Chapter Thirteen
Staring out the window of Janelle’s second floor guest room, Jenny watched the activity on the street in the distance. She’d been waiting for Heath to get back and bust her out of her cozy jail cell, but that didn’t seem to be imminent. She sighed irritably; this was ridiculous. Stalking to the door, she yanked it open. Henry, who was seated in the hall, glanced up from his paper. “Need something, honey?”
“You can’t keep me on house lockdown.”
“I believe Janelle called it house arrest, or being on lockdown, which I find quite amusing. That Janelle,” he chuckled as he shook his head, “always coming up with one odd turn of phrase after another. Although your door isn’t locked, so that’s not quite right either.”
“No, but with you as my guard, who needs a lock?”
“I’ll not let another gal slip the knot on Heath. Granted that first was a blessing, believe you me. Took him some time to realize it, but he finally wised up on what a lucky break he caught.” He grimaced. “Maybe I should let him fill you in on all that. Why don’t you lie down and rest? You couldn’t have gotten much sleep last night the way Heath tells it.”
“I can’t sleep. I’m too worried about Will. Is there any word from Aaron?”
“Not since the last time you asked five minutes ago, girl. I know you’re worried about your brother, but I don’t expect we’ll hear from Aaron unless things change. He’s Omaha bound by rail, remember?”
“What about the farm? The chickens and the milk cow need tending.”
“Luke went over this morning and took care of everything. He brought your livestock over to Heath’s place along with your dog. He even brought back a trunk filled with clothes for you and the boy. Can’t vouch for what’s in there. You’ll have to go through it and see, but I have a feeling Luke knows his way around women’s gewgaws and flounces.”
Jenny stiffened over the thought of a man going through her personal belongings. With that being the least of her worries, she quickly pushed the thought from her mind.
“Stop fretting,” Henry urged, his smile warm and fatherly. “You have your new family to watch out for you now. You and Will aren’t on your own anymore.”
“It’s been so hard, since mama—” Her voice broke and she sniffled, blinking rapidly to keep from crying again, but not having much success. “I miss her, and papa—except in recent months, he really was a wonderful father—I miss him too. And I want Will to come home.”
With a rustling of newspaper, Henry got up and strode forward. He pulled her through the doorway and right into his arms, giving her one of the biggest bear hugs she’d ever had. “Had three boys, and a wife for over thirty years, but you girls, first Janelle and now you, your tears cut me to the quick.”
“Pa?” They both turned to find Heath at the top of the stairs, neither having heard him come up. “Are you making my bride cry?”
“I was trying to get her to stop, by gum! Wasn’t I, my sweet girl?”
“Yes, sir,” she answered respectfully, but in truth, the entire conversation had flown out of her head at the sight of Heath. Dusty and tired, yet so ruggedly handsome he made her teeth ache. And when he’d called her his bride, her heart had raced so fast, she thought it would burst in her chest.
It seemed like a dream come true, but it was her dream, not his. She looked away, feeling guilty for having to use him this way. It wasn’t fair to him, but with time so short, she had no other choice.
“Ma has lunch ready. Tell her we’ll be down directly.”
Henry snorted a laugh. “My oldest son isn’t as subtle as he thinks he is. That’s my hint to skedaddle.”
Jenny smiled up at him. He was a sweet, kind man, and very funny. The things he said were almost as strange as Janelle’s odd way with words, and when the two of them got together, well, as Henry often said, they were a hoot. On impulse, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Jackson.”
“It’s Henry, or pa, Jenny. And you’re welcome, but what was that for?”
“For being kind, outside of you Jacksons, kindness has been hard to come by these days.”
He made a gruff sound, as if embarrassed, and gave her another great big fatherly hug. Henry was misty-eyed as he turned to go, slapping a hand on Heath’s shoulder with affection as he passed. Jenny watched him go with a watery smile.
“I love your pa, Heath.”
His smile was soft as he walked toward her. “He’s a good man. I think he’s softened with age and is rather partial to you girls. He wasn’t as easy-going while raising three sons.”
