by A. Valentine
“Oh my. That was so much fun. I am exhausted though.” She laughed as they started the trek home.
“Yeah. It looks like you’re not the only one.” He gestured his head backwards to show her an already fast asleep Lexi.
“I see that.” She laughed.
As they pulled in front of the house he tied the reins to the front of the railing. “I’m gonna take her on up and then I’ll come back and get the buggy into the barn and such.” He helped her down and then she smiled as he hoisted a sleeping Lexi into his arms. Murmuring soft words he walked into the house. Knowing he must be tired as well, Clara began to walk the buggy into the barn. She was just taking off the reins when she heard him come up behind her. “I can do that. You don’t have to worry yourself.”
“No. It’s ok really. I love to work with horses.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Do you have a brush? I’ll start brushing them down.”
He gestured towards the wall of the barn and she grabbed one and started working on the first horse while he brushed the second one. Finished they both walked towards the house. Just as they reached inside they both turned towards the other and bumped into each other. His arm shot out to steady her. What started off as stopping her from falling turned into a caress as he looked down at her. Before they could stop it, his lips grazed hers. Softly he kissed her and she tentatively responded in return. Standing straight again he looked down at her softly. “Good night Clara.”
“Good night,” She whispered. She walked into the bedroom and softly touched her lips where he had kissed her. They were both unaware of a little head peeking over the balcony watching them. They were also unaware of the smile that crept across her face.
As soon as he got to the top railing Craig knew his daughter was awake. “Go to sleep Lexi.”
“Yes, Pa but do you think we could have a picnic tomorrow? You know like we used to at the lake and then maybe if Clara is ok with it, we can go swimming too?”
“That sounds like fun, but you have to help me plant the next day.”
“It’s a deal.”
Lexi was asleep in a matter of minutes. He laid awake for a while and realized that he was thinking of the woman downstairs. He heard the door open and leaning over the railing he looked down, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Making his way down the ladder, he opened the front door and looked out. There was a cool breeze and he stepped out onto the porch to feel the warmth stir the hair on the back of his head.
“Couldn’t sleep either uh?”
He turned and smiled at Clara. He hadn’t known she was out there. That must have been where the noise came from. “Nope. I see I have another bad sleeper in the house. Sometimes it just is too nice out to sleep.”
“I agree. It’s beautiful.”
He sat down in the chair beside hers and they sat in the quiet listening to the crickets chirp. The minutes went by in a flash and covering a yawn behind her hand she rose.
Chapter 6 – Get Some Sleep
“I guess I better go try to sleep again.”
“Yeah.” Her foot caught on a rock and she began falling headfirst. His arms wrapped around hers and brought her tightly against him where he was now standing. Her arms came up to wrap around his neck and his lips dropped to hers in instinct. She moaned deeply as his tongue slipped into her mouth tracing each corner. She pressed herself tightly against him. He pushed her up against the door and kissed her harder. “Come on.” Turning he took her hand and pulled her towards the barn. One inside, he lit the lantern there with the matches on the side and then pulled her down into the hay with him. She was surprised to see that it was actually quite soft and comfortable as his body laid over hers. He began kissing down her neck and back up to her lips before he was helping her to remove the dress and then her long underwear underneath. She quickly helped him to remove his shirt and pants. She gasped at the first contact of his skin on hers and she moaned as he kissed along her collarbone and down to gently bite her nipple.
“Oh god.”
He lavished her breasts with his mouth and tongue, not leaving one piece of them untouched and the he grasped her hips as he looked down at her he positioned himself at her entrance. She looked up at him with half hooded eyes and marvelled at him looking down at her. As he slowly began to push inside her she gasped at the feeling of herself stretching. It had been so long since she had sex that she had forgotten the feeling. Her head fell back as she closed her eyes and just felt him slide into her. He pulled out before thrusting inside her again, repeating himself over and over. She felt her body slide along the hay as he pushed inside of her over and over. He began to thrust faster and harder and she couldn’t help but want more. She was making small mewling sounds as she met each of his thrusts with her hips. He watched her head toss back and forth on the ground. Grabbing both sides of her head with his, hands he lowered his mouth to kiss her deep as he began thrusting more and more. She was glad when he leaned up again so that she could see the desire across his face. The pleasure was building inside her and she couldn’t fight in anymore. She knew he was holding back, making sure she got pleasure from their union. She felt herself clench around him with her climax as she burst in ecstasy. Somewhere in the midst of her orgasm she heard him utter his satisfaction as he himself exploded above her. They laid there for a few minutes in each other’s arms and then he sat up on the hay.
“I am sorry. That should not have happened.” He felt horrible taking advantage of her. She deserved better than that. She was almost dressed when she looked at him and answered. Thinking he was having second thoughts due to his wife she wanted to make sure he understood. Nodding she turned to head back to the house.
