Frontier Gift of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 5) (39 page)

“Maybe he’ll be able to help you with the gold mine.”

“I thought the same thing,” Sam said. “He has such a good mind for business. Have you heard from Edward lately?”

“No, it’s been some time since I’ve received a letter. Have you heard from him?”

“No,” Sam answered. “It’s somewhat strange. He’s normally very good about writing regularly. I’ll write to him tomorrow. I’ll have one of my men take my letter to Fort Logan.”

“After our large brood staying with you and Catherine for so long, I’m sure you need to restock supplies anyway,” Stephen said.

“Indeed. Stephen, don’t mention any of this to Jane until you’re on your way home. I want to be sure Catherine knows first.”

“Certainly. And don’t worry, Catherine is strong enough to handle all of it. And so are you, big brother.”

“The sun’s rising,” Sam said, pointing to the brilliant crimson spot sneaking up on the horizon and peeking between the trees. Stephen was right, it was more difficult to see the horizon here. “We can travel faster now. Let’s go show your wife and girls your handsome medal.”

“What I really want to show her is the pouch of coins,” Stephen said.

“I can understand that.”

Smiling, Sam nudged Alex into a faster trot. He would be home in a few hours. And then he would to keep Catherine in his arms for a few more hours.

Epilogue

S
am opened the door and, at once, his heart swelled within his chest at the sight of Catherine.

She stood by the hearth, alone, her hand resting on the mantel, staring into the flames. Her gleaming black hair fell forward as she whirled around at the sound of the door opening. Her blue eyes lit with surprise and her rose lips broadened into a brilliant smile when she caught sight of him.

He fairly ran into her outstretched arms and drew her tightly against his chest. Without a babe between them, he could finally press her luscious body against his. He buried his face in her hair for a moment, relishing her soft scent and the feel of her in his arms. His mouth hungrily covered hers. Her tongue, a delicious sensation, sent shivers of desire racing down his spine. Before his desire could travel further, he pulled away, and just gazed upon her upturned face. The sight of it warmed him so.

“Sam, I missed you,” Catherine breathed.

“You have no idea how much I missed you. I may never leave again,” he said. “How’s Rory?”

“He’s fine. Sleeping right now. He’s hard to keep full, but otherwise he’s the best baby. He hardly cries as all. Doc says he’s going to be at least as tall as you based on how fast he’s growing.”

Sam smiled, kissed her again, and renewed his embrace.

“Where are the others?” she asked, leaning against his chest.

“Stephen is taking the horses to the barn. He’ll be here in a minute. Everyone else is coming back tomorrow.”

“How did the race go? Your men wouldn’t say. Garvin just said Stephen would tell us.”

“Stephen will tell you,” Sam answered. “Where are Jane and the children?”

“All upstairs, still playing with the puppies. Those dogs are already spoiled. Miss Henk just took the children a plate of warm cookies.”

“Sounds like someone is spoiling the children too. Call them all down, will you, while I take off my coat and gear,” Sam told her. “I want them to be here when Stephen comes in. Call Rory and Mrs. Wrigley in too. I assume they are both still in the kitchen?”

Catherine grinned at his implication. “You assume correctly. I think they just came in from the smokehouse with a nice ham for tonight. It took them a while to pick one out,” she said, giggling a little.

Catherine called everyone down and Sam was still removing his weapons when Stephen came in carrying their bags.

Stephen set their bags against the wall and hung his coat and weapons too.

Mrs. Wrigley and Rory hurried into the room, happy to see Sam and Stephen.

“Hello Catherine, Rory, Mrs. Wrigley,” Stephen said.

“Welcome back, Stephen,” Catherine told him. “Everyone’s on their way down now.”

Rory asked where Kelly, William, Bear, and Artis were. Sam told him they would arrive tomorrow and Rory appeared relieved.

The rumble of hurried footsteps on the back stairs heralded the arrival of the others.

Little John stormed in first. “Pa! Uncle Stephen!” he shouted as he ran to Sam.

Sam grabbed ahold of his son and lifted him into his arms as Martha and Polly ran toward Stephen, followed by Jane who carried baby Samuel. Stephen kissed all four of them.

“Did you bring me a present?” Little John asked straight away.

