A Chance at Love (25 page)

“Holding you in my hands and watching you on your waterfall gave me all the help I needed, thank you very much.” And it had. He'd need to bathe too, once she was done, and he felt no shame. No man could've stayed unmoved by the heated moments they'd just shared.

She smiled. “Okay, but next time, it'll be your turn.”

He shook his head, “Are you always so scandalous?”

“Not usually, must be the company.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Well, this company is leaving. You want more hot water? That in there has to be cool by now.”

Loreli splashed it a bit. It had cooled. “Is there any left?”

“Should be by now.”

“Then I'd like that very much. When I'm done, you can take your turn in here.”

“Sounds good.”

After Jake added more hot water to her tepid bath, he set the caldron back on the fire and left her alone to bathe.

 

The naked Jake stepped into the tub and sighed with pleasure at the feel of the hot water. He sank in up to his lower chest, his legs out. As he tested the tub's dimensions with his long hairy legs, Jake found Brass Barber's estimate to be correct. There was enough space inside to hold two people. Jake picked up his soap and one of the fancy washrags she had given him to use and began to soap himself. He wondered what it might be like to have Loreli in here with him. After tonight's interlude, he'd never see this tub as just a tub again. He'd never seen a woman take such pleasure before. The women he'd visited in the past had shown just enough enthusiasm to make an inexperienced man like himself believe he was doing the deed well, but he knew better now. Women were like finely tuned motors; if one primed the gears and settings with the appropriate amount of precision, she'd sing. The memories of her in his hand made his member rise and his blood rush all over again.
Damn, she was sweet
. He wanted to touch her that way again, so he could watch her arch and hear her cry out his name. Jake had never had a woman reward him that way before, and as he washed, he smiled. He couldn't wait for the wedding night.

Once Jake had cleaned up and put on fresh clothing, he went in to help Loreli move around the items in their “department store.” It was pitch-black outside, and were it not for the small lamp atop the piano, it would be just as dark inside. As it was, the parlor was filled with dark spaces and wavering shadows. They tried to lay her large feather mattress flat on the floor. Working in the poor light, it took a while to clear a space wide enough to accommodate its size, but once they did, they set it in place, and Loreli
belly-flopped on it like a happy child. “My bed,” she proclaimed, “my bed.”

Jake smiled at her antics and admired the view she presented. She was dressed in a pearl pink wrapper that was belted around her waist. The tight draw threw into relief the prominent curve of her tempting behind. “Did you find your bedding?”

She turned over and looked up at him. He was bathed in shadows but she could see his glittering eyes. “I did.”

Jake could see that the wrapper had loosened from her play. The panels had opened showing off the lacy border of the long pewter nightgown she had on beneath. The tops of her breasts rose temptingly above the vee-cut bodice.

As the silence rose and the shadows flickered, their gazes remained locked. Both knew what they wanted. He gazed down at her spread like an angel on the soft, bare mattress and became aroused by the knowledge that, once again, all he need do was reach out and paradise would be his.

Without a word, Jake took a seat on the edge of the mattress, then leaning over her kissed her slowly, husking out, “I can't get enough of you…”

And he couldn't; whether it was her mouth, her throat, or the feel of his hands on her silken skin, Jake wanted to spend eternity just like this.

As the kisses deepened, their passionate breathing floated in the shadows. Lying beside her now, Jake teased the lace border of the pewter gown over her nipples and thrilled at the way her body arched. The soft sound she made in response to his loving thrilled him even more—so much so that he dragged the bodice down and reac
quainted himself with the hard jewels of her breast. He dallied, lingered, and savored the knowledge that he was the one setting off the fever in her blood. Needing no more guidance or tutoring, he ran his palm fervently up and down her gowned thigh, kissing her mouth, the smooth line of her jaw, then slid the fabric up her hip so he could savor the bareness hidden beneath. Fueled by the memories of their earlier interlude, Jake touched her, coaxing her to reveal the treasure he'd so delicately opened before, and she parted her thighs willingly, wantonly, letting him explore and learn.

