The Widows Choice (10 page)

"I made two, the ones you have are threadbare.  But it's up to you when you want to wear them." Charlie looked up to see Rafe watching them from the doorway.

"Looks nice, Joe," he said and older man flushed.

"Your turn," Charlie motioned him over. "Try this on."

She'd already measured Jerrick and made his.  Now she had one cut and basted so Rafe could try it on for size.  "Put it on with care.  I need to pin it."

Moments later she could barely keep herself from sticking a pin into either her finger or Rafe's side as she pulled the fabric together to pin it. 

He was obedient as she told him to hold still with his arms out to the sides.  "There is no need for you to go to all this trouble," he repeated. "I've got three shirts.  Planned to get another pair in town."

"Are you turning down my gift?" She slid him a playful glance.  "Jerrick was much more appreciative."

The movement of his throat when he swallowed took her attention.  "No, ma'am.  I'll certainly will never turn down such a caring gift."

"Good."

She hummed as she pinned and then helped to remove his shirt so not to prick him.  The action seemed so intimate, especially when he stood before her shirtless.  Charlie scrambled for a neutral subject.  "I have to admit the combination of the tincture with the herbs you recommended and eating more red meat have helped me tremendously.  I haven't felt ill in weeks."

He pulled on his shirt.  "I'm glad to hear it." When Rafe neared she waited for what he'd do or say.  His hand engulfed her smaller one.  "Thank you for such a thoughtful gift, Charlie."

After he walked out, for a few moments, Charlie remained standing in the middle of her sewing room with a goofy grin on her face.

––––––––

T
he next night Rafe had another sleepless night.  This time it was different, he didn't feel well.  Just what he didn't need. To get sick.

"Can't say I remember a day that I rose before you," Jerrick nudged at his bunk with his foot.  "You sick or somethin'?"

Rafe stretched and yawned, he found himself not ready to face another day of hard work.  Never one to dawdle, he sat up and swung his legs to the side of the bed.  "Yeah, didn't sleep well at all. Every muscle in my body aches."

"You don't look good," Jerrick observed his head cocked to the side.  "Comin' down with something?"

As the day progressed Rafe felt worse, until he finally gave up and headed back to the bunkhouse where he made a strong cup of coffee and drank it before stripping and climbing back into the bed.  Not a few moments later, he began to shake uncontrollably not able to get warm enough.

"Rafe?" He opened his eyes to find three faces looking down at him.  Charlie's hand on his brow, while Jerrick and Joe watched with matching worried expressions.  "There you are.  How do you feel?"

He opened his mouth to speak only to find it dry as a dustbowl.  The attempt to clear his throat didn't work either.  "How long?" he croaked out.  "What day is it?"

"You've been out of it for two days," Jerrick told him.

He struggled to sit up, not feeling comfortable at laying about in front of them.  Once upright, he scooted back until he sat with his back against the wall.  Relieved to not have to voice how thirsty he was, he accepted the glass of water Charlie pushed into his hand.  He gulped down two additional glasses, each time his hands shaking just enough to annoy him.  "I'll be ready to go back to work tomorrow."

"You will do no such thing," Charlie told him with a scowl.  "You'll need a couple days to recuperate."

It was then he looked around and noticed he was not in the bunkhouse.  The room was unfamiliar, yet he understood it to be in the house.  They must have moved him.  "I feel fine." He attempted a stern look, but knew it fell flat.

"Two days won't hurt," Joe said.  "It's been raining, so we can't do much more right now than see after the horses and such.  It's perfect timing, if you ask me.  The grass will be plentiful for the cattle.  One last good feeding before the buyer arrives in a couple weeks."

Rafe didn't pay any mind to the rest of their conversation, his concentration instead on his body, moving his legs and arms, breathing deeply.  Other than a slight headache and neck stiffness, he felt good.  "I need to wash up, if y'all don't mind?"  He went to stand only to fall back onto the bed when Charlie pressed on his shoulder.

"Go slow.  I'll leave since I'm sure you need privacy.  There'll be a bath ready for you in the kitchen.  I need to go see about my garden since it seems you are well enough to do on your own."

She left and he looked up at Jerrick and Joe.  "I'm fine.  Unless you plan to hold my dick while I piss, I suggest you leave."

