The Duke and The Duchess (9 page)

Elizabeth rode out with Evan to Brad’s farm. It was full of life. She saw a house in the middle of the fields as Evan drove the team up to it. Evan pulled up and Brad came to meet them. Evan and Brad unhitched the horses as Elizabeth went in the house. It was a simple house. There was a bedroom, a kitchen that had a table for dining and an upstairs. There was a water spout in the house so that they would not have to go out to the well to get water. There was a back room that held wood to keep it dry.

“I know it is not much to look at.” Brad said quietly. “But it is mine free and clear.”

“I can work with this.” She answered looking at him.

“Well then, about tomorrow.” He began to question.

“Yes, about tomorrow.” She ran her fingertips along the table that sat in the middle of the room.

“I was hoping you would want to see the preacher with me.” He looked down and dug his toe in the wood floor.

“That is how you are going to ask me to marry you?” She laughed.

“Well, I am not much good at words Miss Elizabeth.” He replied and blushed a bit.

“I guess you will have to meet me there to find out then.” She smiled at him.

As the day came to an end, Evan and Elizabeth headed back to town. Brad kissed her on the cheek and then went in the house. When Evan and Elizabeth arrived at the house, Mrs. Evens took Elizabeth upstairs. She held out a brown package for her. Elizabeth opened it up to find a dress for the wedding. She did not know what to say. All she could do is hug Mrs. Evens.

“Well you have to look your best now don’t you?” Mrs. Evens grinned. “Let’s see how it looks on you.”

Elizabeth held up the lavender dress and noticed the lace. It was a beautiful dress. She had owned many dresses, she knew that this one would mean more to her than any of the others she had owned. She changed into the dress and it fit her like a glove. Mrs. Evens left her to go to bed. Elizabeth crawled into bed and knew it would be the last night she would sleep alone.

As the sun peeked through the curtains, Elizabeth woke up before anyone in the house. She saw what Mrs. Evens had spoken about. The sun rise here was beautiful. She began to get ready for the day. Looking at the wedding dress she smiled. She put on a simple dress for the morning. They were going to the church around 10. She heard Wyatt in the next room and went to check on him.

Taking him downstairs, she warmed him some milk and sat in the living room to nurse him. Mrs. Evens came downstairs and watched quietly. Wyatt had taken to Elizabeth like a duck to water. She came in and sat down beside Elizabeth and took Wyatt from her.

“You will do well here young lady.” Mrs. Evens said, “And Brad really likes you.”

“How can you tell?” Elizabeth asked.

“Cause he talks to you.” Mrs. Evens answered. “He does not talk to many. If he does, it is short and sweet.”

Elizabeth helped Mrs. Evens set up for the wedding party after. She was going to take Wyatt for the night so that Elizabeth and Brad could be alone for the night. As the time moved faster than what Elizabeth had expected, soon it was time for her to get ready for the wedding. Mrs. Evens helped her prepare. When they arrived to the church, Brad was waiting for Elizabeth. There were a few people from the town to welcome them as a couple.

The service was very short and soon after the party went back to the Evens to celebrate with the couple. As night fell, Brad and Elizabeth left. He watched her as they drove the wagon back to the farm. He put the horse up and then picked Elizabeth up and carried her across the threshold to the bedroom. Slowly he began to kiss her as his hands trailed down her body.

“I am glad you showed up Ma’am.” He kissed her neck as he undid the dress and it fell to the ground.

His hands traced across her firm breast as she moaned softly. Her hands traced across his chest as he lifted her and laid her on the bed. It seemed as if their clothes just melted off their bodies. Elizabeth felt his bare skin against hers as he kissed her softly and let down her hair. She spread her legs as his hardness pressed against her flower. He gently pushed in as she gasped loudly in his ear.

Her hands raced down his back as he pushed his hips into her and he felt her bite his shoulder. Her nails dug into his back at the same time as her body arched into his. He found her mouth and kissed her fully as his hands held her hips. Her body was supple and he hungered for her. She wrapped her legs around him as his mouth kissed her neck and then found one of her nipples. He teased her as her breath quickened.

