Authors: Amanda McIntyre
Chapter Eighteen
Gabe had never been as unsure of anything in his whole life. With the single exception of selling away the farm into smaller chunks, nothing compared to the magnitude of the decision he was about to make. This was a forever decision, a lifetime decision.
“Do you Gabriel Patrick Russell take Tessa Jean Graham to be your lawfully wedded spouse, to love, honor and cherish—”
He stared at the aging minister’s lips, watching them move soundlessly. His thoughts wandered to what he was doing. Good lord, he had no real job yet, though the house was technically “theirs’ now. She’d told him she’d commute to her old job until they got on their feet. Already they’d spent time planning ways they could increase the Christmas tree portion of the farm as well as thoughts of setting up a pumpkin patch for children and small groups to visit, incorporating crafters in the area and hayrides. Still, what kind of a life was he offering her right now? Not a whole helluva lot else, except the promise of a devoted heart.
“Mr. Russell?” Gabe blinked, glancing at Tess who stood next to him looking breathtaking in her cream-colored gown.
“Yes.” He replied, dropping his voice an octave lower so it would not sound like a question. The pastor eyed him suspiciously, then smiled and turned to Tess repeating the similar phrases.
Gabe studied her profile as she gazed at the pastor. He noticed she was listening to his every word, it was written all over her beautiful face. Was she wondering what life would be like? How tight money might be for a while? Would love be enough to get them through the hard times?
When the pastor asked for her response, she turned to Gabe, her eyes misty, and all his concerns disappeared seeing her wobbly smile.
“I do. Yes, I do.”
She was his gift from heaven, with her blushing cheeks and halo of flowers circling her short, spiky hair. He touched her hand, rubbing his finger along the ring he’d slipped on her moments ago, and realized for the first time, he’d imagined this moment the first he saw her behind the screen door on that Saturday morning, in what seemed a lifetime ago.
In a short few moments, the ceremony concluded and they stood greeting all those who’d come to the tiny country chapel that afternoon.
Betsy smiled at Gabe with a grin that signaled her seal of approval and ushered guests to the tiny fellowship where a small reception was set up by the churchwomen’s society.
Hugs and tears shared and as Roy Powell came forward, he grasped Gabe’s hand palming a business card into his hand as he enveloped him in a fatherly hug.
“You take care of each other now. This is my wedding gift to you.” He nodded toward the card in Gabe’s hand. “Put it away for now, there’ll be time enough for it later.”
Roy leaned forward and hugged Tess, planting a kiss on her cheek. “You know, this boy is like my own flesh and blood, I couldn’t have picked out anyone better for him than you.” The old man held Tess’s hands between his own. “Be as happy as Gracie and me, and as happy as I remember your mom & dad. Gabe, they’d be right proud of you.”
Roy smiled quickly and turned away toward Betsy’s welcome.
Gabe squeezed his eyes to the prickling sensation of tears. He glanced briefly at the card, before he tucked it in his pocket.
When the last plate was washed, and the last church volunteer thanked, Roy came forward and offered Tess’s parents his guest room. “No sense in you folks staying in a motel. We’re practically family.” He chuckled, winking at Gabe.
* * *
Gabe’s surveyed the familiar stretch of road in the waning hours of sunset. The month long courtship had proven to Tess his intentions were real, but at the same time created a need so fierce it surprised him.
He glanced at Tess staring out the truck window. Still dressed in her ankle-length gown, her hands folded in her lap. He reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently as he raised it to his lips. He thought of seeing their wedding picture on the mantle--her in that dress and himself in a western-cut tuxedo, with a long coat and Stetson. It’s where he’d first kissed her.
A wave of nostalgia washed over him and the image of his mom and dad dancing in the living room appeared in his mind. Those were good memories, happier times. And he hoped to create them with Tess.
It felt familiar, yet odd this time when he pulled in the farm’s gravel drive. Fate, it seemed, had brought him full circle. He only wished he had something more to offer his new bride besides the uncertainty of the future.
Shutting off the ignition, he felt the need to assure Tess that she didn’t need to worry about the future. “It was really great for Jack to go ahead and give you that promotion.” He swallowed, as he stared at her hand in his. “It won’t take long, Tess. Soon as I have steady work, I’d like to start a family, you know raise them here.” He scanned the serene view through the truck’s front window. “It’ll be great to teach them about farming, maybe get some small animals for them to care for. You know it teaches kids about responsibility, living on a farm.”
She leaned over, cutting off his rambling soapbox speech with a smile and the gentle touch of her fingers to his lips. “Something will come along, Gabe. I’m really not worried. Meantime, we’ve got two glorious weeks to work on part of your plan and I’m not going to start in the cab of your pickup in the middle of November.”
She could do that. Make him think that together, anything was possible. Today was their day. The future, come what may, looked brighter because Tess was in it. He pushed open his door and drew her across the seat into his arms. Shoving the door with his shoulder, he carried her to the house.
“You said that cabin your folks rented for us is on a lake?” He climbed up the steps to the front porch.
“Secluded little place up in Minnesota, it should be beautiful this time of year. Maybe it’s snowed already. We could have fires every night.” She smiled and the crinkle of her nose pulled a grin from him.
“Guess we know who’s going to be building the fire.” He glanced at her with an ornery smile, chuckling when she swatted him on the chest.
As natural as daylight, he turned her so she could open the screen door, and they both pushed against the inner door. Kicking it firmly shut with his boot heel, he didn’t let go of her until he’d climbed the stairs to the bedroom lay her down on the bed.
He stared at her beauty and swallowed away the parched sensation in his throat. Nervous enough to be his first time, he knew it wasn’t for either of them. “This has been the longest damn thirty days of my life, woman.”
