by Sasha Gold
“You’re a powerful distraction, Isabelle. I have my horse tacked up and ready to go, and you’re making me forget my chores, making me want to take you back to bed.” He straightened. “I’m getting you a tub and a stove for the back room. What else do you want? Something for your kitchen? Pots? Pans?”
She shook her head. “I have a cast iron pan. I use it for everything. I’m pretty handy with it, if I say so myself.”
Brushing his thumb over her lips, he smiled. “You are.”
He pulled his coat on and tended the fire. She watched his every movement. He teased her about everything belonging to him. He could, in fact, go into town, ask about her account at the bank. It would be in the name of Hudson, and there would be nothing to stop him from withdrawing every penny.
He murmured a few words of goodbye and was gone, leaving her. She returned to her room and dressed. It would do her no good to think about him. He could leave and never come back. He could hurt her or the boys in a thousand ways, but there was nothing to be gained by agonizing over possibilities.
She kept herself busy making breakfast and tidying the cabin. The boys brought the pup down from the loft. They took him outside to play in the morning sunshine.
After lunch Violet and Savannah arrived to pick up a christening gown Isabelle had sewn for Violet’s daughter. Isabelle served them some peach pie, fresh from the oven. The conversation swirled around the dinner Violet and Ben would serve after the christening that evening.
The dinner had started out as a small affair, just family, but now the number of guests had climbed to almost a hundred. There would be music and dancing and games for the children.
“Violet doesn’t believe in small parties,” Savannah mused.
Violet served herself another piece of pie. “Once you start cooking, it’s as easy to serve a dozen as it is to serve scores. You just throw another potato in the pot.”
Savannah scoffed. “Potatoes! Don’t believe her, Isabelle. She’s serving prime rib, ham, fried chicken. It would be easier to list what won’t be on the menu.”
Isabelle half-listened to the two sisters-in-law. They chattered on about where the dancing should take place and whether they would need a tent. Her mind kept wandering back to Matt and what they’d shared the night before. What was he doing right then, she wondered. Was he still in Colter Canyon, or had he left?
Seth burst through the door. “A wagon from the mercantile is coming up the path.”
“Are you expecting something?” Violet asked.
“It’s a tub, and a stove.” Isabelle said. She couldn’t help but smile. If he was going to leave her he wasn’t going to do it today.
Isabelle was about to get up when she heard Matt’s voice instructing the men to bring the things inside.
“Do you need to go talk to the men?” Savannah asked.
Isabelle bit her lip. “No, I think they’ll manage all right on their own.”
The men carried a large copper tub into the cabin, and Matt directed them to a wash room beside the kitchen. When they brought the stove in, he noticed her sitting with Savannah and Violet and nodded to the ladies.
Savannah was the first to speak. “Isabelle, that’s so wonderful you bought yourself a tub. Finally. And a stove, too. We won’t have to worry about you and the boys freezing in the winter.”
Seth and Luke stood in the doorway, wide-eyed at the commotion. Each held a peppermint stick.
Matt ushered the boys inside and scooped up the pup before closing the door. “Isabelle did not pay one red cent for any of that. You could say it’s a wedding present. From her husband.”
He offered his hand to Savannah. “Matthias Hudson.”
Savannah paled, and for a moment Isabelle felt a little guilty for not telling her friends about Matthias when they’d first arrived.
Savannah lifted her hand and shook his. “Sa…Savannah Sutton.”
“Pleased to meet you,” he said.
Violet’s shock was as evident as Savannah’s. She was speechless and gaped at Matthias as she offered her hand.
“My sister-in-law, Violet,” Savannah said. “We live on the ranch next door.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” he said.
He smiled a charming smile, and Isabelle could see he relished their apparent shock.
“Nobody ever expected you to come to town,” Savannah said.
Matt nodded and caught Isabelle’s gaze, holding it with a simmering heat. “Especially Isabelle. She was mighty surprised when I arrived.”
