by Alice Addy
“No, sir.” Ty could not spend his parent’s supply money on bail.
“Then follow me. You’re spending the night in jail, or until we can work something out.”
His situation was getting worse by the minute. Eve would never speak to him, now. Ty had never felt more depressed in his entire life. What had he done to deserve this?
The guests were all abed, the lamps had been trimmed, and the girls were retiring after an exceptionally long and difficult day. Eve straightened her hair, removed some constraining articles of clothing, and very quietly left the hotel by the back door, eager to spend some time in the arms of her beloved. She smiled all the way down to the livery with sweet anticipation. Her pulse was rapid, her breathing shallow, as she fantasized about touching his naked body. She would run her fingers over the muscles of his back and explore his chest and manly nipples, causing him to groan with passion. He liked her licking them and nipping at the hard little buds with her teeth. She would take control, this evening, and bring him to ecstasy. Smiling, she entered the darkened stable and threw the latch, behind her.
“Ty . . . Oh, Tyee . . .” she called. She stood and listened, but there was no response. She spied his team in the two stalls closest the doors, so where was he? Slightly alarmed, she whispered with more force. “Ty. Where are you?” Again there was no answer.
She unlatched the door and turned to go back to the hotel. By chance, he might be waiting for her there. As she crossed the street, she noticed the barber’s new window, boarded up, obviously broken. “This has been quite a day,” she muttered.
“Sure has, sweetheart, and your beau has been at the center of it all. You sure can pick’em, Evie.”
She strained to make out the face that went with the familiar and ominous voice. “Sam!” she gasped, “is that you?”
“Why don’t you come over a little closer and I’ll prove it’s me. You know, you should have been mine. I wouldn’t embarrass you like this saddle bum is doing. I always treated you like a lady, didn’t I?”
“You treated me like a possession. I couldn’t breathe around you, and then you did some awful things to get back at me. You’re sick, Sam. Why don’t you just leave town?”
She started to rush past the man, when he grabbed her skirt.
“Slow down, missy. If you’re lookin’ for that bum, Fenton, you’ll find him in jail.” He laughed. “That’s right, sweetie. He can’t seem to stay out of trouble for one day. Go on over and see for yourself. And just to put your mind at ease—I’m not goin’ nowhere without you. So, rest easy darlin’. I’m not giving up. I’ll never give up where you’re concerned. You’ll be mine yet,” he chuckled, and released his grip on her.
Eve ran away from the drunken mad man. As she approached the sheriff’s office, she slowed and peered through the small window. Sure enough, Sam knew his adversary. Ty was locked up in a tiny cell, and looked as if he had lost his best friend. Eve didn’t want to embarrass him any further, so she lightly rapped on the window, getting the sheriff’s attention.
Coming to the door, he looked at her and smiled with recognition. “Hello, miss. Let me guess. You’re here to get that young man out of jail.”
She nodded and whispered, “Don’t let him know I’m here. It would only make him feel worse. Whatever his expenses, I’m good for it. If you’ll release him tonight, I’ll have the cash ready for you, tomorrow morning. Just come by and see me. Would that be possible?”
Eve looked beseechingly, at the old man, with the prettiest blue eyes he had ever seen. How could he refuse her?
“Sure enough. I’ll wait five minutes and turn the desperado out. I was wrong, ma’am. You’re a good woman, Eve.”
Feeling quite pleased with herself, Eve smiled and crossed the street, heading back to the livery. She figured Ty wouldn’t leave town without his horses, and she’d be there waiting for him. When she was through with him, leaving town would be the last thing on his mind.
Ty was grumbling to himself, all the way back to the livery. He had ruined everything. Thank goodness, Eve didn’t know he’d been arrested for damaging property. He didn’t know who paid his bill, the sheriff wouldn’t say, but he’d repay him, somehow.
As he opened the doors, he could sense someone hiding in the shadows. “Hello,” he called out. He stood quietly at the open door, listening for a response. Just as a gentle breeze stirred the straw scattered about on the floor, Ty caught the faintest scent of roses. Eve smelled of roses—and Ty smiled.
