Bittersweep

by Wareeze Woodson

  The late afternoon sun’s golden rays slanted into the surrey, shimmering in her lovely hair, over her smooth complexion, her dark lashes casting long shadows on her cheeks, and her luscious lips. To him, her smile seemed brighter than the sun. With her leaning against his shoulder, her hand clasped in his, he drew a deep breath of contentment. No words were spoken on the trip back to the Rocking H Ranch, but the silence, filled with satisfaction, was enough.

  The reception went off without a hitch, chatter filling every corner of the rooms where wide double doors opened into the next room and then the next for such a gathering. Aunt Maude had blanketed all available surfaces with flowers of every description. Bite-size treats on fancy plates were in nearly every hand. Excitement and a sensation of not wanting to let go of the fun spun through the air. He wanted everything perfect for Elizabeth, but the party seemed to go on forever, much too long for his taste. Finally, the last guest departed.

  Waiting for the family to settle, JP urged his bride out the back door where the surrey waited in silvery moonlight. He lifted Elizabeth inside, then climbed up and took hold of the reins.

  “Where are we going?”

  He laughed with a thrill of excitement in his voice. “To a private paradise of mine. No one will disturb us.”

  ~ ~ ~

  “Oh.” Elizabeth couldn’t think of another word to say. Being private with JP sounded wonderful if a little frightening. Still, relief flowed over her. No sharing the same roof with Maude, the twins, and Amy when she finally became one with JP. Just thinking about it sent heatwaves to the roots of her hair.

  Down the road a few miles, JP guided the surrey into a rough muddy track in the woods. Moonlight broke through the branches occasionally, buttering the trail with light. The surrey rocked for a moment, swaying, the joints creaking in protest, and the horses straining forward. The buggy leaned to the left, nearly to the tipping point. Elizabeth gasped and clung to the seat with all her might, fighting against falling out of the conveyance. With evenhanded assurance, JP guided the team in pulling the surrey out of the deep rut. The cavernous wash-out in the trail had been a mud puddle at one time.

  “No wonder it is private and secluded if it takes this to travel to the cabin.” Elizabeth still held on to the arm of the seat.

  “That was close, but the track gets better.”

  Drawing a deep breath, she peered at the winding path ahead. Trees and underbrush appeared to smother the trail with growth. Thankfully, JP was here to guide the horses through this maze. She would have turned back at the first bump in the path. With a sigh, she leaned against the back of the seat.

  After several more occasions of hanging onto the sides, the horses broke out at the edge of the woods. Moonlight glimmered on smooth waters. The lake was indeed beautiful, a paradise to gaze upon, tranquil, inviting, with the sound of frogs, crickets singing in the night, and the occasional hoot of an owl. A sturdy cabin nestled on the opposite shore with a covered porch, a chimney spiraling smoke into the air, and several windows from which the beauty of the lake could be seen.

  JP hitched the wagon to a post and lifted her down. Leading her inside the cabin, he lit several lamps. A profusion of flowers hung in a wedding wreath above the bedroom door filling the interior with a pleasing fragrance. A cozy flame burned low in the fireplace, and the table was set for two with fine china.

  JP grinned. “This is Aunt Maude’s attempt to further her apology. Make yourself at home while I tend the horses. I won’t be long.”

  Elizabeth was touched by Maude’s gesture. Perhaps the way would become smooth between them. She surveyed the cabin, the rough-hewn logs forming the walls, the wooden floor, and the quaint little kitchen area where a delicious aroma floated from the wood-burning stove, a meal waiting to be served. The cabin boasted all the comforts of home, even a separate bedroom with a feather bed, dresser, and pegs on which to hang clothes.

  Hearing the door close behind JP, she stepped into the main chamber of the cabin. She met his look and with a downward sweep of her lashes, she drew a deep breath. “Let’s eat, or at least make a pretense of it for Maude’s sake.”

  He gestured to the table. “After you. I see she left a bottle of wine.”

  Dismayed, Elizabeth drew back. “I don’t drink.”

