An Unexpected Welcome

by Rita Hestand

  "Sorry doc, wish we could help." Cord shook his head. "But ever need a place to lay your head you got one with us."

  "Ah…someday some young fool will come to town and put up a shingle of his own, then I'll retire." The doc promised. "Say you gonna take in the whole town of Doubtful?"

  "No, just the people I like…" Cord chuckled. "I don't issue that welcome to everyone, but you are certainly on the list. I mean that. You ever need a place, you got one, doc."

  The doc stared at Cord. "Your mama would be real proud, Cord."

  "I don't think this town would know what to do without you doc." Lilly said softly touching his arm.

  "I'd like to find out!" He chuckled.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Cord helped Lilly move their things to the ranch and the night before the wedding she stayed in town at the hotel.

  She went to see Mrs. Jones that night and she told her that Charlie could stay the night too, if he liked. Charlie and Freddie were already cooking up a fishing trip soon, so he was glad to stay with his friend.

  But Lilly was alone now and she missed everyone, especially Cord. She thought about riding out there, but she knew if she did, she could easily spoil all she had in mind for their honeymoon. She wanted it to be so special. He deserved something special after all his work, and his kind deeds for others. A sense of pride assailed her. Cord was such a good man, it was a pity this town didn't appreciate him.

  After Liam cooked up some stew and offered her some that evening. She told him to pack up his stuff and move out to Cord's. There were already big shipments arriving from Sorrels' and she wanted them to be out of there before he took over. Liam was eager to move. "Guess we'll see you at the church tomorrow, Miss Lilly." He chuckled.

  "You bet you will," She smiled. She glanced around the place and Liam saw her, "Gonna miss it?"

  "No Liam, I'm glad I'm through with it. But things are going to change here, and I want us out of the place. I want no part of that change."

  She walked back to the hotel, letting the night breeze blow against her. She tried to calm her racing heart. She never felt so alive in her life, it seemed her life was just starting now. She could concentrate on raising Charlie and being a good wife to Cord. She wanted to be active around the ranch too and help where she could.

  She waited a lifetime to be with Cord, and there were times she was sure he'd never come back. But he was back and at last they'd be together.

  She went to her room and then had an idea. She rushed downstairs and out to the boardwalk. She went straight to Doc's place.

  He was about to retire.

  "Lilly what brings you here this time of night."

  "Sorry Doc, but I forgot to ask, would you mind giving me away tomorrow?"

  The old man's eyes lit up and he smiled, he reached to take her hands in his, "I'd love to Lilly."

  "I don't know why I didn’t' think of it sooner. I'll meet you at the church then." She said and turned to leave.

  "I'll be there with bells on." He laughed.

  She went back to her room and after opening her window for some air, she laid down and let the happiness flow over her. "Oh Cord," she murmured to herself. "We're going to be so good together."

  Tomorrow she'd be Lilly McCall, and nothing would make her happier.

  Mrs. Jones promised to have Charlie there for the ceremony and most of the town would be there. Some couldn't believe the two of them were hooking up. But it was finally happening.

  As she got up and stared out the window at the empty street, she decided she wanted to take a bath. She wanted to relax and smell sweet for her wedding. She had a tub sent up to her room and a maid brought her lots of hot water. She bathed and put some lavender oil in the water and laid back to relax. Her heart was pounding.

  The next morning, she was too nervous to eat, and Mrs. Jones came to help her with her dress. It was blue velvet and she had a matching hat that had an attached veil, it was perfect. Her red hair made her stand out.

  Doc came by her room and told her he would walk her to the church.

  People gathered from all around as many knew Lilly from the saloon. Lilly found it amusing that the good Christians of Doubtful were sitting right alongside the riff raff of the area too. She'd invited all her friends from the saloon to come. Some turned their noses up at them, others stared at them like they'd never seen them before.

  The church was decorated in daisies and someone was playing the organ.

  Her and doc waited in the back room until a little girl came to tell them they were ready.