“A present? Christmas is over. Besides you don’t like presents anyway,” Sam teased.

“Yes, I do!” Little John protested.

Everyone laughed.

“Well I brought something,” Stephen said. He pulled out his blue-ribboned medal, a huge smile lighting up his joyful face.

“You won!” Jane cried and hugged him fiercely. “I knew you would.”

Martha and Polly were hugging him too, one on each leg.

Miss Henk brought Nicole, who carried her new doll, into the room. The darling girl smiled charmingly and babbled something about the doll when Rory told her that her parents would be back tomorrow.

Sam was anxious to see Rory but he wanted to share Stephen’s happiness first, before he saw his new son.

Everyone congratulated Stephen for a few minutes and Sam told them how well Stephen and George raced. “It was the most exciting race I’ve ever witnessed,” he concluded.

“Feel this,” Stephen told Jane, handing her the coin pouch. “Now I can expand our herd and make an exceedingly good living for us.”

“I’m happy for you, husband,” Jane said and hugged Stephen’s waist.

Mrs. Wrigley, Rory, and Miss Henk nodded their agreement.

Was it Sam’s imagination or did Mrs. Wrigley look younger?

“Actually, I did get you a present,” Sam said, “one you can all share.” He put Little John down, reached into his travel bag, and drew out a sack
of assorted hard candies.

“Candy! Yeah!” Little John said. “I promise to share. Do puppies like candy?” he asked looking up at Sam.

“No! No candy for the puppies,” Catherine answered quickly. “Just children, and Miss Henk if she wants one.”

Sam placed a hand on Little John’s shoulder. “If it’s all right with you, I’d like to see your brother now and take a bath and then maybe rest up a little before supper. We set off well before dawn this morning.”

“All right, Pa,” Little John said. “We’ll go play with the puppies again. We were teaching them to fetch. When you’re through resting, you can play with them too.”

“That’s a promise,” Sam said. “I’ll come upstairs just as soon as I wake up.”

“I’ll try to keep this brood quiet so you can rest,” Miss Henk said, still holding Nicole’s little hand. “Come along children.”

Martha took her brother Samuel by the hand and the children all went upstairs with Miss Henk.

As they climbed the stairs, Sam could hear Little John describing the rainbow of colors in the candy sack to the girls.

“Will you come with me to see Rory?” he asked Catherine.

“Indeed, and I could use a nap myself,” she answered with a subtle wink at Sam.

“I’ve already got some water warming in our big wash tub, Mr. Wyllie. We’ll use it for your bath instead,” Mrs. Wrigley said. “Then I’ll warm some more for you, Mr. Stephen.”

“I’ll help you carry it,” Rory volunteered.

“I’ll help too,” Stephen said.

Sam’s desire for Catherine began to smolder as soon as he followed her into the bedroom. He couldn’t wait to bathe and then taste his wife’s
sweetness. If she was ready.

After they entered the bedroom, he hurried to the cradle. Rory slumbered peacefully. “I think he has grown!” he whispered. “How long do you think he will nap?”

“He just fed him and put him down to sleep, so I’d say at least another hour or two,” she answered, smiling playfully. “Time enough for us to
rest
.”

“Are you certain you’re completely healed up?” he asked, keeping his voice soft. He desperately hoped she was.

“Indeed. I heal fast. I need only one thing now to help me feel completely back to normal.”

He didn’t have to guess what that was.

Rory and Mrs. Wrigley knocked softly and then each brought in two buckets full of steaming water. Stephen followed with two more.

“Enjoy your bath, big brother,” Stephen said as he left with his buckets.

“I brought a fresh bar of soap and some clean towels into your room earlier,” Mrs. Wrigley said as she pulled the drapes closed. “They’re in the dresser.”

The woman thinks of everything, Sam thought. It made him doubly glad he’d given her a generous Christmas bonus.

“Will you be needing anything else?” Mrs. Wrigley asked.

“Just some quiet time to rest,” Catherine answered. “Thank you both for bringing the water.” After the two left, Catherine locked the door behind them.

It wasn’t long before Sam relaxed in the warm tub, enjoying the feel of the hot water on his saddle sore muscles. Catherine took the bar of soap and a wash rag and scrubbed his back, neck, and hair. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her hands gliding over his soapy skin and scalp. “You know,” he said, “I think I’ll have the cooper at Fort Logan make us a tub big enough for two.”