  “Come, my dear. On your wedding night.” He grinned at her, wicked, delightful. Escorting her to the table, he pulled out her chair before taking a seat. “One little glass won’t hurt you. I won’t take advantage of you,” he promised before adding, “if you won’t take advantage of me.”

  His gaze smoldered, filling her with an appetite for something more than food. Picking up her fork, she glanced down at the empty plate.

  “Oh. I suppose it would help if I put the meal on the table.”

  JP stood. “Don’t bother. I’ll serve both our plates and pour the wine.”

  He slid two filled plates onto the table before offering her a small glass of wine, ruby red and sparkling in crystal stemware. She took a sip, then a few more swallows, but she didn’t finish the entire glass. Even that tiny sip made her a trifle woozy. She didn’t seem to have a head for wine.

  Folding her napkin, she pushed away from the table. “I think I’ll leave the mess until the morning.”

  “No bother. You prepare for bed while I clean up. That will give you a little time to yourself.”

  Making haste to see to her personal needs, she entered the bedchamber and rushed to change into her night apparel. Not long after, she heard the door swing inward, the rustle of clothing, boots hitting the floor, and pocket items being placed on the bedside table.

  She hesitated before stepping out from behind the dressing screen in her thin gown and robe. She wanted her new husband in all the ways a woman can want a man, and what little she knew of such things. Still, she couldn’t move toward him.

  A lamp burning low cast shadows across the room dancing over JP’s features, his brows, his cheeks, and his full lips. He had shed his jacket, his tie, but he still wore his trousers, and his shirt untucked, unbuttoned to the waist. He smiled tenderly and slowly approached her.

  “You are so beautiful.” He cupped her neck and kissed her gently on the lips, not demanding, but reassuring. Lifting her in his arms, he cradled her to his chest. “Slow and easy. No hurry.”

  She couldn’t resist brushing her fingers against the crispness of his collar on the way to tangle in his hair. With her cheek resting against his shoulder, she breathed in his essence, clean, male, totally JP. His scent engulfed her, spicy, inviting, sending her pulse soaring.

  His kisses, trailing along her throat, her jawline before moving to her lips again, tantalized with promises of pleasures to follow. She yielded when he twisted his fingers in her hair, tipping her head back and deepening the kiss. Shivers rippled down her spine.

  Sinking deep into the feather bed beneath him, the sheets were no longer smooth and cool against her back, but warmed with his passion. She was surrounded by him, his strength, his body, all of him. His breath touched her ear and sent waves of sensations flashing to every sensitive area of her body, warm, exciting. She wanted more, much more.

  She turned her face to his, his fevered passion igniting hers. Her breath came in short gasps. Smoothing her hand over his hair and down his back, she drew him closer. Her lips parted, her chest rose and fell in short staccato bursts.

  In complete possession of her body now, he whispered in her ear, “I knew it would be like this between us, so sweet. I can’t get enough.” Slow and easy. She no longer wanted or needed slow and easy. She desired everything at once, but she wanted all the sensations, the belonging to him, the oneness with him to never cease. Bliss burned her until she sensed a throbbing explosion rising to the point of eruption through her, around her, and in her. Floating on sensation after sensation, she drifted down wrapped i
n his warm embrace. Fully belonging to him met every expectation. She wanted it to last forever.

  Chapter 28

  Back from their brief time away from the ranch and all the duties of the day, Elizabeth rolled over, not wanting to get out of bed. Needing a cuddle from her husband, she reached for him only to find the sheets cold, crumpled, and empty. He’d been up long ago with things to do. With a deep sigh, she acknowledged she had things to do as well. Students still needed a teacher. After dressing, she descended the stairs only to spy JP’s shadow spearing into the hall in front of her.

  JP stepped through the door. “Where do you think you’re going this morning?”

  “To school. The children still need a teacher.”

  He raised his brows. “But not my wife. You won’t need that satchel you have tucked under your arm either.”

  With a disgusted frown, she demanded, “Have you hired someone else to take my place?”

  “Not yet.”

