Adelaide: Bride of Maryland (American Mail-Order Bride 7) Read online

  She smiled, a cute doll-like smile. “You really think so?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “My pa used to call me his little Rembrandt.”

  “Ah, I don’t agree with that. I saw a picture in an old book once, and it didn’t look near as good as these.”

  She blushed, a pink tinge covering her face and down her neck. He longed to see more of her beyond the modest clothes she always wore. He longed to hear her moan beneath him and feel the kind of love that only a husband and wife could share. A love he’d dreamed of but didn’t dare hope for. “I don’t want to wait any longer.” He abandoned the beautiful images on the table for the beauty in front of him. “Adelaide, I won’t pressure you, so please tell me if you’re not ready. But I want to be with you. I want to be with you tonight. I don’t want to wait anymore. Life is too short, and I want to spend every second I have on this earth with you.”

  “Yes.” Adelaide drew a circle with her toe on the wood floor. “I want to be with you, too.”

  His heart thundered against his chest, pounding as if it needed a way out. “You sure?”

  “Yes. Just…wait here. I want to go ready myself for you.” She took a long breath and looked up. When her eyes met his, they were smoldering in a way that made him that much more excited.

  She scooted past him and disappeared into the bedroom. The room she’d been sleeping in alone since arriving. He eyed the door, realizing for the first time he had no idea how to be a husband. He didn’t want to disappoint Adelaide.

  Chapter Nine

  The dim light of the kerosene lamp flickered on the sheer fabric of the nightgown. She could see her body through the material and had to fight the urge to rip it back off and toss it out the window. But this was for John, for their union as husband and wife.

  It wasn’t their wedding, a crude ceremony where they had stood in front of a pastor in a rowdy saloon. This meant more. This was their choice, their declaration that they were both dedicated to one another for the rest of their lives.

  She wanted this, for John to love her, to have a family and a future with him. This was the first time she’d felt hope in her heart since her father died.

  A soft knock then the doorknob turned, and she thought her breath would kick her in the ribs. She panted with anticipation, her nerves making her body tremble. Her eyes darted to the bed. A thought of cowering underneath the covers planted roots in her brain, but she shook it away and stood tall, her head held high.

  After several short breaths that managed to reach her lungs, the door creaked open. A loud squeal sounded from the hinges, as if to announce to the entire homestead that this was their night.

  John stopped short in the doorway, his mouth open, eyes larger than a full moon. A coldness settled over her body at the thought of his rejection.

  “Dear Lord.”

  With those words and the hungry look on his face, she felt like the only woman in the world and the most cherished. She released the death grip of her fingers around the sheer material, but remained rooted to her spot.

  He shut the door with a click. Laughter from the men outside broke into her world with the realization they were only a little ways from the house. But it didn’t matter. In this room, at this moment, it was just the two of them. No Salter, no Horst, no outsiders.

  “I didn’t know if you’d like this,” she said, her voice trembling more than her hands.

  He froze and tilted his head then smiled. Letting out a long breath, he said, “I see I’m not the only one who’s uneasy.” With two steps, he stood in front of her. “You’re trembling. We don’t have to—”

  She held a finger to his lips. “I want to, more than anything. I'm…just nervous.”

  The tender touch of his hand on her cheek calmed her enough to breathe once again. “You're more beautiful than I’d dreamed, and I’ve dreamed a lot this last week.”

  “You have?”

  He chuckled. “Oh, I have.” His gaze traveled down the length of her then back to her eyes. “How did I get blessed with a wife so perfect in every way?”

  “And how did I end up with a husband with such a tender heart and touch?” The aroma of something musky wafted from his neck and filled her lungs.

  He removed the pens from her hair and let it cascade down her shoulders. “I like it when you wear your hair up. Thanks for wearing it that way for me, but tonight I want to feel its softness. I want to feel everything."

  A wave of desire heated her skin, as if the temperature in the room had gone up ten degrees in a matter of seconds. He kissed her, a tentative sweeping at first then a nibble on the edges of her lips. His mouth dipped to her neck then to her collarbone.

  Her heart thundered and her breath grew shallow. Desire made her body swell with need. His lips returned to hers. Arching her back, he deepened the kiss and he pulled her tight against him.

  He broke the kiss. They both stood, gazing into each other’s eyes. Outside, the men were settling into the bunkhouse for the night, their boisterous laughter giving way to nature's serenade.

  “I’ve never been kissed like that before,” she breathed.

  John turned down the covers, leaving her swaying on weak knees. “Did you enjoy it?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, as if to keep the secret of what they were doing from the world. She knew they were married, but still it was so intimate, only meant for the two of them to share.

  “Good.”

  She unbuttoned his shirt and slid it from his shoulders. The man was breathtaking, strong and muscular. She ached to touch him, feel the muscles corded down his abdomen. Her finger brushed across his chest and along his belly. His head fell back and he took a long breath. She kissed along his neck then down to his chest. When a groan escaped him, she stopped. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No, you did everything right.” He caressed her shoulder, his fingers running down her arm then along her waist to her hips, leaving a trail of gooseflesh. His fingers found the hem of her sheer nightgown. “I want to see you. All of you.”

