by Paty Jager
He rolled Maggie to her back. Her long curls spread out around her head, dark against the white sheets. He leaned down, kissed her, and pressed his tip against her wet center when she arched. Easing into her heat, he kissed her and teased a nipple.
He pushed deeper with one swift movement and held still.
Maggie tore her mouth from his. “It hurts! No one said it hurts.” She pushed at him but he held tight.
“Shh… Maggie, hold still, relax. Only the first time hurts. Relax and soon you’ll be back riding the waves. I promise.” He captured her lips, kissing, teasing with his tongue, massaging her breasts. Her body responded, moving, pressing, her hips arching to draw him deeper.
“That’s my kitten. Feel it all.” He moved with a rhythm that soon had him backing out. He didn’t want to be fulfilled before Maggie.
She grabbed his backside, pulling him tighter. He resumed his pace, and she cried out, her body convulsing around him as her arms clasp his head to her breasts. She fell back on the bed and he came, whispering her name as he captured her mouth in a kiss. He was completely lost to this woman.
His heart beat against his ribs like the pounding of a thousand horses. He pulled Maggie’s limp body into his arms and kissed her head. “Sleep and know I will always be here for you.”
“Mmmm… Promise?” Her head snuggled on his chest, and her arm gripped his middle.
“Promise.”
****
Maggie awoke, her mind raced with the events of the night before, causing her body to tingle. Strong arms held her tight against a hard warm body. She smiled. Her husband. She’d been falling in love with the man, but didn’t know now completely until she gave in to her body’s needs last night. Now in the light of day, she saw her demand to make the marriage a name only union had been fear. Her sated state was new and wondrous. Her breasts felt heavier, more sensitive. The juncture of her legs throbbed as she relived the sensations Ty introduce to her body.
“Mornin’ my little spitfire.”
His deep scratchy voice started tremors in her middle.
She rolled in his arms, witnessing his morning stubble, sleepy eyes, and the bruising on his chin. “What happened to your chin?”
“Last night’s visitor popped me a good one when I was wrestling him away from the door.”
She shivered in spite of the knowledge the man was contained.
“He won’t hurt you. I’ll find out from the captain what he was after.”
“When I heard him working the lock, I held the key in the keyhole. My hand was shaking, and I could hear him breathing heavy.” The memory of the man’s labored breathing and his unrelenting attack on the keyhole shook her from head to toe. She’d prayed someone would come along. Elation overwhelmed her when she heard Ty’s voice on the other side of the door. He wasn’t supposed to come back to the cabin that early.
She smiled. But he had, and what a wonderful night she’d spent in his arms.
“It is a good morning.”
The ship rocked, and he rolled on top of her with little effort.
“Are we moving?” Traveling by ship was a new experience just like the night spent in his arms.
“Yes. Would you like to amble around the deck before we go to breakfast?” He kissed her neck.
Warm fluttering sensations started in her middle and spread. She wrapped her arms around Ty’s neck and pressed her body tight against his. “I don’t know. You tend to make a wanton woman out of me with your kisses.”
“We could dally here and just head to breakfast when we’re done.” He kissed under her jawline and down to the shivery spot where her collar bones met.
“Mmmm… Yes, that works for me.”
His hands cupped her bottom drawing her tight against his hardness.
Sparks lit behind her eyes when he rubbed just so. “Oh! That’s nice.”
“I can make it even better.” He slid her legs apart and with aching slowness entered, taking her breath away and spinning her into the world of darkness, fireworks, and body-numbing sensations.
He whispered in her ear, released, and held her tenderly as he kissed her neck.
Maggie enjoyed his attentions. It was a heady feeling to be fawned over and loved. Mrs. Freeman had been kind and loving in her own way, but Maggie had yearned for arms to hold her and someone to confide in and love unconditionally. All these years she’d missed her close-knit family.
“What are you thinking?” Ty’s finger rested on the furrow between her brows.