  After last night, she wanted to please him, yet have her own way. The clod knew of her dilemma too. Well, she wouldn’t obey his every command simply because he issued one.

  She lifted her skirt and twirled away. “Well then. I’ll be back after school.”

  “Not so fast.” He caught her by the elbow, grinning down at her. “I have Betty Ledbetter subbing this week and next if need be.”

  “Betty?” Elizabeth fought to hide her surprise at his announcement. Inwardly, she was annoyed. “She seems a little flighty, let’s say, to handle the children. They won’t learn a thing.”

  “She won’t be so bad.” He shrugged. A hint of amused understanding lit his eyes, but determination lurked there as well. “The children will recover. At the next board meeting, we’ll take up the subject of acquiring a new teacher.”

  Elizabeth tightened her lips. If only she could make him see sense, her frustration wouldn’t reach boiling point. Trying to sound reasonable, she said, “Then, I should teach until a new teacher is found.”

  “I’ll think about it.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “Let Betty manage this week.”

  Elizabeth couldn’t help herself. She melted against him. Not only did she accept his kiss, but she relished his lips on hers, his controlled passion, and the strength of his arms around her. With her hands on his chest, she stared into his eyes acknowledging his victory.

  She wanted to stay in his arms all day, but reality intruded. “What about Amy?”

  “One of the hands will take her to school. Don’t worry about it.”

  Elizabeth took a step back and blinked, her lids narrowing. “You won this time, but you’re a little high-handed, don’t you think?”

  “No, I don’t. You stay put until the killer is found.” He caught her by the shoulders, his gaze tender. “You don’t want me to worry about you, do you?”

  “I suppose not.”

  Watching a beam of sunlight dance between the curtains and glide over the contours of his brow, his cheeks, the curve of his lips, she let out a breath. Quite a man, this husband of hers, so captivating. Somehow, she had unfairly lost that round, but simply because she was taken with the man, she didn’t intend to bend to his will at every turn. No way.

  He released her, his voice filled with satisfaction. “Good.”

  Turning on one heel and still in a huff, she marched away, her back stiff. True, she didn’t want to worry him, but neither did she like that satisfied smirk he wore.

  Elizabeth finished the day waiting for Amy to return home. She had a bundle of questions for the girl about school without a proper teacher. JP was just being a clod. Too restless to remain in the house, Elizabeth headed for the stable block. While she waited, she intended to take her time inspecting her new surrey for damage from the mud holes JP put it through.

  The afternoon held the cool approach of a fall evening, pleasant with the promise of a clear sky tomorrow. As she approached the coach house, the smell of the attached stable rushed out to meet her. The nicker of horses, blowing, and shuffling on the packed earth filled her ears with familiar, acceptable sounds.

  She entered the coach house and waited until her eyes adjusted to the dimness inside before moving forward. Eyeing her wedding present, she inspected every inch, now washed, cleaned, and returned to a pristine condition before it was put away. She relaxed and grinned. No visible damage at least. Her husband had her surrey shipped over from England, especially for his bride, Elizabeth Honeycutt. She inhaled a deep breath, content with her surroundings, grateful to be alive, and in love with her husband in spite of his hard head.

  She stroked the black leather covering the seats and ran her fingers along the braided fringe along the top. Fancy and so fine, this wedding present of hers. She laughed and placed one foot on the bottom rung, her hand on the arm of the seat. Before she could enter the surrey, the light clop of Amy’s shoe heels tapping across the cobbled stable yard drew her attention.

  Seconds later the young girl’s shadow raced before her. Amy dashed inside flinging her arms wide to embrace Elizabeth. “Come see. There are blackbirds everywhere.”

  Elizabeth could never resist the enthusiasm Amy displayed. What a change from the forlorn young girl she had been. Elizabeth smiled and followed her outside. She did see a bird, not a blackbird, but a mockingbird winging its way across the yard only to land in the branches of a white oak tree.

  “Not there.” Amy pointed toward a flock of birds swirling overhead. “Look, blackbirds. Up there.”

