She stopped just outside the closed door not seeing anyone at first. There was a horse tethered just to her right. When she turned left, she almost screamed because Owen seemed to appear out of nowhere.
“Goodness you startled me. Where were you?”
He took her elbow to steady her. “I was leaning on the wall. Wasn’t sure you’d come out or not.”
She looked over her shoulder, annoyed that her mother hadn’t warned her it was Owen. Surely her hair was a mess and her dress all rumpled and stained from cleaning. “Hello Owen.” Fern smoothed her hair back from her face in a useless attempt to restore order.
Thankfully, Owen seemed to be focused on her face, which she supposed was good.
“You have something on your cheek.” He rubbed at her left cheek with his thumb. “I think it was some sort of berry.”
Fern swallowed wanting to disappear. It was the most embarrassing moment. She fumbled with the shawl’s fringes. “I’m sure there are plenty more smudges. I just finished with cleaning the room.”
When his lips curved, hundreds of butterflies took flight and circled inside her belly. She placed a hand over it and did her best to keep from sighing out loud.
“You look beautiful, Fern,” he whispered leaning forward and kissing the spot where he’d removed the stain from her cheek. “I couldn’t stop looking at you all night.”
Her breath caught. “I can’t think when you’re close by.” The breathless words were cut short by his mouth covering hers. Instantly Fern wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, unable to keep the fervor from her response.
The kiss intensified and she pulled at his shirt collar until he was against her and she leaned on the building wall.
She arched her back needing to press closer, the flames of want scorching her senses. It could only be him who took her to these heights. The way his lips traveled from her mouth, down the side of her neck to press kisses to the top of her breasts. Fern clawed at his shoulders needing more of whatever came next or she feared the heat would consume her.
“Fern.” Owen’s husky voice sent even more new sensations through her and she gasped for breath.
He pulled away but just enough not to touch.
“Yes?” She laid her head on his chest. Owen’s heart thundered, the strong beats surely matching the rhythm of hers.
“I need to take you home.” He sounded pained and she understood as every part of her begged for the kiss to continue.
How could it be that she’d allowed him so much freedom? She gasped at what could’ve happened if her mother had walked out with Gemina. Goodness, they’d be dragged to Pastor Ward’s house and forced to marry on the spot.
“Come.” He took her elbow walking beside her to cross the street. “Tomorrow I’ll speak to your father. We have to get married.”
Fern stopped and whirled to face him. “Married? What are you saying? I shouldn’t have allowed things to go so far but...”
“It’s my fault. I took liberties.” Owen didn’t look contrite. Quite the opposite, he seemed a bit too comfortable with the current situation. “I want to marry you. If I don’t, I have no doubt of what will eventually happen between us.”
Neither did she. If ever alone with him, Fern doubted she possessed the strength to stop if things between them progressed farther than they had that night.
Finally she lowered her shoulders in resignation. “I agree. But we don’t love each other. I find you incredibly attractive and want you, but is it love?”
He shrugged. “I fell in love when I saw you whispering into my brother’s ear at the clinic.”
There was a lightening in her heart and she smiled up at him. “You did?”
The handsome man nodded. “Yes, you stole my heart that day.”
Fern allowed him to walk her the few yards to her front door. She turned to face him and then lifted to her toes to place a soft kiss on his lips. “I do believe I will love you very soon. If you ask for my hand in marriage, I will accept.”
A smile curved his lips, which once again awakened the wanton in her and she forced herself to meet his eyes.
“I’ll hold you to it Fern Richards.”
She laughed softly when he walked to the center of the road and kicked up his heels.
Chapter 18
Colton couldn’t stop the shaking as shadows formed outside the jailhouse window. It was the outlaw gang. They came to break out the man in the cell. He was frozen, couldn’t move. Someone called his name just as the front door burst open.
“Colton!” Isabel shook him until he thought his teeth would rattle. She seemed to be in a bigger panic than him.
“I’m awake. Did I hurt you?” His sleep slurred words were hard to get out as he blinked the blurriness away.
Her widened gaze made his chest constrict. If he’d done anything to hurt her, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to live with himself.
“No. You scared me awake. You were having a bad dream.”
Colton released the breath he’d been holding and allowed Isabel to envelop him in her arms. One of the things he’d never considered was how much her comfort settled him. He should’ve felt silly being held like a scared boy. But this was different, her supple body against his a stark reminder she was not a mother figure, but his wife. Instead of soothing a scared child, she was offering something very different. Understanding and support.
“I’ve had the same dream since the day of the shoot-out. I can’t seem to shake it.”
Her chest lifted and lowered. “That day you weren’t prepared for what happened. Do you think it’s your mind’s way of ensuring you remain ready and alert? I would say it’s a fear that will stay with you now.”
Colton chuckled at how much she sounded like her father. “I believe you’re right.”
Sleep came slowly. Isabel had fallen asleep and he slipped from her arms and cradled her in his. As he listened to her soft breaths, it lulled him back to a peaceful slumber.
“Good morning,” Colton greeted Isabel the next morning with a cup of tea. Her father had informed him she was slow to get up some mornings, but then in a whirl would dress, rush around and fix breakfast before dashing out the door to teach.
