The Widows Choice (14 page)

She lifted her hips and guided him to her entrance then lowered taking him in.  Rafe called out her name fighting with all his will power not to move, but give her all the power over his body.

Charlie took him, drove him crazy with her sweet body.  Every movement brought him closer to the brink, but he held on waiting for her, instinctively knowing this was more about her, about giving her dominance and control.  His wife needed to know she was in charge at the moment, that he would not do more than she asked of him.

And to his shock and amazement, it was the most erotic moment of his life. Surrendering to the beautiful woman gave him a different kind of strength.  The inner kind that burned through him.  A new way to let her know the depth of his love for her.

Her hoarse cry signaling her culmination sent him to his and Rafe joined her in the eruption of sensations as she clung to him, shaking with her release.

*

T
he town was bustling with activity as they arrived late the next morning.  Rafe brought their buggy to a stand in front of the mercantile and climbed down.  He helped Charlie down, the entire time scanning the surroundings.

"Relax, everything is fine." Charlie tapped his shoulder, her eyes meeting his.  "Let's enjoy the day."

At the post office, Charlie mailed a letter to Mary Ellen announcing their marriage and not mentioning the episode with Winfrow.  They went past the apothecary to the mercantile, as Charlie had plans for tea with Mrs. Delworth later.

A blond woman Rafe remembered from an earlier visit walked out of a shop and rushed to Charlie.  "Oh honey, how are you.  Heard what happened.  About the attack and all." She eyed Rafe from head to foot.  "So glad you were able to rescue her."

Charlie pushed at the woman's hands.  "Virginia.  See you're not worse for the wear."

The woman put a hand on her chest.  Although attractive, she had an air of a kind he'd seen many a time.  Wore too much rouge and her hat with a feather on it reminded Rafe of the women who frequented saloons.  "Whatever do you mean?"

"Oh nothing," Charlie shrugged.  "Did you hear about what happened from Dane McKade?"

Virginia's eyes widened.  "No.  I mean, it's all over town, you know with the McKades running off Winfrow's men and all."

"I see." Charlie's cool gaze made the woman fidget.

"Well, I better see about getting some supper started."  The woman walked away.

"Kind of early to be cookin' supper, isn't it?" Rafe asked Charlie who shook her head at the woman's retreating back.

"Depends on what she's cooking."

Men rushed past them towards the jail and Rafe pulled Charlie close.  When a young boy came near, Rafe stopped him.  "What's going on?"

The boy's eyes darted to them and then in the direction the others had gone. "A lynchin'.  They're hanging Winfrow for murderin' someone." The boy darted away, one hand on his hat to keep it from flying off his head.

Charlie gasped and he guided her back to Mrs. Delworth's.  The jingle over the doorway sounding too cheerful at the moment.  The woman looked up and smiled only to somber at their expressions.  She looked to the window. 

"Oh goodness."  She came to them and scowled out the door.  "Heard about the hanging then. Seems several of Winfrow's men felt free to tell the sheriff and the judge about a couple murders on the ranch.  They went out there and found four bodies buried around the property.  The saddest thing."

"My bet is Winfrow had them killed and didn't do it himself," Charlie said with a sad shake to her head.

"Who knows," Mrs. Delworth said with a sigh.  "But with so many witnesses, the man's fate is sealed."

"Can't say I feel sorry for him," Charlie pronounced in a strong voice.  "Many of us suspected he did bad things, but no one ever had the courage to speak up."

"Seems now they did.  Not just a few either."

Rafe was glad to leave Charlie in Mrs. Delworth's shop as he wanted to witness the execution.  Know once and for all, the man would never bother his wife or any other innocent in Colter Valley again.

There weren't many people gathered at the gallows built beside the jailhouse.  Mostly men and a couple women stood waiting Winfrow's fate.  Rafe didn't recognize most of them.  A couple of the men he did, they'd ridden with Winfrow on the first day he'd met him.

Three men stood on the platform.  One who he assumed was the judge, pronounced Winfrow's sentence just as the man was brought out by Sheriff McKade and another.  Winfrow struggled against them, his eyes bulging.  "I didn't kill anybody. They did it!  The cowardly bastards did it and are now coming together to put the blame on me."

