Romance: Stepbrother On Top

by A. Valentine

  By: Katie Summers

  Paradise on the Frontier

  Katie Summers, 2015 – All rights reserved

  Published by Steamy Reads4U

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events are purely coincidental. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return it to the seller and purchase a copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

  Warning

  This book contains graphic content intended for readers 18+ years old.

  If you are under 18 years old, or are not comfortable with adult content, please close this book now.

  Chapter 1 – A New Direction

  Clara looked at herself in the looking glass. She wondered how things got so out of control? She didn’t know what had happened, but she knew that she was now penniless, widowed and defeated.

  “Ms. Clara. Hello?”

  She sighed quietly as she heard James’s voice through the doorway. James was her neighbour. He was a good guy and had been incredibly sweet to her through the whole ordeal. She just didn’t want to leave yet. She wiped a tear from her cheek and stood up straight. Squaring her shoulders she made her way to the door.

  “I am leaving James. I just needed a minute or two. This was the last place I saw my husband and where I thought I would have my children you know.”

  “There is no rush ma’am. I just wondered if I could speak to you for a moment. May I come in?”

  “Yes please.” She held the door for him as he made his way inside. She followed him slowly to the small foyer where a table sat. “I would offer you something to drink but, as I’m sure you know, I have nothing to give at the moment.”

  “I am fine ma’am. Thank you though. I was wondering what you would be doing now. I mean where will you go now?”

  Her sigh was frustrated because the truth was she didn’t know. She had no idea where she was going. She just knew that she could live with the embarrassment of staying there. Her husband had killed any life she could have made in Boston. Her sad eyes looked up at the man in reserve. “To tell you the truth sir. I don’t know. I have nowhere to go really.”

  “Well, I ask because I have a brother out in Colorado. He is a widow like yourself and needs some help. You see he has a daughter. Lexi is 10 and she needs a woman to help her. There are things that a man just cannot teach a young woman you know. He is looking for someone to help him.”

  “What about the women there in town? Can’t they help him?” She looked at him with her forehead worried into a frown.

  “Ha. Well, first off my dear is the number of women out in the west is slim to none. Also, his ranch is a day’s ride from the town so he couldn’t possibly have someone come out every day. He would need someone to live there with him and Lexi. It isn’t much but Craig’s a kind man and Lexi is as cute as they come. He can’t pay you much, but he can give you a place to stay and food and such. At least until you can get back on your feet. Who knows, you might even like it out there.” He said the last with a shrug of his shoulders and a sheepish grin.

  Clara looked over at the man across from her. Her options were, well she didn’t really have any options. “I don’t know anything about children James and I definitely don’t know nothing about living in the west. Are you sure he would be ok with me?”

  “Oh, ma’am I think you would be perfect for the job. Why, look at you. You hold yourself prim and proper like a young lady should and have the best of manners. Lexi could learn a lot from you. Craig, too I guess.”

  “If you don’t mind James can I ask what happened to his wife?”

  “She died from the fever. I would say it’s going on 5 years now. He’s a little rough around the edges, but Craig’s a good man and I know he would do right by ya.”

  She nodded her head and thought about it for a minute. “Well I guess I need to figure out how to get on the stage and head that way. I am assuming it will take me.”

  “I have that taken care of. Don’t you worry your pretty little head over anything. The stage will take you as far as the next town and then you will join the wagon train. It’s safer you know.”

  Her eyes widened when she realized just what he was talking about. “You mean Indians? We won’t run into any will we?”

  “We haven’t had any trouble lately but you can never be too sure you know. I would feel better if you were with a group of people you know.”

  “Thank you James. If not for you, I don’t really know what I would do.”

  She looked down at his hand where it patted her own. “Don’t think nothing of it. I’m just glad I caught ya before some young bloke swept you off your feet. Ok well the stage doesn’t leave until tomorrow so if you would like to stay here then you are more than welcome or I can get you a room at the inn.”

  She stood and looked around the foyer she had shared with her husband. “No. I think the inn would be good. I have said my goodbyes here already. I’m ready to leave now.”

  “Ok. Let’s get going then. I have my sons with me to help load your luggage onto the buggy.”

  She laughed softly. “Were you planning on me telling you I would go, James?” She smiled again at his sheepish smile.

  “I was hoping ma’am. Both my brother and his daughter could really use the help if you know what I mean.” She didn’t have any clue what he was talking about, but she knew that she would soon find out. She also knew that James was looking out for her as well. He had made sure she had somewhere to go and wasn’t living on the streets somewhere. He was a good man and she was glad to say she could call him friend.

  * * * * *

  The next morning she made her way downstairs and to the stagecoach that was waiting. She had a quick breakfast earlier in her room and looked at what was to be her ride across the country. It was little more than a covered wagon.