“I can’t imagine him being other than what he is, a very sweet, gentle man.”
“Don’t let the old charmer fool you. In his day, he could wield a mean strap. Raising three rowdy boys, especially one named Lucas Henry Jackson, he had to be stern. If not, we’d have set fire to the barn, broken every stick of furniture in the place with our fighting, and poor ma would have been white-headed with worry before we were raised.” Coming to a stop beside her, he guided her inside his old room with a firm hand at her back. “Let’s have a little talk before lunch.”
She went in and stood by the window, eyes widening when he followed and shut the door behind him. “This isn’t at all proper, Heath.”
“There hasn’t been a whole lot proper between us, sweetheart. That’s what I want to talk to you about.” He sat on the end of the bed and crooked his finger at her. “Come here.”
After one small step, she stopped.
He shook his head. “I think I told you before, I don’t bite.”
“Yes, I remember. That was after—” Thinking better of bringing up that first spanking, she halted mid-sentence.
He reached out, wrapped his long fingers around her wrist, and tugged her close. “I planned to talk about that very thing. As my wife, Jenny, I can’t promise you won’t find yourself over my knee again.”
“But Heath, I’m a grown woman. It’s unheard of.”
“I know you’re a woman, darlin’, despite my previous words to the contrary. However, wives get spanked sometimes and it’s not nearly as uncommon as you think.” Spreading his thighs, which bulged with the muscles beneath his denim pants, he wedged her snugly between them as his hands circled her waist. “Didn’t your pa ever paddle your ma?”
“Of course not, he loved her.”
He tilted his head as he regarded her. “Did he ever take her out to the barn after a disagreement, telling you and Will to stay put?”
There were several times, in fact, as Jenny recalled. Her eyes widened. Surely, papa hadn’t spanked her.
“Ever find her sittin’ on a pillow after one of those trips, later that evening, maybe the following day, or standing up to eat her supper? You ever noticed anything like that?”
Her blush gave her away as usual. It burned hotly because she did remember her mother sitting on a throw pillow from the settee one day while doing some mending. Once, after a trip to the barn, pa had made a point of telling her to sit and eat her supper.
Oh, my! She’d never suspected. The fact that her papa had spanked her mama, and that Heath would be doing the same, and much more to her, had the fiery heat of her embarrassment spreading to her ears.
“I have my answer. Now tell me this, darlin’. Did your ma love your pa?”
“Yes, with her whole heart, I’m sure of it.”
“And your pa, he loved her as much?”
“More.”
“So do you think he would have done anything to hurt her?” Although he asked, he didn’t wait for her answer. “That’s the same for my father with my mother, and will be for me with you. Understand?”
“I suppose, but it doesn’t mean that I like it.”
“A spanking as punishment isn’t meant for you to like, Jenny. It’s given to correct bad behavior and teach a much-needed lesson.”
“What do you mean as punishment? What other reason would there be?”
“Some husbands and wives enjoy, now how should I put this,” he paused to consider his next words, “a little adventurous play in the bedroom, which might result in a wife having a nicely spanked behind, among other fun things.”
“You’re joking. There was nothing fun about that wooden paddle, Heath.”
“That wasn’t meant to be fun, darlin’. That was punishment. As far as the other, we can talk more about that after we’re wed.”
She tried to get up, but he hung on, holding her in place. “I’m not a simpleton. Spanking for fun…it is simply too far-fetched to believe. Although you may see me as childish, and it was most likely true in my naïveté, but I’ve grown up a lot lately. I’ve had to.”
“I know you have, Jenny, and I hate the circumstances that forced that maturity upon you, but as your husband, it will be up to me to help shoulder those burdens and to protect you. Which brings me to my point, I was raised that the husband is the head of the family and I aim for that to continue with us. It worked well enough for my parents, so there’s no reason we can’t make it work too.”
“It worked for my parents too, evidently, though I never knew.”