They ignored him and dragged him kicking and screaming onto the platform.  A preacher stood before them and said a prayer, which they couldn't hear over Winfrow's screeches.

His feet were bound and they placed a black hood over the now blubbering man's head.  Then the noose was placed and tightened around his neck.

The execution was fast and without preamble. A lever pulled, the man fell through the flooring and only struggled a few moments before stilling.

Rafe stared at the now still figure and considered how Winfrow had wasted his life.  He'd gotten so far, accumulated wealth and land after humble beginnings, yet he'd never stopped thirsting for more.  It was sad to see how the man's life ended after throwing away all his potential in his greed for power over others.

As he made his way down the sidewalk back to the apothecary, the train's whistle sounded.  It headed for Colter Valley, the tracks cutting through the edge of town.  With it more people and new families.  As one life ended, new ones replaced it.

––––––––

"Y
ou're quiet tonight," Charlie told Rafe and pressed a kiss to his temple and settled into the rocker next to his.  They sat on the porch with a cup of coffee.  It was too early for supper yet, the new cook Louisa pronounced it wouldn't be ready in an hour or so and banished them from the kitchen.

Charlie was pleased; the young woman was delightful and a great cook.  Her family had just arrived from Arkansas and she was eager to work and help as much as she could, as they had little to nothing in the way of money or such.  Her father had promptly found employ at the town's mill and her other sister at the seamstress shop. The family had moved in with her mother's sister and husband, but planned to build soon on the same land.

Rafe took her hand and she noticed a faraway look on his face.  It would be some time before she could read all his expressions and guess what he thought.  But at the moment, it was as if something bothered him.

"Is something wrong?"

He looked to his boots for a moment in thought.  "I'm worried about Jerrick all alone out there in his small ranch.  Not sure he's happy."

Her heart swelled with love for him.  Such a caring man under the gruff exterior.  "Maybe we should visit.  I'll talk to him about planning a gathering at his house."

"A gathering?" His brows lowered in confusion.  "To celebrate what?"

"We don't need a reason for a celebration.  It's been a long time since there's been cause to do so around here." Charlie told him with a wide smile.  "His ranch is close enough to town, people can come and go back in the same day."

Her husband seemed to consider it.  "You think they'll come?"

"Of course."  She bit her lip.  Although she'd never planned one, she'd attended a few when married to Daniel and a few since he passed.  With Mrs. Delworth and Mrs. Evington's help, she was sure it would work out fine. She studied her husband again.  "Something else on your mind?"

His chest lifted in fell and she braced herself for what he'd say.  Surely he wasn't unhappy with her.  "We haven't made love since you initiated.  I'm trying to be patient, but not sure I can do so much longer."

Charlie felt her face heat with mortification.  "I'm actually not sure what to say.  Ever since our last night together, I am embarrassed at the way I acted.  I...I am not sure how you felt."

His lips curved.  "Is that what you think? Charlie, that was the most amazing moment for me.  I enjoyed every second of it."

Her eyes rounded.  "Really?"

Her husband leaned over and kissed her ear before whispering in it.  "I can't stop thinking about it."

"Thank God," Charlie exclaimed her body tightening with expectation.

His gaze was warm.  "My heart, body, and soul are all yours, Charlie."

"I miss you so much, Rafe.  Your touch. I wish we could go to bed now."

Rafe laughed. "Once supper is done, I am dragging you to our bed."

Charlie let out a sigh and looked at him.  "I love you so much, Rafe."

"Don't look at me like that.  We won't make supper and the others will know what we're up to." He leaned over and nuzzled her neck just as someone cleared their throat.

Joe attempted a stern expression, but the twinkle in his eyes told otherwise.  "Supper is ready and I'm not in the mood to be waitin' on you two."

Charlie snuggled against a sleeping Rafe.  The outline of the moon was bright through the thin bedroom curtains.  Sated from making love with her husband, she was surprised that sleep evaded.  It was as if she couldn't get enough of him, her eyes devoured the sight of her husband, memorizing every aspect of his face.

