Harmony (Journey's End Book 3)

by Victoria Phelps

  “Poor bear,” Harmony lamented.

  “True, but since the bear’s already gone, we might as well enjoy his fur. What’s to eat?” He rubbed his hands together. “We should work on that chicken.”

  They ate until they were full. No need to ration this time. A man, and a woman, too, worked better on a full belly. By late afternoon they had reached the railroad track and turned west to follow it to Franklin.

  When the sun dipped behind the majestic mountain tops leaving behind deep violet shadows, Matt moved away from the tracks.

  “Let’s stop for the night. Once the sun sets it will be cold and dark.” He dropped his pack before helping Harmony. “I’ll collect firewood. You can spread out our rug and find food for supper,” he instructed. They had developed a rhythm for setting up camp and soon a fire crackled and the bear skin lay unfurled.

  Matt melted snow and made a pot of coffee. He handed a cup to Harmony and waited until she’d taken her last sip before placing the cup on the ground.

  “I’ve been hankering to give this bear skin a proper try.” He winked and ran his hand up her thighs. His hand came to an abrupt stop. “I thought you’d given up on wearing bloomers.” Confusion flitted across his face.

  “You were serious?” Harmony asked, her voice a husky whisper.

  “I don’t say things I don’t mean,” he replied. “You best keep that in mind.” He pulled the ribbon and slid the offending garment down her legs and over her feet. “I think you need a little spanking.”

  “What?” Harmony pulled away her back stiff and straight.

  Matt pulled her over his legs and lifted her skirt. Her bare bottom glowed alabaster in the moonlight. He spanked her right cheek and rubbed the sting away. Attention was focused on the left side, spank and rub. He paused. This wasn’t punishment; this was fun, but he wanted to know if she thought so too.

  Harmony wiggled her little bottom in invitation. Lord have mercy, he didn’t need to be told twice. He resumed his spank, rub pattern until Harmony lifted her bottom towards him, asking, requesting. Sliding his hand between her thighs, he pressed them apart. He speared her feminine space with his fingers and set a slow pace.

  Matt lifted her from his legs and laid her on her stomach.

  “Hands and knees,” he whispered into the tumble of honey blonde hair.

  Dropping his trousers, he moved behind her and pulled her to him and Harmony pushed back. He resumed his spank, rub play while his manhood slid home. He shut his eyes and fought his pleasure. It was too soon. They both wanted, needed, more.

  He waited. When Harmony pushed into him with her release, he set a rough tempo and rode hard. With a hoarse cry, he sent waves of heated seed racing toward their own goal.

  They collapsed, sweaty and spent, onto the bear’s soft fur. Matt pulled the blanket over them, and they drifted away. Stars twinkled, brittle and bright, in the black velvet Colorado sky while the moon blessed them with a benevolent glow.

  Morning sun was not so kind. It pierced the eye with sharp determination and brought Matt abruptly from sleep.

  “Morning, Harmony.” He pushed at the tangle of hair hiding her face. When her nose appeared, he gave it a nip and a kiss.

  Harmony yawned, stretched and yawned again. “Morning, Matt.”

  He rekindled the fire and made fresh coffee. They cooked bacon in their single pan, and then fried the left-over pancakes in the grease.

  “I sure do like traveling with enough food,” Matt said as he readied their packs for another day of walking.

  Harmony’s laugh floated to him on a breeze. He closed his eyes and let its sweetness sweep over him.

  Using the side of his boot, he buried their fire with snow. “I think it’s too damp to start the woods on fire but better not to take chances,” he explained.

  He adjusted Harmony’s pack and threw his own over his shoulders.

  They walked through the day only stopping for dinner and calls of nature. Matt was about to call it quits when they crested a mountain and nestled deep in the valley before them lights twinkled.

  Matt hugged her to him with a strong arm. “Franklin,” he stated. “We made it.”

  New energy coursed through tired veins, and they headed for the town with quick steps. The sun had disappeared when they reached the first building that signaled arrival.

  “Let’s find the hotel. We need a room and a meal,” Matt said. “We’ll talk to the sheriff and find a preacher in the morning.”