“It was private for them. Like my parents, who have never come right out and said anything, but living in the same house all those years we all suspected. I think that keeping it between them, shows pa respects ma, and the love that they share, even after all these years.”
“I grew up with love in my family too, Heath.” Pain gripped her heart. “But we’re not the same as my parents or yours. Marrying me is a noble gesture on your part, which I truly appreciate, but you’re doing this out of pity, not out of love for me. I understand that.”
“What makes you think I pity you?”
“I heard you that day, remember? To you, I’m a silly little girl with a crush, an annoying child barely out of the schoolroom with an infatuation. It’s okay to cry off. I’ll talk to Marcus and Jed, one of them will hopefully marry me—”
“I’m not crying off.” He was firm when he interrupted, his hands tightening on her waist. “Moreover, I’ve apologized for my heedless remarks several times. I can’t take back my words, so you need to try to graciously accept my contrition in the spirit it was given.”
That volley found its mark. Here she was extolling how grown up she was, but she was childishly dwelling on an old hurt. “You’re right, of course. I’m sorry for continually throwing it in your face.”
“Let’s move on from that, shall we?”
“Yes.”
“The other thing you need to get past is that you’re marrying me, and that’s that. I don’t want to hear another word about Marcus Ridgefield and Jed Boyd, or any other former beau for that matter.”
“I don’t want you to think that I trapped you, because I was sweet on you. Maybe after a time, we can secure an annulment.” She watched his face tighten at that word and rushed on to make her point. “I’m grateful for what you’re doing, and if I had any other choice—”
“There will be no annulment.” His tone was clipped, his words resolute.
“But you said—”
“I know what I said. I was wrong, and I don’t feel pity for you,” he went on. “In fact, I have a great deal of respect for you, Jenny. Not many women could have handled what you’ve been through in the past few weeks and months. But you did and survived, doing it on your own. You kept the farm running as best you could and cared for your brother. Although I can’t say I agree with your decision to play piano in a saloon—I still can’t believe you did that, by the way—I understand the motivation behind it. If it were me at a young age, having to care for my two younger brothers, I’d have done much the same thing.”
The image of him doing much the same thing, in a gaudy wig and tawdry dress, caught her unaware. Despite the seriousness of their discussion, she snickered. Lord knows it wasn’t an appropriate time for humor, but she couldn’t help it. Whether it stemmed from the stress of her recent hardships or the lack of sleep, her mirth bubbled up. It started out as an unladylike snort, and ended in a full belly laugh.
“What?”
“You,” she sputtered. “Doing much the same… as a painted lady, the image is very funny.”
His eyes tipped toward the ceiling.
“I’d avoid pink though,” she tittered, “with your dark hair and scruffy beard, red would suit you much better.” She lapsed into a fit of uncontrolled hilarity.
“Very funny, Miss Smart Aleck.” He waited patiently until her laughter subsided, his lips ticking up into a smile of his own. “I meant whatever I had to do to keep us together and food on the table. I didn’t mean wearing a bawdy dress when I said much the same.” That had her giggling once more, but less so. “It’s nice to see you smile and hear you laugh.”
That made her blush. He often took her by surprise when he said such sweet things.
“As far as the rest, about being sweet on me, I’m going to have no trouble returning those feelings, Jenny. You’re beautiful, funny, and smart. My family adores you and you’ve already found your way into my pa’s heart. And when you’re not fighting me every step of the way, I enjoy being with you.”
“What about the widow Jeffers? I saw you two together often in town, it’s not fair to you or her.”
“Marion and I were friends, and although we were very close, we were never in love. Losing her husband broke her heart. She never wanted to go through that again and has no plans to remarry. She’s also gone, moved to Cheyenne to care for a sick aunt.”
“So Will was right,” she whispered under her breath. “When?”
“A few weeks ago.”
She wouldn’t have to see her in town and be reminded of what they shared, thank heavens. Relief swept through her, not enough to start eating lemon chiffon cake again, but it was a start. A thought occurred to her.
