The Doctor's Daughter: A Virtue, Arizona Novel

by Patricia Green

  They didn't get to talk about his plans for the future, however. Verity admitted to herself, she didn't want to confront that hurdle. Her father's encouraging looks didn't help matters. Although she wanted his support, the topic was too dangerous.

  Nevertheless, Joshua wasn't as reticent as she was.

  Her sentence was to end on April twenty-fifth, and the wedding planned for April twenty-sixth, but on April first, Joshua brought up the topic.

  "I'm going to Phoenix," he said. "I have some business I need to take care of."

  Verity's heart sank. Phoenix was where the Marshal Services office for the Arizona Territory was located. He was probably going to go talk to them about his next assignment. He'd been on a leave of absence for almost eight months. Eight happy months together. He'd been working around Virtue as a carpenter, a profession he'd worked at before becoming a marshal. Faith said that people loved him and were eager to give him work. He would not have been so boastful to say so, but knowing his popularity gave Verity hope that he'd be encouraged to stay. But now, Phoenix. The wedding must be the milestone that ended their cozy rapport.

  "Do you have to go?" Verity asked. "Can't it wait until after the wedding and honeymoon?"

  "It's something I need to deal with before June, dear-heart."

  She felt a pout coming on. "Why?"

  "Because in November there will be elections in Virtue, and I want to run for sheriff. I need to start campaigning in June."

  Verity caught herself gaping. "You do?"

  "Yes. Gritch has lost popularity steadily through the last six months, and I think I have a shot at it. I certainly have the experience to support my candidacy. What do you think?" He looked so hopeful, so confidant and yet so boyish in his enthusiasm. The best part of the idea was that it would help him really settle down in Virtue.

  "I will vote for you. My family will vote for you. Everyone will vote for you! You're sure to win." Unable to help herself, she clapped with excitement.

  He chuckled. "I don't know about that, but I would like to try."

  "Yes, please do. I'll campaign for you… once I am free. I'll bet my sisters will, too."

  "That would be good. I've mentioned it to your father already—"

  "Wait. You talked to him before me?"

  "I wanted to get his opinion."

  Hmph. That was annoying, but she supposed that since Joshua didn't have a father to talk to, her father was the closest he could come. "I understand. What did he say?"

  "He was pleased, I think. He's not one to go on and on, you know. But I got the feeling that he'd campaign for me among his friends and the older, more established Virtue residents."

  "Of course he will. Oh, Joshua, this is so wonderful. I was worried about how we'd manage while you were away as a marshal."

  "I was, too, love. But, if I win—and that's a big if—I think we'll safely overcome that obstacle. But I need to go to Phoenix first to alert them of my plans and talk to my boss there. It would mean the resignation of my position as marshal, and six more months working as a carpenter."

  That made sense. "I'm perfectly happy with that. But don't be late coming back from Phoenix."

  He took her hands in his. "I wouldn't miss our wedding day."

  Something else had been nagging at her. She hadn't mentioned it to anyone, but it kept manifesting in her thoughts. "Joshua," she began, "you know I never finished medical school."

  "Yes. It was a shame you had to stop."

  Plunging forward, she asked, "Would it be possible for me to spend a few months in Boston to get my diploma?"

  "It would be difficult for me to take time away from being sheriff, but I respect your desire to finish."

  "I realize we'd be separated. It's painful, but my father said he thought we could work out our settling-down issues. He meant your job as marshal, but I think it applies here as well."

  "I agree. I would hate for us to be parted, even for a few months." He took her hands in his. "But your needs must be met as well. If you think it will bother you to be so close and yet not finished with the degree, then you should do what you can to achieve your goals." He looked sheepish for a moment. "I don't know if I'll make enough money to support you in Boston, though. A good education is expensive."

  "Papa would—"

  "No, Verity. You'll be my wife and your finances will be a responsibility we'll share. Your father should not be involved."

  Sighing, she agreed. Joshua didn't want his wife to be dependent on anyone but him and herself. It was a respectable attitude. "Then we'll wait and save. The school will be there when I'm ready."