  “Howdy ma’am. I’m Wayne and I’ll be your guide across to the west. You can either sit up front or in the wagon whichever you prefer when we join the others. Unfortunately for your safety I will ask you to sit in the wagon until then. It is going to be a fast and dusty ride until we meet up with them. It will be better if a woman is not seen while we are alone just in case we come across anyone.” The man looked at her with a toothy grin. He had to be old enough to be her father. She sighed when she thought of putting her life in this man’s hands.

  The journey across the land and into the next town was very bumpy. It could have been from how fast they were going. It also could have been from how she had to sit in the back. After they met up with the others in the wagon train she began to make friends with many of the women traveling across the rugged terrain as she was. She was happy to make friends especially when it came to dinner. She may have found a way to cook, but she was nowhere as good as some of the women on the wagon train.

  After spending weeks in the wagon and with the rest of the wagon train she finally reached her destination. They had reached the lines of Colorado and right outside Denver where the little town sat. She quickly booked a room at the inn and took a long hot bath before sinking into a real bed. She would head out to the ranch the following morning. One of the men in town had a delivery for Craig and had offered to give her a ride. She had bought some things in the store to take with her as well. She smiled when she thought of her new life. She was a little worried about what would happen next but if Craig was anything
like his brother then she knew she would be safe.

  Clara looked out at the expanse of beautiful land in front of her. They had just come through the gate of the ranch and in front of her sat a small log cabin. There was a man standing by the doorway that she assumed was Craig. As they got closer she noticed just how handsome he was. His dark hair curled around his temple and over his ears. His dark eyes shone as they looked at her. Their eyes met for a few brief seconds before she averted her gaze to look around.

  “Robert. Thanks for bringing that out here.”

  “Well I wouldn’t necessarily call her that you know. Come on now boy. Your momma taught you some manners. This is Clara Sterling. Clara this is Craig Wilson.”

  The older man from the store helped her down from the wagon and she turned to look at the man across from her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Wilson.”

  “And you as well Ms. Sterling.”

  “Lexi! Get out here and say hello.”

  Chapter 2 – Meeting the Family

  Just then a young girl about 10 years old came bounding out of the house. Her reddish brown hair laid in ragged curls down her back. She had on trousers and a shirt that was stained brown with dirt and mud. Her face was covered in a frown among the dark smudges of dirt.

  “Hello Lexi. I’m Clara.”

  The little girl crept behind her father’s leg without saying a word. Before anyone could say anything else to her she bounded off towards the woods.

  Craig watched his daughter run and then turned to look at Clara again. “I’m sorry. She really is a good girl she just doesn’t get to be around many people with us being way out here. If you give me a minute I’ll go fetch her.

  “Please, Mr. Sterling that’s really unnecessary. I am sure she will come around when she is up to it.” She gave him a smile of reassurance.

  He nodded at her. “I’m sure you’re right. I cleared out the bedroom for you. I will stay in the loft with Lexi. Please come in. It’s not much, but its home.”

  She smiled at him and started to follow him in when his hands lifted the suitcases up. “I’m sure it’s lovely.” She looked around the home as she walked through the door. With a good scrubbing of the place, it really would be a lovely home. There were only a few furnishings in the small room including a couple rocking chairs and a table with chairs where she assumed they ate. She had seen a couple rocking chairs on the front porch as well. There was a ladder on one side that led up to the loft and then there was a door that must have led into the bedroom where he carried her luggage. She looked around at the home. This was where she would be living for a while. She didn’t know what life had in store for her but as she looked around she became excited about her new life.

  “Well, that’s all of it. I hate to just up and leave you when you just got here, but I need to get to the fields. Please make yourself at home Ms. Sterling and get settled.”

  “Thank you but please call me Clara.”

  He smiled briefly as he looked at her. “If you will call me Craig.”

  Smiling back she nodded. “Deal.”

  Clara watched him walk from the house and then turned back around to look at the house again. First she needed some water.

  It had taken her all day long, but she looked around at the home she now lived in. The place looked entirely different now that it was scrubbed clean. She looked down at herself and groaned. Making her way to the back of the house, she pumped water into the bowl there and began to rinse her hands and arms before wiping down her neck and over her face. She immediately felt better. Turning she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight she saw. There was Craig in the fields. He had removed his shirt and wore nothing but his trousers. She could see his muscles straining as he stood up and put his hands on his back and stretched. He must have felt her eyes on him because he turned at that second and his eyes met hers. Embarrassed she had been caught staring at him she quickly ducked inside the home.

  She began to look around the kitchen for something she could make for dinner and she found some vegetables and a small hunk of meat. Rummaging through the stuff she had just stacked up neat, she grabbed out a pot and had vegetable beef soup on in a matter of minutes. Finding the flour, she began to prepare the dough for biscuits. Soon the house began to simmer with the aroma of food. Smiling, she quickly ran into the bedroom to gather her spices she had brought. What she saw made her gasp out loud. The room was small but elegant and pretty. There was a large vanity on one side and a large bed in one corner.