“You had swearing off marriage in common. Janelle said you vowed to never wed after—”
“Although she thinks she does, Janelle doesn’t know everything. What happened to me was a long time ago. I was young and thought I was in love. When she left me for money, and at the altar no less, I avoided repeating that mistake because it was embarrassing as hell, not because of some unrequited love or other nonsense as Janelle would have you believe.” He dipped his head, catching her eye. “I took measures to keep from losing my bride this time.”
“Yes, as in a personal guard at my door. Was that really necessary?”
He quirked a brow, which spoke volumes; he had expected her to bolt. Of course, she’d done it before, so she didn’t blame him. She didn’t tell him that despite her guilt, she wouldn’t have run, not with Will’s safety up in the air.
“I appreciate this, Heath. I really do. It’s my only real chance to keep Will out of my uncle’s grasp, but I feel like I’m exploiting you. You should be able to wait for your ‘someone special’ and make a love match, like Aaron and Janelle. Now theirs is a love story. We should all be so lucky.”
His sudden bark of laughter startled her. In fact, something she said sent him into peals of laughter so hard that he rolled back on the bed holding his belly. It was her turn to watch him from outside the joke. His eyes were watering before he stopped.
“Jenny, Aaron married Janelle to keep her from going to prison.”
“You are lying!”
“No, sweetheart, I never lie.”
Sitting up, he secured her on his lap. Closer than ever, her bottom perched on one hard thigh with both legs draped over the other, one of his big hands cupped her knees as the other supported her back, his hand curled around her hip.
As she leaned into him, the vibration of his low rumbling voice transferred from his chest to her body. “Didn’t you hear Luke earlier, about getting a shotgun to get Aaron to the altar? He was joking, but it was a near thing. Luke and I had to offer to marry her before he came to his senses.”
Grinning broadly at her surprise, he rubbed his nose along her jaw, which was still dropped open from shock. “Get Janelle to tell you the story. After you hear it, I think you’ll realize that if love can grow out of those rocky beginnings, our path will be easy as pie.”
“Prison!” she breathed in amazement.
“Gosh-a-mighty, she didn’t hear a word after prison,” he murmured much to himself as he dipped his face into her neck. “Let me see if I can convince you that our marriage won’t be a hardship.”
His hand slid beneath her hair, his fingers curling into the thickness at her nape. As her head fell back, the heat of his open mouth seared her throat. He licked and nibbled with incredible slowness, moving up to her jaw and on to her mouth. When he kissed her, she felt a tingling jolt shoot through her.
She’d been kissed before by Heath, one that was soft and gentle, apologetic at the time, but this was so much more. His touch made her skin erupt into goose flesh and her toes curl inside her shoes. His mouth was magical, his lips firm with a hint of moistness as he applied the perfect amount of pressure. It was sublime and she knew she could stay there beneath his lips for an eternity.
A sigh escaped and she breathed into his mouth. In that instant, the kiss changed. What had been beautifully tender turned explosive and demanding, and though she didn’t think it was possible, it got better. Unsatisfied with only her lips, his tongue delved inside, dancing and swirling around her own, creating wonderfully exciting sensations that robbed her of breath and almost all reasoning. He was possessive, but controlled, ever careful of her injured cheek and lip.
When he lifted his head, ending the kiss much too soon, she gazed up at him, panting, as she tried to steady her breathing. With the loss of his lips went the haze of euphoria they had cast. A flash of reality nudged her mind and the feelings of guilt flooded back. She pushed herself upright, her hand flying to her lips.
“I’m a terrible person. I clear forgot about Will.”
“Nonsense,” he murmured, pulling her fingers away and replacing them with his lips, hovering a hairsbreadth above her own. “Constant worry won’t make time move faster. Spooning with me on the other hand is a pleasant distraction.”
Heath’s mouth brushed softly over hers. This kiss was tender, using only his lips, no tongue. It was different, still as exciting, but not nearly as intense.
