“I didn’t either. The time went so fast.”
She glanced over at the area Joe had picked to camp for the night and saw he was staring at her. On impulse, she hugged Richard. Then, for good measure, she kissed him, making sure it was more than a chaste kiss. It was awkward to do this right in front of everyone. Even if Laura knew she wasn’t just sleeping at night with Richard, that was still far enough from everyone else. This was right in front of the entire group. But she didn’t know what else to do to convince Joe she belonged with Richard.
When the kiss ended, Richard chuckled. “You’re not making it easy for me to leave.”
“Maybe I wasn’t trying to,” she teased.
He brought a hand up to the side of her face and caressed her cheek. “It’s nice to see you happy.”
“It’s easy to be happy when I’m with you.” And it was. There was something about Richard Larson that dispelled all her shadows.
“You make me happy, too.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. “I’ll be thinking of you tonight.”
“I’ll be thinking of you as well.”
He kissed her and took the bedroll from her. “Would you like to sleep alone or with my family?”
She looked over at his parents and siblings, who were setting up their bedrolls for the night. After being with him, she didn’t relish the idea of sleeping alone. Since his family didn’t know about the baby yet, she figured this might be one of the last times she’d be able to be with them without their disapproval. It would be a memory she could hold onto, something she’d want to remember in the years to come.
“I’ll sleep with them,” she said.
And so the arrangements for the night were set. Amanda followed Richard to his family’s wagon in time to hear Tom telling Dave about Becky.
“I went right up to her,” Tom was saying, “and I came right out and asked her if she liked me. You know what she said?”
“Whatever it was, it must have been good,” Richard interrupted him. “You’re grinning from ear to ear.”
“She said yes!” Tom confirmed. “And you know what else?”
“She wants you to marry her someday?” Richard guessed, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at Amanda.
She smiled at Richard’s joke.
“No,” Tom told Richard. “She did, however, kiss me.”
“She kissed you?” Dave asked.
“Yep. Right here.” Tom pointed to his lips. “It wasn’t on the cheek like the kind of kiss you’d get from your sister. This was the real thing.”
Dave cocked his head to the side. “Why would a girl do that? Did you tell her you liked her before you asked her if she liked you?”
“No. It would have been embarrassing if she’d said no.”
“But you expected her to tell you first.”
“Exactly. That way I didn’t have to risk looking dumb.”
Amanda couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, that’s wonderful, Tom.”
“Yes, it is,” Richard agreed. “So when’s the wedding?”
“Oh, stop.” Amanda jabbed Richard in the side. “Let him enjoy this moment. He took a big risk, and it paid off.”
“No, he didn’t,” Dave said. “She told him she liked him, and she kissed him.”
“Dave,” Amanda began, “when a boy asks a girl if she likes him it’s because he likes her. Girls understand this.”
“Do they?” Richard asked.
“Why else would a boy ask?” she replied.
After a moment, Richard shrugged. “I suppose you’re right.”
She laughed. “Of course, I’m right. I’m a girl. Who knows girls better than another girl?”
“Someday,” Tom turned to Dave, “when you like girls, I can help you.”
Dave shook his head. “I don’t like them.”
“I said ‘someday’,” Tom replied.
“That’ll never happen,” Dave said.
“Never say never.” Richard ruffled Dave’s hair. “You’re only twelve. It won’t be long before you’ll be asking a girl if she likes you.”
Dave shooed his hand away. “If I ever like a girl, I’ll just come out and tell her.” He picked up the pail and headed for his mother.
“That’s good old practical Dave for you,” Richard said. “He always comes right out and says what’s on his mind. Tom, it’s great Becky kissed you.”
Tom, still beaming, hurried off toward Joel.
“Somehow, I don’t think Joel will be all that excited about the kiss,” Richard told Amanda as he took the bedroll from her and set it out.
“Knowing Joel, he’ll give poor Tom a hard time about it,” she replied. “I had no idea they were so competitive. No one else in your family is like that.”
“No, they aren’t. Thankfully.”
Catching the grateful tone in his voice, she grinned. “At least you don’t have to deal with Tom and Joel on a daily basis.” She kissed him. “There. Now you can brag you got a girl to kiss you, too.”
“I got a girl to do a lot more than that.” His eyebrows wiggled suggestively at her.
Her cheeks warmed at his meaning. “We’re married. People expect us to do more than kiss.”
“Yes, but I think it’s even better because we actually are. What do you think?” he asked, keeping his voice low.
“I enjoy our times together.”
“I’m glad. I want you to enjoy them.”
“I enjoy them because I’m with you.” It wouldn’t have been that way with anyone else, not even with Joe.
He brought her into his arms and kissed her.
“Ugg,” Joel called out. “First Tom. Now you. When with the pain end?”
Richard ended the kiss and looked down at his little brother. “When you grow up, you’ll like kissing girls.”
Joel shook his head. “Not me. I’m never getting married.”
“Never’s a long time.”
“Not for me.”