  Finally, the wedding march began and everyone turned to see Lilly and Doc coming down the aisle. Lilly had a brilliant smile on her face, and Doc looked very proud as everyone stared at them.

  Charlie was right up front so he could see his Ma and his new Pa as they got married. He grinned when he saw his Ma. The congregation sighed at the sight of her, she was so lovely. Lilly had the most glorious head of red hair that anyone had ever seen, and today it was perfectly curled into ringlets down her back.

  Cord was speechless. His loins already ached. How could he have ever left her? He'd always loved her! It hit him like dynamite going off, he'd always loved!

  "Who gives this woman in holy matrimony?" The Preacher asked. He was a short thin man with a thin mustache.

  "I do," Doc spoke up quickly.

  Lilly joined hands now with Cord. He couldn't take his eyes from her. She was nervous but the moment she saw Cord's handsome face, all spit and polished for her in a new suit and hat, she nearly gasped. He didn't have any idea how handsome he looked in his blue suit.

  Charlie and Freddie had decorated the buggy outside, and couldn’t wait until they saw all the cans they'd tied. It would surely make a lot of racket.

  The preacher spoke the solemn vows over them and Cord didn't hesitate to say "I do." Lilly felt a tear run down her cheek, but it was a tear of happiness.

  When the preacher told Cord he could kiss her, Cord took her into his arms and planted a more than amorous kiss to her lips. The congregation had to clear their throats to get them to stop. Cord and Lilly laughed.

  Charlie ran to them and hugged them both. "Now I got a real family." He cried for all to hear. The congregation laughed.

  Doc kissed Lilly.

  Pedro had been Cord's best man and he kissed her on the cheek too. "You have made the boss man very happy." He smiled.

  Mrs. Jones told her not to worry about Charlie, they'd get along fine. Before they left in the buggy Charlie told them, "I can't wait to get to our home!"

  "Me either, honey." Lilly assured him. "I'll see you in a few days."

  Charlie nodded and smiled as everyone threw rice at them.

  Cord saw the buggy and turned to wink at Charlie, "Good job, son."

  Then he helped Lilly into the buggy and as they waved they drove off to the cabin.

  Lilly had a bag packed for the occasion.

  But once they were out of town, he stopped and turned to her.

  "Something wrong?" She asked.

  He leaned into her, "Not a thing, Mrs. McCall." And he kissed her warmly. It was a teasing kiss letting her know there would be more of that to come.

  "We did it, didn't we?" She finally breathed.

  "We sure did, honey." He smiled and whipped the buggy a little faster as though getting there in a hurry was important.

  The cans played a music as they hurried along.

  Lilly stared out at the prairie and sighed with such contentment now. The saloon was no longer her problem. She was going to have a new home, and best of all, they were going to be a real family now.

  All the bad times seemed long ago and far away.

  Cord was more than a little anxious to get her to the cabin. He'd waited for this day, wanting it to be so special for her. He come out here yesterday and fixed the cabin up real nice for her, stocked food, and candles and all kinds of extras. He opened the windows to air it out and he only hoped she wasn't disappointed. />
  He'd never wanted to please a woman more. He suddenly realized that he'd never be lonely again. That was a feeling he wanted to covet.

  As they neared the cabin, she saw daisies growing outside and smiled. "Who did that?"

  "Maria, she thought of it. Thought it would be a nice touch, she said she knew you loved daisies." he said as he slowed the buggy and drove up to the cabin.

  A white lace curtain blew in the slight breeze. Lilly was impressed.

  "You really worked on this place didn't you?"

  "A little." He smiled. He reached to take her down and couldn't help but kiss her on the way.

  She swooned in his arms.

  "I thought this day would never come…" He whispered in her ear. "I've been thinking about it a long time, and I want it to be special for you."

  "The place is lovely." She murmured turning to look at it.

  He took her hand and guided her to the door, but there he stopped and looked at her. In one swoop he picked her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold.

  She chuckled.