After several breathless moments, he lifted his mouth a fraction. “It pleases me that I could make you forget for a spell. If necessary, I’ll keep up the kisses nonstop until the train pulls into the Omaha station Wednesday morning and we have your brother with us once more.”
“Wednesday,” she gasped, pulling away. “That’s four days.” The lassitude brought on by his kisses vanished completely. “Why so long?”
“The train to Cheyenne doesn’t leave until morning, then its five hundred miles to Omaha. Fortunately, Aaron has a jump on us and will arrive on their heels Monday afternoon. You can trust him to take care of Will until we get there.”
She nodded although hesitantly. “I trust Aaron completely, but it’s such a long time from now. I don’t know how my nerves will survive the trip.”
“I’ll make it my job to keep you well occupied.” Proving that he could do exactly that, he gave her another openmouthed kiss. This one was different too; slow, deep, and filled with promise. His hands roamed freely along her back, sides, and hips, stirring a now familiar tingling inside her. Their kisses had aroused him too, the hard length pressing against the back of her thigh was the proof.
When he raised his head a good while later, he was as winded as she was. “We better stop before we can’t, darlin’.”
Her stomach growled then and he grinned. “Sounds like kisses need to wait anyway. Ma said you haven’t had anything all day. Let’s go down and get you something to eat.”
“I haven’t felt much like eating.”
“You need a little something to keep up your strength. I don’t know if you’ve ever traveled overnight by train, but it can be grueling.”
“I’ve traveled by rail once, but never overnight in a Pullman car. That’s what you mean, right?”
“Yes, too bad your first experience isn’t under better circumstances. The cars are spacious and quite comfortable. The berths on the other hand, are close quarters, but we can cuddle up close and make do.”
As he nuzzled his face into the side of her neck, her brain locked onto an image of them snuggled together in a tiny berth. It seemed highly improper now, but by tonight, they’d be married. A few words from a preacher and her long-held girlhood dream would come true. She would be Heath Jackson’s wife, and he would claim his husbandly rights. A tingling awareness shot through her as she imagined what all those rights entailed.
“We can take a real wedding trip later on, maybe to Denver. Aaron and Janelle praise the place where they stayed, said it was beautiful and romantic.” He waggled his brows teasingly. “But we don’t have to wait until a honeymoon to partake, sweet darlin’.”
With a jolt, his meaning became plain and her hands flew to her heated face. “You can’t mean to partake on a crowded train car.” She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I mean seriously!”
“We’ll see,” he said with a chuckle, his smile engaging as he copied her eye roll. “You’re starting to sound a lot like Janelle, got some of her mannerisms down pat too. She’s rubbing off, I think.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“No, but she’s been known to get a bee in her bonnet and I hear she spends considerable time over her husband’s knee. I’d be careful what habits you pick up from her, lest you find yourself over your own husband’s knee, considerably.” He patted her behind gently in warning.
“You mean Aaron spanks Janelle?”
“I told you it was more common than you think.”
“Evidently, but I thought these things were private. If you know, Aaron must be telling tales out of school.”
“Don’t fault Aaron. He’s discreet. Janelle tattles on herself more often than not after a paddlin’. I’m the same as Aaron in that regard, so if anyone is the wiser, it will come from you.” After one more kiss, he set her off his lap and stood, taking her hand in his. “We better stop and get you fed.”
She sat through lunch with a perpetual blush on her cheeks, eying first Letty, then Henry, and ending with Janelle. Images popped into her head that she didn’t want there and she turned a scowl on Heath, holding him directly responsible. His only response was to chuckle at her pique as the others gave them both curious glances.
She managed half a roast beef sandwich and a cup of milk, which hardly satisfied Heath. He let it go, however, when she accepted a freshly baked brownie and more milk for dessert. His concern for her was evident and she was beginning to see the benefits of letting someone else take care of her and making some of the decisions for a change.
