Cheyenne Mail Order Bride (Mail Order Brides Book 13) (7 page)

chapter Sixteen

Will You Marry Me?

They returned to the kitchen and set the two pails of milk on the counter. “Well, that was quick,” Jennie said.

“Mr. Pierce did one, so we finished a lot sooner,” Chris said.

“I’m impressed. Gold miners can milk too,” Jennie said.

“I grew up on a ranch in Texas. Milking was one of my chores before school and before supper,” Cal said. “I did the milking until I left for the gold fields.”

Sitting in the living room, Cal took Jennie’s hand. “Je
nnie, I would like for you to be my wife. We’ve only met a few hours ago, and I don’t want your answer now. I want you to be sure it’s what you want. I only intend to marry one time, so I want it to be right. I’m going back to the hotel, and I’ll be back tomorrow. Think about it and me.”

She glanced at her son. “Chris and I talked about it. If you agree, he will be coming with us,” Cal said.

“I will, Mama,” Chris said.

“Cal, there’s no need for you to go back to town. Stay here,” Jennie said.

“I don’t believe that would be appropriate,” Cal said. “Besides, you and Chris probably need to talk and you can do that better without me here.”

“You are a thoughtful man,” Jennie said. She laid her hand against his cheek, feeling the stubble of his day’s whiskers. She stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re just like I pictured, from your letters.”

The next morning…

Shortly after nine, the carriage stopped in the yard by the hitching post. Jennie opened the door and came out to meet him as he got down.
She’s a vision of loveliness,
Cal thought. The sun’s rays reflecting against her long shiny red hair made her unlike any woman Cal had ever seen.

She took his hand, and said, “Come in, come in. Did you rest well?” she asked.

“I guess I tossed and turned a bit, thinking about what you might decide,” he said.

Holding both his hands, she looked into his brown eyes, and said, “Cal Pierce. I will marry you. I want to be your wife.
The sooner the better.”

Cal took a small box from his pocket, and extracted a ring. He took her left hand and slid the ring on the finger next to her little finger.
“Last chance to say no. Jennie Simpson, will you marry me?”

She put her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Full on the lips. “Yes, Yes, I will be your wife,” she murmured, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness.

She waved her hand in front, looking at the ring. “Is this a diamond?”

He nodded.

“I’ve never seen one before. It’s beautiful,” she said.

“It is beautiful, but you are more beautiful,” he said.

Her eyes filled with tears. Do you have any idea how long it has been since someone said that to me?”

“No, but get used to it. You will be hearing it often.”

Arm in arm, they went into the house.

“Where’s Chris? I’d like to tell him,” Cal said.

“Let’s go find him,” Jennie said, taking Cal’s hand.

They went out the back door, and with Jennie leading the way, they went to the edge of a field. They could see Chris, bending over a cotton plant. Jennie put her fingers in her mouth, pursed her lips, and out came a shrill whistle. She waved her hand over her head. Chris straightened and began walking toward them.

“I’ve called him that way since he was a little boy,” she explained to Cal.

“Cal has asked me to marry him and I said yes,” she said. “We’re going back with him to Cheyenne.”

“Good,” Chris said. “I’m glad.” He shook Cal’s hand, Thank you Mr. Pierce.”

“Cal. Call me Cal. No more Mr. Pierce.”

“Yessir, Cal,” Chris said. “Now I’ve got to get back to work.
Still no worms, Mama.”

Back in the house…

“Cal, would you go with me to tell Papa Clarence and Mama Bess?”

“Of course.
When would you like to go?” he answered. “We haven’t talked about when the ceremony will be, either,” he said.

“As soon as possible,” she said. “I’m tired of being a widow, and I don’t mean to be disrespectful of
Christoper’s memory. I want to be a wife again. Your wife. I would like for it to be in church.”

“I agree. We will have to get a license,” Cal said. We will need to do that before the weekend.”

“We also need to talk to the pastor. We’ve got a lot to do,” she said.

“Since the license is a necessity, let’s get it, and talk to your pastor first, then you can introduce me to the Simpsons. Would that be okay with you?” he asked.

“Good idea. I’ll get dressed and we can go do it, she said.

“I don’t want to embarrass you, or Chris, but does Chris have enough clothes?”

Her cheeks flushed. “He has mostly overalls. We haven’t had much to spend on clothes. Mine aren’t a problem; I’ve made several dresses from cloth left over from things I made for others.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “You don’t have to do that anymore.”

They went to the County Clerk’s Office in Yorkville, Cal paid three dollars and they had a marriage license. Their next stop was the church. Jennie introduced Cal to the pastor. “We would like to get married. I am a member of the First Methodist Church in Cheyenne. We have the license. Can you perform the ceremony?” Cal asked.