  She came back into the kitchen humming as she finished up on dinner. She heard the door open behind her and spun around. It was Craig, but he had replaced his shirt. Lexi was on his heels as well.

  “It smells good in here.” He smiled at her. She ducked her head in embarrassment with the compliment. Her husband had been so sick and she had been alone most of the time that she rarely heard any compliments anymore.

  “Thanks. I filled the basin outside with fresh water so you two could clean up for dinner.” She looked at him pointedly. Ducking his head a little he nodded and grabbed Lexi’s hand.

  Clara smiled as she heard their conversation.

  “But daddy do we have to clean up? We never did before she came.”

  “We did with your momma. You mind your manners. You wouldn’t have second guessed what your momma told you to do.”

  “I just don’t see why we have to be so clean. And did you see the house? What she go and do something like that for? I mean it was fine just the way we had it wasn’t it Pa?”

  “It may have been before but not anymore. I kind of like having real food don’t you? It smells like vegetable soup in there. Isn’t that better than cold meat and bread that we get from town already made?”

  “I don’t know. I kinda like it being us two. Like two peas in a pod you always say.”

  “Yes, but some pods have three peas, Lexi.”

  “Seems crowded to me in that pod.” The girl’s voice was gruff.

  “Stop your fussing. You don’t cause her no trouble, Lexi Marie. Do you hear me? She came a long way to help us out. Understand?”

  “Yes, Pa. I promise not even no frogs or snakes in her bed and I promise I won’t try and scare her away.”

  “You’re a good girl Lexi and you need a woman around to help you fix your hair and stuff.”

  “What’s wrong with my hair? And she’ll just make me wash it like Ma used to. I mean I liked it when ma did it. She was different wasn’t she Pa?”

  “Yes she was honey. Now come on. Let’s go give Clara the gratitude she deserves.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Clara looked up when they came through the doorway. “The place looks amazing Clara thank you. Did you get settled in alright?”

  “Yes I did. Thank you.” She acknowledged but she hadn’t even stepped into the bedroom except to grab the spices. It would be something she would have to tackle tomorrow. She watched as they both sat down at the table.

  Clara began to eat the soup in front of her and looked over at Lexi. She took a small bite and the girl’s eyes widened with delight. “This soup is really good uh Pa. Wow.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I used some spice that I brought with me from back home.”

  “It is amazing Clara thank you. We will have to get more of those spices sent in.” He smiled at her as he tore a piece of his biscuit off to dip into the bowl. After filling his bowl twice and Lexi’s once she began to clean up the dishes. They both carried their dishes to the sink. He stood behind her and she could feel the heat radiate off of his body onto her own. “We normally go outside and sit after dinner. Lexi’s tries to catch lightning flies and I use my pipe. We would like it if you would join us.”

  She turned to smile at him and almost ran right into him. She sucked in a breath. “I would like that a lot. Thank you.”

  They sat in the two rocking chairs and watched Lexi play in the yard. Clara saw herself on that porch rocking when she was older. The life in the west may be hard but it
was peaceful. It was simple and less stressful. She didn’t need to compare herself to other women or try to outdo them. She simply had to be herself and enjoy life. Not to mention it was absolutely breathtaking out there. She was amazed at how different it was from the city. The air smelled so clean and fresh. She took a big whiff and caught on the scent of the pipe in the man’s mouth next to her. She remembered Liam and how he smoked his pipe in the foyer at night while she curled up with a good book in front of the fire. It had been so peaceful and comfortable to just share the silence together.

  “I’m sorry does the pipe bother you. I can put it out.”

  She looked over to see his worried look. “No. To tell you the truth I have missed the smell. My husband used to smoke his after dinner as well.”

  “James told me about your husband. I am sorry for your loss.”

  “Yes. It was hard. Still is. I am sorry for yours as well. I always think that people don’t really understand. I guess you do, though.” She looked over at him sadly.

  He sighed deeply as he looked out at the yard where Lexi was hopping around trying to catch lightning bugs inside her hands. Her laughter could be heard across the yard and Clara watched him. “It is definitely harder than people think. And yes unfortunately I understand all too well. I would say that you will eventually get over it but you won’t. I miss Sierra every day but it does get easier with time. You will see that you will remember the little things. The small things you took for granted. Her laughter, her smile, the way she said good morning and the way she looked sitting just as you are now. That is the memories you remember and miss the most. The little things such as your husband smoking a pipe every evening.”

  She smiled sadly as she thought of what he said and realized that he was right. It was the small things in their marriage that she remembered the most. His smile and the way he used to call her his precious before he left every morning. It all came back to her and a smile spread across her face.