“How much I miss my family.” She peered into his eyes. “How much I missed loving arms and someone who truly cares for me.” She drew his hand to her lips and kissed the palm.
“Did no one show you love once you were taken from your sister?” He rolled to his side, pulling her up on top of him.
She looked down into his searching gaze. “The woman who adopted me was kind, but she didn’t seem to have any love left in her after her husband died. She rarely touched me, never hugged me.” It saddened her to know the years she had worked so hard to be liked and help the woman had only given her a room in the back of a dress shop to live, and the hope to one day be reunited with Lora Beth.
“But you loved her.” Ty captured the tear leaving a wet track on her cheek.
“She was all I had.” Maggie bit back the bitterness and stared deep into his eyes. “I’ll never give up trying to find Lora Beth. If she’s lived without love as I, we have to be reunited.” She put a hand on his cheek. “Our love of our parents and one another is what has kept me going. It has to have been the same for her.”
“We’ll find her. Get dressed. We’ll breakfast and soon be landing at Cascades to portage around the falls and load onto another ship. Make sure things we aren’t wearing are packed.” Ty flipped back the covers exposing her bare backside to the cold morning air.
Her nipples puckered, and his eyes dilated with desire.
“Oh no, we’re not doing that again. I think I need time to recuperate.” Maggie hopped off and stood a minute admiring his adoration for her. “That is an impressive appendage,” she said and giggled at his smug smile.
****
Maggie grew more and more fascinated by the portage around the falls at Cascades. Everything and everyone going up river was unloaded to the dock and loaded onto a “pony” train. The train consisted of a small engine with covered cars to haul people and flat cars for the freight and baggage.
She walked beside Ty to the passenger car. He helped her climb aboard and carried the valises down the aisle to a seat.
“Hold me a seat. I’m going to make sure my freight is all loaded.” He kissed her cheek and left the passenger car.
Maggie leaned out the window watching the people scurrying to find a place in the covered cars. Ty informed her once the passenger cars filled the others would have to ride on the flat cars. She patted the seat next to her holding their bags. Ty would have a seat next to her.
“Excuse me, Miss, but if you’d move the bags I’d be happy to keep you company.”
She glanced up at a man in a fancy suit and bowtie. A bowler sat atop his round head. The condescending glint in his eyes and smug smile on his face brought out the devil in her.
“I’m sorry but I’m saving this place for my husband. He’s checking on his cargo at the moment.”
The man started to pick up one of the bags. “I haven’t seen a man near you since we started loading.”
She slapped his hand. “Then you’ve been staring and that only solidifies your rudeness.”
“I’m going to sit here. I can’t ride on the freight. A man of my caliber would be a laughing stock.”
Maggie squinted her eyes and sprung to her feet. “This seat is taken.”
“Maggie.” Ty’s voice caught her attention.
She pointed out the window and said to the man, “My husband.” She stuck her head out the window. “Yes?”
An older woman, bent and fragile stood beside Ty.
“Mrs.
Oldham can’t ride on the freight. I’m giving her my seat.” Ty shrugged his shoulder in an apology.
Her heart squeezed with pride for her husband’s giving nature. “I’d love to visit with her. Bring her on up.”
She sat down on the seat. Her temper escalated from the heat of the man’s stare. He still stood next to her bags. “I told you the seat was taken.”
“Now see here, I can’t—”
“Can’t what?” Ty shuffled down the aisle behind the bent older woman shuffling ahead of him.
“This perfectly healthy man has been trying to wrangle this seat from me.” Maggie grabbed their valises, stuffing them under the seat in front of her to make room for the woman. She took the woman’s arm helping her settle on the bench seat.
The man backed away grumbling as Ty leaned over the older woman and kissed Maggie.
“I’ll ride with the freight and come get you when the train stops at the dock.” Ty grasped her hand, squeezed it, and sauntered back down the aisle as the train whistle blew.