Loreli could feel the waterfall rising, could feel herself straining beneath his bold touches. Once again, he had her hot as a stove; playing her, circling her, causing her legs to part even more and her hips to rise. Just when she knew she could not take any more, the spasms of completion rocked her again, and she cried out hoarsely.

When all was silent once again, a smiling Jake Reed bent down to kiss her good night. He covered her up with a fancy quilt nearby, then blew out the lamp and left her to seek his own bed.

T
he next morning, while Jake was out feeding the hogs, a knock sounded at the front door. Loreli, in the midst of unpacking, called out, “Be there in a minute.”

The girls, who were seated on the floor removing china plates from a large crate, set aside their chore to go to the door with Loreli. Moving around was not easy, however. A mountain of items had to be stepped over, moved aside, or squeezed past in order to get through the room. The knocking came again, sounding impatient this time, so Loreli yelled out, “I said, I'm coming!”

Her efforts to hurry resulted in her bumping into the edge of a crate upon which sat a large oriental vase. The collision sent the red and gold urn rocking precariously on its circular base, but Loreli steadied it, then headed to the door. “Sorry, I—”

She stopped. Standing on the porch was Sol Diggs, and he appeared to be furious.

Loreli said coolly, “Good morning, Mr. Diggs, can I—”

“The sheriff and I went out to evict Matt Peterson yesterday, and do you know what Peterson showed me?” he snarled.

“A renter's deed?”

“How dare you go behind my back—”

Loreli remembered that the twins were standing at her side. “Girls, why don't you go finish unpacking? Mr. Diggs and I need to talk.”

“Yes, Loreli,” Bebe said, her eyes on Diggs. “Come on, De.”

Loreli, not intimidated at all by Diggs, stepped out onto the porch. As she did, his eyes widened fearfully and he stepped back. Loreli supposed he hadn't expected her to face up to him. In his world, when he bellowed, folks probably quivered; well, Loreli was not from his world. “You were saying?”

He took a moment to puff himself up again. “I sold you that deed in good faith.”

“And after you did, how I choose to exercise
my
ownership is none of your business.”

“You knew I wanted him off that land.”

“Yes, I did, but the deed is mine now. You'll have to find someone else to lord it over.”

“I'll get you for this, see if I don't,” Diggs growled.

“Oh, now you're threatening me, Mr. Diggs?”

“If the shoe fits.”

Loreli tossed back with bitter glee. “When I'm done with you, you snake, you won't have any shoes! Now get off my porch.”

He glared at her, then stomped back to his carriage.

An angry Loreli watched the banker drive away. When she turned back to go inside, Jake was standing in the
door. He cracked, “You do have a way with words.”

“He threatened me, Jake,” she declared incredulously.

“I heard him.”

“Do you think I should let the sheriff know.”

Jake shrugged. “Maybe, but I don't think Sol's dangerous. Just greedy. One thing I regret, though.”

“What?”

“That I wasn't there to see Diggs's face when Matt Peterson showed him that deed.”

Loreli chuckled. “Me too.”

Silence fell between them. This was the first private moment they'd managed to share since the day began. His memory kept going back to the previous night's sensual encounter, and hers did too.

He asked her softly, “Am I promoted?”

She tossed back, “Front of the class.”

His mustache lifted. “Glad I improved so fast.”

“So am I.”

Bebe suddenly appeared next to her uncle. “All the plates are out of the crate,” she told Loreli through the screen. “Can we place them in the hutch?”

Loreli beamed down at her. “Yes, you may.”

Bebe rushed off to give her sister the good news.

Jake opened the door and Loreli stepped inside. She stopped in the entranceway and stood less than a breath away. He bent down and kissed her gently, whispering, “Good morning.”

Loreli was so dazzled by the unexpected greeting that when it ended, it took her a moment to recover enough to say, “Good morning to you, too.”

They spent the rest of the morning unpacking the remaining crates and attempting to bring order to the chaos.
Chairs were set about. The piano was placed and then draped with its embroidered maroon cover. A set of end tables were positioned; the red oriental urn sat atop one, while the other table supported a large, fancy lamp. Everything that could be placed was, and any item that couldn't be was moved to the barn to be stored. When they were done, the once bare house now looked like a home. The only things missing were the paintings she'd wired Olivia about and specifically asked be shipped. They hadn't been found in any of the crates, so Loreli assumed they'd arrive in a shipment of their own.