The boys clambered onto chairs, and Isabelle served them a slice of peach pie. Matt set the dog down on a blanket in the corner, and when he returned to the table he kissed Isabelle on the top of her head. He ambled out the door. Isabelle had to suppress a smile. He had to know the shock and disbelief and dismay he left in the wake of that kiss.
When he was gone, Violet let out a long, shuddering breath. She reached across the table and grabbed Isabelle’s hand with an iron grip. “Are you all right?”
Isabelle smiled at the expressions on their faces. When Matt first arrived and scared her half to death, a tiny part of her blamed Violet and Savannah. It pleased her to see their shock and dismay.
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Seth asked, frowning. “Mr. Hudson is really, really nice, and he brought a puppy for us.”
“How long has he been here?” Savannah asked.
“He’s been her two days,” Seth replied. “His name’s Hudson just like Belle’s, but guess what? He’s not her brother. He’s her husband!”
Violet gave a small murmur of dismay and shook her head in disbelief.
Matt returned carrying part of a bed frame, and the other men trailed behind carrying the rest.
“I got us a bigger bed, sweetheart. The carpenter’s shop had one just the right size for both of us.” His face was solemn as he passed, but she could see the spark of amusement in his eye.
Violet coughed and gave Savannah a pointed look. Isabelle could feel heat creep up her neck and spread over her cheeks.
“You need to bring Mr. Hudson to the Christening this evening,” Savannah said.
Isabelle felt her blush deepen. “Well, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’m not certain how long Mr. Hudson, I mean, Matthias, will be staying…” She drew a tremulous breath. “With me.”
Violet snorted. “The man just bought a bed big enough for the two of--”
Savannah drew a deep breath. “A little discretion, Violet. We have children at the table.”
“I want you to bring him this evening. I have enough food to feed Colter Canyon two times over, and we’ll have music and dancing. Bring him, and leave Seth and Luke with us for a day or more.”
Matt’s footsteps echoed down the hall, and when he appeared, he filled the doorway. “We’d love to come, Mrs. Sutton. And that’s a fine offer to keep the children. I’d very much like to dance with my wife.”
Violet beamed. “Good. It’s settled.”
Chapter Twelve
The festivities at the Suttons’ home were accompanied by more varieties of dishes than Matt had ever seen in one sitting. This sort of party was a common occurrence, one of the Sutton men explained. Ben, Violet’s husband, said they had a pavilion built so that bad weather would never threaten one of the family’s celebrations.
The men and women had eaten at separate tables, but now tables and chairs were being cleared to make way for dancing. Lanterns cast shadows. An evening breeze blew. Matthias instinctively searched for Isabelle and the boys.
Luke and Seth sat in a circle with other children, playing a game of jacks. Women stood in small groups, talking and laughing, but Isabelle was not among them. He scanned the crowd. Where was she?
The thready note of a violin hung in the air, above the hum of conversation. The old fellow who everyone called Shorty tuned his instrument. Why they called him Shorty had to be a joke. He was tall and gangly. During the baby’s christening, he’d sniffled and wiped tears from his eyes, and so it was clear
Shorty had a tender heart.
He pushed through the crowd until he found Violet Sutton. “Have you seen Isabelle?”
Violet’s lips quirked. “Missing your bride, Mr. Hudson.”
Matt sighed. Over dinner, Ben and Cameron Sutton had given him enough good-natured ribbing about his marriage and instant family. He wasn’t sure how much the men knew about the arrangement, but he was certain Violet and Savannah knew. He’d seen the shock come over their faces and reveled in it.
“Yes, ma’am,” Matt replied. It was true, he realized with some degree of surprise. He hadn’t spoken to her in an hour or more and only caught a few glimpses of her over dinner. She wore a dress the color of a robin’s egg, and anytime he looked at her, the sight stole his breath. Now he wanted to see her, talk to her, take her into his arms and dance.