“I certainly can, Pastor Roberts said.
“When would you like to have it done? A week? Two weeks, perhaps.”

Jennie said, “Pastor Roberts, we are moving to Wyoming, the day after the ceremony. We can’t wait two weeks. Cal, we can go before a justice of the peace.”

“Wait, I didn’t realize the circumstances. Would you like to have it after services this Sunday?” the pastor asked.

“That would be perfect,” Cal said. “We’ll see you the
n, and thank you.”

“One more stop, and we’ll be ready for your in-laws,” Cal said.

There was a clothing store down the street from the hotel where Cal was staying. He led Jennie to the store. “Now, no argument, I want you to get what you need,” he said.

“Cal I don’t…”

“No argument, get what you need. In the end, she picked out two dresses. Cal told the clerk, “We’ll take the other three too.”

“But Cal…”

He put his finger to his clips in the classic “shh” sign. “Jennie, what about,” and he whispered in her ear.

She colored. “No argument, remember?” Cal said. “I’ll leave if this makes you uncomfortable,” he said.

“Please,” she said, her cheeks still a deep pink.

When he returned, he asked, “
Now, what about Chris?”

Jennie picked out pants and shirts for Chris. Cal paid for the purchases, gathered the packages, loaded them into the carriage, and they headed for the other Simpson farm.

chapter Seventeen

We’re Getting Married

“This is Cal
Pierce, Mama, and Papa. Cal, this is Clarence and Bess Simpson. The best in-laws one could hope for.”

Cal extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you sir,” Cal said. “And you ma’am.”

“I hope mine and Chris’s little thing didn’t make you mad,” Clarence said.

“On the contrary.
It just showed me there were people that cared for Jennie. I took no offense and was glad to answer your questions.”

“We’re getting married Sunday,” Jennie said.
“After church.”

“Well good for you. Jennie deserves a good man, and you are getting a fine woman, Mr. Pierce. We’ve always been proud of her,” Bess Simpson said.

“Papa Clarence, Chris is going with us. I hate to see the bank get the benefit from all of his hard work. Can you take care of the cotton,” Jennie asked.

You’re dang right I will. I don’t want that… “

“Clarence…” his wife warned.

“I don’t want that scalawag to get anything. We’ll take care of it and send him the money for the sale.”

“Great, thank you Papa Clarence,” Jennie said.

“Are you staying at the farm, Mr. Pierce?”

“No ma’am. I’m staying in the hotel until the wedding.

After they were in the carriage and headed back to Je
nnies, she said, “She just had to check, didn’t she?”

Cal laughed and patted her hand. “They love you, Jennie, that’s all.”

Back at the farm…

Cal carried the packages into the house, and put them on the table.

“You are the most generous person I have ever known,” she said, and came into his arms. They shared their first real kiss.

“You deserve nice things,
now go try one on. I want to see what my bride-to-be looks like in her new dress,” Cal said.

When she returned, she was wearing a light blue gingham dress with white trim. She stood in the center of the room, shy a
bout being the center of attention. “It looks wonderful on you,” he said. “What do you think?” he asked.”

“I’ve never had store bought clothes before,” she said. “I feel pretty,” she said.

“Pretty doesn’t describe it. Beautiful is the word you want.”

Chris came in as they were ta
lking. “Is that a new dress, Mama? It sure looks pretty,” he said.

“Go look on your bed, Chris. You have a surprise.”

When he came back, he said, “Thank you, Mr.… Cal. I really do appreciate it.”

“It was my pleasure, Chris.”

Sunday…

Following the regular service, with most of the congreg
ation remaining in attendance, Chris walked his mother down the aisle, and placed her hand in Cal’s. Pastor Roberts conducted the ceremony, and pronounced Jennie and Cal to be man and wife.

Following the ceremony, the three of them, accompanied by Clarence and Bess Simpson had lunch in the café next to the hotel.

Raising his glass of iced tea, Cal said, “I propose a toast to my lovely wife, Jennie, Chris, Bess, and Clarence. I drink to the good health of you all. May you lead a long and prosperous life.”

“Amen,” said Clarence.

“When are you going to leave?” Bess asked.

“We will leave on the Wednesday train,” Cal said. “We will get to Cheyenne Saturday afternoon, and spend Saturday night at home on the Circle CP.”

“Grandpa, I’ll bring the cows and the mule over Monday,” Chris said.

“Will you need any help?” Clarence asked.

“I’m going to help,” Cal said. “Tuesday, we’re going to the bank and give them the keys.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to make a suggestion. If Bell knows the house is vacant, he might try to put someone else in there and do Chris out of the money for his cotton. I’d like to keep the farm until the crop is in. We’ll take care of that and the
ginning, and you’ll have your money before Christmas.”

