The man stared at the money, his mouth agape.
“Is there something wrong, Mr. Traynor?”
A week after their trek into town, Stephen walked Topaz into the barn. He gave him a good brushing and a bag of oats. He took the steps two at a time to the house and sniffed appreciatively at the aroma coming from the kitchen. “Smells good.” He walked up behind Calliope and nuzzled her neck. “I thought you said you couldn’t cook.”
“Not that I couldn’t cook, but I didn’t want to be thought of as only a cook.”
“Oh, baby, I don’t think of you as only a cook. Believe me.” He leaned his head on her shoulder and looked into the pot. “What’s for supper?”
“Chicken and dumplings.”
“My favorite.”
She turned with a dripping spoon in her hand and smirked. “Last night when I made beef stew you said that was your favorite.”
His hands wrapped around her waist to slide down to her bottom that he pressed against him. “Actually, you’re my favorite. Suppose we skip supper.” His head descended and he took her mouth in a gentle, but insistent kiss.
“I’m hungry.” She nibbled on his lip. “Don’t want to skip supper.”
He ran his tongue over her lips. “Let’s eat fast.”
The shared a searing kiss before Calliope pulled away. Stephen got out bowls and silverware and set the table. Calliope filled their plates and they both sat.
Stephen held his spoon halfway to his mouth. “Oh, I have a bit of news for you.” He put the food in his mouth and swallowed. “I found out in town today why the bank and Melrose were so interested in buying your farm.”
“Why?”
“The railroad company is putting a line through Sterling and they want it to run right through your farm and put a fancy station here. If Melrose got a hold of it, he would have been paid ten times as much as its worth.”
She laid her spoon down. “Really?”
“That’s right. And Traynor was in on it with him. The bank would take the farm, Melrose would buy it for the price of the mortgage, and when he sold it to the railroad, they would split the money.”
“Well I’ll be damned.”
Stephen’s eyebrows rose. He’d never heard Calliope swear before. She shook her head and continued to eat. “I don’t want an old railroad going through my farm. They can just find somewhere else to build it.” She looked at him. “Right?”
“Absolutely, honey. This is your farm.”
They finished supper, quickly washed the dishes and retired to bed.
In the weeks that followed, Stephen began to settle into farm life. He got a great deal of pleasure from watching the corn and wheat grow. Several barn animals had taken sick and he nursed them through the night. He put in long hours, but was never too tired to make love to his wife which he did on a regular basis.
He felt comfortable in loving Calliope. She was not Jenny and would never betray him, and his heart was well protected. They lay in bed at night, talking about their future and how they could expand the farm. Maybe even, she said one night, think about adding a horse farm. That hope seemed out of reach, but he was happy and Calliope was happy. That meant more than any dream of his.
Two months after their visit to the bank, Calliope took the wagon into town to buy what she called women’s things. He hoped she had a good time in town because she’d been a bit under the weather lately. Kind of jumpy and moody, also. Most likely she just needed some time away from the farm. She worked too hard, and he was going to insist before planting season next year that they hire more help. He didn’t want her working like a man. Of course, he couldn’t say it quite that way, though. She was still a bit sensitive on that part.
He and John, and his son, David were getting ready to cut the corn and wheat, which would take all of them, as well as a few hands from town, several days to complete. He hoped once it was all cut and sold he would be able to put a little bit away toward his horse farm. He often thought of his dream, but he was never sorry he’d given the money to Calliope.
They’d come to an unspoken agreement. She made the major decisions that he deferred to, but he handled the everyday operations, including supervising, and hiring the farm hands. They talked over improvements and agreed on most things.
She no longer referred to him as her employee, and all money from the farm went into a bank account with both their names on it. No pay envelope for him.
Just about the time he was quitting for the day Calliope rode into the yard. Again he noted how pale and tired she looked. Her pallid skin emphasized the dark circles under her eyes. He strolled over to the wagon and lifted her off. “Did you have fun in town?”
“I did.” She gave him her famous smirk and wrapped her arm around his waist as they walked to the house. “Oh, I have things in the wagon.” Before he could stop her, she hurried away and removed a basket, two bags and what looked like a thick envelope. Stephen joined her and took the things from her hand, but she held onto the envelope.
The coolness of the house felt good after the heat of the end-of-summer day. “Do you want some tea, or lemonade?” Stephen checked the ice box and took out a pitcher of both.
“Yes, a lemonade sounds wonderful.” She removed her bonnet and wiped her forehead with her hand.
He looked at the envelope that lay in front of her on the table. “What’s that?”
“Oh, nothing. Well, actually it is something. Where’s my lemonade?”
“Right here, darlin’.” He placed the glass in front of her and poured one for himself and sat across from her. “How was your trip into town?”
“Wonderful.” She took a couple of gulps of her drink. “I, ah, took care of some business while I was in town.” She smiled and drank again.
“You’re being very secretive today.” Then a frightening thought came to him—the dark circles, the tiredness, the pale skin. “You’re not sick or anything, are you?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not sick.”