  "I expect so. But, Verity, I want you to know that I respect your desire to finish. I'd love to have a bona fide doctor as a wife, though I love you just as you are."

  "Thank you so much," she said. "I was worried."

  "You'll have to learn to trust me more, love."

  "Time will help that. But imagine Virtue having a former marshal as a sheriff and a female doctor as well."

  He smiled and squeezed her fingers. "Very progressive."

  "I'm excited for you. I'm excited for us!"

  Raising her hands, he kissed her knuckles and looked deeply into her eyes. It was enough for the moment just to be with the man she loved.

  * * *

  The night before the wedding, Verity stepped out of the house for the first time in six months. The stars were out, no rain in sight. It was a gorgeous desert night, and one she vowed never to forget, no matter how old she got or how many special moments she experienced from now on. She was free and tomorrow would be her wedding day. Mrs. Perkins and her sisters were busy preparing the house for the reception, hanging flowers everywhere, setting the bridal table and arranging places for the food to be set out. Extra plates, silverware and napkins were borrowed from neighbors, and came in a profusion of colors and patterns.

  Joshua had returned from Phoenix only two days previous, and was spending the evening with his best man in town. Ben Willard, Theodore's son, was a responsible best man. Verity was delighted that the attorney's son and Joshua had hit it off so well. She'd grown up with Ben and knew him to be a jaunty fellow, but one with common sense.

  She wished she could be with Joshua, but customs had to be observed. As it was, she'd have to wait until ten o'clock in the morning to say her vows. It gave her just enough time to worry over everything. Would the ceremony go well? Would her wedding ring fit? Would her sisters have all the flowers and bunting hung? Was she too fat for her dress? Would Mrs. Perkins wedding cakes be tasty? Actually, that wasn't too difficult to anticipate. Mrs. Perkins was a wonderful baker and talented at decorating cakes. Both Hope and Mercy, as well as Bertha Harrison were preparing the wedding reception food, and it would be quite a feast. Mercy had come around, and though she'd probably never be Joshua's good friend—there was too much animosity built up—she grudgingly accepted that Verity was going to marry him and he'd be a permanent member of the family.

  A star shot across the sky. Good luck! "Star light, star bright, wish I may, wish I might, get this wish I wish tonight. Please help me and Joshua make the best marriage ever, with as much love and kindness as Papa and Mama had." It was time to retire for the night. She wouldn't sleep much, but she had to at least rest. Attending her own wedding with circles under her eyes would be awful.

  * * *

  The dress fit. The veil hung perfectly. The wedding ring with its tender engraving on the inside slid on without a hitch. And, best of all, Joshua proved he loved her now and forever by making her his wife. She was practically dizzy with happiness by the time the reception began.

  "You did it, sis," Charity whispered during a quiet moment.

  "I did," Verity agreed. "We did. I couldn't have done this without your help." She sipped champagne, imported all the way from France, and nibbled at piece of chicken carefully. It wouldn't do to stain her wedding dress. Her gaze locked upon a gentleman across the room. He was chatting with Faith and Mercy, and their conversat
ion seemed animated. They shared many smiles and laughed. "Who's that fellow? He doesn't look familiar."

  Charity saw where Verity was looking and smiled at what she saw. "Oh, you wouldn't have met him before today. That's Pastor Cambridge. He's going to be the new minister now that Pastor Denton is retiring."

  Verity watched Charity's expression. There was a twinkle in her eye that hadn't been there a moment ago. Hm. Something interesting was transpiring. "He's a young man for that job."

  "He's a seminary graduate, sent by the synod elders. His sermon was wonderful on Sunday. I wish you could have seen it. I think he'll be a fine replacement for Pastor Denton."

  "Is he married?"

  Charity's cheeks got pink. "No. Why do you ask?"

  "Idle curiosity." Another movement caught her eye and Verity realized it was time to cut the cake and package it for the guests. Almost time to depart for their honeymoon. A trip to San Francisco! What a wonderful treat for them both. It would take some time to get there, but it wasn't too bad by rail. Verity imagined spending all that time with Joshua. Time in a hotel where they'd be alone, no meals to make, no housekeeping to do. Why they wouldn't even have to make the bed. And the bed… just the two of them. Hanky-panky. The thought made her anxious to change into her traveling gown and get going.

