Lorraine Heath (26 page)

“My dream’s here, Maddie, with you. All these years, I just thought it was my cattle.”

“A man can have more than one dream. Please?”

He dropped a brief kiss to her lips. “All right.” He got out of bed, stepped into his pants, and walked to the door. There he waited.

She clambered out of bed and draped a blanket around her shoulders. “What are you waiting for?”

He glanced over his shoulder. “I’m just wondering if I’ll find one of Somner’s surprises when I open this door. The whole town could be waiting out in the hallway to see if we enjoyed the night.”

Smiling, she walked across the room, opened her arms, and wrapped the blanket around him, pressing her breasts against his bare chest. “Want me to go with you?”

He slipped his arm around her. “Yep.”

She went with him to his room and watched him dress. Then he went with her to her room and watched her dress.

“Which room do you want to be our room?” he asked as she slipped into the riding skirt he’d bought her in Austin.

“Your room.”

“I’ll move your things this afternoon.”

In the cool morning just before dawn, they walked through the woods until they came to the meadow. Jesse hunkered down, nestled Maddie between his thighs, and wrapped a blanket around her. They watched the sun peer over the horizon as the breeze brought the scent of cattle to them.

“I wanted to be here with you like this the morning they came,” she said quietly.

He tightened his hold on her. “You were with me, Maddie, in my heart.”

Jesse had saddled Midnight and tethered him at a nearby bush. He stood, retrieved his horse, and lifted Maddie into the saddle. Then he mounted behind her, drawing her against his chest. They rode slowly along the outskirts of the herd.

Then they rode to the creek. Jesse spread a blanket over the fallen leaves. Snuggling against each other, they enjoyed a picnic.

They did little more for the remainder of the day than experience the joy of sharing moments together that they’d denied themselves in the past.

Maddie felt the brush slide through her hair. She never would have thought her husband was the type of man who would brush a woman’s hair. He’d given her another bath. Then she’d given him one. He’d enjoyed it until he came out of the bath water smelling like flowers, but his disgruntled mood didn’t last long.

She sat before the mirror with her wrapper on. Her husband stood behind her as naked as the day he was born. He moved to the side, and she caught a glimpse of his naked splendor in the mirror. He moved back, and she was left with nothing more than a view of his chest.

Slowly, she worked loose the knot on her sash. Then she parted the wrapper and created a tiny opening so a portion of her flesh came into view. She lifted her gaze and caught her husband’s as his eyes darkened. Although he continued to brush her hair, he did not apply as much pressure nor allow the brush to travel as far.

Slowly, she slipped the wrapper off one shoulder. Her reflection in the mirror captured all his attention. She heard the brush fall to the floor. Holding his gaze, she eased the wrapper off her other shoulder.

He dropped to one knee, turned her slightly, and buried his face between her breasts. “Dear God, but you’re sweet.”

“I was trying to be wanton.”

He took the strands of her hair between his fingers. “Your hair always reminded me of honey, and I wondered if you were as sweet. Then I’d look into your eyes, and I could almost feel the whiskey burning deep within me. I’d wonder which was truly you.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair. “Which am I?”

“Both.”

He swirled his tongue around her nipple. She arched toward him as he continued his loving sojourn to her other breast. She dropped her head forward until her cheek was pressed against the top of his head. “I’m burning now, Jesse.”

“Wrap your legs around my waist.”

She did as he bid. He slid one hand beneath her buttocks and wrapped one arm around her back. He stood, and she clung to him.

“Shake off your wrapper.”

She released her hold on him, one arm at a time, allowing the wrapper to fall to the floor. He crossed the room and sat on his bed. He cupped the back of her head and tilted her face so his mouth could latch onto hers. Kissing her deeply, he rolled her over onto the bed, blanketing her body with his own.

The fire in the hearth roared, throwing its warmth toward them, but they had little need of it as they created their own fire within one another. Jesse slid his arms beneath her, pressing her against him, as he again rolled over. She released a surprised gasp as she ended up straddling his hips. A question arose in her eyes, and in his darkening gaze she found the answer. She lifted her hips, then brought them down to sheathe him. He combed his fingers through her hair, spreading it out until it formed a curtain around them.

