"Are you tired?" he asked her.
Cassie looked at him and smiled. "No. I'm not tired. But I'd like to rest a while."
Ethan went to the sofa and, bent over, lifted the blanket which was folded on the end. "Guess I'll just settle down for the night then."
"I didn't say I'd like to rest on my own did I, Ethan?" Cassie whispered.
Ethan paused and then slowly lifted his head. His eyes were shining and bright and one side of his mouth had cracked into a smile, dimple and all. He looked at her, said nothing and stepped over to her. He took her in his arms and peered into her eyes, questioning.
"You sure?" he asked.
Cassie ran her hand through his thick hair, savoring the feel of it in her fingers. "I'm sure," she said quietly.
Ethan leaned in and kissed her gently, his lips warm and moist. Cassie breathed in deep, her heart speeding up uncontrollably. Ethan wrapped his arms around her and drew her in close, up against him.
Cassie realized the moment had come. Now was the right time, here in his arms. All the doubts had faded away under the gentle force of his embrace. She leaned in closer to him feeling his presence consume her. The emotion rose inside her and she felt her throat tighten. His lips pressed harder, more insistent, and his arms enclosed her whole being.
Ethan leaned back, and she saw the desire written on his face. He moved slowly into the bedroom, leading her by the hand.
All night long, they made love. Cassie submitted completely to the tender touch of her passionate new husband, and it seemed to her that the night went on for a very long time.
Afterwards they fell asleep in each other's arms, and the previous nights of loneliness and solitude faded into distant memory.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Cassie awoke next morning, and found herself alone in the bed. At first she was suddenly alarmed. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. She had woken so many times in the night with him by her side. Now she stretched and thought about the night that had just passed. It had been wonderful.
Ethan had been gentle, and yet the passion that had stirred in him had been a vital and fierce one. She had felt the power of union, the sweetness of release, and she had slept in his arms with a contentment she hadn't known for a long time.
Ethan's love making had been wonderfully expert. Cassie dared not think how he had known to do some of the things he had done with her body. But as she lay in bed, her muscles warm and relaxed she knew that she was grateful for the pleasure they had shared.
Ethan had slept in her arms all night, his body a warm and reassuring presence, his arms entwining her. Cassie smiled at the memory and sighed.
She got out of bed and dressed. After fixing her very dishevelled hair, she looked at her face in the mirror. There was a glow on her features she hadn't seen in a long time. Her cheeks were colored, her eyes wide, even for this time in the morning.
She smiled at herself and made her way to the living room.
Ethan was nowhere to be seen. Cassie opened the front door and felt the cool morning air against her skin. She took a deep, satisfied breath and gazed out. She saw Ethan out in the field with the plough and horse. The sounds of his labor drifted across the distance between them.
She shook her head in mild disbelief. He was already at work. What was it with this man?
Cassie went to the kitchen and prepared some breakfast. She saw no evidence of any food having been eaten. He obviously hadn't eaten before he went out to work.
When she had finished preparing the food she went out and called to him.
He looked up when he heard her voice, quit the plough and came running across the field. He came up to her, breathless and flushed.
"Cassie! You okay?" he said, taking her by the shoulders. He peered intently at her.
"Of course I am, Ethan. Why on earth wouldn't I be?"
"It's just that I heard you call and I thought there was something up." Ethan had a worried expression on his face.
"Nonsense. How could there be something wrong on such a perfect morning," she said, looking into his bright eyes. The flush of labor was already on his face. "You must be starving," she said, moving a lock of damp, dark hair away from his forehead. They started to go into the cabin.
He smiled. "I sure am. I wanted to get an early start. I hope I didn't disturb you."
"Not at all. I woke up a short while ago," she said.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked.
She nodded without looking at him. "I did Ethan. How could I not, after last night."
They stopped at the front door. He drew a finger down across her jaw and kissed her and her body rose up to him, her head reaching back and up. She savored the early morning kiss of their first true day in a new life together.
When their lips parted she smiled at him. "Come on," she told him. "You have to eat."
He followed her inside. He looked at the food laid out on the table. "You've been busy."
"Best get used to it. You aren't going out to work from now on without a decent breakfast," Cassie said.
"If you say so."
They sat and shared the breakfast. Their conversation was about the day to come. He planned to work the field in the morning and go into town in the afternoon to see about horses.
"I think I will collect our wedding photo," Cassie suggested.
"Good idea. I can't wait to see my mug in that photo. I never did look good in any photo I was ever in."
"You had photos taken in the past?" Cassie asked
"Sure. There's lots of those guys going around now. Seems like every time they come across something they find interesting, they have to take a likeness of it."
Cassie finished off her plate and took his. "Can I give you some help this morning?" she asked.
Ethan's brow furrowed slightly. "Now, what have I said to you about getting out in the field? Today I want you to take things easy. Don't be coming out and offering to help. I can take care of it myself. I want to see you sitting on that porch, taking it easy with not a care in the world. Heck, you can watch me as much as you like. I'll be doing the sweating for both of us."