  She gasped, but quickly steadied herself. Was this what men and women did? Mary had told her some details, but not everything.

  “I won’t hurt you,” John said, his hands hesitant.

  She raised her arms and the silky material slipped over her head, leaving her standing bare naked in front of her husband. But by the smile on his face, she knew he liked what he saw.

  He swept her off her feet and carried her to the bed, lying her softly on top. Undressing quickly, John crawled onto the bed. “I promise to always treasure you, from this day forward. Our vows may have been said in front of a pastor and promised before God, but today my heart, soul, and body belong to you.”

  Adelaide threw her arms around him. She didn’t want to hide from this man. For in that moment, they were one, husband and wife, never to be torn apart.

  ****

  Morning light flooded into the room, spilling over the bed. John couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept past dawn, let alone stayed in bed long after the men had already started work.

  He rolled over and tucked Adelaide into his side, the warmth of her body filling that empty space in his heart he’d felt the last few years. It couldn’t be real. No one could be this happy. He brushed her hair away from her face and found her eyes open.

  “Good morning. I didn’t want to wake you.” Adelaide kissed his forehead, his cheek, his lips. “I am a selfish wife and wanted to keep you to myself all day.”

  “Say it again.”

  “What?”

  “Say you’re my wife.”

  She moved on top of him and whispered into his ear, “I’m your wife.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and rolled her beneath him. “Then I shall not leave your side today. I’m taking the day off.”

  “Again?” Adelaide quirked a perfect dark eyebrow at him. “Your men will think I’ve bewitched you.”

  “No, they’ll be thankful I’m not standing over them, nagg
ing them to do what they're already capable of completing without me.” A bit of business did nag at him, though.

  “What is it?” Adelaide asked.

  “Reading my thoughts already? Perhaps you are a witch,” he teased. “I'd like to speak with the Wilson family. We should work on an agreement. This way we can offer the use of our land to other cattlemen from Texas, letting their herds graze here before being shipped out on the train. Salter's the one who has captured that business so far, but it could bring in a lot of revenue.”

  “Then we should go speak to him…together.” Adelaide moved to free herself, but he kept hold.

  “But that would require you being clothed, and I prefer you like this.” He raked a finger from one collarbone to the other and she shivered under his touch.

  “If we go now, we can return to bed all the sooner.” And with a quick peck to his cheek, she was gone.

  His body already craved her, but it wouldn’t be long before they returned and could spent the night together once more. Every night, for the rest of their lives.

  With an extra bit of morning energy, he dressed and went to the kitchen to find two plates waiting for them. He poured coffee in a cup and sat on the front porch to survey his land. All the men were already out in the pastures, tending the cattle, and the homestead sat quiet. Knowing Stella, she probably made the men walk on tiptoe and eat their breakfast in the saddle that morning, instead of at the homestead. The woman could make men do things with just a hand to her hip and that tilt of her head. How did Billy ever manage to control his wife? Control? No. That was a word men often used when it came to their wives, but that wasn't how Billy saw it. Not how he saw it either. Adelaide had shown him a marriage could be a partnership, instead of orders and demands.

  Perhaps she had bewitched him, but who cared. She was worth it.

  “I see you're well this morning.” Stella stood by his side with her arms over her chest, looking out toward the distant mountains.

  “You startled me. I didn’t even know you were here.” John stood.

  She waved him back into his seat then joined him, sitting in the rocker next to his. “You have a good woman there. It’s all Billy and I wanted for you. We know you’ve had a rough time of it, but Adelaide is good for you. And you're good for Adelaide. I hope you forgive us for meddling.”

  An apology from Stella? “I know you were just doing what you thought best. No faulting you for that. I’m just glad you chose Adelaide.”

  “I think it was more fate that chose you for each other. Even to the moment she stepped off that train, I worried you would send the poor child back to where she came from.”

  John nodded. “You’re right. I might have. I guess fate placed Salter on that platform so I'd have no choice but to give things a chance.”

  Billy rounded the porch, his clothes covered in days of travel dirt and grime. “Not exactly.”

  “What do you mean?” John asked.

  “There was a mischievous little cat that might have spoken about wives coming in on the train that morning in the company of some of Salter’s men. It didn’t take long for him to show up to claim one of them, despite the fact he never had any papers to prove it. And knowing how he feels about you, it's no wonder he tried to claim your wife.”

  “That was a risky game. What if I hadn’t decided to marry Adelaide on the spot?” The thought of how that one decision could’ve changed everything for them both knotted his gut.

  “I have to admit I was scared when I started seeing those women come off the train," Stella said, "but once Adelaide stepped off…oh, I knew in that one moment that you’d never let her go. I was more worried you’d pass out at the sight of her.”

  Billy laughed. “She ain’t kidding. We weren’t the only ones that saw it neither. Salter caught on right quick and went to steal her out from under your nose before you had a chance to figure things out.”