  "Is it time to go?" she whispered to Joshua as they separated from the guests for a moment.

  "Eager?" He had a big grin on his face.

  "Does it show?"

  "Like a beacon. Let's get out of here and head for San Francisco."

  "Yeah!" Laughing, she hurried off to her room upstairs to change.

  * * *

  Although their carriage wasn't driven by four white horses, the two borrowed for the occasion were a matched pair of fine dappled Friesians with long black manes and full black tails. Hammerly drove them, wearing his best suit of clothes and a jaunty top hat. Joshua was a little embarrassed by all the fuss and bother, but Verity seemed to be soaking it all up. She looked so happy and carefree, laughing and smiling with her family and guests. As they drove off, birdseed clinging to them, thrown by the joyful guests, Joshua thought his new wife had never looked so beautiful.

  It hadn't really set in all the way that he was now a married man. He was trying to wrap his mind around it, but it was elusive. Gone were his bachelor days. Gone were the flirtations with the women he'd known since childhood. But equally important, gone were the lonely nights in the desert and in cheap hotels during his travels as a marshal.

  He didn't know what the future would hold. He had a plan, but plans could go awry. It was possible that he wouldn't win the election and become Virtue's sheriff. It was possible he'd be a carpenter the rest of his life. If so, he could accept it. So long as he was with Verity, it would all work out. They'd save up enough to send Verity to Boston for the few months necessary to get her diploma, then they'd have a bunch of children and settle into a happy rhythm together. They'd be partners, the best kind.

  Verity clung to Joshua all through the trip into town. They'd be staying at the Virtue Hotel for the night so they could be alone on their wedding night and make as much noise as they wanted—though Verity blushed when Joshua pointed it out. The next morning they'd board a coach and then the train.

  * * *

  Like the Bucknell home, the room at the Virtue Hotel was festooned with flowers. It smelled sweet and clean. The bed was wide and covered with a quilt in yellow and blue. The staff welcomed them with open arms and many congratulations for Joshua and best wishes for her. In many ways, Verity thought staying in town was the best way to spend her wedding night. The privacy was welcome.

  Joshua kissed her the moment he closed the room's door behind him. "Dress. Off," he said against her lips.

  "Yes. You, too."

  His eyes twinkled from a few inches away. "You want me to take my dress off, too?"

  She smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "Funny. I'll race you."

  "I'll win," he said, taking a step back and reaching for his tie.

  He did win, but it didn't matter. He helped her with what she still wore and then looked at her with lustful eyes. "Mine," he said. "You're my wife now. I'm the only one who gets to see you this way."

  "Well, the dressmaker—"

  "Will have to wear a blindfold."

  Laughing, she sauntered around him, swinging her hips as seductively as she could, and headed for the bed.

  He picked her up and tossed her on the mattress, covering her body with his soon after. "I love you, Mrs. Palmer."

  "Then kiss me, husband."

  "Your wish is my command," he said with a grin. The kiss was hot, their bodies rubbing together. Verity felt her nipples harden. Her core squirmed inside her body like a ribbon on a wand. Joshua's hard cock moved against her thighs, seducing her more and more with each passing second.

  "I feel like I've waited for a lifetime," she whispered into his ear as he rose on his arms. He said nothing, his gaze on her face saying more than words. "Kiss me again?"

  "All you ever have to do is ask, my love," he said, lowering his head for a new, searing kiss. Their tongues entwined, their breaths mingled, Verity's sounds of pleasure came to her ears as though uttered by someone else. She was enraptured with her husband, her man, her lover, and someday, the father of her children. This was their first time together as a married couple.

  "I want to kiss you," she said as they came up for air. The words had to come fast, or she wasn't sure she could say them. But now was her moment. "Down there." Her face flamed, but she kept her gaze on his face.