Smiling, she lowered her lips to his. His mouth welcomed her, enticing hers to explore leisurely. He cupped her breasts and gently molded them to fit his palm. She slowly circled her hips until she felt the first spark. She lifted her lips from his and buried her face in his neck. Placing his hands on her hips, he urged her on. She raised up and followed the rhythm he had set. He again cupped her breasts, gently kneading. She felt the sparks ignite and released a small cry. He lifted his head from the pillow and suckled her breast. And she exploded into a thousand fires.

He dropped to the pillow and she kissed him hungrily, trying to share with him all she’d just experienced. He cradled her hips, and she felt the shudders wrack his body. She collapsed on top of him, listening to the hard pounding of his heart, feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek.

“Every time we make love, I feel as though I’ve received a gift,” she said quietly. “Will it always be like this, Jesse?” “Always, Whiskey.”

She kissed his shoulder, his neck, his jaw. “Will you give me another gift?”

Threading his fingers through her hair, he tilted her face until he could hold her gaze with his own. “I’ll give you all the gifts you want.”

The first rays of the morning sun filtered in through the window as Maddie slowly opened her eyes.

Jesse moved quietly through the room and gently sat on the bed. Tenderly, he combed the wisps of hair away from her face. “How are you feeling?”

She smiled warmly. “A little tired.” She shifted her body. “A little sore.”

“Want to sit up?”

She nodded. He slipped an arm beneath her back, lifted her, and shoved pillows behind her. She settled against the pillows, feeling a contentment greater than any she’d ever known.

“How is she?” she asked.

Jesse glanced at his daughter, nestled peacefully within her small cradle beside their bed. “Beautiful.”

Maddie placed her palm against his bristly cheek. “Have you slept at all?”

He covered her hand, turned his head, and placed a kiss on the center of her palm. “I never gave any thought to having my own family, a family that was mine. From the time I was twelve, all I wanted was to find Charles and Cassie. Then when I found Charles, I was content to share his children.” He squeezed her hand, cleared his clogged throat, and touched his knuckles to her cheek. “But the gift you gave me in the early hours before dawn this morning … Ah, Maddie, I couldn’t sleep for the wonder of her, the wonder of you.”

He captured a tear as it trailed slowly down her cheek. “I love you, Whiskey.”

A gentle cry took his attention away from her. He glanced at his daughter as she began to exercise her lungs with more ferocity. “What’s this? Is that an English accent I hear?”

Filled with joy, Maddie laughed. “I think she’s probably hungry and getting impatient with you for not getting her over here.”

While she unbuttoned her nightgown, he lifted his daughter out of the cradle and carried her to the bed. Maddie took the babe, cradling her in her arms, guiding her to her breast.

Jesse watched as his daughter worked her mouth vigorously to draw nourishment from her mother. “The children would like to see her this morning, if you’re up to it. Think they want to see you, too … make sure you’re all right.”

She smiled. “Why don’t you get them ready? We should be finished here by the time you get back.”

Leaning over, Jesse kissed her briefly before getting up and heading out of the room.

Maddie brushed her fingers through her daughter’s fine, ebony hair. She counted fingers and toes as she had shortly after her daughter was bom. She studied the way her thick lashes rested on the ruddy cheeks. “Thank you, Charles,” she whispered. “Thank you for taking me out of Bev’s. Thank you for giving me a family to love.”

Moments later, when her daughter stopped nursing, Maddie lifted her onto her shoulder. With one hand, she buttoned her nightgown, amazed at how quickly she was adapting to her child, how natural everything seemed. She heard a soft tapping on the door. “Come in.”

The door opened slightly, and three heads peered in at once.

“Come on in,” Maddie urged.

Hannah and Taylor tiptoed into the room.

“What are you doing?” Maddie asked.

“Uncle Jesse said we had to be quiet,” Hannah whispered.

“I don’t think you have to be that quiet. Hurry over here so I can get some hugs.”

The girls raced across the room, claiming their places beside the bed. Maddie reached over and gave each one a hug. Aaron ambled up, and she stuck out her hand.

“Ah, Ma.” He leaned over and hugged her, careful not to intrude on the space now occupied by the newest member of the family. He straightened up and studied the baby. “She looks like Uncle Jesse.”