“Maybe Isabelle will be the woman to get you to settle down.” Violet tilted her head towards a chair in the corner of the hall. “You could take Sheriff Reid’s job.”
The sheriff sat in the chair, but he slumped over the table, snoring loudly.
Violet rolled her eyes. “He insisted on being invited. At least he’s not a mean drunk.”
“Hope he left someone capable to watch over Hughes,” he said.
“The whole town will give a sigh of relief tomorrow when they hang that man. Not everyone believes in executing criminals. I had a long debate with Savannah today. She thinks it’s cruel. I say hanging’s too good for Darrell Hughes.”
A movement caught Matt’s eye. Isabelle stood near the back of the hall, speaking to two men. A surge of possessiveness came over him.
“Who are those men?” he asked.
Violet sighed. “The McKenzie brothers. They might be the only two men in the county who don’t know that Isabelle is…” Her words drifted off.
“Married,” he offered.
“Ah, yes. Married.”
She’d scarcely finished her words when Matt left her, striding to Isabelle’s side. “Evening,” he said.
One glance at Isabelle, and he knew the men had been up to no good. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were wide.
One of the men curled his lip with disdain. “My brother and I are having a conversation with this nice lady, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind,” Matt growled. “This nice lady is my wife.”
The man scoffed. “How come I never seen you around before?”
“I don’t need to answer to you, son. Leave my wife alone.”
The other man turned to face him, and both crossed their arms over their chests. The posture was a clear gesture of belligerence.
“Lots of men would like to get their hands on that property and the pretty owner.”
“Too late, boys,” Matt said. “Both the property and the pretty owner are mine now.”
“You’re some kind of big talker aren’t you? Who are you?”
“My name is Matthias Hudson.”
The first man gave a bark of laughter. “Bullshit.”
Matt grabbed the man by the wrist, spun him around and twisted his arm behind his back. He spoke quietly. “The Suttons are nice people, and I don’t want to spoil their party.”
The man gasped with pain and tried to get away, but when Matt jerked his arm up, he grew still.
“What do I need to do exactly to show you who I am?” Matt snarled.
The other man backed away, his hands raised in surrender. "Come on Billy, don't mess around. We don't need any trouble with the Suttons, and we sure don't need any trouble with Mr. Hudson."
"I don't see any reason for either of you boys to ever speak to my wife again. Do you?"
Both men shook their heads. "No, sir."
Matt released the man's arm, and he staggered away, rubbed his shoulder and grimaced.
“We thought it was just a rumor, that's all. Some people around here were saying Isabelle made up that story just to get men to leave her alone. We didn't mean to cause any trouble.”
Matt scowled at the two men. “You know anything about her barn being burned down?”
“No, sir. We don't know anything about that.”
“Is everything all right here?”
Matt turned to find the preacher standing beside Isabelle, a look of concern on his face.
“Everything's fine, sir,” Matt said. He kept his eyes on the two McKenzie brothers as they slunk away into the crowd. “The problem is that Isabelle and I only have a marriage on paper.” He ignored Isabelle’s murmur of dismay. “We haven't said our vows in front of a preacher.” He turned to Isabelle. “Don't you think it's time we did that?”
The preacher smiled. “We could do that right now.”
Isabelle gripped his arm. “Can I have a word with you please?”
“How about we have that word while we're dancing?”
Isabelle nodded. Matt took her hand and led her through the crowd to the dance floor. He tugged her into his arms, and they started to move to the music. Holding her close felt natural, as natural as asking the preacher to marry them had felt a moment before.
“What are we doing, Matthias?”
“The two-step, Isabelle.”
They passed the group of boys playing jacks, and both Seth and Luke looked up and waved.
“We’re going to go in front of the preacher. He'll probably want us to have a witness.”
They danced the rest of the song without speaking, and when it ended, she kept her eyes downcast. He lifted her chin.
“Isabelle Hudson,” he said with a smile. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She nodded, a blush staining her cheeks. “I will.”