“It’s ok. I understand. You didn’t do anything I didn’t want you to. I better get back.” She hurried back to the house before he could see the tears welling into her eyes. She didn’t want to make him feel any worse than he already did. She laid on the bed with her head in the pillow as she heard the door a few minutes later. Soon she was fast asleep.
The next day they Lexi awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs. “Oh man that smells so good.” Lexi laughed as she made her way down the ladder.
“Thank you.” Clara turned to smile at her.
“Pa said we could go to the lake today and have a picnic. Can you swim? We go swimming there too when we go.”
“I wanted to make sure it was ok with her first Lexi. Breakfast smells wonderful.”
“Thank you.” She handed him a cup of coffee as she flipped the eggs. She avoided his gaze feeling a little embarrassed about what had happened the night before. She did, however, tell herself that morning that it wouldn’t change anything. She wouldn’t let it. “So a picnic uh? Well, I have just the thing. I have some chicken I can put with some biscuits I made this morning. I made extra for dinner and I have something special. Lemonade.”
“What’s that?”
Clara looked over at Lexi in wonder. “You have never had lemonade? Well, honey, you are in for a treat today. It is so refreshing and sweet. You will love it. I promise. I put some in a jug we can put into the lake to keep cool.”
Lexi bounded up and down in excitement. “Ok and there’s a pear tree and peach tree there too.”
“Yum. Maybe we can pick some before we leave and I’ll make some jam.”
“Yes, please. But I have to help Pa plant tomorrow.”
“That’s ok. How about this. We can both help him tomorrow and then the next day we will make the jam.”
“Can we Pa? Uh?”
“Yes. Lexi that sounds good.” He looked up and his eyes met Clara’s. They both smiled at the other aware that the other was thinking the same thing they were. Their kiss the night before.
The picnic was wonderful and Clara was marvelled in the beauty of the landscape as she sat on the side and watched the two of them jump into the water in their long underwear. She had worn her own as well and wanted to go in but was a little embarrassed about undressing in front
of Craig.
“Come on Clara. You have to come in. It’s fun right Pa?”
“Yes please do. It’s nice and cool.”
Shrugging she walked over to the side of a huge rock and began to undress. Laying her clothes on the rock, she gently stepped into the water. She was unaware that the man right down from her watched every move she made.
Craig watched as she began to walk to the lake. He would have thought them crazy if a man had told him that a woman looked sexy in long underwear, but there was Clara looking gorgeous as always. The underwear did little to hide her curves or her body either and he could only imagine what they were going to look like when they were wet and plastered against her skin. He needed to think about something else. Turning, he hoisted Lexi high in the air and laughed at her squeal as he tossed her. She came up sputtering and laughing. He felt her presence beside him before he heard her.
“You were right. This is great.” Just then Lexi jumped up and splashed her. “Why you little fish.” She dived under the water to tickle her toes and Lexi swam away as fast as she could before coming back to her father and asking him to throw her again. After two more, times, she laughed and came up.
“Throw Clara daddy. Like you used to momma.”
“I don’t think…” He started but was cut off.
“I don’t think your daddy can lift me that high.” Clara laughed.
“Is that a challenge?”
Her eyes widened at his statement. Just then his hands were around her waist. She squealed loudly when she felt herself being thrown into the air and then splashing down into the water. She came up laughing. “That was no fair. You didn’t give me a chance to run.”
“You can’t run in this family honey.” They were all laughing soon and he was taking turns throwing the both of them. Lexi continued to play in the water as Clara decided to get out. Following behind her to the blanket they had spread out Craig sat beside her. He was right. The wet underwear made her look even more beautiful.
They sat there and laughed as they watched Lexi.
“How long were you planning on staying Clara?”
She turned to look at him with a stricken look. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I know James said that you needed a place until you got back on your feet. Lexi is becoming attached to you so… I just don’t want to see her hurt is all.”
“Oh. I understand.” The smile fell from her face quickly as she listened to his words. “I guess I will leave on the next stage back home then. With the money, you have given me I can find a place to live until I find work.”
“Ok.”
“Ok.” The rest of the time was spent in silence as they were both caught up in their own thoughts.
She felt her stomach turn and do a flip-flop. Did he suddenly not want her there anymore? Why was he trying so hard to get rid of her? Was it because of what had happened last night? She didn’t know but she knew know it was time to move on. She wouldn’t stay where she wasn’t wanted. Especially with the feelings that she was developing for him.
Time went by slowly over the next few days. Clara began to slowly pack up her things. She was removing the books off the shelves and putting them in her bag when Lexi came in.
“What are you doing?”
“Well, the stage leaves the day after tomorrow.” She had assumed that Craig told Lexi she was leaving but by the look on the young girls face she knew that she was mistaken.
“You mean you’re leaving? Why? I thought you liked us? I thought you liked it here? I thought you were going to stay?”
“Honey, I can’t. I don’t fit in here. It isn’t where I belong.”