Jesse sat down on the other side of the bed. Maddie smiled. “Yes, she does.” She tilted the baby’s face toward the children. “See, her eyes are even dark.”

“What’s her name?” Hannah asked.

“Charlene.”

“That’s sorta like Pa’s name,” Aaron said.

“Is that all right with you?” Jesse asked.

Aaron glanced over at his uncle. “Yep. I reckon he’d like that.”

“Pretty baby,” Taylor said, her hands folded primly on top of the quilt as she leaned into the bed.

“Yes, she is a pretty baby,” Maddie said. “Just like you were when you were born. And she’ll grow up to be as pretty as you are now.”

Her face beaming, Taylor looked over at Hannah.

“And as pretty as me,” Hannah said.

“And as pretty as you,” Maddie assured her.

“I was wondering,” Aaron began, “if you’re my ma and he’s my uncle, is she my sister or my cousin?”

“Which do you want her to be?” Maddie asked.

“My sister.”

“Then that’s what she is.”

Aaron puffed out his chest at the thought of having another sister.

“Why don’t you all head to the kitchen, and I’ll be down in a minute to see about rustling up some breakfast?” Jesse asked.

The girls rushed out of the room. Aaron walked more slowly, stopped at the door, and glanced back into the room. “Uncle Jesse, I been thinking. Charlene might get confused if I’m her brother and Hannah and Taylor are her sisters and we’re calling you uncle. I’m thinking maybe we ought to start calling you Pa. Just so she won’t grow up confused. Pa told me it’d be all right when I was ready. Reckon now’s a good time to be ready, seein’ as how I got a new sister and all.”

Maddie felt the tears welling in her eyes. She looked to Jesse and watched his Adam’s apple bob. Gently, he cleared his clogged throat. “I’d like that,” he said gruffly.

Aaron smiled. “I’ll tell Hannah and Taylor.” He closed the door quietly behind him.

Laying Charlene beside her on the bed, Maddie reached up and wrapped her arms around Jesse’s shoulders. Carefully, he drew her near, burying his face in her hair.

“Another gift?” she whispered.

Lifting his head, he gazed into her eyes. “I have a feeling we’ll spend the remainder of our lives discovering all the gifts Charles left us.” He cradled her beloved face in his large hands. “But you will always be the gift for which I’ll be the most grateful.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her tenderly, holding back his desire, giving her nothing but his love.

She accepted his token into her heart, knowing that in their twilight years when their bodies were old and weary, they would need only to hold hands to experience the joy of their love.

And she knew that their hearts would forever remember not only the gifts, but the special man who had wrapped them in love and delivered them with care.

I wish to express my sincerest appreciation to Ann Goertemiller at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Library for her assistance in researching medical information available in 1881. Any misinterpretation of the information is mine.

I want to thank the librarians and staff of the Plano Public Library system for always finding the facts and information that elude me.

And to the members of my critique group: Carmel, Barbara, Barb, and Ellen. Thank you for taking the time to read each chapter as I finished it and for giving me your honest opinion. You taught me the value of humor and the strength of tears. This book is as much yours as it is mine.

“In all of the Homespuns I’ve read and reviewed I’ve been very taken with the loving rendering of colorful small town people doing small town things and bringing 5 STAR and GOLD 5 STAR rankings to the readers. This series should be selling off the bookshelves within hours! Never have I given a series an overall review, but I feel this one, thus far, deserves it! Continue the excellent choices in authors and editors! It’s working for this reviewer!” —
Heartland Critiques

We at Diamond Books are thrilled by the enthusiastic critical acclaim that the Homespun Romances are receiving. We would like to thank you, the readers and fans of this wonderful series, for making it the success that it is. It is our pleasure to bring you the highest quality of romance writing in these breathtaking tales of love and family in the Heartland of America.

And now, sit back and enjoy this delightful new Homespun Romance …

PARTING GIFTS
by Lorraine Heath

Also by Lorraine Heath … her acclaimed Diamond Homespun Romance
Sweet Lullaby:

“Don’t miss
Sweet Lullaby,
a book you’ll want to read again.”
—Rendezvous