  A two-story building half-way down the main street proclaimed itself the Franklin Hotel. Matt drew a shaky breath. He supposed they could sleep rough again if they had too, but he was hoping for a bed for his bride.

  A skinny fella in a worn plaid shirt sat behind the desk. Matt approached with his arm around Harmony’s shoulders.

  “We’re hoping you have a room to let,” Matt declared.

  “We do,” the man replied. He dipped a pen into an ink bottle and eyed the young couple. “Name?” he asked.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Matt Cullen.” The words were scarcely spoken before a loud guffaw sounded at his back. Matt spun toward the voice. Mitch McBride stood, hands propped on hips, with Melody at his side.

  “Are you two hitched?” Mitch began, but squeals and screams and shrieks drowned his question.

  Harmony shot across the lobby and into her sister’s arms. Tears flowed and voices shook as the women embraced, kissed, and embraced again.

  Matt and Mitch managed to move them from the center of the room and into a quiet corner. They waited for the storm of discovery to ease.

  “Why don’t you two get your bags to your room. We’ll meet down here for supper in half hour, and you can tell us what happened to the train, and where you’ve been. We’ve been worried, but Melody insisted her sister wasn’t dead.” Mitch dropped a lazy wink in Harmony’s direction. “Happy to say, she was right.”

  The two women headed for the stairs, arms twined together.

  “Harmony,” Matt reached for his bride’s arm. “This is our room.” He motioned at the door with number seven painted in black. “We’ll see Melody and Mitch at dinner.”

  Harmony was reluctant to release the sister so newly found. Matt gave a gentle tug on her arm. “Come on, darlin’.”

  They washed the long walk from their faces and brushed the dirt from their clothes. When Matt opened the door to allow his bride to pass, Melody stood waiting in the hall.

  “She wouldn’t go downstairs without her,” Mitch explained. He looked over his wife’s head at Matt and lifted his eyebrows. Matt countered with a shrug. This was a big day for his little bride and her sister. Once the two women were used to one another their enthusiasm would drop. At least he hoped so. He refused to be jealous of Harmony’s twin sister. He would not be so petty. Matt pushed his possessive thoughts aside.

  Every head turned to stare as they entered the dining room. A buzz of conversation ensued and was followed by more glances. Matt and Mitch helped their pretty wives into their seats before joining them around the café table.

  Matt gazed at the two women. Lord almighty, those two would cause a stir wherever they went. They were so beautiful, vibrant, pulsating with energy. Two sets of blue eyes stared back at him. Two heads of honey blonde hair fell in waves around identical shoulders. Two sets of lush pink lips smiled and two little tongues darted out to wet those luscious lips. He couldn’t begin to imagine the thoughts rushing through the minds of other men in the room. He was sure no less than half of the men were hiding their interest behind a carefully placed napkin.

  After a young waitress took their order and disappeared toward the kitchen, Mitch shifted his attention to Matt. “Tell us what happened? Are you married?”

  “You married Matt?” Melody shrieked. She grabbed her sister’s hand. “You’ll stay in Oregon with me?”

  “Melody,” Mitch’s voice was a caution. “Let the man speak.”

  “Sorry, Matt,” she said, but her blinding grin was anything but apologet
ic.

  “We’re married in love and spirit. We took private vows at the cabin, but I aim to find a preacher as soon as supper is done and make legal ones as well,” Matt began.

  “Cabin?” Mitch asked.

  “Let me start further back. We were on the train. It was only three cars since most trains aren’t risking the mountains yet. I didn’t know how long we’d need to wait for another, so we bought tickets.” He took Harmony’s hand in his own and squeezed. “The first days went without incident. It was a little scary to be hanging off the side of the mountain on a path only wide enough for the rails, but we were fine. Then, three days in we hear a boom and an avalanche roared down the mountain and hit the train. I braced Harmony behind a seat, and we rolled with the train. A husband and wife, Jeb and Nan, were traveling with us. Jeb tried to get his woman behind a seat where a person at least had a chance, but she wouldn’t mind.” He shook his head at the memory.