  He looked a bit surprised. "Are you sure? Do you know what you're saying?"

  "No, I don't know, exactly. But I love you. I want to make you feel as good as you make me feel. Can't you teach me?"

  His eyes flicked across her face. "I could, yes. Verity, are you sure? You don't have to do this."

  "You make it sound painful. Is it?"

  He laughed. "No. I'm pretty sure it's not."

  She was tempted to ask him how he'd formed that opinion. How many times had women kissed his cock? But then she realized it wasn't conducive to a good honeymoon to talk about former lovers. Especially since she had none, and he might have had many. A handsome, well-spoken, funny man like Joshua… well, it didn't bear thinking. She knew she'd profited from his experience with women. Although there was nothing wrong with having a virgin husband the first time, in many ways, his knowledge had been beneficial to their intimate relationship. Jealousy over what could not be changed wasn't appropriate, and had no place in their marriage.

  "Then I want to try," she said.

  "Very well. Let me lie down, and then you kneel between my legs."

  They shifted around, Verity taking her place and admiring his rampant cock. "You're so handsome," she told him. "I'm so lucky you got assaulted," she said on a laugh.

  He laughed, too. "I ought to thank those outlaws."

  "They're doing fine in jail without your thanks."

  "Yes, I'm sure they are. Now where were we?"

  She leaned over and kissed his chest. It was such a broad chest, the hair on it fluffy and soft. Every muscle there was defined and firm. As she was kissing his neck and shoulders, he was taking the pins out of her hair. It tumbled down around him like a red cascade. He wound his hands in it and let out a little hiss of pleasure when she licked one of his nipples.

  "I like that, too."

  "Come up here and I'll test that out," he said.

  "Uh-uh. My turn to kiss now."

  He laughed softly. "Very well."

  With slow, careful movements, she peppered his torso with kisses and licks, pausing for quite some time on his abdomen where the muscles were so taut. He had a perfect arrow of dark hair traveling down his belly to end in that place between his legs where new adventures lay.

  "Mmm," he hummed. His cock twitched as she touched his testicles with the tips of her fingers.

  She watched his face as she experimented. He looked
rapt.

  "Honey," he said, "I'm going to come on your hands if you keep that up."

  Did she want that? What would it be like to see that mysterious process? But no, she wanted to kiss him, lick him, maybe even suck like a licorice stick. "Is that a hint?" she teased.

  "Yes!"

  Laughing, she lowered her head and licked the tip of his cock. There was a drop of moisture there, salty and richly flavored. This was the taste of her Joshua. His cock twitched again.

  The next time she licked, she stroked his entire length with her tongue, following the purple vein she found on its underside. He squirmed and moaned.

  Encouraged, she licked him again and again. Then tried her licorice idea out. Using short strokes, she brought the rounded head of his cock into her mouth, released it and came down again for a larger portion. It was thick, rigid between her lips and on her tongue, but velvety soft on its surface as well.

  Eventually, she'd put the length in her mouth, well, almost all of it. She didn't think the rest would fit unless she drew it down like a swallow. She was concerned about gagging, so decided that she'd have to work up to that. In the meantime, she had a mouthful of her husband. His hands remained in her hair, but once she'd seated him in her mouth, he began to guide her head up and down, down and up, until she was bobbing against him. Moving her hands to steady herself, she touched his balls and he moaned. More of that was in order, but coordinating the bobbing with the touching took some concentration. His groans and murmured encouragement spurred her on.

  "You're doing well, love," he said, his voice sandpaper rough.

  She took her mouth away. "How long shall I do this?"

  "You'll know when to stop. I guarantee it."

  Back to bobbing and touching. She did learn where to stop, though, and it wasn't too much longer in coming.

  "Don't stop. Just a few more seconds. A few more—ah!"

  He arched his back and sure enough, he slid down her throat for a moment, but she didn't gag. Instead she swallowed, enjoying the pulsing sensation in her mouth, the taste of his seed. Everything about it was wonderful, empowering.

  He tugged on her hair a moment or two after he relaxed. "Come up for air now, my love."