“What a splendid idea,” Catherine declared. “I think I would enjoy taking a bath with you.”

“I guarantee it,” Sam said, laying a wash cloth over the evidence of his desire.

Catherine’s eyes widened when the cloth started to rise from the water. “I think it’s time to dry you off, Sir.”

Sam stood up so fast he splashed water on her and the floor and he teetered, in danger of falling for a moment. They were both laughing as he willingly let her help him dry off, all the while, enjoying watching her blush. He could tell she was making an effort to avert her eyes, but she kept peeking downward, causing her blush to spread to her neck and chest.

“You are entirely too well-dressed for a nap,” he said. “I would suggest that you take off that lovely gown and…” He had to stop speaking when she reached under her skirt and, with a bit of flair, stripped off a lacy white petticoat.

“And?” she asked seductively, swiping the frilly lace across his legs before she tossed it aside. Then she slipped her hands under her gown again and removed her garters and hose from her shapely long legs.

His mouth hung open. His tongue was almost certainly hanging down too. When he could make both work again, he said, “…and meet me under the covers.”

“First, help me unbutton my dress and unlace my stays,” she whispered, her voice hoarse with desire.

He did and slid the beautiful gold gown off her soft ivory shoulders and down her slender arms.

Then he watched, his hunger for her growing with each second, as she removed all but a silky rose-colored chemise with an exceptionally low-cut bodice that was quite provocative. He admired the rounded swells of her breasts through the sheer fabric. Had she guessed that he would return home today?

“You’re so gorgeous,” he whispered.

She slipped into the bed and Sam climbed in and crushed her to him. He sprinkled kisses along her jaw and around her lips. “I…love…you,” he said between each kiss. Then he fully captured her mouth. He drank in the sweetness of her kiss. He feasted on the feel of her body against his once again.

She moved her hands up and down his back. The gentle massage sent shivers of longing surging through him, but his desire nearly exploded when she ran her tongue along his neck and her ragged breaths floated against his ear.

Then her fingertips pushed against his back, bringing his chest against her satin-smooth breasts. The intimate feel of them rubbing against him made blood pound in his brain and his own breasts tingle from the contact. He could feel her heart thudding against his own.

His passion grew stronger and every inch of him craved her. His need for her became nearly uncontrollable. He wouldn’t be able to make this last as long as he wanted. Normally, he liked to explore every part of her before their lovemaking moved forward. He would enjoy doing just that later tonight.

His hand moved under her silky chemise to skim across her hips and bottom. Then his fingertips lightly explored her inner thighs until she quivered beneath his hand. Kissing her neck, he moved his hand up, and gently outlined the circle of her breast.

It was time to remove the chemise. As lovely and erotic as it was, he wanted no barriers between them. They needed to be flesh against flesh. Man against woman. Husband against wife.

He helped her out of the delicate garment and then eased her back down, splaying her long thick locks against the pillows. Before he covered them both with the sheet again, he let his eyes feast on her soft creamy body. Already, she appeared to be nearly back to her normal voluptuous form. Although her waist was somewhat larger, it was still small and the little extra curve on her hips only added to her exquisite beauty.

He had no doubt she was one of God’s most glorious creations. He
returned his eyes to her lovely face. Her features conveyed both delicacy and strength. Her long lashes fluttered against her cheekbones and her rosy full lips seemed to beg for his kiss. “You are so amazingly beautiful,” he whispered.

“Thank you for saying so. And you’re magnificent, my husband.”

He pulled the sheet over them and she sank into his embrace. His arms enveloped her, and his hand explored the hollows of her back as he kissed her deeply.

A delightful shiver of wanting ran through him, but he needed to make her feel the glories of her womanhood before he would allow himself to join with her.

She squirmed beneath his rhythmic touch and tugged him even closer, her soft curves molding to the contours of his body. She buried her hands in his hair and her mouth covered his hungrily.

The taste of her mouth seemed a particularly heady sensation that left his own mouth burning. He kissed her back with a wild intensity and he felt her body quiver again beside him.

As her fervor heightened, he could feel her uneven breathing against his shoulder and the heat of her trembling limbs.