  “She wouldn’t mind?” Mitch echoed his words. “It was life and death, and she wouldn’t obey?” Disbelief soaked his words.

  “She would not. He chased her, but it all happened so damn fast. When the train rolled, they were thrown like ships in a storm. Jeb managed to protect Nan with his body, but he struck his head a bad blow and died. It was mighty sad, and Nan was hysterical.” He took a sip of water and ran his hand over his face. “I looked out the window and saw two men walking down to the train,” Matt paused for breath. “Nan went screaming to those men to help her husband. I tried to stop her, but she was out of the car too quick. They shot her. Shot her without even a moment of hesitation. One of them said there could be no witnesses.”

  “What did you do?” Melody gasped.

  “We pretended to be dead,” Harmony said, taking up the story. “My bad leg was struck by the stove when it broke loose. Other than that, we were not injured. But those two men stopped and took a good look at us. They kicked Matt, twice, to see if he was alive or dead. I don’t know how he did it, but he didn’t make a sound.”

  “I felt that pain,” Melody said. “It was the same place where you were hurt when you were about seven.”

  “It was.” Harmony shot her twin a grin. An identical one answered back.

  Matt continued. “We lay still. The two fellas went to the freight car, and we heard another shot. One of the guards died during the avalanche, but those hombres shot the other one. We let Harmony’s leg rest for a day, and then we started walking. Following the train tracks. We were running low on food, and I decided to try to get us a rabbit. We couldn’t walk much longer on soggy crackers. I left Harmony hiding high in a tree. She was supposed to stay there until I returned, but she disobeyed and came down.”

  “Oh, Matt, do you have to tell this part?” Blood drained from Harmony’s face leaving it a sickly pale.

  “She left her hiding place?” Mitch’s voice rose with disapproval.

  “She did, and a mountain man found her.” Matt shut his eyes against the memory. “He beat her, gagged her, stripped her nearly naked. When I returned, I saw the scuffle in the snow and followed the tracks to his cabin.” He took Harmony’s hand in his own. “I tried to get her back peacefully but the man threw a knife, and I fired my rifle. He hit me in the shoulder, but I killed him. I’m sorry to take the life of another, but he left me no choice. I couldn’t abandon Harmony to that man’s mercy. I’d have died first.”

  The four sat in silent astonishment at the story of survival.

  “The big storm hit that night. The cabin was well stocked with wood and food. Harmony and I rode it out, and here we are. We exchanged vows in the cabin, but I plan to make her my bride all legal and proper tomorrow.” Matt leaned over and placed a soft kiss of promise on her cheek. “We have to talk to the sheriff, too. We can give a description and names, first ones anyway, of the men who sabotaged the train and murdered Nan and the guard and stole the strong box with the payroll in it. I need to explain the death of Gustav Sorenson, the mountain man. It was self-defense no question about that. But we hoped someone would take the time for a proper burial after the thaw.”

  “It’s amazing you made it out alive,” Mitch said. “The train wreck, the walk, the mountain man.” He shook his head. “Melody always said her sister was alive, so we kept believing it.”

  “I’ll find a preacher after supper,” Matt stated.

  “I don’t have anything to wear,” Harmony lamented.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Matt began.

  “Of course it matters,” Melody butted in. “I have clothes with me, Harmony. You’ll be a beautiful bride, I promise.”

  The women exchanged a long look and then burst into repeated gales of giggling laughter. “Girls,” Mitch stabbed them with a glare. “For the benefit of those who did not share a womb with you, please put your sentiments into words.”

  Melody observed her husband’s solemn face. “Sorry, Mitch,” she began. “We were thinking how happy we are. How we both always knew the other existed, but we couldn’t figure it out. We were saying how exciting it was that we could be together on Harmony’s wedding day. That’s all.”

  Matt and Mitch exchanged looks of wry amusement. These gals would be a handful.

  Matt scraped the last bite from his place and pushed his chair back. “I’d be mighty obliged if you would keep an eye on Harmony while I find the preacher.”

  “We’ll be in room 8,” Mitch replied. “Come on, ladies. Let’s head on up.”

