Hand in hand they strolled to the ranch house. It was a double storied place built of mud brick, which had been painted white. She had always admired the dormer windows on the second floor. How she had envied the Kirby boys living here.
As they stepped on to the porch, Aaron scooped her up in his arms and strode inside.
“Put me down.” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I have to carry my bride across the threshold. I’m not so unromantic I don’t know that custom.”
“I think you’re very romantic.”
Instead of putting her down, he carried her upstairs to the main bedroom. “I plan on showing you just how romantic I am.”
He lowered her to the floor and she glanced around. The polished boards gleamed and she could smell a citrusy lemon aroma. Two large oak wardrobes matched the carved dresser, which had a beveled mirror.
“It’s lovely, everything is so clean.”
“Do you remember the Jacksons, they had a small spread on the other side of Range End.”
She shook her head.
“Well, they had a couple of bad years and the bank foreclosed on their ranch. I hired Ed to be my foreman and his wife comes over daily to keep the place tidy, and cooks me a few meals if I want them. I mainly eat at the bunkhouse with the boys.”
He was undressing her as he spoke. Once she was naked he stood worshipping her body.
“You undressed me.” She gave him a saucy smile. “Must be my turn to do the same to you, Mr. Kirby.”
He grinned. “Sure is, Mrs. Kirby.
Once they were both naked, he pulled the bedclothes back and laid her on the bed before scrambling up beside her. He drew her into his arms. Their mouths met and passion exploded between them, fierce yet gentle, all consuming and overwhelming. Each of them giving until finally after an hour of frantic lovemaking they lay sated in each other’s arms.
Claire rested her cheek on Aaron’s warm, slightly hair roughened chest, while he ran his hand down her bare buttock.
“I think we should get up then I can show you the improvements I’ve made. I hope you won’t mind the Jackson’s living in your place?”
“Why should I mind, if they’re good people.”
“I’ve extended the corrals, re-fenced the boundaries, not to mention the prime beef I now run on the place.”
The pride in his voice when he spoke of the ranch, the love in his eyes when he gazed into her face, only increased the love she had for him. No more bad memories or sadness, only love and happiness stretching out before them.
EPILOGUE
Sixteen months later:
Aaron carried four month old Randy Aaron Kirby, snuggly wrapped in his blanket. Claire linked her arm through his as they walked carefully through the gates of Range End cemetery.
Aaron had promised to take her to see Ma and Randy’s final resting places now the tombstones had been erected. Pregnancy and childbirth had stopped her until now.
They visited Ma’s grave first, she now lay opposite her beloved husband. Because of the passage of years between their deaths, the graves on either side of Pa had been taken. Sadness filled her heart for the loss of her parents, although she was glad they now rested close to each other.
Randy’s grave was next to his mother. The Kirby’s had reserved the grave sites on either side of her.
“I didn’t get Pa buried next to Ma,” Aaron said. “He and Estelle are over there. He inclined his head to an area about twenty yards away. “They deserve each other.”
“Don’t be bitter, Aaron. Do you think Randy would mind us getting married?” She ran trembling fingers across his headstone.
“No, he’d be as proud as punch because we named our son after him.”
She stood silent for a moment. “I did love you, Randy,” she inwardly whispered. “But not as much as Aaron. Thank you for all you did for me. It cost you your life, and I’ll never forget what you sacrificed for me.”
The baby whimpered. “Let’s go,” Aaron said. “Our son looks set to let out a bellow. Chow time?”
“Yes, he’s a greedy baby, but I love feeding him.”
Aaron helped her step over a mound of dirt. “You’re a good mother, Claire and the best wife a man could have.”
They walked away from the final resting places of their loved ones. The sun slipped out from behind a pile of clouds and smiled down on them.
The End.
If you enjoyed reading Claire’s story, a short review on Amazon would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. Margaret
Books by Margaret Tanner
Lily – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 1
Freddie – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 2
Alfie – Guilford Crossing Brides – Book 3
Beltane Bride
Edwina, Bride of Connecticut
Cowboy Christmas
The Sheriff’s Outcast Bride
The Cowboy And The Quaker
Savage Possession
His Brother’s Wife
Fiery Possession
Gunslinger’s daughter
Historical Romance
Pearl Harbor And More Anthology
A Rose In No Man’s Land
Reluctant Father
We Never Said I Love You
Daring Masquerade
Allison’s War
Rich Man’s Folly (Sequel to Allison’s War)
Lauren’s Dilemma
Falsely Accused
Contemporary Romance
Baby Maker
Haunted Hearts
About the Author
Margaret Tanner is an award winning, bestselling Australian author, who mainly writes Historical Romance and Historical Western Romance. She loves delving into the pages of history as she carries out research for her novels. No internet site is too boring, no book is too old or tattered for her to trawl through, no museum too dusty.
Her love of Westerns came about because of the movies and TV shows of her childhood. Some of her favorites were Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Wagon Train and Little House On The Prairie.
Many of her novels have been inspired by true events, with one being written around the hardships and triumphs of her pioneering ancestors. She once spent a couple of hours in an old prison cell so she could feel the chilling cold and fear.
Apart from her family and friends, writing is her passion.
Margaret is married with three grown up sons and two gorgeous little granddaughters.
Website: http://mjljtanner.wixsite.com/fictionalromance
Website: http://www.margarettanner.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/margarettanner
Book Bub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/margaret-tanner
Be the first to know when Margaret Tanner’s next book is available! Follow her at http://bookbub.com/authors/margaret-tanner to get an alert whenever she has a new release, pre-order, or discount.
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