“Eve, are you in here?” He was hopeful and excited beyond measure.
“Latch the door, Ty, and hurry,” she whispered breathlessly.
In a flash, Ty bolted the doors and charged down to the last stall, in search of his love. As he knew he would, he discovered Eve there, all curled up on a blanket, grinning up at him. Ty was overcome with the urge to throw himself upon her, right then and there. That familiar ache rose up within him, prompting him to reach out for her.
“Eve, oh, my darling. I’ve been so stupid. Forgive me?” he asked, hopefully.
Eve rose to meet her man half way. “Ty, you talk too much. Make love to me now, and we’ll talk later.” She pulled him down on top of her and grasped his head, bringing it down so that she might kiss his face.
Her eyes closed in ecstasy, as Ty returned her love. They kissed with a fervor known only to those lovers that have been denied for some time. They were filled with an unquenchable thirst.
“Eve, sweetheart,” Ty muttered, over and over. He couldn’t help it. She had been on his mind constantly. Without her, his days were long and empty, and he waited for the moment he could hold her in his arms.
He pressed his lips to hers, coaxing them apart to allow him entrance. Offering no resistance, their tongues met and caressed, wrestling for possession, tasting the sweetness, and causing their temperatures to rise.
Eve could feel Ty’s rock hard muscles, just beneath the cloth of his shirt. She knew his body was lean and well formed. His back rippled with muscle. She knew his legs were long and strong, and he was very well endowed .
She inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with his masculine fragrance. Ty smelled of leather and soap—his own intoxicating scent. It made her blood boil and her mouth water. She tried to file it to memory, so that she could recall it when she was alone. The weight and warmth of his body lying upon her, pushing her deep into the soft blanket, engulfed her senses, allowing her to feel safe and protected, and stoked the fires of her scorching, hot passion.
Ty let his hands roam unimpeded, over Eve’s luscious body, and to his delight, he noticed she had come prepared to be ravished. “Eve, what’s this? No undergarments? Shocking!” He mocked her, lovingly. “Thank you, sweetheart, for thinking of me.” He grinned and proceeded to take full advantage of her thoughtfulness.
The two lovers enjoyed their time together, their limbs entangled, their hearts beating in unison. He encouraged Eve to take charge and control of the situation, and she gladly accepted his offer.
Eve was a sight to behold, riding him hard, with her magnificent breasts leading the charge. With each thrust of his body, she responded in kind. Her long hair draped itself over her shoulders and wrapped itself around her womanly hips. It was impossible to tell where he started and she left off. Their bodies moved in perfect harmony.
Words of love and desire were spoken, promises given, erotic pleasures shared, until those final moments when they both reached the ultimate peak of release . . . the mighty crescendo sounded, and they experienced the quivering, throbbing explosion that brought them back to earth—still resting in each other’s arms.
Eve purred with satisfaction. Her body continued to tingle as she remained in the afterglow of Ty’s sexual prowess. Perhaps if she thought of other things, she could relax.
“Ty, do you ever get the feeling that you’ve known me, before?”
“No, sweetheart. If I had known you before, believe me, I would never have forgotten you. Why do you ask?”
Ty smiled and squeezed her tight. “That’s the kind of thing I like to hear. You know I’ve been worried lately. You seem to not need me as much as you used to. With the success of the hotel and your little army of women to care for, I feel as if I’ve been reduced to a friend . . . maybe a friend with benefits, but definitely a friend nonetheless. Is that a possibility, Eve?”
Eve raised herself up on one elbow and looked down into Ty’s amazingly handsome face. It was as kind as it was attractive. “Ty Fenton. Get this straight. You’re the only man for me and I intend to live the rest of my life with you, if you’ll have me. I just haven’t felt the time was right. I’ll marry you tomorrow, if you insist, but I’d really like to wait for the perfect time.”
“See?” Ty exclaimed. “I am a fool. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself and feeling jealous of the attention you give the hotel. Forgive me, sugar, but I do have an excuse.”