Cassie admitted defeat. He had made his point, and she wasn't going to argue.
After some more coffee and talk Ethan went back to work.
It had been fine to share a breakfast with him like this. Their first real breakfast. Cassie wondered how something so ordinary could feel so right.
After lunch they got ready and took the buckboard into town. The weather had held up nice, and the sun was shining. Cassie enjoyed the ride, leaning into Ethan, her arm hooked contentedly around his as he held the reins.
The town was busy. The stores were doing good business and the dusty main street had it's fair share of horse riders, buckboards and wagons. The boardwalks on either side had a steady stream of Sweetheart Falls townsfolk making their way up and down, going about their affairs. As they drove past the saloon they heard the drunken hollering from inside. They had started early today in there and by tonight the saloon would probably be a haven of noise and unruly behavior. Cassie was briefly pleased that Ethan wasn't the kind of man who'd frequent a place like that.
They tied the buckboard up outside the livery. Ethan said he wanted to have a word with them to get some low down on the situation about horses.
"Why don't I meet you at the eating place," Cassie suggested to Ethan. "I have a few little things I can do while I wait for you."
"Sure Cassie. I'll see you there."
Ethan leaned down and kissed her quickly on the cheek. Then he looked around to see if anyone was watching and then he gave her a real kiss.
Cassie smiled as she walked away. Ethan still had a way to go when it came to showing affection in public.
Cassie made her way up the boardwalk. A few people nodded and congratulated her on her marriage. Cassie felt quite the centre of attention. The people in this town truly were one of a kind. All the horrible, untrue things they said back East about how common and low people out he
re were ...well it was just hogwash, Cassie thought.
She went to check for mail and found that there was another letter from her sister waiting for her to collect.
Cassie felt a sinking sensation. What would the letter contain? She worried about it all the way over to the eating place. She was glad she was alone. She didn't want Ethan to know about her sister's problems. Not just yet. She planned to choose the right moment to tell him. She didn't want anything to spoil the wonderful feelings she was experiencing today, the sheer contentment.
She sat down with her coffee and read the letter.
After a few moments she had to put the letter down and take a sip of coffee.
The news from her sister was even worse than she could have imagined. There was another imminent wedding in Cassie's family only this time it wasn't going to be welcome nor would it end as happily as it seemed her own to Ethan had.
Back East a woman often didn't have much say in her own betrothal. As she had mentioned in her previous letter it transpired that the forced marriage was to go ahead and would be announced formally within the next couple of weeks. The man to whom Martha was to be married sounded truly awful, according to Martha's account. He apparently had a reputation for womanizing, had undesirable connections in business matters, and was from a family who even disapproved of his choice of Martha as a bride.
Cassie knew that Martha was a very fine looking young woman, and that she was in all respects too good to marry a man who sounded like a true reprobate. If she was pressed, Cassie would have even admitted that Martha was more pretty than herself. Even more reason for Martha not to waste herself on a man like that.
Cassie was choked with worry for her sister's well being as she read further down the letter.
It appeared that if she didn't act soon, her dear sister would be lost into a truly undesirable union from which she would never be freed without great loss or pain.
Cassie tried to compose herself after reading the letter. The owner of the eating place saw that she was upset and asked her if she was feeling unwell. Cassie reassured her that she was fine.
Just as Cassie was about to up and leave, Ethan arrived. Ethan's smile was wiped off his face when he saw Cassie. He came to her table and sat down. Concern was written all over his face.
"Cassie are you okay? You look so pale."
Cassie tried to stop her hand shaking, and she realized she was still holding the letter from Martha in her trembling fingers.
Ethan looked at the letter. "What's in that letter? Is it bad news. You look like you've seen a ghost."
Cassie tried to think what she should do. She could pretend that it was nothing and try and put the letter away. She knew that Ethan wouldn't accept that. He looked like he wouldn't take no for an answer. Cassie found that her arm wouldn't even move.
Ethan reached over and tried to take the letter from Cassie's hand.
Cassie pulled her hand away.
"No Ethan. It's private. I don't want to talk about it right now."
Ethan sat bolt upright. "Private? What could you possibly not want to share with me Cassie?"
Cassie lowered her head not wanting to see the concern written on his face.
"I just don't want to talk about it Ethan. Isn't that enough?"
"I guess it might be. But look at you. It's plain that something in that letter has upset you. I'd like to know what it is."
There was an assertive tone to his voice which Cassie hadn't heard before.
"I can't discuss it right now Ethan. I don't want to spoil this lovely day. I promise you we'll talk about it later. Just not right now."
"How can you say that Cassie. I have a right to know just what it is that is causing my wife to look like she just got news that...well," he hesitated. "Someone died."
"Ethan! It's not like that." Cassie was shocked at his use of words.
Nevertheless Cassie thought that the news of Martha's impending marriage sounded almost like the news of another bereavement. And she'd had enough of that in recent times. Maybe she should just tell him. He would almost certainly want to help. She realized that at some point she would have to tell Hettie that things had now become more urgent. They'd have to find some husbands for Martha and Rachel.
