who has sworn to be his and wants nothing to do with her. But Gideon is in danger of losing his heart until he discovers the truth. His new wife lied to him...about everything.

  Ruby Haller needed a husband and fast. A treacherous man promised her the world, took her virginity, and left her without a father for her unborn child. When her father, the town minister, found out she was expecting a child, he offered her hand in marriage to the meanest man in town. Becoming a mail-order-bride appeared to be a safer choice. But instead of a rancher, she ends up the wife of a stubborn, bull-headed preacher and he's none too pleased when he discovers her duplicity. Worse? The local town beauty, who had been courting him for years, is determined to make her life a living hell.

  But Angel Springs, Colorado is a small town that can inspire big dreams. It's nearly Christmas, and as these two hearts heal, a holiday miracle just might be within reach.

  Ethan: A reluctant groom and a runaway bride…

  Beth Worthington finds herself racing from a wealthy older groom into the arms of a stranger when she defies an attempt by her father to marry her off. Instead, she takes matters into her own hands and agrees to become a mail-order bride with no intention of staying married to her unknown suitor.

  Ethan Fraser is shocked when he discovers his mother ordered him a bride. To save the innocent girl’s reputation, he goes through with the wedding. What he doesn’t expect is for his innocent bride to have plans of her own – that don’t happen to include him.

  When an unexpected snowstorm traps the two together they have to learn to compromise in order to survive.

  Can a rich debutante and a Colorado cowboy learn to live together before the snow melts or will their different lifestyles tear them apart before they have a chance to find out?

  Keep reading for the first chapter of Callie Hutton’s bestselling novel, The American Mail Order Brides: Julia, Bride of New York.

  Chapter One

  October 16, 1890

  Julia Benson wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt and gazed out the train window as it pulled into the station. Smoke from the engine floated past the glass, clouding her view of the station and town. Wickerton, New York.

  This was it. Her stop.

  What have I done? I must be out of my mind to agree to marry a stranger.

  A mail order bride. Never in her wildest imaginings—and she had plenty of those—had she ever envisioned herself as one. That title was reserved for ugly, aging, desperate women who traveled from their hometown to marry men who badly needed a wife.

  Aside from the aging part, the description did fit her. Oh, she wasn’t exactly ugly. But her limp from a carriage accident as a child drew an observer’s attention from her nice form and pleasant face. It was the first thing a person saw, and made the biggest impact.

  And she was certainly desperate. After losing her employment when the factory where she worked burned to the ground, she and many of the women who worked there decided to sign up with the bride agency. Survival, they’d called it.

  The hissing of the steam soothed her as it had the entire ride from Boston. If only she could ride the train forever and not get off. Not face a new life she wasn’t all that sure about.

  Her coworkers had pooled their money once the factory was lost and helped each other prepare for their new lives. Groups of women had parted on several days over the past week, hugs and tears at each leaving. As far as she knew, the women were headed to just about every state and territory in the country.

  “Wickerton, New York.” The conductor walked the passageway from one car to the next, announcing their destination.

  Julia took a deep breath and stood, smoothing her dress as best she could. It was quite wrinkled from the long ride, but nothing could be done for it now. She grabbed her satchel from the shelf above her seat, the jerking of the train’s brakes making for a clumsy walk to the door.

  The station bustled with activity. Passengers getting off, passengers getting on. Shrieks of happiness as family members were reunited. She stood at the top step and looked around. Mr. Johnson was supposed to meet her at the station. He’d written that from there they would go directly to the parson’s house and get married. Her stomach roiled.

  Tears stung her eyes, either from the steam or building anxiety, as her eyes darted back and forth, looking for Mr. Johnson. Owner of the Wickerton Mercantile, he had described himself as in his thirties, a bit rotund, and with a full mustache. She was not fond of facial hair, but when a woman was desperate for a roof over her head and food in her stomach, she couldn’t afford to be fussy. Almost as an afterthought, he’d written that he had two sons.

  Please God. Just make him be kind.

  #

  Sheriff Fletcher Adams stood alongside Marvin Johnson as the man waited for his bride. Fletcher didn’t exactly call Johnson a friend, but the man had grabbed him a short time ago and asked him to go to the station with him, and then stand up as witness to his wedding at the parson’s house. Fletcher had oftentimes found the man to be mean, and he sure wasn’t doing too good of a job raising his two boys. Hopefully, his new wife would take the rascals in hand.

  A mail order bride. Fletcher shook his head. Why would a man take on a woman he didn’t know as his wife? Marriage was forever. Or until one of them died, like his wife, Laura. Even though having a wife would allow him to bring his daughter home from his sister-in-law’s house where she’d been for the past several months, he couldn’t imagine marrying up with a woman with God knows what type of past.

  “Do you see her, Sheriff?” Johnson wiped the sweat from his forehead as he scanned the women in the crowd, taking quick glances at a tintype he held in his hand.

  “That might be her, there.” Fletcher gestured with his chin at a very pretty young woman standing at the top of the train steps. She had a tight grip on her satchel and looked nervous enough to be a mail order bride. But certainly a heck of a lot younger and prettier than one would expect.

  Johnson glanced at the tintype. “Yep, that’s her all right.” He nudged Fletcher in his ribs. “Nice looking, eh? I’ll bet she’ll be a good one between the sheets.”

  A flash of irritation tightened Fletcher’s lips. That wasn’t a seemly thing to say about one’s prospective wife. He almost felt sorry for the girl.

  As they both watched, the woman grasped the railing and stepped down. She seemed to stumble and then righted herself. Fletcher found himself taking a step forward to assist her, but realized she was no concern of his. Johnson just stared at her and never moved.

  Once she reached the
ground and took a step forward, it became apparent that she had a limp. She struggled with the satchel and continued to scan the crowd, chewing her lip as she looked around.

  “Johnson, I think you should go help the girl.”

  “What the hell! She never told me she was a cripple.” Johnson remained in his place, staring at his bride, his face a mirror of distaste.

  Shocked at the man’s comments, Fletcher said, “She’s not a cripple. She merely has a limp.”

  “Well, I ain’t marrying up with no woman who limps. How the hell is she gonna help me in the store? And do her chores? And what about taking care of my two boys? They need a mother, not someone who they would have to nurse.” He shook his head, crumpling the tintype in his fist. “Nah. I don’t want her.”

  Fletcher’s mouth dropped. “You can’t just leave her here. She came all this way expecting to get married.”

  “Well, it ain’t gonna be to me.” He tossed the tintype to the ground. “You marry her. I’m going back to the store. And you can bet I’ll be writin’ that bride agency and tellin’ them I want a refund.” He stormed off, leaving Fletcher staring after him.

  What the hell am I going to do now?

  The crowd dispersed and still the bride stood on the platform, her satchel at her feet, her face frozen in a smile. Fletcher ran his fingers through his hair so many times it was a wonder his hat even fit on his head.

  Damn that Johnson. To just leave her here with no care in the world as to what she would do. The train slowly pulled out behind her, and soon the only people on the platform were her and him. She looked at him expectantly, and he knew there was no way he could walk away.