“What’s that?” Eve asked, knowing he was teasing her.
“I’m just a man,” he laughed, expecting her to come to his defense.
“You got that right,” she quipped.
Just before dawn, Eve hurried back to the Birdsong. She needed to be there to greet the early risers. As she entered the back door, the heavenly aroma of bacon, frying up crisp in a pan and hot brewed coffee welcomed her. She was starving, and since there was no way to fool Dora, she ignored her slight scowl and fixed herself a heaping plate and poured herself a cup of black coffee. Just as she was sitting down, the back door opened, and a sheepish-looking Ty Fenton, crept in. Looking toward Dora, and noticing that she had her head in the oven, he slipped up behind Eve and kissed the back of her neck.
“Mornin’, gorgeous,” he whispered in her ear.
Eve smiled. “Have you had your breakfast, cowboy?” she asked.
He grinned. “Now, you know I haven’t.”
Shocked that he would say something like that out loud, in front of Dora—or behind her back, as her head was still in the oven—Eve swatted his arm. “Shhh. She’ll hear you.”
They heard a chuckle coming from the oven. “She heard, and she would like to take her head out of this here oven now, if the smoochin’ is done.” Dora stood up and smiled at the happy couple. “It’s written all over your faces, so no sense in denyin’ it. Dig in cowboy. You probably need your strength,” she giggled, as she left the room.
Eve’s cheeks burned bright red. “She knows.”
“Eve, honey . . . everybody knows. And I, for one, am happy that they do.”
He inhaled his bacon and eggs, and topped them off with a good-sized portion of fried potatoes and a slice of peach pie. Wiping his mouth off on his sleeve and leaning back in his chair, he rubbed his protruding tummy and sighed. “Now that Dora sure can cook. Can you?”
“Not a lick!” Eve laughed.
Ty thought for a moment and then decided, “I’ll keep Dora for the cookin’ and keep you for the lovin’. Ain’t no law against that, I reckon.” He belched loudly.
“Ty Fenton. You’re incorrigible.”
“Yeah, I might be—if I knew what that meant.” He leaned over and kissed her good and proper. “Now, I’ve got to go see to Ma’s shopping list. She wants you to come for a visit, soon. Can I tell her you will?”
“Yes, Ty. Tell her I’ll come in a month or so. I really like your parents.”
“They like you too, sweetie. Sometimes I think they wish they’d gotten a girl instead of a hardheaded son. Gotta go.” He kissed her again, twice, and then forced himself to leave by the back door.
Eve noticed that whenever Ty left the room, the temperature seemed to drop and the sun shone less brightly. Her high spirits returned to normal and heart ceased to beat erratically. He’d been gone less than one minute and already she felt his absence.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was one of those rare days, when the hotel was not occupied with guests. Eve hung a Closed sign in the window, informing anyone that was interested in getting lodgings, to return after five o’clock.
The women were so excited, they giggled and chattered like children. Eve had hired a big buggy and they were all going out to investigate Emily’s future home—if she approved of it. Cassie brought blankets and pillows. Patty carried parasols, lemonade, and her watercolors. Dora brought the food and all the trappin’s. It was enough to last them a week.
When Eve’s eyebrow peaked at the tremendous sight of multiple boxes being loaded in the back, Dora felt the need to defend herself. “You never know what may happen,” Dora explained, “or who’ll you meet. Maybe there’ll be a storm and we’ll get ourselves stranded. I like to be prepared.”
Cassie squealed, “Oh, do you think so? Wouldn’t that be exciting?”
Emily was absolutely giddy. “Well, I, for one, could eat all of that and more. Thank you for thinking of us, Dora. And thank you all for coming with Eve and me. I’m so thrilled to think that I may be going to see my home. My real home.” Tears filled her beautiful eyes.
Pearl waddled to the buggy. “Can I get some help getting up into that contraption?”
All the women laughed and lent a hand. Pearl was so sweet and uncomplaining. As difficult as it was, she tried to do as much as her growing body would allow. She carried her knitting with her, for she was working on a blanket for her baby and she was slow. Dora helped her, from time to time. Each of the women had embroidered, crocheted, quilted, and sewn items for their little one.