  Inside there was Champaign cooling in ice, cheese and fruit covered in a bowl and flowers for her on the table.

  "It's so lovely, Cord. I never imagined you'd go to so much trouble."

  "I didn't consider it a bit of trouble. I considered you."

  She tiptoed to kiss his cheek.

  She twirled around in her dress and he watched her, admiring her.

  "I've never seen anything more beautiful coming toward me, than you this morning." He sighed holding her in his arms.

  "Oh Cord, I’m almost scared to be this happy." She cried.

  "Don't be scared, ever again. I'll protect you!" He kissed her long and hard.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  He joined her on the edge of the bed. But as she turned toward him, he pulled her down on the bed and kissed her until she was panting for air.

  A giggled bubbled from her mouth as he released her.

  "Are you anxious?" She asked him.

  His gaze burned into hers, "I sure am, lady. I'm trying to be patient, to make things last longer, but it's hard."

  "Well, I'd like to undress for you, if you don't mind."

  He took his hat off, propped himself on the bed and smiled, "I don't mind at all, Mrs. McCall."

  She leaned over and kissed him tenderly.

  Taking the pins from her hat, she sat it on the table.

  Now, she took her time. Twirling around the room she began to undo her small top jacket. His eyes burned into her. She put it up nicely too, these were new clothes and she didn't want them to get wrinkled or dirty.

  He watched in fascination. The slower she moved, the more he anticipated. "I don't think any woman has ever undressed for me, before."

  Her smile tempted him. "That's why I want to do it for you. You can participate in a bit." She teased.

  "Sounds interesting." He smiled as he watched her move seductively.

  "Now, since you've tossed my garter, maybe you'd like to take my stockings off," She raised her skirt and produced a well-shaped leg that was adorned in a fancy lace stocking.

  He looked at the white lace on her leg and his eyes glittered. "Yes ma'am." He drawled with a beaming smile.

  He moved his hand slowly down her leg, obviously enjoying the feel of her shapely leg, pulling the white lace off and kissing her here and there as he went. He reached her delicate feet, then tossed it over the chair in the kitchen. But he didn't let go of her foot, surprisingly. He rubbed them for a moment, then kissed her on the toes, letting his lips slide seductively over each toe slowly. She grinned. "You're good at this, I see. Now the other one," She beckoned.

  "My pleasure," He smiled totally wrapped in this seduction scheme of hers. She liked the fact that he could play along with her, and was so willing to do so.

  His hands reached to pull the other stocking off, gently, giving it the same attention as the first. But when the stocking came off his hand reach to her high thigh to gentle caress it, all the way to her toes.

  She smiled, "I can see I don't have to lead you into this."

  "No ma'am," he drawled and drew back to wait for the next thing she'd take off.

  She put her skirt down and started unbuttoning the blouse, slowly, showing a creamy expanse of skin as she did so. He whistled.

  "Want to help me with my blouse?" She tempted.

  "I'd be delighted." He said standing up and pulling her blouse away, but before she could escape him, his lips landed on her shoulder, kissing her there, then around to her back as he lifted her long hair.

  Suddenly she tossed the blouse and he stared at a beautiful white lace camisole, part of which he could see through. His attention flew to the lovely lace around her bosom. He drew breath, his loins tightened, and he tried to be patient and just enjoy this.

  He started to pull her toward him but she backed away, "Don't be in too big a hurry cowboy." She teased him.

  "A man can only stand so much honey," He stared at the soft round of her breast, practically bursting at the seams of that camisole. He certainly wanted to help her out of that.

  She undid the back of her skirt and laid it gently on top of her other clothes when it fell to the floor.

  When she bent to pick up her skirt, she saw him gazing at the access to her curvy backside. His head crooked to get a good look. She smiled seductively. "Like what you see cowboy?"

  His voice was so raspy he had to clear his throat, "Ma'am you can't imagine how much I like it."

  Then ever so slowly she stepped out of the slips of her skirt. He tensed as he watched her every move.