After a luncheon of sandwiches and cold water, Loreli and the girls moved on to their next task: preparing the old attic room for occupancy. Tying a rag around her hair and grabbing a broom, she and the girls ventured up the narrow stairs. Jake went to fetch a crowbar and some window screening and joined them a few moments later.

First order of business was to take down the wood covering the window so light and fresh air could flow in. Jake tackled that. A few minutes later, the deed was done and sunshine filled the room. The breeze lifted decades-old dust and everyone began to sneeze and cough.

“Girls, how about you head downstairs for a moment until Loreli and I get some of this dust swept up?” Jake said.

Neither twin complained a bit about being asked to leave.

Once the girls were gone, Loreli, wearing a handkerchief tied over her nose and mouth, began to sweep. She stiffened at the sight of large spiders skittering ahead of her broom. Spiders were one of the few things in life she
couldn't abide, but Jake wouldn't let her squash them. “They eat mosquitoes, among other things, Loreli.”

“They can eat watermelon for all I care. I want them gone.”

He chuckled. “Just hold on a moment.”

He called down the steps for Dede.

She and Bebe ran up to see what he wanted.

When they appeared, he asked Dede, “Can you catch some of these spiders for Loreli, and put them outside?”

“Sure, Uncle Jake, let me get my jars.”

The twins ran off, and a surprised Loreli said to Jake, “She catches spiders?”

“Among other things. She's fearless when it comes to bugs.”

“Dede?”

“Yep.”

And sure enough, after sending everyone else from the room, Dede spent the next hour catching spiders, crickets, and long, wiggly centipedes. She came back downstairs triumphantly showing off her canning jars filled with insects. She'd put the spiders in one jar and the crickets and the like in the other.

Loreli looked at the collection of bugs. “Dede, I'm real impressed.”

“I like bugs, Loreli. Bugs can't kill you like horses can.” With that said, she went outside to release her captives into the grass.

Loreli turned to Bebe. “Your sister's pretty handy to have around.”

Bebe smiled. “Yep.”

Jake used nails to affix the screening to the open win
dow. Glass would have to be ordered. For now the screening would allow air and light in but would keep Dede's bug friends outside where they belonged.

Loreli had Jake haul up some water, then she went to work scrubbing down the walls and floor. The lye in the water burned the skin but her hands were already reddened from Monday's washing, so she ignored the stinging and kept to the task. By midafternoon, she was a mess. Her hair had sprays of dust and cobwebs sticking to it, her dress was filthy and wet in spots, and her face was streaked with dirt. The knowledge that she'd be able to soak in a real tub at the end of the day made the work less distasteful, but no easier.

It was early evening before Loreli declared the room clean enough to move in, but she wanted the walls and floor to dry first. She stood and looked around. The space seemed much larger now that it had been cleaned. She walked over and peered out of the screened opening that served as the window. The room could use another window, but Loreli settled for what she had. Outside she could see the cornfields and the windmills. She wondered what it might be like to wake up here with the sun streaming in. Would Jake move in with her after the wedding or would he continue to sleep on that hard excuse for a bed? Speaking of which, she made a mental note to ask him if he'd come up with a solution for getting her headboard and frame inside the house. It was still under a tarp on the front porch. All in all, Loreli was pleased with the work accomplished today, and the only thing she wanted was to sit her tired self down.

It was not to be, however. As she and the twins and Jake
sat on the porch relaxing, a carriage turned onto the long drive.

“I wonder what Reverend Appleby wants?” Bebe asked.

Loreli viewed the buggy. “Is that who that is?”

Jake stood and looked down the drive. “Yep, sure is.”

Loreli had no desire to see the town's religious leader; he'd already proven he had little Christian charity. Her first thought was to go inside the house and make herself scarce until he accomplished whatever he'd come here to do, but she didn't. Hiding or running away was not in her nature.

Jake, not sure what Rebecca's father might be after, sent the girls in the house to play. When the man pulled up to the porch and stepped out of his carriage, Jake walked down to greet him, “Evenin', Reverend. What brings you here?”