Sally called out for Joel to help set up the bedrolls, and as he headed off, Richard turned back to Amanda and squeezed her hands. “I’ll miss you.”
She returned the sentiment, thinking it was nice to have someone to miss. Yes, she’d missed him when they’d been friends, before she realized he’d felt something more for her. But this was different. Being his wife—truly being his wife—had changed things. With a smile, she hurried to help Sally and Joel.
***
Halfway through the night, Richard woke up to take over the watch. He expected Joe to go right to sleep, as he’d done all the other times he’d helped with the watch, but on this particular night, Joe sat next to him.
Glancing up from the coffee he’d just poured into his tin can, Richard asked, “Something on your mind?”
“Yes. There is.” Joe waited for a full minute before he finally spoke. “Why did Amanda marry you?”
This had to do with Amanda? That’s what was bothering Joe? That was why Joe insisted on giving him a difficult time? Richard took a sip of his coffee then set the cup down. “You’d be better off looking for your own wife instead of coveting mine.”
“She doesn’t love you,” Joe said.
“Unbelievable,” Richard muttered. “You want me to let you have her?”
Joe flinched, and Richard knew he was right.
“She’s my wife,” Richard told Joe. “Regardless of how you feel about her, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s married to me.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Joe crossed his arms. “But it doesn’t mean she loves you.”
His eyebrows furrowed. Since when was it any of Joe’s business how Amanda felt about him? “Your job is to protect everyone on the way to Omaha. I suggest you focus on that.” He picked up the cup, hoping that would be the end of the conversation.
“Does it make you happy to know your wife thinks of you as a brother instead of a husband? Everyone can tell she doesn’t really love you. All those touches and kisses are for show. She’s only pretending she cares.”
Taking a moment to relax so he wouldn’t say something he’d later regret, Richard glanced at Amanda, who was sleeping with his family. Joe had no idea what his marriage was like, and he had no right to make assumptions about it either. Maybe she didn’t love him in the same way he loved her. But she was opening herself to him, and that meant she was on her way to loving him. That was the thing that mattered.
Richard turned back to him. “I don’t want to get into a fight with you. So stop before things go too far, alright?” He held Joe’s gaze, silently daring the man to argue with him.
“I wish I knew what you did to get her to marry you,” Joe said before he broke eye contact with him.
“Why do you care so much about her?” he snapped. “She’s a married woman.” As Joe rose to his feet, he added, “What about Laura Rufus? She’s not married. Why not turn your attention to her?”
Joe ignored him and went to his bedroll.
Richard was tempted to go over to him and force him back into the conversation, but in the end, he decided against it. He’d already made things worse when he’d confronted Amanda’s brother-in-law and Mr. Price. After he punched Mr. Price, Mr. Price had him arrested for assaulting him, and the police refused to listen to Richard’s side of the story. Later, he’d learned the head of the police department was Mr. Price’s cousin. Mr. Price was able to shift all of his guilt from himself, so no one believed Richard.
So what good was it to get into a fight? Joe was the leader of the wagon train. If something happened, who knew what lie Joe would spin? And who knew if Joe would make things difficult for his family or Amanda? The truth was of little consequence to most people. They were more interested in taking sides with those in influential positions than standing up for the underdog.
As the leader, Joe had the influence, and whether Richard liked it or not, he was stuck with him for another month. At least it was only a month. Then he would be in Omaha, and he wouldn’t have to ever worry about this again. Some things were better left alone.
After a moment, he was finally able to release his breath. One month. He could handle this for one more month. In the large scheme of things, this wasn’t worth the hassle. As long as Joe didn’t do anything to hurt Amanda, Richard would leave him alone.
One more month. Then this would all be a distant memory. Richard drank some coffee then turned his attention back to the watch over the calm landscape as the hours passed.
By the location of the North Star, Richard figured it was a half hour before dawn when Joe woke up. Without a word, he gathered his things and returned to the wagon. While he chose to avoid getting into further trouble with Joe, it didn’t mean he had to talk to him. In fact, the less said at this point, the better.
He tried not to let Joe bother him, really he did. But there was something about the quiet of the night that allowed too many thoughts to creep in and cast doubts on everything. The lack of activity gave him way too much time to think.
He knew Amanda didn’t love him when he married her. He’d been under no illusion of it. But last night, she had told him she enjoyed being intimate with him. She wouldn’t have said it if she didn’t mean it. There was a lot Joe didn’t know, and that was one of them.
He reminded himself of all of this as he washed up at the creek along their path. Sometimes love took time. He and Amanda had a good start. He was sure of it.
A twig snapped, so he turned his attention up the slope and the group of trees that led back to the camp. His hand went to his waist, and too late he remembered he’d taken the gun and holster off when he was at the wagon. Of all the stupid things to do…
But as it turned out, Amanda came around one of the trees. He relaxed, until he realized she’d come here without someone to protect her.
“What are you doing all the way out here by yourself?” he asked.
“I woke up early, and I saw you come here,” she replied as she went over to him. “The land is so flat you can see if anyone is coming from all directions.”