Chapter 7 – A New Momma
“You’re wrong. You do belong here. You were supposed to be my new momma. I saw you and papa kiss. I know you like each other? At least I thought you did. Why don’t you like me and papa?” There were tears streaming down her face as she looked up at her.
Lexi ran from the home and Clara went to go after her. Unknowingly tears were streaming down her own face. She came to the porch and watched Lexi run from the yard. Her eyes came up to meet Craig’s as he left the barn. Looking towards where Lexi was running away he made his way over to her. “What’s going on? What happened?”
Suddenly upset she glared at him. “You should have told her. You tell me to go and then you don’t even tell your daughter I am leaving. Shame on you Craig. Shame on you.” Turning she ran back into the cabin and slammed the bedroom door shut.
Craig quickly followed behind her and stood outside her door. His hand raised to knock but instead he stood there and listened to the muffled sounds of her cries. Shaking his head in despair he made his way back outside. He went in search of the person he could talk to and help. Lexi.
Two days had passed and Clara hadn’t spoken a word to him since that evening except what was needed. She didn’t sit on the porch at night either. After dinner she made her way into her room and shut the door for the night. Lexi didn’t come out either. She went to the loft to lie down. He listened to her cries and the first night fell asleep in the rocking chair not wanting to disturb her. He loaded the luggage onto the wagon and turned back to look at Clara. She quickly averted her gaze. Just then Lexi came out and decided she would rather sit in the back of the buggy by herself. They rode in silence until they finally reached the town limits.
“Ms. Sterling I’m sorry to tell you that the stage won’t be here for at least another day. They got caught up.”
“That is fine. I will get a room at the inn.”
“Ok ma’am. I will have one of the boys sit your stuff upstairs in your room when you get settled.”
“Thank you.”
She turned to look at Craig and stared into his eyes. She felt like her heart was breaking into a million pieces. Holding out her hand she tried to smile. “Thank you, Mr. Wilson. It was good to meet you. Where is Lexi?”
“She ran off when we got here. Thank you, Clara, for everything.”
“Thank you.” She turned around to walk away as she felt the tears well into her eyes. Just then she was ambushed by a little body.
“Thank, you, Ms. Clara. I will miss you forever. I love you.”
Bending down she hugged the little girl tight to her chest. “Oh, Lexi honey. I love you too. I will miss you greatly.”
“Will you miss Pa too?” The little girl asked in a pained voice.
Clara looked up to meet Craig’s eyes. “Yes, I will.” Looking back down, she kissed the little girl on the head. “Goodbye, honey. Remember what I told you.”
“Yes, ma’am. Be there for papa and be good. Always remember my manners and be a lady first.”
“That’s right.” Clara hugged her again and turned to walk away without looking back. Lexi made her way back over to her father.
“Why’s she leaving papa?”
“Cause I wanted her to and she wants to go back home.”
“But her home is with us, papa. I know she doesn't want to go back to Boston. She said so herself.”
He looked down at his daughter in wonder. “She did uh?”
“Yep. She said she would be glad if she never had to go back to the big city. Do you feel about her the way you did momma?”
“I care about her yes. Your momma was special.”
“She’s special too Pa.”
“Yes, she is.”
“Then what are you doing still standing there like a bump on a log? Go on up there and get her son.” He turned around to see Linnie standing there with her hands on her hips. Her eyes were angry as she looked at him. Standing beside her was a disgruntled Jones who just shook his head at him.
“Take it from me son if you are able to find a woman that makes you feel the way she does then don’t let her walk outta your life. This is your second chance son. What’re you waiting for?”
He looked down to see Lexi smiling up at him. Kissing her on the cheek he quickly made his way to the inn and the room he knew Clara was in. He knocked q
uickly on the door and it slowly opened. There stood a red faced Clara. Her eyes were puffy and swollen and red rimmed from the tears that steadily rolled down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I’m such a fool. Please come home.”
She wiped her face as he stepped closer and closer to her. “What are you talking about. I thought you said?”
“I know. Now I’m saying come home. Your home is with me and Lexi. Your place is beside me. I don’t want you to leave.”
“But I thought...”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I could never leave you and Lexi. Not of my own doing.”
“Oh. Clara, I was a fool please forgive me.”
“Tell me why you want me to go home with you Craig. Give me a reason to stay.”
“Because I love you damn it. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“You love me?” Her eyes looked up with wonder as they met his. “Really?”
“Would I be standing here telling you if I didn’t?”
“Oh, I love you too Craig.”
“Good then marry me then.”
“Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” His lips met hers and she felt his arms wrap around her and bring her closer to him.
Behind them, they were faintly aware of the cheering from down below and one little girls voice.
“Thank goodness. I needed a momma. And I think he picked the best one. Bout time.”
Montana Bound
By: Evelyn Stone
Montana Bound
© Evelyn Stone, 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.