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"We just finished dinner. It'll only take a minute to warm it up." Eva followed behind, Jessie turned. "Do you like chicken and dumplings, Eva?"
"Yes, Ma'am," the girl, head hung low, answered. Jessie saw herself, a few years ago, in the girl—sad, distressed, and alone. Kid's hand slipped to her hip to give a reassuring and understanding squeeze. Her head leaned against his shoulder for a moment. She was lucky, so very lucky.
There were times she worried. Fretted he'd tire of her and wish he'd gone ahead with his plan of going to Europe and marrying a refined, well-bred wife. He reassured her over and over again he had no regrets, no desire for any woman but her. Still, she couldn't help the doubts and uncertainties that over took her mind sometimes. A few months of happiness, no matter how wonderful, couldn't wash away years of disappointments.
Kid, pulling her to a stop outside the back door, broke her thoughts. He motioned for Willamina and Eva to step inside and while they did, he lowered his face.
"I love you," he whispered before kissing her. It wasn't a quick peck, but a slow, sensual meeting of lips. A kiss that made her heart pound and her stomach flip. When it ended, she said, "I love you too, so very, very much."
* * * *
Kid reached over to squeeze the trembling fingers lying on the table. His wife turned, a forced smile on her lips. 218
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"She looks so sad," Jessie murmured.
"She is. Poor little gal," Willamina said. After eating a small amount of lunch, Eva insisted on seeing to the care of her horses and walked out the back door.
"What happened?" Kid asked.
Willamina shook her head. "She and her pa were with an earlier train, but separated when her ma became ill. After she died, they moved on, got to Dodge a little over a week ago. They camped near the tents, just for the night.
"Someone slit her dad's throat and would have had his way with her if'n some of the men at the city hadn't heard the ruckus." Her green eyed gaze landed on him. "The killer got away, but, Kid, it was Montgomery." Jessie gasped. He tightened the hold on her hand and a tremor tickled up his spine. He stiffened his shoulders, trying to hide his fear.
"How do you know?"
Willamina pointed a thumb toward the back door.
"The girl's description. I went to the sheriff, he said Montgomery had been in town, drove in a hundred or so head, claimed they were strays and such he'd found. Sheriff said they weren't, they were young stock. Well fed, young stock. No one at the yards would buy the cows, thinking they were stolen. He thinks Montgomery took the stock toward Abilene. He went after him and I," she paused, shrugging her shoulders. "Well, I thought it would be safer if Eva and I wintered out this way."
Kid rubbed his jaw, mulling the story.
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"Good thinking, Willamina. You and Eva can stay here with us."
"Naw, you newlyweds don't want an old woman and young girl underfoot." She looked at Jessie. "I was hoping if'n no one was using your soddy, maybe Eva and I could winter there."
Jessie leaned over, placing her creamy white hand upon the woman's worn red one. "Willamina, you wouldn't be underfoot. We'd love to have you stay with us." The woman shook her head. "Naw, we'd rather have our own place. Especially Eva, she has some healing to do."
"Well, if that's what you'd prefer, of course you can use the soddy." Jessie turned to him, asking, "Can't she?" Kid, the back of his mind focused on the fact the cattle Montgomery had closely matched the ones he was missing, patted her cheek.
"Of course she can. It's your place, Jessie. You can do whatever you want with it." He stood, kissed the top of his wife's head then turned to Willamina. "The place still needs a lot of work before it's ready for winter. I'll go talk to Joe, have him send some boys over there and by next week you and Eva can move in. Until then, you'll stay here with us." Willamina nodded and stood. "I'll walk out with ya. See if I can convince Eva to come into the house for a bit." She turned to Jessie. "I'll be back to help you with the dishes in a minute."
"No, I can clean this up myself. You go see to Eva, she needs you." Jessie rose and expectantly raised her face to him.
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Kid smiled, forever happy to do as she asked, kissed her soundly, and then led Willamina to the door. Walking down the steps beside him, Willamina said,
"They're your cows, aren't they?"
"Sounds like they could be."
"You see Montgomery around?"
"Nope, but I've been a bit preoccupied." She laughed—a light, young, carefree laugh. "She's bit you good."
"Yes, she has." He didn't mind admitting it at all.
"She's quite smitten herself." Kid smiled and knowing he'd found a confidant in the old woman said, "If she loves me half as much as I love her, it'll be enough to last a lifetime."
"Have you told her that?"
"What?"
"That you love her!"
He chuckled. "Yes, I've told her."
"Good. Be sure you do it every day. A woman can't hear it enough."
"I'll remember your advice." Kid kept his steps short, walking beside her across the lawn.
"That no good brother around?"
"No, not right now. I sent him north with one of my brothers. Told them there was some land up that way I was interested in. They're supposed to scout it out, look for ground water, and whatever else. I just wanted him out of here for a while, until I can figure out what to do with him." Willamina chuckled. "Besides kill him?" 221
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Kid guffawed, the old woman knew him well. "Yeah, besides kill him."
"Good luck with that one." Willamina patted his arm then turned to where Eva sat on the back of the covered wagon, head bowed.
Kid glanced between the girl and the old woman. "Good luck to you, too."
She nodded.
"Let us know what we can do to help," he said, and meant every word.
Willamina stopped, turning back around to face him.
"Hey, Kid?"
"Yes?"
"You think that brother of hers got anything to do with those cows of yours? The ones Montgomery's got? Maybe he done hit your brother in the head and paired up with Montgomery."
Kid blinked. The thought hadn't crossed his mind. But now that Willamina said it, it seemed to take root. His blood turned cold. She still looked at him, clearly waiting for an answer.
"I hope not, Willamina. For his sake, I hope not."