Maggie settled down in the seat next to Mrs. Oldham. She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“You have yourself a good man in that one.” The old woman said, pointing the direction Ty had disappeared.
“I know.” The smile she bestowed on the woman glowed all the way to her heart. She was indeed a lucky woman. Maggie clutched the locket hanging around her neck. If she found Lora Beth her world would be near to perfect.
Eight
Ty escorted Maggie onto the waiting sidewheeler, Idaho. “We’ll place the bags in a room, but don’t unpack. We’ll spend the night in The Dalles at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.”
She nodded, her gaze always scanning the crowd. He hadn’t asked, but he knew her eyes constantly searched for her sister. Hoping by chance they would meet.
He, on the other hand, watched for anyone who might know his family in order to make a hasty retreat. Other than his telegraph to his grandmother during his stay in Timberland, no one knew where to find him, and he liked that just fine.
They stored their bags, strolled the deck, and retired to the lavish dining area for a mid-day meal.
Pride filled Ty’s chest, nearly bursting his buttons, when he walked into the dining area with Maggie on his arm. All heads turned. Men gave her appreciative looks and the women must have sensed her lack of vanity for they also smiled warmly.
Maggie blushed ever so faintly and followed by his side. Much too demure for his liking. He appreciated and admired the feisty woman who stood up to him in his hotel room.
He held her chair, and she sat arranging the billowing skirt, giving it her full attention.
“What’s wrong?” He whispered in her ear and watched the pulse in the vein in her neck race.
“I can’t get used to the idea of dining in places like this.” She swept a hand over the fancy dishes and shiny utensils. “It was only a few days ago I cleaned the hotel rooms these people stayed in.”
“You look like you belong here.” He took a seat beside her capturing her hand, hoping to abate their coldness and trembles.
“I might look the part but I’m still the orphan of a poor preacher. The clothes you purchased haven't changed me.” She raised her mesmerizing exotic gaze to his. “Mrs. Freeman made sure I kept up my studies, but I’m sure she never believed I’d be more than a cleaning woman or wife so she didn’t bother teaching me proper etiquette.”
“Just do what I do, you’ll be fine. Now chin up. I want to see that fire in your eyes I so admire.”
Ty ordered their food. At the end of their meal he enjoyed his reward of watching Maggie sigh and lean back in her chair, placing a hand over her stomach.
“If I didn’t have to wear this awful corset, I could have finished off that last bit.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t the Freeman woman feed you? You’ve eaten more than me today. First with breakfast and now this meal.”
“We had to watch our pennies but I never went without like some of the children I played with.” Her eyes glazed over. “There was one little girl who reminded me of Lora Beth. She was sickly and after a couple of years she didn’t come out and play anymore. I don’t know if she became worse or…”
The compassion shining in her eyes brought a lump to his throat. “Did you ever go ask?”
“I was afraid if she had died—she looked so much like Lora Beth—I’d believe my sister had died, too.” Her eyes dilated to a thin circle of brilliant lavender. “If I believed Lora Beth dead, I had no reason to fight to stay alive and look for her.”
“I know she was alive last fall when I was in Timberland. I didn’t see her, but I know.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “If a telegram from my contact in Timberland arrived in Portland, I asked the telegrapher to send it on to The Dalles. It should be waiting for us when we check into the hotel.”
Her eyes sparked with determination. “Do you think your contact can help us find Lora Beth?”
“When I was in Timberland he knew everything about everyone. I’m sure he can send us in the right direction.” Ty stood and pulled Maggie to her feet. “Let’s take a stroll around the deck and check in with Dickens at the gambling salon. He should have it set up and running.”
Maggie nodded and slipped her arm though his. “When will we arrive in The Dalles?”
“Thinking about that telegram?”
She nodded, her eyes sparkling, a soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He couldn’t resist. He kissed her tempting lips with the briefest of touches.
“We should dock in The Dalles late afternoon.”