As softly as possible she cupped his jaw and pressed a kiss to his pursed lips.  Rafe smacked his lips in sleep and let out a long sigh.  She smiled at how deeply he slumbered.

She thought of Daniel and how often she'd wondered if she'd ever fall in love with him.  Never did she expected a feeling so immense like what she felt for Rafe. 

He was her one and only and soon she hoped they'd have children.  She'd not gotten pregnant with Daniel. Hopefully it was because their lovemaking was sporadic at best.  She'd feigned sleep or not feeling well most nights, not looking forward to the uncomfortable union with him.  But with Rafe, it was different, she was eager, hungry for him.  She had no doubt, they'd have a child next year.

Rafe stretched and opened his eyes. "You're awake."  His sleepy gaze moved from her face to where the blanket fell over her breasts.  "I'm glad."

Charlie gasped when he rolled over her, then she let out a soft moan.

*

T
he gathering at Jerrick's ranch was well attended.  Mrs. Delworth helped Charlie invite several families who lived near the bachelor.  From her seat on the porch, Charlie watched as women watched Jerrick from under their lashes as he carried a bucket of water from the well to fill a small trough for horses.

In total about twenty people gathered for a large meal of roasted pig, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, and assorted pies and breads.

One man played a fiddle while another joined him with a guitar, giving the get-together a festive air.  Everyone fed, most lingered chatting and relaxing under shade trees while the younger children played, no longer shy as when they'd first arrived.

"Thank you for this," Jerrick neared and smiled at her.  He lowered to sit on the steps near her and looked across the way.  "It’s nice to get to know my neighbors."

"I'm glad for it.  I've met people I didn't know as well.  Everyone is having a good time." Charlie tapped her foot in time to the music as she watched Rafe stroll past with a man, both deep in conversation.  "I think Rafe is enjoying getting to know people too."

"Yep." A young woman walked past and blushed prettily when Jerrick tipped his hat at her. 

"It won't be long before you find a suitable wife, I'm willing to bet," Charlie told him and chuckled when he shook his head.  "Don't give me that.  The young girls are competing for your attention today."

He got to his feet and hurried away in the direction Rafe went.  Charlie laughed.

"Why, you're in good spirits," Mrs. Delworth walked out from the house and sat in a chair next to hers.

"Oh, I am," Charlie told her with a bright smile.  "I'm so very happy, Mrs. Delworth.  I can hardly stand it."

In the distance she could spot her lands, the cattle grazing lazily on the plush pastures.  "How can I not be?  I have everything a woman could ask for."

"I agree," Mrs. Delworth said and motioned for a child to come near.  "Run over there and get me a piece of berry pie, Jimmy."  The boy scampered off and Mrs. Delworth turned to the open door.  "Louisa!  Can you bring me the cup of tea I left on the table there?"

She settled back with a satisfied look on her face.  "Now, Charlie.  When do you plan to tell your husband you're in the family way?"

"What?" Charlie sat upright her mouth falling open.  "Why would you think I am?"

"You had to rush out here from the kitchen.  Turned a horrible shade of green. I figured since you are nauseous..." She was interrupted by the arrival of a slice of pie and her tea.

Charlie considered that it had been several weeks since planning the get-together and before that she'd not had her monthly flow.  "Oh my goodness." She placed her hand on her stomach and swallowed.  "I think you may be right, Mrs. Delworth."

"Of course, I am," the older woman said between bites.  "This is a delicious pie.  Almost as good as mine."

Charlie stood and went to find Rafe.  From beside a tree, his gaze met hers and he rushed to her.  "Are you all right?  You look pale."

"I am fine.  As a matter-of-fact, I'm more than well." She beamed up at him and took his hand.  "I think we're going to be parents."

Rafe let out a loud hoot and wrapped his arms around her swinging her in a circle while she giggled and attempted to protest.

Children came running jumping up and down, then circling them pointing and laughing when Rafe kissed her.

Breathless and content, Charlie allowed the wonder of the moment to fill her and she lay her head on her husband's chest.

She'd made the best choice ever when saying yes to Rafe Preston. 

The End

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H
ello, dear reader. Writing is my dream come true. There is nothing I love more than bringing my characters and stories to life and sharing them with you.