It was comical to watch the looks of disgust.  Joe left, his boots clunking on the hardwood floor.  Jerrick lingered.  "I'll be within earshot.  Make sure you make it to the kitchen, then I'll go get some work done."  His friend walked out.

Feeling more human after the day that consisted of sitting in the main room and the afternoon on the porch, Rafe was ravenous by dinnertime. After the meal, he helped Charlie clean up and then sat with her and Joe as they drank coffee.

The rain continued to fall, which made for a cozy setting after Joe excused himself to go to his room on the other end of the house.

Rafe studied Charlie.  She looked tired, dark shadows under her eyes but yet no less beautiful.  "You've been doing too much."  He placed his hand over hers. "I'm sorry I added to your burden."

"Don't be silly.  It’s not like you could help it." Her eyes met his and his chest tightened at how much he wanted her.  Desire ran through him like a hot poker prompting him to clear his throat and look away.

"I'll get my things and go back to the bunkhouse." He leaned over the table and pressed a light kiss onto her lips.  "Thank you for everything."

She cupped his jaw and let out a sigh.  "Won't you stay at least tonight? We can sit by the fire."

Did Charlie have any idea what she asked of him?  It was already monumentally impossible to think of anything else but her. Burying himself into her body until nothing else existed.  Was it love? 

No, he didn't think so.  Although he had never been so infatuated with a woman.  Yes, he'd had lovers who lingered in his mind long after he'd moved on, but something felt different.  With Charlie, he battled every minute, between moving slowly and ravaging her.

"I'll stay." At his reply, she brightened, her lips curving into a wide smile.  "Good.  I need someone's company.  I miss Mary Ellen so."

"Is that what I am?  A replacement for a lady friend to while the hours with?  I can't sew or pin up your hair.  I may be a poor stand in."

The tingle of her laughter filled the room and he wished to bottle it and carry the sound of it with him.

In front of the fire, she sat with her feet curled under her, snuggled against his side.  Both watched the flames in a comfortable silence after discussing random things in the familiar dance of two people getting to know each other.

Rafe tipped her face up to him and took her mouth.  His hunger for her could not be abated.  The longer he remained there, the more he had to fight to keep from stretching her out and laying over her.  She returned his kiss, her hands tugging at his shirt.  He tilted his head to better kiss her, moving his tongue from one side of her lips to the other, tasting her.  She moaned softly when he caressed her side, the sound almost his undoing.

Chests heaving, they pulled apart.  "I could do this all night," Rafe said, and couldn't help kissing her mouth again.  "But it's best we don't.  I can't promise not to drag you to the nearest bed."

Charlie gasped, her mouth falling open.  She swallowed visibly and fell against him.  "I feel the same way."

The crackling of the fire took his attention.  It helped settle him to concentrate on it while caressing her arm.  "What if we get married?"

––––––––

C
harlie moved in a daze the next morning.  Biscuits were in the oven, a mixture of eggs and potatoes cooked on the stovetop.  She waited for Rafe to appear, hoped he did so before the others.

They'd parted ways the night before after his question.  Both agreeing it was best if they slept on it and could think clearer by the next day.  Of course, she'd barely slept, her mind going over the situation.  Yes, she was wildly attracted to Rafe Preston and could see herself falling in love with him.  If anything, she was halfway there already.

But what about him?  Had he asked in a moment of passion?  Would he repeat the words he'd said when returning from town?  This time, it would break her heart.  It would change things.  She'd not continue the relationship as it had been, but return to ranch hand and owner of the ranch.  Professional only.

"You're thinking too much," his strong arms wrapped around her and Rafe pressed a kiss to her temple.  "I haven't changed my mind."

Rafe turned her to face him and his mouth took hers with a raw hunger that had her clinging to his shoulders to keep from collapsing to the floor.  Against his hard chest, she felt protected, taken care of. Safe.  He pulled up and smiled down at her.  "Marry me, Charlotte Kennedy."

"Good morn... Oh." Jerrick stood in the doorway, his mouth open his eyes flicking from her to Rafe.  "I should go?"

Rafe did not release her.  "I just asked Charlie to marry me."

A warm flush filled her and she was sure her face was reddened.  Charlie pushed away from Rafe.  "Please come in and sit.  Breakfast is ready."