She smiled as she placed the small nosegay on the nightstand.
He hung his hat on the bedpost.
She flopped back against the pillows with a contented sigh. “It feels good to be home.” Her face broke into an easy smile. “Suppose it was worth the wait?”
He removed his jacket and tossed it on the chair. He felt the heat of her gaze as she watched him remove his tie and unfasten the buttons on his fancy tuxedo shirt. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he removed his boots, tucking them under the edge of the wedding quilt that the women at church had given them as a wedding gift. Gabe glanced at the woman that made his heart race every time he looked at her. “Guaranteed. Your turn.”
He held his hand out to her and taking it, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and sat next to him. He reached up and removed the halo of flowers she’d worn in lieu of a veil and tossed it on the bedpost where it landed on top of his hat. The stark contrast of his cowboy hat and her delicate flowers brought a smile to his face.
She turned her back to him, giving him a mischievous look over her shoulder. “It’s time to unwrap your wedding present, cowboy.”
Gabe blinked for the thundering of his heart, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the zipper on the fine lace dress. Good lord, in all the confusion of signing for the house and wedding arrangements, he’d forgotten a wedding gift. “Sweetheart, I didn’t get you anything.”
She stood then and the lacey dress rustled as it fell to the floor and pooled around her ankles. “You cowboys around here familiar with a little thing we city girls call a bustier?”
A grin split his face as he stared at what she wore beneath. Low cut, the color of heavy cream and dotted with peals and lace, she looked like a cupcake and every bit as tantalizing. His mouth watered. God-almighty, life was good. She turned to face him, not needing his approval. She knew by the look in her eye, how delicious she looked.
“There are some advantages to shopping in the city.” She placed one foot on his knee as she gingerly unhooked the garters. Glancing at him, she slowly rolled down each opalescent ivory stocking.
His gaze followed her hands, quickly stealing a peek at the sweet fullness cupped in the bodice as she leaned forward. What was left of his control took flight as he let his gaze slide up the rest of the outfit. It was the same creamy ivory of her dress, only in satin, with tiny ribbons laced from the bodice to her navel, holding it together. A line of delicate pearls lined the top rim of the camisole just below where her breasts pushed up proudly within the bodice. It molded to her waist, cupping her hips gently. Underneath he could see a faint strip of lace and pearls that his fingers itched to touch.
He looked up, unsure if he could speak, but could only manage to remember his last thought. “I didn’t get you anything.”
Much to his surprise, she smiled, giving full measure to that wrinkle in her nose. She took the end of the ribbon lacings and placed it in his hand.
“Lucky for you it’s an interactive wedding gift, cowboy.”
* * *
Tess’s body was warm snuggled against his side. He’d been awake listening to the soft sound of her steady breathing in the silence of the old house. Grateful for the chance he’d been given to make Tess happy. She deserved it so much. Whoever this Richard character was had no idea what a wonderful woman he let slip through his fingers.
He sighed with a satisfied smile. If it took him the rest of his life, he would try to show her daily what she meant to him.
Tess shifted, snuggling closer as she draped a leg over his. Gabe grinned as his body came alive at her touch.
“Have you slept?” she murmured, tracing her toe slowly up and down his ankle
“Can’t seem to.” It was the truth, between their extraordinary lovemaking and his concerns about a job, he’d not slept a wink.
She traced lazy circles on his chest, the tender movement rousing him.
“This isn’t helping me sleep.” He grinned. He shifted to his side and drew her close.
“But it will make your weary, I promise.”
Though he couldn’t see her clearly in the darkness, he pictured the crinkle at the side of her nose, along with her smile. Her tongue teased the pulse at the base of his throat, setting his body on fire with soft kisses trailing down his chest and over his stomach. Her hands wrapped around him and Gabe drew in a sharp breath, his eyes rolling back in pleasure as she closed her lips over him, teasing with her tongue, making him rock hard. She crawled back up his body, taking his face in her hands and crushing her lips to his in a kiss that left no doubt of what she wanted.
God he loved her skin, so smooth and soft in contrast to his rough hands. She rose, holding him firm as she eased down on him with a luxurious sigh. God almighty he’d never tire of this—of her.
“Oh, Gabe,” She sighed, lifting her chin, eyes closed in her bliss. “This is heaven.”
Gabe chuckled. “No darlin’, it’s Iowa. Let me show you how we keep our women down on the farm.”
She was right. He slept like a baby.
* * *
“Hey, you better get a move on if we hope to make it to the cabin by nightfall.” Tess heard a soft voice whisper nearby, then felt her body warm as his unmistakable kisses traveled up her belly.
“I don’t think we’re going to make it out of here on time.” She floated somewhere between sleep and ecstasy. Never having given and received so much to another soul, she embraced every golden moment as precious.
“You know there is something to be said for this slow, easy country life.” She glanced down and met his wicked grin.
“I’ll show you slow and easy.”
* * *
“The back door is locked,” Gabe called from the kitchen.
“Roy is watching the dogs. Is the flue closed? Did you check the windows?” She glanced into the living room seeing the stack of unopened wedding gifts piled into one corner. Her cheeks warmed realizing they’d not even eaten the dinner Velda had prepared for them and left in the refrigerator, much less open their gifts. There would be time later.
She turned as Gabe emerged from the kitchen sporting a smile.
“I think we’re ready. I found some roast beef sandwiches in the fridge, looks a little like Velda’s work. We can take them along.” He placed the paper sack in his hand and swept up their luggage. Nodding toward the fishing poles given to them by Travis and his family, he spoke. “Grab those, will you please?”
She glanced at him with a smirk. “You plan on really having time to use these?” She held the poles up, eyeing all the intricate gear workings. Thinking a cozy fire and wine seemed much more appealing.