Josie: Bride of New Mexico (American Mail-Order Bride 47) (7 page)

Her kisses, her touch, everything about her was amazing. He was anxious to take her in his arms and kiss her some more, but… this was a special woman, his wife. The woman he planned to court every day, every moment possible, for the rest of his life. There was no need to rush. He didn’t want to frighten her away.

He couldn’t help a smile. In his opinion, he’d made very good strides toward warming her up to him. He’d known the courtship would have to come after the wedding in their unconventional relationship, and he’d looked forward to it, but now that he knew more about her, understood the deprivations of her childhood, had enjoyed her kisses, he anticipated the courtship even more.

He could hardly wait to introduce her to the dressmaker who’d joined them for this segment of the journey. But first, he really ought to show her around the car, given it would be their home for the coming week or so. The train swayed gently as it headed south toward Salt Lake City. She’d likely be steady enough on her feet.

He stood and offered her his hand. “May I show you about our temporary residence, Josie?”

She stood, a bit unsteady, and gripped his hand.

“In the front of the car, two small chambers allow for the staff’s privacy. Each contains two berths.”

“Berths?”

“Beds. Small but adequate and comfortable.”

He took her by the arm to steady her and opened a door into the front lavatory. “Facilities for the staff.”

Her eyes rounded at the taps on the sink, and the half-size tub. Cramped, but more than adequate to allow an adult to bathe. At least the size of the tin tub she’d bathed in occasionally at home.

Windows ran the length of this section of the car, with heavy draperies pulled back and secured to allow in daylight and display the scenery. “The draperies can easily be shut if the sunlight is too strong or for privacy when in cities, whenever you wish. All you need do is ask and I’ll gladly shut them, or open. Your choice.”

Several upholstered soft chairs made up a conversation area opposite the dining table. He pointed out the desk secured in a nook. A lamp provided illumination during the dark hours.

He couldn’t resist showing her the stationery he’d prepared just for her.

He opened the drawer and brought out a sheet of cream-colored, textured writing paper, with her name imprinted across the top. Mrs. Adam Taylor. His preference would have been to commission stationery with her monogram or own name, as her letters would be highly personal, but upon accepting the Hadley sisters’ offer, he hadn’t yet know whether Lessie or Josie would become his wife.

Perhaps the next order of stationery supplies would meet his preferences.

“Do you like it?”

“Oh, yes.” She fingered the heavy paper, admired the envelope he offered. “Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”

“You’re welcome.” He didn’t want to resist the urge to touch her with husbandly acknowledgment, so he didn’t. He kissed her brow as if it were commonplace because he wanted it to become just that.

He knew from experience the desk chair was exquisitely comfortable. With both hands upon the leather backrest, he nodded at the drawers. “You’ll find pens of every sort. Pencils, rules, everything you might require.”

“Now, allow me to show you the rest.”

“There’s more?”

He chuckled at her delight. “Of course there is.” He led her around the stout, highly polished bar with taps, bottles of various liquors and crystal glasses. Grandfather had enjoyed the best bourbon and while Adam and Richard drank rarely, they hadn’t had the heart to remove or change the way the private car was stocked.

Adam opened a door. “This is the bunk Richard and I shared when traveling with Grandfather.” He stepped out of the way to allow Josie to see the two beds, one stacked above the other. They remained made up, a nice convenience when traveling with children.

“My parents slept on the sofa.” He indicated the full-size couch near the bar. “The couch folds out to make a bed and draperies are hung on that rod for privacy.”

Josie seemed to take it all in, in awe of the details. “I see the curtain rod— ingenious. But what are those pipes?” She indicated the heating system of pipes that flowed along the baseboards and beneath cabinetry.

“Hot water flows through them for radiant heat. We may need to turn it on while in the mountains or overnight. Do let me know if you’re chilled.”

She smiled— so lovely. He wanted to do all he could to see her smile, often.

“And this is the master suite.” He opened the door and ushered her inside. “It will forever be ‘Grandfather’s bedroom’ in my mind, as until his death, it always was. When we traveled without him, of course, we’d use it. It’s by far and large the most comfortable of all the beds.”

He watched Josie take in the blue damask bedspread, matching decorative pillows piled high at the polished dark wooden headboard, and the complimentary draperies at the windows. A closet made up a segment of the wall separating this compartment from the bar.

“Grandfather did enjoy his conveniences.” Adam opened another door and showed her the lavatory inside. A sink with hot and cold water, and a mirror with good lighting for shaving. “I vaguely remember my grandmother styling her hair before this mirror once when Richard and I traveled with them as children.”

“It’s lovely. All of it.”

“Later, soon, I’ll tell you about my grandparents’ love story. They had one of the greatest loves in the history of the world.”

She must have thought he exaggerated, but this was no fictional tale.

“I’m glad you like it, Josie.” Now seemed the best time to approach the subject he knew he’d have to address before time to retire. “As you’re my wife, I’d like for us to share this chamber, and this bed, for the whole of our journey.”

Chapter Eight

He wanted her in his bed, and he wouldn’t apologize.
Nor did he see the wisdom in sleeping in separate beds.

As if Josie lost her footing, she nearly stumbled and clutched the post on the corner of the bed’s foot board. Her expression registered shock, discomfort, and what he didn’t want to acknowledge as fear.