* * * *
After her guests were settled down for the night, Jessie let Sammy outside one last time. Anxiously tapping a toe, she waited for the dog to finish his business and return to the door. Kid had gone upstairs a few minutes ago. Her body 222
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trembled, thinking of joining him. Antsy, she opened the door.
"Come on Sammy, get in here."
The dog, tail between his legs, meandered in, looking at her with droopy, brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, but it's late." She patted his head and pointed to the rug near the fireplace. "Go lay down, now. I'll see you in the morning."
Without waiting to see if he obeyed. She blew out the lamp and ran to the stairs.
Breathless from the speedy flight, she leaned against their bedroom door as it closed behind her.
Kid lowered a book, sending a startled look her way.
"What's wrong?" he said, flipping the covers aside to rise. She held out a hand to stop his movements. "Nothing." She gathered the bottom of her nightgown and lifted it over her head. It floated to the floor as she walked toward him.
"I was just afraid you'd fall asleep before I got up here." Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reached forward. His long fingers folded around her waist, the touch was heaven to her naked flesh.
"You could have always awakened me." Kid pulled her closer.
She stepped between his knees and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I hadn't thought of that."
He leaned forward, the heat of his mouth moved over her shoulders, then lower.
"Remember it. Always."
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She ran her fingers through his thick, sleek hair, tipping her head back in pleasure.
"I shall. Always."
A yelp, followed by a giggle, left her lips as he unexpectedly lifted her up and flipped her around. She landed on the mattress and Kid straddled her, planting his knees next to her hips. His face lowered.
"You better."
"Always," she sighed. Her hands came up to cradle his handsome face.
"I love you," he said.
Freshly shaven skin glided beneath her fingers. "I love you."
His hands slid up and down her sides, the slight touch full of delight and making her skin tingle. One hand paused then slipped beneath her back. Something hard moved below her and she arched, giving him room to pull it out. Kid held up the book he'd been reading. Jessie laughed and reached for it.
"What were you reading?"
He tossed the book on the floor. "I couldn't even tell you." His lips went to her throat. Feather light kisses sent flutters of pleasure across her neck.
"Have you read all of the books in your library?" she asked.
Between nips, he answered, "Yes, some twice." Her fingertip traced a circle on a wide shoulder blade.
"Have you read all of the newspapers and magazines too?" Propped on his elbows, he lifted his head. 224
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"Most of them. When did you become so interested in my reading?" He kissed the tip of her nose.
"Just curious, that's all."
"A few minutes ago, you were worried I'd be asleep." His lips touched hers. "Remember?"
"Yes, I remember." She ran her tongue over his lips.
"Mmm. I bet you're curious to know if I ever read the
Waverly Library
tablets as well." Her body stilled, and her mouth gaped before she closed it, pinching the tip of her tongue between her teeth. She flinched at the pain, and then bit down on her bottom lip. Kid chuckled, his eyes laughing as they gazed down at her.
"You left them in your bedroom when you left for Boston."
"When you sent me away to Boston."
"Where you never arrived." He kissed her again. "Thank God."
"So did you read them?" she asked.
"Yes, I read them." He repositioned, bracing his body with one hand while the other ran across her cheek. "I figured I could use the education when I finally found my wife." A twinge shot across her chest, the pain quick and sharp like a bee sting.
"What's that look for? You didn't like the stories?" he asked.
Jessie tried to soften the grimace on her face and shrugged.
"There's an awful lot of kissing in them." He leaned down and nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear.
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"You don't like kissing?"
She turned her head nestling her nose under his chin.
"I like being kissed by you."
"Good. I like kissing you. Now, come here." His fingers spread through her hair to pull her head to his. "Enough about books, I want to show you a few other things I like doing with you."
Jessie joined his lovemaking wholeheartedly, even though in the back of her mind a little thought tried to remind her she wasn't the reason he'd read the stories. She wasn't the wife he'd always wanted.
* * * *
The November air had a nip to it, but Jessie didn't mind, joy kept her warm, even during the ride from the sod house to the ranch. Rosebud, the timid mare Kid had given her, was gentle and easy to control. And with her husband, riding Jack next to her, not even a winter blizzard could chill her.
"Thank you," she said, giving Kid a sideways glance.
"For what?"
"For fixing the soddy up so nice for Willamina and Eva." He reached over, took her hand, and held it as the horses walked along the road.
"I didn't do that. Joe and the boys did."
"Yes, but you told them to. You paid for it, right down to the new, wood floor."
"You're welcome. But, Jessie, don't you know I'd do anything for you? I'll forever do anything I can to see a smile on this beautiful, little face."
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Her face grew warm and tingly.
"You make me blush," she admitted.
"Hmm," he said. "When we get home let's see how else I can make you blush."
She giggled. "Well, then let's hurry." With a slight kick from her heels, Rosebud leaped forward, changing their slow pace to a quick, fast gallop.
Still laughing and motivated to get the evening meal over quickly, Jessie leaped down as soon as the horses stopped near the barn. But Kid wasn't smiling. Confused, she followed his gaze to where it had settled on two horses.
"What is it?"
Kid didn't answer. Instead, he flipped around to look at the bunkhouse.
Her heart hit the ground. A cold chill sent all the warmth from her body. Russell and Skeeter stood on the porch. They stepped down and began walking across the dirt. One hand became warm, and wondering how, she looked down to see Kid's large fingers wrapped around hers.
"Hey, Kid. Hey, Jessie," Skeeter said.
"Skeeter," Kid greeted.
"Hi, Jessie," Russell said.
"Hello," she choked. Life as she knew it was over. Done. Over. The thought made her shiver. Kid tugged her hand. Gratefully, she stepped closer, but even the invisible, protective shield she felt in his arms couldn't stop her brother and his schemes.
"We just got back a couple hours ago." Skeeter smiled from ear to ear, like they should be happy to see him. 227