Moon Over Montana (McCutcheon Family Series Book 5) (26 page)
Read Moon Over Montana (McCutcheon Family Series Book 5) Online
Authors: Caroline Fyffe
Tags: #The McCutcheon Family Series
She nodded. “Yes.” When she glanced up, she found tears on his face. It was almost her undoing.
“You sure?”
She nodded again, so thankful for the wonderful man she’d married and for the feel of his arms around her. Strong and safe—always her man. There was no one on this earth who could hold a candle to him, or to what he meant to her. She loved him now, in this moment, more than she ever had.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
F
rancis drew the buggy to a halt in front of the hotel. Brandon felt a little silly sitting in the back when he’d rather be driving, but Luke had insisted that Charity would be disappointed if they didn’t arrive in style. A few streamers had been attached to the bumper, making him feel even sillier. Jack Jones stood out in front of the sheriff’s office, smoking a cigarette as he watched the buggy with interest. Brandon gave Charity a quick peck on the lips. “We’re here.”
When she didn’t respond, he looked at her questioningly, until he realized she was actually nervous. Could that be? Her strength and her confidence were two of the things he loved most about her. She could give as good as she got. He respected that. A feminine hothouse flower wouldn’t fit into his world—nor would he want one.
He held back a chuckle. Well, she’d learn soon enough there wasn’t anything to be nervous about. Tonight, he’d make sure she felt like a woman—
his woman
. He was up for the challenge.
Francis hopped out and grabbed their two small bags and carried them into the hotel. Earlier, he’d been griping that he was becoming a regular chauffeur, what with driving Hayden and Heather’s wedding coach just last month. It was sort of a mean thing to ask him to do it again today—for Charity, considering his longtime crush on her. Oh well. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Already outside the buggy, Brandon held out his hand to Charity, who still wore her mother’s pretty white wedding dress.
“That sure fits you nice,” he said, admiring her feminine attributes. The ones that were usually hidden away behind a chambray shirt and leather chaps. She placed her hand in his, and he pulled gently until she was settled on the boardwalk. Well aware they’d drawn more attention, he wrapped her in his arms and dipped her for a long kiss. She came up sputtering when clapping broke out from several different directions.
“Brandon! What’s gotten into you? I thought you didn’t like attracting attention to yourself.”
“Seems you don’t know everything about me, wife.” Charity was finally his, and he could hardly believe it.
She cuffed him on the shoulder. “Well, watch it.”
He took her hand and settled it in the crook of his elbow, then pushed open the door to Cattlemen’s.
“I plan to, darlin’. Now, act like a lady. We’re not on the ranch anymore.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re incorrigible.”
He laughed.
As they entered the lobby, Francis came back down the tall staircase, now empty-handed. He passed Brandon the key to their room.
“Bags are all inside,” he said a bit sullenly. “Congratulations.”
Charity smiled. “Thank you, Francis. Be ready. When you least expect it, you’ll look into your own true love’s eyes and fall hard.”
His cheeks flushed red, but this time he didn’t duck his head as he usually did.
“I don’t know about that, Charity,” he said. “I best be getting back to the ranch.”
They watched Francis go until he disappeared out the door. The lobby was quiet. Still holding her hand, Brandon brought it to his mouth and kissed it, his gaze finding hers. “You ready to go up to our room, Mrs. Crawford? Or would you rather get another bite of dessert in the dining room? I’m game for whatever you’d like.” If she was nervous, he didn’t want to rush her.
She dropped her gaze. “No, I’m ready to go upstairs, Brandon.” Her tone said different.
“That’s my girl,” he said teasingly, as he’d done for so many years.
Could this finally be happening? He felt as if he were walking on clouds as they ascended the staircase. How could he have ever thought going to Kansas City could replace this, their home? Y Knot, Montana, was nothing less than heaven on earth.
• • •
When Brandon opened the door to the only room on the top floor of Cattlemen’s Hotel, Charity sucked in her breath. She’d never taken the time to look at the bridal suite, although she’d heard stories of it. Most people couldn’t afford a room of such luxury, and stayed in their own homes after getting married. She noted several candles around the room, already lit, warming the walls in a golden glow. A pretty bouquet adorned a small table by the window, and another on the table beside the bed. She was glad now that she’d never taken the time to come up and see it. It made a wonderful memory that she’d hold dear for the rest of her life.
Brandon opened the top drawer of the dresser and extracted a small package. “For you.”
“Oh, Brandon, you shouldn’t have.” With a shaky hand, she took the proffered gift.
“Go on and open it,” he urged. “Kansas City didn’t get all my money—though it tried.”
Charity slipped the pink bow from around the small square box. Opening the lid, she found a beautiful heart-shaped silver locket dangling on a delicate chain.
“I thought when we got tired of the sights in Y Knot, we’d take a proper honeymoon somewhere special and have our pictures made. So you could put them inside. I know it’s not much, but—”
She took his face between her palms. “It’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen in my whole life. Thank you, my love.”
Before she even had a chance to kiss and thank him correctly, he took her hand and led her across the room to the tall screen sectioning off a corner of the area. There, she found a bathtub already filled to the top with hot water. A big, fluffy towel sat folded and ready to be used, as did a dollop of soap. Charity went over, picked it up, and held it to her nose. “Roses.”