Now a week after the wedding, he became attuned to that truth. This day he decided to wake her and see what she did. The intricacies of getting to know one another were proving quite interesting to him. He liked learning more about his beautiful wife.
The fact she wasn’t pleasant in the morning, or that she actually enjoyed a light debate while eating supper fascinated him.
Isabel grumbled under her breath and stretched her slender arms over her head. “Why are you up so early? It’s not even light outside.”
“It’s light out. The thick fabric of the curtains block the sun.” Colton sat on the bed and peered down at her. When a frown formed, he pressed his lips together to keep from smiling.
“Colton, if you don’t go away I’m going to smother you with my pillow.” She yanked the blankets up over her shoulders and peered at him. “Why are you waking me?”
“Because it’s nine o’clock in the morning.”
“What?” she yelled sitting up and glaring at him as if it were his fault she’d slept in. “I’m getting rid of those hateful curtains today.” She kicked from under the blankets in an attempt to detangle herself. “I have things to do. The children won’t be in class for another day, but the classroom has to be prepared.”
He sat back in a chair enjoying the view of movements and grace as she dressed and combed her hair. Somehow although flustered, she managed to remain enticing, her bright eyes flashing to him with annoyance as if the time were his fault and it was he who made her sleep late.
Finally he couldn’t take it any longer. He stood and took her arm. “Isabel.” She stopped midstride, her countenance changing at once.
“Is something wrong? Do you feel badly?”
“Not at all,” he smiled down at her. “I didn’t thank you for
the other night when I had the bad dream. Since then I haven’t had one. I’m sure they’ll return every once in a while, but having you next to me helps.”
He expected her to smile or caress his face. Instead she struggled out of his hold. “You don’t have to thank me. It’s what a wife who loves her husband does. Now please go away. I am so very late.”
Colton laughed. “What if I say I won’t let you out of my sight until you kiss me?”
This time her lips did curve. He bent to kiss her but she slipped out of his hold.
“Don’t kiss me. I can’t linger, and it’s hard to think straight with you so close.” Isabel pushed him back.
Chuckling he left the room so she could finish getting ready.
Moments later when she came out of the bedroom, she held the cup in her hand and placed it on the kitchen table. She’d washed her face and her hair was neatly pinned up. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she neared him. “One kiss Colton Blake, and don’t make it a long one. I’ll be late.”
“Yes Ma’am.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “I’ll walk you to Gemina’s.”
Isabel didn’t move but instead frowned up at him. “Is that all?”
Had he forgotten something? Was it her birthday? No, that wasn’t it.
“I love you?” he asked.
“Ugh,” Isabel shook her head. “What I mean is that it’s not like you to listen to what I say.” In two steps she was against him, her arms slipped around his neck and she pulled him down for a long kiss.
Colton took the offering, loving the feel of Isabel’s plushness as he slid his hands down her back. She relaxed in his arms sending waves of heat throughout his body. If they kept it up, he’d not be able to keep from taking her back to the bedroom. She had to know that.
“You’re going to be late,” he said while nipping just below her ear. Isabel shivered in response.
When she pulled away, both were breathless. She gave him a dreamy look. “Now we really have to leave.”
Colton shook his head. “You miss our banter don’t you? It’s going to be hard for you to become accustomed to me agreeing with anything you say.”
A pretty blush colored her cheeks as she slid him a glance. “I do love bantering with you Sheriff Blake.”
“I do as well. However,” he said, taking her hand. “I also really like it when we agree.”
The corners of her plump lips curved up. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
It would take many years before he would come to understand Isabel fully, if he ever did. And that fact suited Colton just fine.
From the Author
Hello Friend,
What are you reading next? I suggest a story with a mail order bride who is just as feisty as Isabel. Nellie Higgins, in Nellie’s Notions is kind, but doesn’t hesitate to stand up for herself.
When given a grant to open a school in Hammond Montana, Nellie Higgins embarks on a journey of a lifetime. Despite the heartbreak of leaving her family behind, becoming a mail-order bride opens up a wonderful world she can’t wait to explore.
Henry Clarkson is ready to settle down and is pleasantly surprised when he sees his new bride. She’s beautiful and intelligent and despite his troublesome past relationships, he knows he can offer her a happy life. But that happiness is threatened when his shop goes up in flames and he’s forced to face his worst fears. With no means to support his new wife, can he still offer Nellie her happily ever after? And will love be enough to make her stay?
Nellie’s Notions https://amzn.to/2t6r45C
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About the Author
Being a full-time writer is no joke, the co-workers are dogs, no one cleans the office and the only human contact is usually carrying a package and in a hurry to leave.
USA Today Bestselling author Hildie McQueen loves unusual situations and getting into interesting adventures, which is what her characters do as well. She writes romance because she is in love with love! Author of western historical and contemporary, as well as some highlander romances, she writes something every reader can enjoy.
Most days Hildie McQueen can be found in her overly tight leggings and green hoodie, holding a cup of tea while stalking the lawn guy. In the afternoons she browses the Internet for semi-nude men to post on Facebook.
Hildie's favorite past-times are romance conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.
She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and three doggies.
Feel free to contact me!
@HildieMcQueen
HildieMcQueen
www.hildiemcqueen.com
[email protected]
Isabel, An Independent Bride Page 13