Eve took up the reins, tentatively. “Ready?” she asked, her voice sounding less than confident.
Dora noticed that Eve was unsure of her decision. “Here, child. Give them reins to me.”
Without argument, Eve passed them over to Dora. With a snap, the team lunged forward. They all laughed and giggled with merriment. The entire staff of the Birdsong Hotel was finally off for a rare day of fun and leisure.
Eve spoke first. “The farm I told you about is three miles west of town. You’re going to love it, Em. I do. It’s covered with orchards and wildflowers, and there are ducks on the lake. The house is right nice, too.”
“We’ll help you fix it up, if you buy it, Emmie,” Cassie offered. “I can sew curtains and make pillows.”
Yes, she certainly could, Emily thought. It had become a joke around the hotel. If you weren’t careful, Cassie would sew curtains over all the openings and pad everything with pillows. She really was very talented and quite prolific, but her heart was in the right place.
Emily grinned at Cassie. She was such a pretty and sweet young woman. “I would like that very much, Cassie, but I get to choose the fabrics.” She giggled. Cassie liked flare—Emily, not so much.
“It’s just over that rise,” Eve pointed. “Won’t be long now, girls.”
The chatter in the wagon suddenly ceased, as everyone held her breath. This was a most important moment for Emily. Her hands were clasped tightly at her breast; her eyes were as big as saucers, as she sat on the edge of the seat, praying silently to herself.
As they crested the hill, Emily gasped. “Stop! That’s it! Oh, Eve, it’s perfect. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. It’s exactly how I pictured my farm to be. Please hurry and take us down, Dora.” Tears were tracking down her cheeks unashamedly, as were Dora’s, and Cassie’s, and Pearl’s. Eve and Patty were giggling with joy.
As Dora slapped the rumps of the team, the girls let out whoops of excitement.
“Let’s go!” Cassie hollered.
Just as before, the lake was shimmering and sparkling with the beauty of a thousand diamonds. Emily kneeled down and ran her fingers through its pristine waters. “Ooh. It’s really cold. I guess it’s spring fed.” She cupped her hands and tasted. “Sweet . . . it’s sweet water and so cool.” Then she turned, near
ly knocking Patty off her feet, as she ran up to the old gate, hanging from one hinge. From there, she could take in the full measure of the abandoned house.
With her hands on her hips and her forehead furrowed, she thought long and hard about what stood before her.
Cassie was confused. “What’s wrong, Emmie? Don’t you like it? Maybe you should go inside before you make up your mind.”
Emily shook her head. “No, Cassie, dear. I want to savor this moment. You see . . . I’m seeing, for the very first time, my home . . . the home I plan to live in for the rest of my life. My soul is finally content here. The feeling is indescribable.”
The women hung back, giving Emily all the time she needed to take it all in. When she moved, they moved. She strode up the path to the porch step. Looking down, she warned her friends, “Step over. These boards are rotted, and I would wager, there’ll be more,” she chuckled, her enthusiasm undiminished.
Cassie reached for Dora’s hand. “I hope rotten boards are all we find in that house,” she muttered.
“The door’s unlocked. We can just walk in,” Emily joyfully proclaimed, as she turned the knob and entered. “Oh, my God! No!” she screamed.
Quickly, Eve and Dora rushed inside to see what had distressed Emily. Thankfully, they found no bears making ready to pounce. Instead, they too, stopped dead in their tracks.
The little house was fully furnished, as if the old couple, that had once resided there, had just left on a journey and expected to return at the end of the day. Of course, everything was covered in heavy sheets and quilts for protection, but one could make out what was hidden beneath.
As the girls slowly removed the wrappings and coverings, treasures were revealed, each one more beautiful than the other. The oohs and aahs expressed became common, as the miraculous items were discovered. The dusty sheets were carefully carried outside and thrown over the line to air out, leaving the parlor, the bedroom, and the kitchen in remarkably good order.