“Thanks, Grandpa. That eases my mind a little bit.

“Mama Bess, Cal got a trunk so we’re only going to have room for our clothes and maybe a few other things. Why don’t you come go through what’s there. There may be something of Christopher’s you’d like. You can’t have the picture though. I want to keep it.”

“Thank you, Jennie.
That’s really thoughtful of you,” Bess said.

“Before we start shedding tears, Jennie, and I are going to stay in the hotel tonight and we’ll be out to the farm tomo
rrow morning,” Cal said.

“Cal, you take good care of our Jennie,” Clarence said, his voice charged with emotion.

“I will, Clarence. On that, you need not worry. I am going to see she has the comfortable life she deserves,” Cal said.

“I hope we see you again, someday, Jennie,” said Bess.
“If not in this life, then the next.”

Cal and Jennie stood on the board sidewalk, and waved goodbye as Chris and the Simpsons left for home. He picked up Jennie’s bag and said, “Are you ready, Mrs. Pierce?”

“I am ready, Mr. Pierce, darling, lead the way.”

In their room, Jennie looked around. “This is nice,” she said.
“I’ve never stayed in a hotel before.”

“It gets old after a while. I stayed in the Cheyenne hotel while the ranch house was being built,” Cal said.

He set the bag down and took his bride into his arms and kissed her, on the forehead, then her cheeks, and the tender skin where her neck joined her shoulder. He brought his lips to hers; feeling her soft, warm skin as their lips came together. He felt her lips part, inviting him in. He accepted the invitation. When his tongue touched hers, a soft moan escaped her lips, and she tightened her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his, crushing her breasts on his chest.

When she felt his hand cup her breast, she tensed, and put her hand over his holding it in place. They broke the kiss, and stood back. With a brazen smile, she said, “Undress me, darling. I want you to make love to me. Right now, in the middle of the afternoon.”

“It would be my great pleasure.” She turned, and he unhooked the loops of her new dress, and pushed it from her shoulders. It fell to the floor and she stepped out of it. He removed the next layer and discarded it, leaving her standing in front of him in her chemise and pantaloons.

She unbuttoned h
is shirt and dropped it on top of her dress on the floor. He unbuckled his belt and let his trousers fall. They stood in their underwear, each regarding the other. She lifted her arms above her head so he could pull the chemise off. She pushed her pantaloons down, as he removed his undershirt and shorts. He took her into his arms, feeling the soft, smooth skin of her body on his.

She felt the shocks radiating through her body to her core, as he gently lowered her to the bed, and lay beside her. His hand cupped her breast into a mound that he took into his mouth. She gasped, at the contact and felt his other hand move down her body. A finger slid into her moist chamber and began massaging and stretching the walls of her cave.

He felt her muscles tighten as the onrushing surge of a climax took control of her body. Moaning, writhing and thrusting she gave in to the passion that seized her. With a long sigh, she lay limp. It’s been so long,” she said, “Be gentle with me, darling.”

“I won’t hurt you,” he murmured.

“Let me,” she said, and took his member and moved it to her entrance, then inside. Groaning, he began moving, with her moving in counterpoint, he made love to her, slowly, gently, until he felt her being overtaken again. He increased his thrusting, and at the apex of her passion, he gained sweet release.

Cal propped himself on his elbow, and looked at her. “I’m glad I made the trip,” he said.

“Me too,” she said, and giggled and then began to move against him. He was up to the task and made love to her again.

They fell asleep in each other’s arms. Cal awakened first. He rolled onto his back and pulled her on top, one leg beside his, with the warmth of her core against his leg. Her other leg was crossed over his just below his hip. “This is nice,” he said. “We fit together perfectly.”

“We do, don’t we?” she said.

“Thank God for The Matrimonial News,” he said.

“What did you say?” she asked.

“I said, “Thank God for The Matrimonial News.”

“Amen to that,” she said and squirmed around.

“You had better stop doing that,” he said.

“Why?” she asked. “It feels good.”

“Too good,” he said.

“What are you doing,” she asked. Then “Ohh…” as she felt his member enter her body once again.

It was dark when they dressed and went in search of some much needed food.

Monday morning…

Chris had already left the house, by the time they arrived. Cal changed clothes and went to help him take the cows and the mule to the other farm. He unhitched the horse from the carriage and used a saddle found in the barn. Mounted, he found the two milk cows far easier to herd than his ornery longhorns back at the ranch. They were back before noon.

Jennie began packing the things she and Chris would be taking in their move to Wyoming.

Cal had also purchased
two valises for Jennie to use for the clothes she and Chris would need during the trip. By dark, her packing was complete. She was ready to go.