Ethan looked at her with an expectant gaze. He was waiting.
Cassie sighed. There was nothing to do but come right out with it. "Well if you must know. My sister back East is about to be forced to marry a thoroughly disreputable man."
Ethan frowned. "Did you say forced to marry?"
"Indeed. She and Rachel have been living with our aunt since I came out here. From what Martha has told me in her letters, things have not been going too well," Cassie replied.
"So you've known about this for quite a time," Ethan's face had a troubled look.
Cassie hesitated. "I've known that my sisters have been having a difficult time for quite a while. I suspected it before, but it was only confirmed to me in Martha's recent letters."
"So you knew about this before we were married?" Ethan asked firmly. Cassie wasn't sure she liked the expression on his face.
"I did. But I had so much to think about, what with our whirlwind betrothal. I had hardly any time to think about how I would go about helping my sisters," she admitted.
"Helping her? How were you planning to do that?"
Cassie realized she had already said too much. "Look we can talk about this when we get home."
"I would like to talk about it now." Ethan voice rose slightly. He sounded very much more firm now. Cassie looked towards the proprietor of the eating place, looking for any reaction, but there was none.
"I'll put it plainly," Cassie said firmly. "If I was to help my sister, then I had to stay here in Sweetheart Falls. If I went back East, then I would be unlikely to be able to come to her aid. I was hoping she would come out West. Hettie was going to lend a helping hand."
"Oh so, Hettie knew about this plan?" Ethan asked.
"It wasn't a plan Ethan."
"Who else knew about this?"
"Julia."
"Looks like I'm the last to know," he said softly.
He was clearly hurt by this realization. Cassie reached across to take his hand, but he pulled his own hand away. Cassie was surprised.
"So are you saying you had to stay here to give your sister a place to run to. Is that the real reason you married me Cassie?"
"Of course not Ethan. Don't be silly; don't think that; not today. It is true my sister's predicament was a factor in my decision, but my reasons for marrying you are totally separate from that."
Ethan didn't look convinced.
"Looks like I was conveniently around when you needed to stay here to give your sister a safe place to come." Ethan laughed sarcastically. "And here was me thinking I was the one to be coming to your rescue, like some knight in shining armor."
Cassie leaned towards Ethan. She didn't like how this was going at all. Surely he didn't really think that the only reason she had married him was so that her sister would have somewhere to run to. She knew it wasn't like that.
Of course, when she had been considering his proposal, it had crossed her mind that it would be helpful to Martha and Rachel if Cassie stayed here. But it hadn't been the only consideration.
And now she had felt she knew him more, Cassie was growing closer to him by the day. She didn't want anything to jeopardize the connection they were making together.
"Ethan please understand. I don't want to see my sister suffer. She is in terrible trouble. I'm hoping she will come out here soon. If she can get away," Cassie said.
"What do you mean? If she can get away? Is she trapped or something?" Ethan's voice was full of concern. Although he was obviously still upset, Cassie could tell that what she had said had piqued his curiosity.
"No, she is not imprisoned. It's just that both my sisters might be unable to leave unless they get some help. That's why I asked Hettie for some assistance. She hasn't told me yet what she can do.
But I am optimistic she'll come up with something."
Ethan sighed loudly and stared down at the table. He seemed lost for words and deep in thought. The silence between him and Cassie felt like a barrier which had just been put up. It felt physical. She wondered what she could say to him. How could she explain? It all was so complicated, and she was horrified to think that he might question her motives for marrying him. Surely he understood how difficult it had been for her to make the decision to wed him. But right now, Ethan looked lost in his own thoughts.
Finally he spoke. "Let's go Cassie. We need to get home."
Cassie stood and looked over to the eating place proprietor. He looked like he was happy to see them getting ready to leave.
"I'd like to collect the wedding photo." Cassie realized just how inappropriate it sounded to say such a thing right at this moment.
Ethan simply nodded and strode out of the eating place.
They made their way to where the photographer had his small studio adjoining the mercantile.
Cassie tried to maintain at least some appearance of dignity as she and Ethan walked along the busy boardwalk. Inside though, her emotions were churning. She couldn't believe the effect of her admission on Ethan. Maybe when he saw the wedding photo his attitude might soften.
They entered the small studio by way of a side entrance next to the mercantile. Mr. Smith came out from a door behind which Cassie saw various unfamiliar pieces of equipment to do with making photos. It seemed very exotic and almost magical.
Mr. Smith wasted no time in bringing out the large photo for them to inspect. Cassie felt excitement clutch at her middle as Mr. Smith laid a large cardboard folder out on the table in front of them.
"I think you are going to love this," he said.
Cassie looked up at Ethan. He still looked troubled.
Cassie smiled at Mr. Smith. "I can't wait, although I'm not sure I'm going to like seeing myself in a photo."
"If I may say so," Mr. Smith said, with a glance at Ethan, "you both look mighty fine."
Mail Order Vows (Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical Romance Novel) Page 12