“But with so many beds… I could sleep in the little room with bunks. No one would have to go to the work to make up the couch.”

“Josie.” He took two shallow steps closer. He didn’t want to frighten her, but he also needed to understand her.

“Wouldn’t you be more comfortable… alone?”

“I’d be more comfortable with you beside me.”

“You’re a large man. You need room. I’d crowd you.”

He took her shoulders in his hands, urged her to look at him. “There is no shame in sharing a bed, Darling. We’re well and truly married.”

“I— I understand that. It’s just—” She winced, looked away, anywhere but at him.

“Yes, Josie?”

“It’s just that I’m…”

He waited, his heart pounding, wanting to see their marriage begin well, but completely out of his element. How could he soothe a likely virginal bride when he’d never attempted the like before?

“I’m not sure what the stewards will think of us…” A blush had stained her cheeks and the curve of her ears. Absolutely charming.

“They’re well aware we married today, before God, fully legal according to the Territorial government. You’re my wife.”

“I know that. I do.”

A most uncomfortable explanation crowded his thoughts. “How
do
you view marital relations?”

“I… I’m not sure. I don’t suppose I’ve viewed them. Ever.”

He shouldn’t laugh. He really shouldn’t. But he did smile. And tipped her chin up with the gentle nudge of his knuckle. “Mrs. Taylor— you’re my wife. The order of things is most unusual, with the marriage coming before the courtship and without an engagement period, but I promise you the courtship has begun.”

The rapid pulse point at her throat thrummed in its haste. He wanted to lean down and press a kiss there.

“I’ve already told you I intend to fall madly, deeply in love with you.”

“Y-yes.”

“You haven’t told me whether you’re hopeful you might one day come to care for me. Do you suppose you will one day love me in return?”

Now his heart raced. Had he pushed her too far? Expecting declarations of affection this early seemed ridiculous. Absurd. Risky.

“I…” Josie trembled. “I
am
hopeful.”

Relief, sweet relief. “Wonderful. After all, I am most sincere regarding every vow I made in the church this afternoon.”

“As am I.”

“Good.” He kissed her lips, a quick, chaste kiss that illustrated his intention to touch her often, kiss her frequently, and ensure she became comfortable around him… eventually.

He’d like to hurry that part along, if he could.

Knowing they were alone, that the well-trained stewards would provide them complete privacy, Adam looked his wife in her dark brown eyes and spoke his heart. “I won’t rush you into consummation, Mrs. Taylor,
Josie—
but I won’t lie and say I don’t mind waiting.”

She seemed to want to respond, so he gave her several long seconds in which to speak. Her breaths came more rapidly, but whatever it was, she didn’t seem able to say it.

He leaned nearer, pressed his forehead to hers, and whispered. “I find you most appealing, and I’m a man with normal appetites. I meant every vow I made in the church this day. I will be a faithful and honorable husband.”

She nodded, the movement jerky.

“Will you allow me to be your husband in truth?”

More nodding, but begrudging, as if she thought she didn’t have a choice.

“Darling, my Josie.” He eased away and brushed a thumb over her cheekbone. “I simply ask. I won’t rush you, just as I cannot rush you in the process of developing love for me.”

“Now, come, let me show you the rest of the car.” Taking her by the hand, led her into the train car hallway once more, against the far wall of windows. The master bedroom took up nearly the full width of the car.

“Here is the family’s bath.” He opened the final interior door and nudged her inside. The room was lit by sunshine streaming through the window and privacy sheers. The curtains were drawn back with ties.

He watched her take in the amenities with eyes that seemed to really see the sink and faucets. Beveled mirror affixed to the wall. A large bath tub, formed to fit a man’s back. A cupboard containing towels. The commode in the corner.

Everything had changed the moment he’d told her he wanted her in his bed.

Her effervescent joy, her nearly uncontrollable excitement about every part of this home-away-from-home had been doused with his revelation.

He could curse himself six ways to Sunday.

Or he could redouble his efforts to court his wife. Surely with enough sweet attention, enough comportment and propriety she’d slowly lose the terrified edge.

Wouldn’t she?

“There’s more.” He walked her into the main corridor, past a cluster of upholstered seats and to the end of the car where a door stood amid a bank of windows. He opened the door and a rush of fresh air snaked inside.

The noise of a train in motion became instantly louder.

She swept the view from her left to right, taking in the full range of all there was to behold, moving by at such a rapid pace.

“Darling, would you like to step out for some air?”

“Ummm… maybe later?”

His perfect opportunity to ensure she knew her choices mattered with him. “Of course.” With an easy grin, he shut the door against the wash of cool air streaming past the car and the clatter of wheels upon iron rails.

With the outside noises muted, he gestured at the car in whole. “What do you think of it?”

“It’s amazing.” She seemed willing to look anywhere but at him. “When I stepped off the train in Ogden today, I thought I’d perhaps never travel by train again. I didn’t know.”

Now she did meet his gaze. Held it, too. “It seems I’ve been more than pleasantly surprised.”

He shared her hesitant smile, thrilled when hers brightened. Oh, yes. He’d see to it she experienced one pleasant surprise after another. They’d move past these few awkward days in their unconventional, untraditional beginning. And soon, everything would be well with them.

“Wonderful.” He stole a quick kiss. “I have a wedding gift for you, Dearest. Come with me. I want to give it to you right now.”

Chapter Nine