"You haven't answered my question," Rafe said taking her hand.

"What question is that?" Joe walked in and stopped in his tracks, his face almost identical to Jerrick's earlier expression, his gaze locked to their connected hands.

Charlie couldn't keep from chuckling.  "Rafe just asked me to marry him."

"It's about damn time.  I'm tired of pretending not to notice how you two make eyes at each other.  It's downright sugary," Joe grumbled and poured a cup of coffee and sat the table.

The three men looked expectantly at Charlie.  She took a deep breath and looked at Rafe.  "Yes, Rafe Preston.  I will marry you."

His lips curved into a sensual smile that made her knees weak and then pressed a chaste kiss to her lips.  "Thank you."

Somehow, she managed to keep steady as she served the men and sat down to breakfast with them.  Thankfully, Joe began to talk of what all needed to be done now that the rain had finally stopped which continued through the meal.

Jerrick and Joe left, while Rafe lingered to help her clean up.  "When do you want to go into town and get married?"  He seemed outwardly calm.  Yet by the eager look in his eyes, he was not going to be put off for long.

"I'll go to town tomorrow and see about arrangements.  Joe is going anyway.  Will next week suit?"

Rafe let out a breath and brought her against him.  "It will be hard to wait.  Yes, that suits me fine."  The feel of his body against hers was hard to resist and she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head upon his chest.

The wedding ceremony was simple, with only Jerrick, Joe, Mrs. Delworth, and the Evingtons in attendance.  Charlie wore a simple beautiful pale yellow dress she'd purchased premade at the seamstress shop.  Lucky for her only a few alterations were needed.  She held a bouquet of black-eyed Susans and daisies Mrs. Evington procured for her.

When she walked into the small church, standing next to Preacher Williams, Rafe took her breath.  Striking in the bright white shirt, gold vest and black jacket, he kept his dark gaze on her as she made her way down the aisle.

It was hard to hear the preacher's words over the hum in her ears and the thumping of her heart against her chest.  They exchanged vows, Rafe in a strong voice that gave her no reason to doubt his wanting to marry her and she in a softer tone, yet she made sure to keep his gaze, silently letting him know how much she cared for him.

Preacher Williams pronounced them husband and wife.  Rafe took her shoulders and kissed her.  It was not chaste, but all consuming and full of promise.  When chuckles surrounded them, her face flamed with a happy flush.

"Time for cake," Mrs. Delworth announced and the small group walked toward her small house next to the apothecary.

They rode back to the ranch with leftover cake and a picnic basket consisting of a casserole Mrs. Evington made, rolls, and pot roast Mrs. Delworth packed for them.  They didn't plan a honeymoon, too much to be done at the ranch.  Instead, they headed home after both Jerrick and Joe informed them, they planned to remain in town for the next couple days.

Her stomach tumbled at the idea she'd finally be with Rafe, as his wife and lover.  Partner for life.  Suddenly a horrible thought reared.  Oh God, what would happened when Winfrow found out?

Charlie looked to Rafe, so handsome next to her in his Sunday finery.  His dark eyes met hers and she forced a smile.  Tomorrow was soon enough to talk about disagreeable things.  Today was their wedding day and she'd enjoy it.

When they arrived at the house, Rafe helped her down from the buggy seat and handed her the basket.  "I'll see about the horse, it won't take me long," he told her, his darkened eyes roaming over her face.  "Are you all right?  You're a bit quiet."

She nodded.  "Just nerves.  You know...about our first night together."  It wasn't true, she very much anticipated their wedding night.  But it would not do to think or talk about Winfrow today.

Once she placed the casserole in the larder, she made her way to her spacious bedroom and undressed, taking her new dress off with care and hanging it up on a hook beside her wardrobe.  She then slipped out of the rest of her clothing and donned a light nightshift.  Once that was completed, she brushed out her hair and climbed into the bed, pulling her blanket up past her chest.  She fidgeted waiting to hear Rafe enter.

Moments later the sound of his footsteps made her heart beat faster and she watched the doorway until he appeared.

He filled the doorframe almost completely, his gaze immediately on her and he smiled.  His lips curving he scanned the room.  He removed his coat, vest, and necktie, then began to unbutton his shirt.