“Yes, but there are some trees.”
“Not enough to make a difference. Besides, the only area that’s remotely private is over here, and I saw you going in this direction. Are you angry with me?”
“No, I’m not angry.” He knelt by the creek and dipped his hands back in the water. “I just want you to be safe, that’s all.” He washed the back of his neck.
She knelt beside him. “We haven’t had a single attack this entire trip.”
“That doesn’t mean one can’t happen.”
“I’m sorry, Richard. I thought it was such a short distance over here, and I didn’t see anyone. But you’re right. Sometimes when things look harmless, they aren’t.”
He stopped washing his face and looked at her. “You feel safe out here, don’t you?”
“If there was any danger, I figure you or Joe would’ve alerted the others.”
She was right. They would have.
“I just wanted to talk to you before everyone else gets up,” she said. “The night’s not the same without you anymore.”
His heartbeat picked up in anticipation. “It’s not?”
“No. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss you.”
He glanced around them, assured they were alone. She was telling him this when there was no one around to overhear. That nonsense Joe spouted off about her pretending she wanted to be with him was just that—nonsense.
To be sure, he asked, “Do you regret marrying me?”
“No,” she replied.
She hadn’t hesitated. That was good.
“There’s no one I’d rather be with, Richard.” She leaned toward him and kissed him.
He cupped the side of her face with his hand and deepened the kiss. His tongue brushed her lower lip, and she accepted him into her mouth. Maybe it was the long night without her or his need to be reassured she did care about him, but something was pushing him to use their time alone to his advantage.
She didn’t seem to mind his insistence. Her hand went over his, and she squeezed it. Encouraged, he brought his free hand to her breast and brushed his thumb along the fabric of her dress. He wasn’t used to initiating lovemaking. Up to now, he’d let her do that, and she’d made the offer every night since their first time in the hotel.
This time, though, he wanted to take the lead, but he didn’t want to press her more than she was comfortable, either. So he thought he’d try something they hadn’t done yet, something that might ease her into him taking a more assertive role in their lovemaking.
He eased her on her back, settled beside her, and resumed their kissing. There wasn’t the hesitation she’d had in the hotel. He’d been careful not to kiss her too long on the mouth ever since that night, mindful it’d made her stiffen, probably because Mr. Price had kissed her in a similar way. But this morning there was no hesitation from her. In fact, her tongue interlaced with his with a growing passion. She couldn’t fake her reaction to him, not when they were intimate.
What he most wanted was to give her a new experience, something she could link with him, and only him. He wanted her to have an orgasm. That being the case, he needed to focus on the sensitive area between her legs.
So he lifted the skirt of her dress then slid his hand under her petticoats. “Is this alright?” he whispered, studying her face.
She nodded and spread her legs further.
“If you want me to stop, you’ll let me know?”
“I don’t want you to stop.” She lifted her skirt higher and loosened the strings on her bloomers. After she removed them, she settled back beside him and brought his hand to her entrance. “It feels good when you touch me here. It’s nothing like it was with him.”
Grateful to hear that, he lowered his head and kissed her again. This time she slid her tongue into his mouth, encouraging him to keep going.
His fingers traced the folds of her flesh. He slid a finger into her and then another, moaning at the sheer pleasure of her soft warmth. He always en
joyed touching her.
When he’d become aware of his attraction to her, he used to wonder what she felt like, and the reality was much better than what he’d imagined. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of exploring her, but he was always mindful to make sure she was comfortable with what he was doing.
He ended the kiss, so he could see her expression.
She opened her eyes. “What’s wrong? Is someone coming?”
“No, it’s not that. Is this position alright? Is the ground too hard?”
“I’m fine.” She lifted her hips, taking him deeper into her in silent encouragement. “Are you going to continue?”
He wasn’t sure anything could stop him at this point, especially not when she seemed so relaxed. Each time they came together, he’d noticed her hesitation became less and less, and right now, she even had a hint of a smile on her face, indicating she was truly looking forward to this.
He lowered his head to her neck, his lips brushing the sensitive area beneath her ear. She sighed in contentment and pulled him closer to her. Further encouraged, he began stroking her core in earnest. He found a soft spot deep in her core, and when he rubbed it, she gasped and gripped his arm.
Before he could ask if he’d hurt her, she moaned and rocked her hips so he was rubbing the spot again. Intrigued, he lifted his head again, this time curious to see if she was enjoying it as much as he suspected. She kept her eyes closed this time, and more than that, her head was thrown back and there was no denying the look of pleasure on her face.
Good. He wanted this for her. Maybe if she got to experience this enough, it would erase all the bad that had happened to her. Or, at the very least, maybe it would make it easier for her to enjoy lovemaking.
Since her skirt was up to her waist, he ventured a look between her legs. He hadn’t put his mouth down there before, and it would be something else new she could connect with him. Inspired, he shifted so that he was kneeling beside her.
Wagon Trail Bride (Pioneer Series Book 1) Page 13