He kissed her, a gentle and chaste kiss. When the music started up again, he took her hand and led her to the preacher. They crossed the room, and he caught Violet’s and Savannah’s eyes and beckoned them.
“Just the Sutton ladies and the boys,” Isabelle murmured.
They walked past the boys’ games. Matt told Seth to bring Luke. While the band played a sweet polka tune, the group gathered for a quiet ceremony.
“I thought you were already married,” Seth said as he scratched his head. “How many times are you gonna get married, Belle?”
“This is the last time, Seth,” Matt said.
Isabelle kept her gaze fixed on him as they exchanged vows. Her voice trembled. He squeezed her hands to offer silent encouragement. Beside him, Violet sniffled when he leaned down to kiss Isabelle.
“Savannah and I are going to keep the children for a few nights, Isabelle,” Violet said, drawing Seth and Luke to her side. “You two go on home.”
Matt smiled. “You want to stay with the Suttons, Seth?”
“Yes, sir,” Seth replied and took his brother’s hand. “We always like staying here.”
“They’ll be fine here,” Savannah said. “Isabelle knows that we’ll watch them just like they were our own.”
“Before Isabelle could utter a word of argument, Matt whisked her out of the hall and took her home.
Chapter Thirteen
“Those men were bothering you, Isabelle.”
His voice was low and deep, and while she didn’t think he was angry, she knew he wasn’t happy.
“That used to happen all the time,” she said, unbuttoning her dress slowly.
The candlelight flickered, and shadows danced on the walls. Rain fell steadily. On a different night she would have been too tired, but not tonight. They didn’t have a drop of rain on their way home from the Suttons but now it drummed on the roof.
Her every nerve hummed with a new awareness. She was alone. With Matthias. They’d spoken their vows. It was official.
“If someone bothers you, it’s up to me to take care of it,” he said.
She felt him step behind her, and the way he loomed over her stole her breath. Giving a quick nod, she waited.
“Seth and Luke. I watch over them, too. From now on you tell me. Clear?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “What if you’re not
here?”
“Where would I be?”
“Bounty hunting. Somewhere.”
“You’re not getting rid of me.” His soft laughter washed over her. He turned her around and pinned her with his gaze. “It’s been a long day for you. Don’t fret, Isabelle. We have forever.”
Her breath caught, and she let him tend to her, undressing her slowly. First her dress, and then her chemise, and after that he took off her boots and stockings. He left her pantalets on and tugged a gown over her head. She felt like a child being readied for the night.
He undressed down to a pair of drawers and led her to bed.
“I’m sorry, Matthias. This is so unnerving.”
When he blew the flame from the lamp, the room was plunged into darkness, and normally the dark frightened her, but tonight she welcomed it. It shielded her from his sight.
Coaxing her to the bed, he murmured soft words and settled beside her. He felt so big and so powerful, the hard muscles of his chest pressed against her shoulders. His erection pressed against her bottom. Despite her fear, her skin tingled with anticipation. Arousal shimmered along her thighs and dampened her sex. She turned in his arms to face him, and the movement drew a groan from him.
“Isabelle,” he muttered. “I was going to tell you to go to sleep.”
Her heart crashed against her chest. She should take his offer, but she wanted his hands on her, his lips tasting hers and wicked words whispered in her ear.
“It seems…daunting,” she said softly. “I never wanted to lie with a man before I met you, but you make me wonder what it would be like. Tell me what happens.”
He pressed her back to the mattress. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
She heard the smile in his words, and when he kissed her neck, he muddled her thoughts so much, she didn’t know how to respond.
“Or are you teasing me?” he asked.
“What if I am trying to seduce you?”
“Then it’s working.”
She threaded her fingers through his hair as he kissed her shoulders.
“Maybe I’m just teasing you,” she whispered. “What then?”
A slow rumble of laughter met her ear. He sucked her nipple and flicked his tongue across the pebbled tip.