“Yes. Just for you.” It was as if he were looking into her soul. “When I was in Kansas City, this is all I could think about. This night and how I’d make it special for you.”
“Oh, Brandon.” She closed the distance between them and he wrapped her into his arms. The kiss was long, different from any she’d ever felt. They were man and wife. It was like no other feeling in the world.
“Turn around.”
She did. He slowly undid the thirty-five buttons that ran down the back of her dress. He slipped one shoulder off and kissed her skin. Instantly, her breathing increased, and she tipped her head back, enjoying the way his lips made her skin tingle.
He gave a little nudge. “Go on now.” He gestured to the tub. “Unless you want some company.”
When her eyes went wide, he smiled and slowly backed away, pulling the screen over so she’d have complete privacy.
“Take your time. It’s not often you get to soak in a big tub on the top floor of Cattlemen’s. I’ll just be out here, wondering what you’re up to. If you need me to scrub your back, just holler.”
• • •
The first sunbeam that danced through the window woke Charity. She stretched, then reached out her leg until her foot touched something warm. Instinctively, she pulled it back, surprised. Then her wonderful memories of last night came racing back, putting a smile on her lips. She rolled over until she was close to Brandon, watching him sleep.
Oh, how she loved him. She’d thought she loved him before, but that paled in light of being married and everything that meant. Unable to stop herself, she reached out and touched his lips.
He opened his eyes. “Morning, sunshine.”
She giggled. “It’s sunshine now, is it?”
“You bet. How’d you sleep?”
Enough of small talk. She’d learned plenty last night to know she liked being married. And that her husband was the most handsome, desirable man in the whole world. How she’d gotten him, she’d never know. Just thinking about her wedding night made her mind go all squiggly inside. She didn’t want to waste another moment chatting when there were other better, more fascinating things to do.
Brandon chuckled. “I take it your silence means you
slept
really darn good.”
She scooted closer. “You’re right.” She didn’t want to appear eager, but dang, she couldn’t help it. She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “Really,
really
good—and more.” She smiled into his face.
Wrapping her in his arms, Brandon rolled her over, kissing her until she thought she might faint. His fingers combed through her hair, then moved down to her shoulders. A puff of air floated in through the open window, cooling her heated skin. She slid her hand over his bare chest, loving the feel of his skin beneath her palm.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door. Brandon looked over. “Already?” He picked up the small clock on the bedside table, then pulled the sheet up and covered her. “I didn’t expect them for another hour. That’s what I get for assuming.”
Charity blinked, fascinated with the view of his strong, bare arm. “Who?”
“Breakfast, my darling.” He quickly kissed her lips, then drew back, and his crafty smile made her giggle.
Another knock, this one a bit louder. “Good morning,
Mr. and Mrs.
Crawford. Your breakfast has arrived.”
It was Lenore Saffelberg. Suddenly, the melodic strumming of a mandolin wafted in through the open bedroom window.
“Would it be rude of me to ask her to go away?” Brandon asked. It was clear he had other things on his mind.
Charity laughed softly. “Yes—and be quiet! She might hear you.”
“I have an idea. Let’s send her away and eat later in the restaurant.”
“We’ll be right there,” Charity called, loving the desire she saw in her husband’s eyes.
“Taaaake your time. I have nothing better to do than stand out here in the hall, smelling your coffee and flapjacks.”
Charity pushed Brandon out of the bed. “Hurry up! You know how snippy she can get.” Charity bolted up too, and pulled on her white silk wrapper, enjoying the feel of its loving caress.
“On my way.” Brandon finished buttoning his shirt, then pulled open the door.
Behind him, Charity gasped. There stood Roady, holding their breakfast tray, a pretty yellow daisy clenched between his teeth. Lenore, Luke, Matt, and Mark surrounded him. Francis and Lucky crowded in, all with big grins on their faces.
Roady plucked the flower from his teeth and dropped it back in the white porcelain bud vase on the tray.
“
Gooood
mornin’, you two,” he drawled. “We didn’t want you to feel lonely or anything on your first morning as man and wife. So we all decided to come over and keep you company.”
Charity’s heart swelled. So many people she loved—and who loved her right back. She was blessed mightily—especially with her magnificent new husband, who turned to look at her with a crooked smile on his face.
“The wives wouldn’t come,” Luke said, over Roady’s head. “Said visiting this soon was in poor taste. But we didn’t think so, did we, boys?” Everyone shook their heads in mock innocence.
“No siree,” Matt said, then chuckled. “Not after all the years of torment our dear little sister has put us through. It’s payback time for all the temper tantrums, hoodwinking, manipulation—”
“Hey,” Charity protested. She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a mite conspicuous—but happy too.
Luke nudged Roady forward. “Get on in there, Roady. We have some celebrating to do.”
Read on for an excerpt of
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn
, Book Six of
The McCutcheon Family Series!
More Books by Caroline Fyffe
McCutcheon Family Series in Order:
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Evie
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Heather
Mail-Order Brides of the West: Kathryn
~~~*~~~
Prairie Hearts Series in Order:
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Stand Alone Western Historical
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Stand Alone Contemporary Women’s Fiction
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To LISTEN to any of these stories in audio form click Caroline’s link at Audible.com.
Take your reading experience to another level!
~~~*~~~
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Excerpt from
MAIL-ORDER BRIDES OF THE WEST: KATHRYN
A McCutcheon Family Novel
Book Six
Chapter One