Train Station Bride (23 page)
Read Train Station Bride Online
Authors: Holly Bush
Julia was heating water on the stove. “I’ll paint it, Jake. I don’t mind.”
“Oh, no, you won’t, Julia,” Jake said. “You’re expecting, and I won’t have you doing anything more than putting on your stockings.”
“Don’t be silly Jake,” Julia said. She watched her husband’s face. He had the same look as he did when she’d gone out that day to pick corn. He was trying desperately to not shout. Julia smiled. “Fine, Jake. If you don’t want me painting, I won’t paint.”
Julia turned when the door opened. Flossie, Harry, Danny and Millie came in with a whirl of winter wind. Millie ran straight at Julia, and she picked up her niece and swung her around in the air. “I missed you,” Julia said. Danny was smiling up at her and she bent down and kissed his hair. “I missed you, too.”
“We missed our French lessons, Aunt Julia,” Danny said.
“Give your Aunt a minute to catch her breath. She doesn’t even have her coat off,” Flossie said. “Harry saw your wagon coming over the rise, and I couldn’t wait one more second to meet my new niece.”
Flossie held her hands to her face when she looked at Jillian. “Dear Lord! What a little beauty. Your cousins are about dying to meet you. This is Danny, and that one jumping up and down is Millie. Your Uncle Harry’s the one dragging snow in on your mother’s clean floor.”
Jillian laughed.
“Well, what do you think?” Flossie asked. “Do you like it here so far?”
Jillian shrugged. “I don’t know yet. This place is a long way from town. What do you do all day?”
The back door opened again and in came Gloria and Will carrying the baby.
“Joshua,” Julia said. “Let me see him.” Gloria kissed her cheek, and Will handed over the baby. Julia cuddled the newborn and kissed his downy hair. “He’s gotten so big.”
“Where’s my new niece?” Gloria said. She wrapped her arms around Jillian. “We’ve been waiting forever to meet you.”
Jillian submitted to Gloria’s hugs and said a quick yes when asked if she wanted to hold the baby. She was seated at the table with Millie and Danny on each side of her.
“Why don’t you come home with me this afternoon, Jillian? I’ll show you some of the things we do all day. We’ve got to get dinner ready for ten. I could use the help,” Flossie said.
“Ten?” Jillian said.
“I figured I’d cook tonight since your mother wouldn’t have time to get anything started,” Flossie said and leaned close to Jillian. “Millie and Danny are too young, but I’ll bet you’re a big help.”
“I guess I could,” Jillian said. “Mother? Can I go to Aunt Flossie’s? She needs help with dinner.”
Julia nodded. She would cry if she spoke. Jillian had called her Mother. Jake ambled over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
“That’s fine, Jillian,” Jake said. “Your mother and I will be over close to supper time.” Jake looked at Flossie. “Best get going then. The snow’s really coming down. And I want to get home early. I don’t want Julia getting over tired, and Jillian’s got a long day ahead of her tomorrow.”
“What am I doing tomorrow?” Jillian asked.
“Slim picked out a pony for you. You’ve got to see to its stall and food,” Jake said.
Jillian’s eyes lit up. “A pony. Of my own?”
“Can’t have you living in South Dakota and not be able to ride,” Jake said with a smile. “Everybody best get going.”
“Jake!” Julia said.
“We’ll see them in an hour or two,” Jake said.
Harry and Will were snickering. Gloria and Flossie pulled on their coats.
“Bye, Flossie. We’ll be there for supper,” Jake said as he closed the door on his sister with a bang.
“Dear Lord, Jake,” Julia said. “You nearly slammed the door in her face.”
Jake was taking the stairs two at a time, dragging Julia by the hand as he went. He pulled her into their bedroom and kissed her till her knees went weak.
“We haven’t had two minutes alone together,” Jake said as he stripped off his shirt. He wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve got some things to say to you, and I’d prefer to say them when we’re both in bed.”
“Jake!” Julia said with a laugh.
Jake dropped his pants and stepped out of them. He pulled back the sheets and climbed into bed and rolled onto his side. “Get naked for me, darling.”
Jake’s eyes were dark as coal and he watched her every move as she pulled off her jacket and unbuttoned her skirt. She put one foot on the edge of the bed and rolled down her stocking. Jake licked his lips. Julia pulled the ribbon from her hair and dropped the straps of her chemise. She climbed in bed beside her husband.
Jake ran his hand down her side and pulled her hand to his mouth. He kissed her fingertips and touched her face and hair.
“What is it that we’ve got to be naked for you to say, Jake?” Julia asked. She touched the coarse hair and the bulging muscles of his chest.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Julia Shelling,” Jake said. He rolled onto one elbow and loomed over her cupping her cheek with his hand. “I said and did some pretty stupid things over the last month. I hope you can forgive me. I love you, Julia. I’ll always love you.”
Tears rolled down the side of Julia’s face and into her hair. “I don’t ever want to be apart from you or Jillian again. I’m sorry I left without telling you. I love you so very much.” She reached up and kissed her husband’s lips softly. “I love you for making me go to Boston and coming for me there. I love you because you’re the best father a ten-year-old could ever dream of. I’m so glad I married the wrong man.”
Jake rolled onto his back and pulled Julia atop of him. He held the back of her head, kissed her hard and let his loose hand wander up and down the length of her. Jake slid inside her with a groan. “It’s been a while, Mrs. Shelling. I don’t know if I can …”
Julia moaned and ran her hand up the corded muscles of her husband’s arms.
“Whatever suits you is fine with me, Mr. Shelling. Just fine.”
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