“And spend the night in a hotel with a large bed?” The sultry whisper meant only for his ears and the flutter of her breath on his neck jolted his senses as if she stood in front of him naked and begging.
“Yes. The best room in the hotel. We’ll call it our wedding night. I didn’t properly make you mine as I should have.” And she was his. He’d no sooner allow her to get away from him than he’d allow his grandmother to interfere with his life any longer.
****
Maggie walked into the gambling salon on Ty’s arm and gawked at the men sitting around tables, blowing cigar and cigarette smoke into the air. Most wore business suits, though a few sported cowboy denims and flannel. With a quick sweep of the room, she realized she was the only female. Heads swiveled and card games stopped. Heat rushed up her neck, flaming her cheeks.
Mr. Dickens, whom she’d met upon boarding last night, hurried forward.
“Bancroft, glad to see you made it in before the ship docked.” The man shook Ty’s hand, but his gaze lingered on her.
“Dickens, I believe you remember my wife.” Ty’s voice held censure.
She glanced at him. His jaw muscle twitched.
A commotion broke out at a table across the room.
“Damn!” Dickens’s face reddened. “Sorry ma’am. That man has been pushing all afternoon. I knew something like this would happen.” He hurried across the room.
Ty squeezed her hand. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
“I’d rather go with you.” She didn’t like being left in the middle of the room with all eyes on her.
“It may not be something you want to see or hear.”
“It can’t be any worse than walking in the alley behind the saloons at night.” She clutched his arm and started across the room. Ty grinned and shook his head, falling in step beside her.
They stopped at the table. Her gaze fell on the bossy man from the train. She groaned.
“What?” Ty searched her face, and she pointed to the man. Ty frowned.
“That’s the man who insisted I give up your seat to him on the train.”
The flicker in Ty’s eyes didn’t bode well for the man. “Stay.” He firmly squeezed her arm and marched forward.
“Sir. What seems to be the problem?” Ty squared up beside the man calling another a cheat. He didn’t like people who called others cheat
ers, and he didn’t like men who bullied women. Especially his wife.
“This man has won nearly every hand. He has to be cheating.”
The man’s round red face under a black bowler reminded Ty of a child’s balloon. He glanced at the man accused of cheating. “Are you cheating?”
The man had a crooked grin and the absurd glee of one too happy to have cheated. The man had fallen into a lucky streak.
“No, sir. This is only the second time I’ve ever played this game. I can’t believe I’m doin’ this well.”
Ty faced the bowler man. “It appears he’s having beginner’s luck. Why don’t you go on out and get some fresh air.”
“He’s cheating!” The bowler man stood and waved a finger at the lucky card player.
Ty couldn’t believe the arrogant fool. He glanced around the table at the other players. “Did this man cheat?” They all shook their heads. He faced the bowler man. “It looks to me like you need to just walk away. There wasn’t any cheating here, and we don’t condone it. If he’d been cheating, I assure you, we would deal with it. All I see is a lucky beginner.”
“And a sore loser,” one of the other men at the table said under his breath.
“Why you…” The bowler man lunged at the man. Ty grabbed his shoulder spinning him away from the other player. Ty positioned his fist to connect with the man’s gut, and a bottle shattered over the man’s derby.
Ty focused on who stepped into the fracas. Maggie stood behind the man holding the jagged neck of a whisky bottle in her hand.
The bowler man spun. “You!” He sprang forward, but Ty grabbed his suit coat, and Maggie flailed the jagged edge of the bottle in front of her.
“Do what my husband says and go outside.” Maggie ordered low and firm.
Whiskey dripped down the man’s hat and onto his shoulders and back. He reeked of the liquid.
“Dickens, escort this man to the deck where he can cool off.” Ty maneuvered himself between the man and his feisty wife. She’d just displayed the spunk he adored, but he wished it hadn’t been in such a volatile situation. His heart nearly leapt out his mouth realizing she smashed the bottle over the man’s head.