  When Matt returned an hour later, Harmony and Melody sat on the bed pawing through a pile of clothes.

  “We’re set for tomorrow at eleven,” Matt told the little group. “Did you find something you’d like to wear, darlin’?”

  “Yes, but you can’t see until the wedding.” She shook her finger in mock disapproval belied by the dazzle of her smile.

  “All right. Come on, let’s hit the hay,” Matt held his hand out in invitation.

  “No, no, no. You can’t see me until the morning. It’s bad luck. I’m staying here with Melody, and Mitch is going with you,” Harmony explained. Her blue eyes were wide with purpose. “We’ll meet you at the church tomorrow.”

  Matt’s eyebrows shot up and his mouth turned down. Dismay was written clear and sharp on his face.

  Mitch shrugged and heaved a sigh. “It’s what they want, Matt. They’ve been talking of nothing else the last hour. Harmony will only have one wedding day and so on and so forth. I think we best go along to keep the peace. I already told them that after tomorrow they will sleep with their husbands, period, end of story.”

  It was a battle not worth fighting. He wanted Harmony to come to him tomorrow happy and beaming that smile he loved. “All right. Come on, Mitch. Lock the door behind us,” he ordered.

  The two men stood outside the door until they heard the lock click. The night was long and lonely. The men lay stiff and straight on the bed and wished for the soft, cuddly warmth of their women.

  Morning arrived, and Matt bolted from the bed. “I’m having breakfast and baths sent to your room for the girls. Come on down in a few minutes, and we’ll eat. Then I’m going to get shaved and barbered and buy clean clothes.” He had his hand on the doorknob when he turned back. “And a ring.”

  At eleven, Matt stood at the front of the church with Mitch by his side. He shifted from foot to foot and rubbed his palms up and down the cloth of his new pants.

  “She’ll come,” Mitch assured him.

  Matt gave him a desperate glance before returning his gaze to the door at the back of the building.

  Melody appeared first in a dress of lilac. She stepped slowly up the aisle until she stood to the left of the minister.

  Harmony stood in the doorway. Matt sucked in a breath and held it for so long he got a mite dizzy. Lordy, Lordy, if he lived to be one hundred he’d never forget this day or the beautiful woman walking toward him with confidence in her step and eyes shining bright.

  Her dress was a deep rose pink that matched the color or her spanked botto
m when she lay across his knees. He gulped. A white belt circled her waist and a ruffle of white lace adorned the neckline which he thought was really rather low. It scooped out to the width of her shoulders exposing an expanse of creamy skin. He didn’t cotton much to the idea of other men seeing quite so much of his wife, but she’d dressed today for him. A grin fit to break his jaw greeted her. He grabbed both her hands in a firm grip. No, sir, this woman wasn’t ever leaving his side. Not. Ever.

  The preacher cleared his throat. “Dearly Beloved,” he began. It took all Matt’s concentration to follow along, but he supposed he had because the preacher asked for a ring. Matt dug in the pocket of his shirt and withdrew the simple gold band he had selected at the Mercantile. It slid on her finger like it was made only for her which, of course, it was.

  “You may kiss your bride,” the minister intoned. Matt embraced the task. He cradled the back of her head with his large hand and sealed their bargain with a kiss. Then he pulled her tight to his chest and ran his hands down her back and over her pert bottom. She was his in every way – body, soul, spirit, before God, and under the law. He gave a whoop, and Mitch joined him in the celebration.

  He held an elbow out and Harmony slipped her hand through. “I have arranged for a wedding dinner, Mrs. Cullen,” he said.

  “Would you care to join us, preacher?” Matt asked.

  “No,” the man replied. “You young people run along.” His smile was kind. His voice gentle.

  “Thank you, sir.” Matt pulled a folded bill from his pocket and handed it to the minister. “Please use that as you see fit.”

  “I will,” he assured him. “May you have many years together, healthy children, and a house filled with love.”

  Harmony stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. They retreated down the aisle and whisked out the door.

  The waitress waited for them at the hotel’s restaurant. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen,” she said with a grin. “Right this way.”