  Elizabeth shaded her eyes with her hand. “Birds everywhere, what a lovely thought. There’s the twitter of songbirds in the trees above, the far-off caw of a crow, and blackbirds streaking across the sky.”

  “Blackbirds in a pie. That’s good,” Amy observed in an excited voice. “I’d like to trap a few. Do you think we could?”

  Good gracious. What in the world was the child thinking? Amazed at the direction the conversation had taken, Elizabeth used her no-nonsense voice. “No, of course not. At least not now. It won’t be long until supper. We don’t want to antagonize Maude, do we?”

  “Does antagonize mean to make her mad?”

  Elizabeth nodded. She didn’t relish the thought of sitting down to supper with an annoyed Maude, unpleasant, uncomfortable, and hard on the digestion.

  Amy pouted up at Elizabeth. “Since you’re all grown up, I thought you could do anything you wanted to do.”

  Elizabeth laughed. If only that were true, she could kick down all in her path. “Not hardly. There are rules and standards for grown-ups too.”

  With a deeply earnest expression, Amy wanted to know, “Like keeping your word? Never breaking a promise? Things like that?”

  “Yes. Exactly like that.”

  Amy took a deep breath. “The Blakes didn’t keep their word. Sometimes when the pickings got slim and there was nothing left to eat, Mrs. Blake sent me out to trap blackbirds. Enough for a pie. You know. Like the poem.”

  Elizabeth avoided a rock in her path, glancing down at the young girl. “You trapped blackbirds for a pie?”

  “Yes, ma’am. My brother showed me how before he left with my papa.” Amy hung her head. “But, I didn’t always get a piece of pie.”

  Elizabeth had to bite her tongue to keep back her anger. That blasted Blake woman needed a good slap in her face. “How do you catch enough blackbirds for a pie?”

  “I used apple crates. I propped one end up with a stick that had a string tied to it. When the birds came for the feed I put on the ground, I pulled the string and trapped ’em. Sometimes, I could only capture one or two. Then I had to wait. Blackbirds rise up and swirl around, but then land again.”

  Elizabeth listened to Amy’s chatter, but her mind was a million miles away dwelling on the threat of arrest still hanging over her head. The only reason the deputy didn
’t have her in jail at this moment was because of her new name, Elizabeth Honeycutt.

  Amy’s chatter kept pace with each step. “There’s lots of blackbirds most of the year around here. I know their favorite spot. The big open field down the track to the old burnt-out house.”

  That caught Elizabeth’s attention. “You’ve trapped birds near the house?”

  “Yes ma’am. Folks say the place is haunted, but I didn’t see any goblins. Not no yellow death riding on a horse either.”

  Elizabeth shook her head and sighed. It seemed she still had yellow fever to contend with even after all these years.

  Amy burst out, “And you know what, I teached Luke how to trap blackbirds too. He don’t got no papa either.”

  In her best schoolmarm voice, Elizabeth corrected, “Amy, never use ‘don’t got no,’ all in the same sentence. And it isn’t ‘teached.’ Do you know the proper way to say what you mean?”

  Amy hung her head, her voice low, “He doesn’t have a papa.”

  Elizabeth smile at her. “That’s much better.”

  “It ain’t better.” Amy raised her hands, palms up. “He still doesn’t have a papa. That’s why I teached him.” She glared up at Elizabeth. “I mean, I taught him.” Placing her hand on Elizabeth’s arm, her voice low and urgent, she said, “I don’t suppose I could help him again.”

  Elizabeth searched her upturned face. “It would be best to ask JP. He’ll want to know why.”

  “Well, Luke had trouble. I could show him again. He tried to catch some a while back, but no luck. A big flock of blackbirds flew over, and he was doing fine with his trap setup too. He heard a shot close by. He didn’t have no pie that night.” Amy glanced up at Elizabeth with a sheepish grin and shrugged. “Any pie. Will you teach me to shoot? I might have to protect him.”

  Appalled by such a notion, Elizabeth said, “When you are older, perhaps. Let’s leave the protecting to grown-ups.”