The last few months had been challenging. Although she had thought of herself as an adult, she’d never had to go it alone. The truth was she had been ill prepared for the transition. Navigating a trip to Omaha without Heath’s support would have been impossible. Exhausted, she decided to hand over the reins to her new husband. She’d gladly let Heath and the rest of his wonderful family share some of her worries for a while.
* * *
Reverend Perkins arrived at five o’clock on the dot and they were married by half past the hour. The guests had left and the family were busily preparing for the trip, when one of the deputies rode up with a telegram from Aaron. Heath scanned it, his eyes cutting to Jenny before he read the message aloud.
Omaha sheriff met with the judge. Stop.
Ordered sheriff to take custody upon arrival—trusted man, don’t worry. Stop.
Will expected Monday, 10 a.m. Stop.
I arrive Monday, 4 p.m. Stop.
Hearing with territorial judge Wednesday 2 p.m. after your arrival. Stop.
“A hearing, that’s good.” Henry stated. “I’ll need to come along as a witness to Eustace’s state of mind.”
“We’ll need to bring Bennett along too.” Heath looked over at Jenny, apology in his eyes. “I hate to, but I need to go, darlin’. Got train tickets to buy and a lawyer to apprise on new developments.”
“I’m coming along too, Heath,” his ma announced. “You’ll need four tickets.”
“Letty, sweetheart, that’s not necessary.”
“It’s absolutely necessary, Henry. My new daughter and nephew might need me.” She inquired of Janelle, “Nephew is correct, isn’t it? I’m not certain.”
Janelle’s brow puckered as she pondered the relation, before shrugging it off with a smile. “Aunt Letty has a nice ring to it. Right or wrong, I’d go with that.”
“I’d appreciate your company, Letty,” Jenny said without hesitation. Looking over at Heath, she questioned, “Unless it’s dangerous. It won’t be, will it? I wouldn’t want to place Letty or anyone else in harm’s way.”
Coming to her, he encircled her waist, his hands squeezing gently as he moved her close for a kiss. “By the time we get there, Aaron will have things well in hand. I promise.”
“I pray that is so.”
“While I’m in town, I’ll stop by the farm to check on things.” Touching his lips to hers briefly, her new husband was out the door not thirty minutes after they’d said ‘I do.’ Hopefully, by Wednesday, when they met with the judge, this would all be over, Will would be home, and the recent upheaval in her life would be only an unpleasant memory. Something struck her, if she had to appear before a judge… oh, dear!
“Heath,” she called after him as she rushed out to the porch. “Wait.” On the bottom step, he turned, tipping his head up to her. “If we’re meeting with a judge, I’ll need my blue dress and my black shoes; both are in my armoire. My rose skirt would travel well too.” She frowned. “Maybe I should come along.”
“Blue dress, rose skirt, black shoes… I’ve got it, Mrs. Jackson.”
Her eyes flew open wide and her trembling hand rose to her mouth.
Heath rushed back up the stairs. “Darlin’, what’s wrong?”
“You called me Mrs. Jackson,” she breathed. “That was the first time. It threw me.”
“I like the sound of it.” Having a bit of privacy, Heath lingered over a kiss, including his clever tongue, which licked along her lower lip before slipping inside. She melted into him as his mouth opened wide over hers and he claimed her. She clung to his shoulders while her toes curled up in her shoes. She wondered if she would ever get used to the heaven she found in Heath’s arms—and the bliss of his mouth.
She whimpered, wanting more. His husky voice murmured, “I need to go, darlin’, before I’m not able to.” Setting her away with great reluctance, he cupped her cheek with his hand. “I’ll be late. Try to get some sleep.” Then he was gone.
She stood on the porch staring at the point she’d last seen him, long after the pounding of hooves had faded and the dust settled in his wake. On her wedding day, one completely unlike what she’d dreamed of as a girl, she fell in love with the man of her dreams a little bit more, if that were possible. With soft words and gentle touches, he’d given her hope that something was there, some seed of caring and affection on his part that might someday grow into more, maybe even love. She prayed it was so, because with the feelings that already burned deep in her heart, the loss of Heath would be devastating.