She cried out his name as her head spun. She had never felt anything like this for a man. She felt his mouth on her bare skin as her hips began to match his movements. He traced his tongue to her other breast and made the nipple hard as her nails clawed at his back. She felt him thrust one last time as he groaned falling on top of her. He found her mouth again and traced his tongue along her lips as he rolled over pulling her to him.

“I think this will be a wonderful journey.” He said as he traced his hands over her bare skin making her shiver.

“I do as well.” She smiled and kissed his chest and her hand moved down his body.

Elizabeth watched Wyatt as he crawled on the floor. She was writing a letter to let Charley know what had happened and to wish him the best on his marriage. She had never expected to find a man such as Brad. He was everything she wanted and more. She looked at what she had written.

Dearest Charley,

    I do hope that you and Sarah are doing well. Colorado is a bit different than Boston. The farm is wonderful. I do hope you and Sarah can come visit at some time to meet Brad and Wyatt and the little one that is due in the winter.

That was as far as she had gotten as she patted her growing belly. Smiling to herself, she knew that Charley meant it as a joke when he said for her to put a classified in the paper to find a husband. She found more than that, she had found a family.

Mail Order Bride

Cowboy Love

By Lady Aingealicia

Elizabeth could not believe how fortunate she was, she left Boston to come to Lamar Colorado for a new life. She found it or one could say it found her. She never expected to fall in love with Brad, yet he had become her world. The farm was her life and her children were everything she could ever hope for. Yet she missed those from back East and longed to see them. She knew the holidays were going to bring much joy as Charley and his wife, Sarah would visit and then head back to Boston to continue their life. Elizabeth would stay, she would make the plains work for her and her family, no matter what they were faced with. After all it was not a land for the timid or meek, it was a land that would test your faith and fortitude, and it was where she wanted to be.

Elizabeth and Brad stood at the train station in the bitter cold. The twins and Wyatt were at Mrs. Evens home to keep warm. The wind blew and Elizabeth shivered under her winter coat and head covering. She placed her arm around Brad’s as they waited for the train to come in. Charley and Sarah were finally coming for a visit. Elizabeth wondered how much had changed between them since the last time she saw them. There was so much to catch up on.

She wanted to know everything that had happened in Boston since she last left in February to come out to Brad. Especially about what Charley had written about her finances. What did he mean that there was something the lawyer had found? She was sure that all things would come in due time. Things went at their own pace in Lamar she had found out. People did not go a mile a minute like they did back East. She was grateful for that and there were times she missed it. Then there were days that there was not enough time in the day to get everything done, especially with the winter upon them.

Elizabeth had learned how to calm down here, with Brad and the little ones. She was often too busy with changing diapers, chasing after Wyatt and making sure that food was on the table to worry about time now. She heard the train before she saw it. Her heart leaped as she clung to Brad tighter. He placed his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. Sure they could have waited inside and looking back on the time, Elizabeth wondered if they should have.

Everything was ready for her friends to stay out with them on the farm, though Mrs. Evens did offer to let Charley and Sarah stay in town as well. Elizabeth had worked with Maria to make sure the upstairs was ready for the company. They had moved Wyatt in the small room that had been built for Maria while she stayed with them. Eventually that would be his room. Elizabeth knew that it was going to be crowded, she did not mind.

Brad had made it clear he would go get a tree when Charley arrived. He and Evan would take Charley out and show them the lay of the land as Brad stated. Elizabeth hoped that Charley and Brad would become friends. It would mean the world to her. She watched as the train came to a halt in front of the station and waited anxiously for sight of Sarah and Charley. She caught sight of a bright green dress and smiled. She knew that was Sarah. Letting go of Brad, Elizabeth started to wave and called out to her.

Sarah turned and looked to see Elizabeth there and smiled brightly. Behind her stood Charley as he looked around. Taking Sarah by the hand he began to walk over to Brad and Elizabeth. Holding out his hand, he shook Brad’s hand and nodded. Picking up Elizabeth, he gave her a big hug and laughed. Elizabeth hugged Sarah and then took a step back. Sarah had gained a bit of weight since Elizabeth last saw her.