  His breath hitched at the silk drawers she wore. The material was so thin he could see through it. When she stood before him in just the camisole and her drawers, his mouth began to water, and his loin tightened even more. She slid out of the drawers, but the camisole covered her.

  "Now, she came closer, I'm going to need your help to come out of this…" She purred coming close and leaning so her breast nearly spilled into his mouth.

  He gasped aloud. "My God, you're so beautiful. You have no idea what a gorgeous woman you have become."

  His fingers fumbled at first with the pretty ribbons that held the dainty see through camisole. But finally they were loose and he turned around and peeled it away from her.

  Now he stopped breathing, his eyes glittered as he stared at the sweet bosom that he'd wanted to taste so often,

  Big round breasts with pink cropped nipples stared at him as she leaned toward him, "Now cowboy, it's your turn." She said, kissing him hotly on the mouth. When she leaned her breasts caressed his chest, and he drew breath.

  "My God sweetheart," His head fell against her breasts and he nuzzled her there. His lips sought each nipple, as he laved them.

  "Easy cowboy, we want this to last a long time," She moved away. Totally naked, she posed on the bed for him as he started undoing his clothes quickly.

  "Slow down, I want to enjoy looking at you too." Her voice went raspy.

  In no time at all, he had his vest off and then began unbuttoning his shirt as his eyes never left her beautiful body. He teased her as he flapped the shirt open and closed. She laughed playfully.

  She thrust out her breasts and curled her legs on the bed.

  But she he opened his shirt, she got up and came toward him, her hands went inside his shirt and she laid her head near his shoulder, "I love touching you here." She said softly. "I’m as bad as you, I can hardly wait, but there's just something so sexy when you open that shirt I go all mushy inside."

  "It's yours to touch," he grinned. Her fingers slid over his nipples and he almost jumped. Her lips followed and he drew a deep breath. "Honey, it's not going to last long if you keep doing that." He warned playfully.

  She chuckled and meeting his gaze she backed off.

  But when he came to his pants, she got up and moved towards him. She undid his belt buckle, and slowly slid his pants down, then his drawers. She gaspe
d when his manhood stood at such attention for her. She smiled and dipped her head to touch her lips to him there. Shock riveted through him. He gasped, "Lilly honey, you are setting me on fire…" He whispered.

  "Good, that's how I want you. I want you as on fire as I am. I want us to have a glorious coming together."

  "Honey, you've already started the fire."

  "I want to seduce and please you so much you'll never look at another woman."

  "You've accomplished that already, sweetheart. You were a girl when I left you. A beautiful young girl, but you're no girl any longer. You are the softest, sweetest, sexiest woman I've ever known." He smiled into her eyes. "And I can't believe you're all mine."

  She moved to the bed, crawled in it and invited him in.

  He chucked his boots and his socks and joined her in one fluid motion.

  But before he touched her, he moved the sheet away so he could look at her, from her head of glorious red hair to her dainty feet, stopping at places in between to admire her.

  "Will I do, cowboy?" She purred.

  "I'm about to explode right here, just looking at you." He shook his head and chuckled. "It's such a glorious thing to just lay here and feast my eyes on you." He said sincerely. "To be able to look at you, like this, and then to have you…I'm afraid I'm gonna have a lot of walking problems from now on. Just conjuring you in my mind will cause that." He grinned.

  Her smile seduced him, "You said you aim to keep me here a few days, I'm a very willing captive."

  His hands moved to her breast, holding them, then nuzzling them, and then his lips captured each peak and he suckled her, laving the tempting pink tips until they were nearly red. "You don't have any idea how much I wanted to hold them in my hands. Nor how often. So soft, and lovely."

  "Yes I do. Just like I like running my hands over your slick chest. It drives me wild." And she proceeded to show him. Her lips massaging him there.

  He groaned in his throat. "I knew it would be good between us, I just didn't know how good." He murmured as his lips went all over her now, exploring every curve. His hands went around to massage her buttocks there. She was firm, round, and so enticing.