“Jacob,” he returned tersely. “I've come to speak with you.”

Up close, Appleby was a very short man with a sour, pocked-marked face who walked with his chest puffed out and his arms swinging as if he were tall and important. His disapproving eyes swept over Loreli. She met the gaze without a flinch. He issued a snort of disapproval and turned back to Jake. Loreli snarled inwardly.

“I expected better of you, Jacob,” the reverend said.

Jake had no plans to let Dexter Appleby grill him like a grouse. “What do you mean?”

The reverend cast a withering eye Loreli's way. “She's what I mean.”

Loreli stood up. “Sir, if you have something to say to me, I suggest you say it.”

“Harlot!” he spat.

Loreli saw Jake tense with anger, but Loreli didn't need a champion. She simply folded her arms casually across her chest, and drawled, “My, what a Christian thing to say. I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting into the pearly gates.”

His whole body puffed up with outrage, reminding her of Diggs. “I demand that you release this man from whatever pledge he's given you.”

Loreli responded with mock confusion. “Why?”

“Because he belongs to another.”

“And whom might that be?”

“My daughter, Rebecca.”

“Ah, I see. How is Rebecca?” Loreli asked him. Her golden eyes flashed her mood.

“Harlot!” he hissed again.

A weary Loreli had had enough. Out of respect for Jake and his relationship with this man, Loreli did not give Appleby the tongue thrashing he so righteously deserved. Instead she walked to the door, then told him, “Sir, I've been insulted by men much taller than you, so I'll see you around.” She went inside.

When Loreli disappeared, Jake's voice was harsh as he addressed his pastor. “That wasn't necessary. Your beef is with me. Not her.”

Appleby didn't seem to hear. “How could you set aside a good, God-fearing woman like my Rebecca for trash like that?”

Jake's voice was soft but deadly clear. “She isn't trash, so keep your slurs to yourself.”

“You've made my daughter a laughingstock and you want me to respect that whore?”

Jake snatched him up by his shirt. “That so-called whore is the woman I'm marrying. One more word out of you and I'll toss you in the nearest hog trough.”

Appleby stared as if he'd never met this version of Jake before. “How dare you assault a man of the cloth! You need prayer, Jake Reed. This woman has set the devil loose within you. Fall on your knees with me. Please. Let the spirit cleanse you of—”

Jake tossed him aside. “Go home, Reverend.”

Then not trusting himself to be near Appleby any longer, Jake walked off the porch and headed toward the barns and pens.

Behind him he heard Appleby's strident voice calling, “Save yourself, Jacob. Save yourself!”

Jake kept walking.

 

Jake surreptitiously watched Loreli for the rest of the evening. If Appleby's slurs had touched her, the results were not evident in her golden eyes. As she went about helping the girls get ready for bed she had only smiles for them and for him. A less formidable woman might have crumbled beneath Appleby's verbal assaults, but she'd batted him away like the gnat he was, and paid him scant attention. Or at least it seemed that way. Jake could only guess how many times a woman such as herself had been met with crudeness by men like Appleby, yet she'd had enough respect not to give Rebecca's father both barrels.
Harlot?
Jake wanted to throttle the little hypocrite; everyone in town knew the reverend and Veronica Diggs were sneaking around, everyone except Rebecca and Sol Diggs. For the Reverend Appleby to act so offended by Loreli's presence while his own dirty laundry was blow
ing up and down the streets made Jake even more glad he hadn't married Rebecca.

After the girls were tucked in, Loreli and Jake stepped out onto the porch. Loreli sat on one of the old cane chairs. The water for this night's much desired bath was heating out back. Jake stood on the edge of the porch looking out at the night. He was so silent for so long, Loreli finally said, “Penny for your thoughts.”

“Rebecca's pa didn't have to be so nasty.”

Loreli cracked sarcastically, “It's his job to confront sinners like me.”

“No, it isn't.”

“Just think, that man could've been your father-in-law.”

Jake shuddered. “What a mistake that would've been.” Then he asked quietly, “Did his words hurt you?”

“And if they had?” she asked, more defensively than she'd intended.