  “Well, let’s just be thankful it worked out the way it did. There’s no other place I’d rather be than here.” Adelaide sashayed onto the porch. Her hair was pinned up and she held her head high. There was no more shame or hiding her scars. She plopped onto his lap and swung one arm around his neck. “Good thing you’re a smart man, with good taste to boot. And you have such amazing meddling friends.”

  “Oh, he wasn’t the only one on that platform that got all smitten at first sight. I thought you would swoon,” Stella teased. "About near had to have Billy catch you."

  Adelaide shrugged. “I confess there was an attraction between us immediately.”

  “Well, I’m just glad it all worked out. Now, we can have some little ones on this homestead. I may have never been blessed with kids, but I sure as hell plan on having some grandkids to spoil.” Stella left the porch before they could protest.

  A blush covered Adelaide’s neck and face.

  “I think we can make that happen soon enough.” He winked and set her on her feet. “First, we need to work out this business with Wilson so we can keep our homestead running well.”

  Billy placed his hat on his head and walked down the porch steps. “Well, since you seem to be neglecting the men, I best get out there and check on things,”

  John stopped at the bottom step. “Why have you been traveling to Butte so much, and how’d you get home so early?”

  “I slept a few hours from here since there was no moonlight to drive.” Billy disappeared into the barn.

  John went to follow Billy. “But you didn’t…”

  Adelaide slid her arms around him, clasping her hands in front, and kissed the back of his neck. He whirled around, captured her in his free arm, and spun. “Guess we best get some food in our bellies and then head to the Wilson’s ranch.”

  They entered the kitchen and sat in front of the plates of eggs and biscuits. The smell made his stomach growl.

  Stella came out of her room with her garden gloves on her hands. “You gonna be home for supper?”

  John nodded. “Yep, we’re just going to the Wilson farm.”

  Stella uncovered a pie and handed it to Adelaide. “Here, it’s proper out here to show up with something. I have time to make another one by the time the men return.”

  Adelaide took the pie and kissed Stella’s cheek. “Thank you so much.”

  Stella fluttered the cloth at Adelaide before placing it over the pie and disappearing back to her room.

  “We should get moving.” John offered his hand to Adelaide, and she took it and leaned against him with a provocative wink.

  “The sooner we leave the sooner we’ll be home.” Adelaide retrieved the pie and sashayed out the front door.

  That woman had him ready to sweep her up and head back to bed, forgetting about all business, but he couldn’t. Without this deal, the homestead would be in a world of hurt.

  They drove to the Wilson farm, and it had never been such an enjoyable ride. Everything was more enjoyable with Adelaide. She was full of excitement, pointing at various rocks, ridges, and plants, while she spoke of painting them all. He dreamed of spending hours watching her create those beautiful pieces of art.

  When they reached the Wilson farm, they found the older man working on a new chicken coop. “Hey there, neighbor. Oh, the missus’ll be pleased you brought the wife. Nice to meet you. I’m Seth Wilson.” He helped Adelaide down from their buggy then offered his hand.

  “Thank you. Nice to meet you.”

  “I’m guessing this isn’t so much a social call as a business visit." At John's nod, Seth tipped his head to the side. "Mrs.Rivers, the missus is up at the house. Why don’t you go up? She’ll be excited to have the company, and I’m guessing that pie in your hands will put a smile on all our faces.”

  John didn’t want her out of his sight but relinquished her hand anyway and watched her walk up the front porch and knock. When the door opened and she disappeared into the house, an uneasiness settled over him.

  Seth placed his hammer on top of a toolbox. “You’re here to talk about my land,
am I right?”

  “I guess you’ve been worried about Salter running you off your land, too.”

  “Oh, it’s already happened.”

  A flash of fear rushed through John. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, the missus and I only had girls, and they're all grown and married off. They both married businessmen from the city, so we’re on our own here. I’m tired of fighting for my land, but I still need enough money to live out the rest of our days. My wife wants to move closer to our eldest in Butte. With the money from the sale of the land, we’ll be set.”

  “So, you're selling to Salter.”

  “Listen, John. We’ve known each other a long time, and I'd much rather see my land in your hands. I’d sell this land to you for ten percent less than what Salter's willing to pay, if you can come up with the money.”

  John shook his head. “Don’t know if I can come up with that kind of money right now. And a loan is out of the question with Salter owning the entire town.”

  “Listen, I wish there was another way.”

  “How much time do I have?”

  “End of the week. Salter wants to seal the deal by then or he’ll retract his offer. And we both know he’ll offer half the price next time.”

  “Three days? That’s all I have to save my homestead?” John mumbled. It wasn’t enough.

  It was happening all over again. He was losing his land, family, and eventually the one he swore to protect.

  Chapter Ten

  The trip home was filled with silence. John hadn’t spoken since he’d met with Mr. Wilson. Something was terribly wrong, she could see it on his face. The same look he had the day he found her hands damaged from the fence work.

  At first, she sat beside him quietly, allowing him time to think, but as they neared the homestead, she couldn’t hold back any longer. “We’re married, remember? Please tell me what has you in such a state. I’ll help in any way I can. There’s nothing too heavy for me to bear as long as we’re together to face it.”