He relaxed and gulped down half the glass of lemonade.
Calliope sat up straight and picked up the envelope. “I have something in here for you.”
“Me?”
“Yes.” She opened the envelope and pulled out a paper that she laid on the table in front of him.
He picked it up. “What’s this?”
“I sold the farm.”
“You what!?” He hadn’t meant for his voice to come out like that, but he was shocked.
“I sold the farm. To the railroad company.” Her eyes grew bright and she covered her mouth and giggled. “You’ll never guess how much they gave me.”
“You sold your farm?” He stared at the paper, acknowledging that Mrs. Calliope McCoy sold Bender Farm to . . . “Why did you sell your farm? You love this place. You never wanted to leave it. Ever. You love it.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I love you more.”
She withdrew a stack of bills from the envelope. “They paid me nine hundred dollars.”
“Nine hundred dollars?”
“Is that enough for your horse farm?”
All the air left his lungs and he slumped in his chair. “You sold your farm so I could buy a horse farm?”
Her eyes rimmed with tears as she nodded. “Yes.”
He ran his fingers through his hair and stood. Pulling her up, he wrapped her in his arms. “Are you sure this was the right thing to do?”
“Yes. I’m very sure.” She leaned back. “You told me when you were with your brother there was land not far from him that you wanted. Hopefully it’s still available.”
“Calliope, listen to me, honey. More than a horse farm, I want you to be happy.”
She grinned. “Oh, I will be very happy. After all, it will be good for our baby to have cousins nearby.”
His head jerked up. “Baby? Are you . . . did you . . . are we?
“Yes, yes and yes.” She eyed him carefully. “Um, honey. I think you’d better sit down.”
/> The End
Did you like these stories? Please consider leaving a review on either Goodreads or the place where you bought it. Long or short, your review will help other readers discover new authors and make purchasing decisions!
I hope you enjoyed reading Daniel and Stephen’s stories. If you’d like to enjoy more western historical romance, check out Prisoners of Love: Adelaide.
Dodge City, Kansas, 1877. Adelaide Markham is one of four female prisoners sitting in Dodge City Jail. The marshal offers them a choice. Either sit in jail until the circuit judge sobers up enough to hear their cases, or get on the wagon train traveling to Santa Fe as mail order brides.
A recent widow who just lost her child, Adelaide prefers marriage to jail, but wants no part of motherhood. The pain is too great.
Miles Ryan has been threatened by the wagon train master that he and his two recalcitrant daughters will be left behind at Fort Dodge if he doesn’t find a wife to control the girls.
Miles takes one look at Adelaide and decides she’s for him. Unfortunately, it’s not until the deed is done that she learns she is a mother once again.
If you’ve already read Prisoners of Love: Adelaide, you can find a list of all my books on my website: http://calliehutton.com/
For the special treat I promised you, click here to receive a free copy of A Little Bit of Romance, three short stories of lovers reunited.
Enjoy!
About the Author
Callie Hutton, the USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife, writes both Western Historical and Regency romance, with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). She also pens an occasional contemporary or two. Callie lives in Oklahoma with several rescue dogs and her top cheerleader husband of many years. Her family also includes her daughter, son, daughter-in-law and twin grandsons affectionately known as “The Twinadoes.”
Callie loves to hear from readers. Contact her directly at [email protected] or find her online at www.calliehutton.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive information on new releases, appearances, contests and exclusive subscriber content. Visit her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
Callie Hutton has written more than thirty books. For a complete listing, go to www.calliehutton.com/books
Praise for books by Callie Hutton
A Wife by Christmas
“A Wife by Christmas is the reason why we read romance...the perfect story for any season.” --The Romance Reviews Top Pick
The Elusive Wife
“I loved this book and you will too. Jason is a hottie & Oliva is the kind of woman we'd all want as a friend. Read it!” --Cocktails and Books
“In my experience I’ve had a few hits but more misses with historical romance so I was really pleasantly surprised to be hooked from the start by obviously good writing.” --Book Chick City
“The historic elements and sensory details of each scene make the story come to life, and certainly helps immerse the reader in the world that Olivia and Jason share.” --The Romance Reviews
"You will not want to miss The Elusive Wife.” --My Book Addiction
"…it was a well written plot and the characters were likeable." --Night Owl Reviews
A Run for Love
“An exciting, heart-warming Western love story!" --NY Times bestselling author Georgina Gentry
“I loved this book!!! I read the BEST historical romance last night...It's called A Run For Love.” --NY Times bestselling author Sharon Sala
“This is my first Callie Hutton story, but it certainly won't be my last.” --The Romance Reviews
A Prescription for Love
"There was love, romance, angst, some darkness, laughter, hope and despair." --RomCon
“I laughed out loud at some of the dialogue and situations. I think you will enjoy this story by Callie Hutton.” --Night Owl Reviews
An Angel in the Mail
“…a warm fuzzy sensuous read. I didn’t put it down until I was done.” --Sizzling Hot Reviews
Visit www.calliehutton.com for more information.
The McCoy Brothers Boxed Set Page 21