“Charley and Sarah, this is my husband Brad.” Elizabeth started, “Brad, Charley and Sarah.”

“Very nice to meet you both.” Brad stated, “Beth, we best be getting to Mrs. Evens, the twins are going to wake soon for food.”

“Twins?” Charley asked as he waited for the luggage to be unloaded from the train.

“Yes, two bundles at one time.” Elizabeth laughed, “Who would have ever thought it?”

“Indeed.” Charley grabbed the luggage with Brad as they walked towards the wagon. “Well, Sarah and I are not far behind.”

Elizabeth gasped and then blushed. That explained why Sarah was larger. There was so much to ask yet she held back. Everyone got into the wagon and headed to the house of the Evens’ as their teeth chattered from the cold. As they approached the house, Evan was waiting to help Brad put up the team. Elizabeth led Charley and Sarah to the house.

“Leave your bags, we are only having dinner here.” Elizabeth instructed, “We are out of town about 5 miles.”

“Oh wow, really that far out?” Sarah finally spoke up.

“Yes and it is not that far Sarah.” Elizabeth smiled. “Now come on before we all freeze to death.”

As they walked in, Mrs. Evens met them at the door taking their coats. She motioned for them to follow her to the dining room. The table had been set up and the food was already prepared as everyone looked around. Elizabeth excused herself to take care of the twins and Wyatt toddled after her. Mrs. Evens showed Charley and Sarah to the washroom to wash up for supper as Brad and Evan came in to join everyone.

“Looks like we got a storm coming in.” Brad stated to Mr. Evens who nodded.

“Yep, you got enough supplies at the farm?” Mr. Evens responded.

“I am sure we can stock up before we leave.” Brad chuckled knowing that Elizabeth’s gift was in the stock.

“Sounds like a plan.” Mr. Evens said as he looked at Charley when he came out of the washroom. “And you must be the Charley that Elizabeth talks of so fondly.”

“That is a comfort to hear.” Charley laughed as he sat down. “Normally I was a pain in her butt back home.”

“Not to hear her talk about you.” Mr. Evens stated, “You may be stuck here for a bit depending upon that storm.”

“Oh?” Charley asked.

“Yep, train won’t run if it gets too bad.” Mr. Evens commented as everyone came into the dining room to eat.

Elizabeth put Wyatt in his chair and then sat beside him. She looked at Sarah, pregnancy had given her a beautiful glow. As they ate, they talked about the difference of weather in Lamar compared to Boston. Mr. Evens explained how bitter cold it got in Lamar and they would need better coats than what they came with, along with gloves and scarves to keep warm. Charley and Sarah listened with wonder.

“I have them in stock, we will just send them when you leave tonight.” Mr. Evens stated, “Consider it a holiday gift.”

“That is very nice of you Mr. Evens.” Sarah said. “Thank you. It is a different cold here than in Boston.”

As soon as dinner was over Brad noted that he and Evan were going to load up the wagon and then they could head out before the storm hit. Elizabeth and Sarah followed Mrs. Evens to the sitting room to have tea before they left.

“When are you due Sarah?” Mrs. Evens asked.

“Oh, a few months.” Sarah laughed, “Feels like forever.”

“Yeah, wait until he or she comes.” Elizabeth stated, “Then the real fun begins.”

“I know, Charley is so excited.” Sarah commented. “We had to come see you before the birth. Who knows when we would be able to make it out again after.”

Elizabeth had not thought about travel with the children and how much harder it would be. Sarah’s words hit home. She had wanted to go to Boston in the spring, she knew that it would be time to plant and the animals would be getting ready to calve or be breed. It seemed impossible that she would ever see Boston again. Lost in her own thoughts she did not hear Brad come in.

“Okay, wagons loaded.” Brad stated. “Come on we best be going.”

As they said their goodbyes, Mr. Evens gave Sarah and Charley their new outer wear. The temperature had dropped quite a bit as they all rode back out to the farm. Maria had stayed behind to make sure everything was ready for the guest. Once they were to the cabin Sarah looked at it and shook her head. This was not what she was expecting. She was not sure what she was expecting, just not a small cabin.