Chapter Twenty-Six

While Wes was gone, Dickens had bought some hogs and built a pen for them. Wes was surprised at how much work the old man had done around the place. He'd even repaired the roof and put a railing around the porch. It looked as if Dickens was healthier than ever.

But since Black Feather was staying a few days, Wes spent his daytime hours breaking the mustangs. He was very patient with them and the boys, Blue Dog and White Fox watched and helped to break them. Wes saw how good they were and decided to ask Black Feather to stay on.

Since Wes was sharing a bed with Dickens, he suggested they could sleep in the barn since there was a stove out there to keep them warm. They agreed.

Before trying to sell the mustangs, Wes wanted to break as many as he could. The army paid quite well for broken horses that were ready to ride.

Breaking them meant putting the wedding off until they were sold, but Wes had a real surprise for Kate, and he had to get the money to do what he wanted.

Kate didn't seem to mind as they were all getting along famously. Kate taught Black Feather to cook some of his favorite meals and the boys helped Wes with the bronc busting.

Dickens tended all the other stock, the horses and mule, the hogs, and chickens. While Kate planned things for her wedding.

She went over to Annie's and told her about Wes' return and that they were getting married.

"I knew it. I just knew it. Well, we must make you a dress." Annie got excited for her.

"I was hoping you'd help me with it. I mean, I can sew, but making clothes is not my best talent." Kate chuckled.

"Don't you fret, we'll have you a gown that the whole town will envy." Annie promised. "So when did he propose?"

"Almost as soon as he got back." Kate laughed.

"How exciting. And he brought a hundred horses back?"

"Yes, can you believe it. He had some help, but he went into some really rough country. He was gone all winter, but Dickens kept telling me he would return."

"Who helped him?"

"An Indian named Black Feather and his two sons. They are from an Arapaho tribe and they speak English and are helping Wes bust the broncs."

"Indians, oh my."

"Don't fret Annie, they are really nice people and very friendly." Kate told her.

"I haven't even seen an Indian in about ten years now." Annie reflected.

"They come from the higher country and they'll be going back soon." Kate told her.

"You amaze me Kate."

"What do you mean?" Kate asked.

"You adapt to anything. You drug your dead husband from the pasture to the house, alone. You helped Wes pick both of your fields. You took care of Dickens and now you are friends with Indians. And you do it all, without the slightest fear."

Kate thought about what she said, "The only thing that bothered me was dragging Jim to the porch that night. I tried my best to lift him on the Mule that night, but I just couldn't get him up there. And my dress was all bloodied. I finally put a rope around his middle and drug him back to the house. It was a nightmare. I must have scared you witless knocking on your door that night."

"Well, it was shocking. You didn't realize it, but you had blood everywhere."

"I wasn't myself that night."

"I'm sorry we didn't come to the funeral, but we didn't realize you were going to have it the very next day."

"I had to get it over with so I could start picking my corn. Guess that sounds strange too, but I dreaded it so. If Wes hadn't come along when he did, I just don't know what I would have done, Annie."

"Yes, I thought about that too. He was God sent." Annie smiled.

"You like him a lot, don't you?" Kate asked.

"Yes, and my husband does too. Sam says he's one nice fella and has his head on right. I guess I should tell you, but it's wonderful having you close by. Sam and I never could have children, and I kinda feel like your kin to me.""

"That's the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a long time." Kate hugged her. "You know it's funny, but Dickens knew why Wes left. I didn't. You see, he went to prove to himself that he could provide for a wife and family. He said he figured he didn't have anything to offer me before. Now, he's got a business to run."

"I'm so proud for you Kate. I kind of thought that Campbell fella wouldn't be your kind of man."

"Oh, why?" Kat looked at her funny.

"Everyone knows that he wants a real genteel lady. Somehow I put you in a category much different."

"Oh, what was that?"

"You're more the pioneer sort. You have something to do, you do it, no matter how hard. You are too good for Campbell."

"I left the dance early that night. I was so frustrated at how he told me could teach me to be such a lady. And the way he talked about Wes and Dickens made me ill."

"Teach you. Teach you what?"

"How to hold my teacup, where to put my napkin and how to dance." Kate shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"My word, he didn't tell you all that, did he?"

"Oh yes, and I left so mad I wanted to spit." Kate gritted her teeth at the memory.

"The nerve of the man. But he went to school in Boston, it's no wonder. He belongs with those Eastern snobs." Annie told her.

"He'd do better to go back there, to find a wife, I can tell you." Kate chuckled. "Women out here, have no time for such frivolities."

"That's for sure." Annie agreed.

They had some tea and then Annie asked her if she had any ideas on what kind of dress she wanted.

"I just want it soft, and white, and maybe some bell like sleeves and long white gloves. Something simple but eye-catching."

"I'm already getting some ideas with what you just said. I'll draw a pattern up, then we'll check your sizes and I'll start working on it."

"Would you be my maid of honor."

Annie put her hand on her chest and smiled, "Oh, I'd love to!"

"I don’t' have any kin, so I'd appreciate it."

"Who's going to give you away?"

"I'm gonna ask Dickens."

"Perfect, oh, this is going to be the nicest wedding we've had in a long time." Annie screeched with excitement.

"And while we are at it, we'll make you a couple of dresses for the honeymoon."

"Oh, I doubt we'll go anywhere." Kate told her.

"Of course you will, and you'll need them."

"As long as it's not too expensive."

"Don’t you fret, the dresses will be my wedding present to you."

Kate's eyes widened. "Oh Annie, that's too much."

"No it isn't. My aunt owns a dress shop over in Dallas, I'll get her to supply the material."

"Oh, would she do that for you?"

"Heavens yes, Sam and I helped her get set up in that shop. She'll be glad to repay me. I'm so excited for you."

Kate chuckled nervously.

"Did you marry Jim in church?" Annie asked.

"No, we married at a preacher's house, his wife came to witness it for us."

"I see. Well, do you plan on marrying in the church this time?" Annie asked.

"I'd like to. I haven't really talked it over with Wes, but I'm sure he'd want that, too." Kate seemed to be thinking about it."

"You're excited, aren't you?"

"Yes, very. But Annie, I need to talk to you about the wedding night. Jim was so rough with me, he scared me on our wedding night. I don't want to be like that with Wes. Yet, I'm a bit scared."

"Well, honey, the wedding night is usually what the men look forward to. But how does Wes treat you."

"Oh, he's never been rough with me. But he tells me making love is so much different. I can't begin to know what to expect." Kate cried, as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"Annie, I've never made love."

"Never?"

"No, on my wedding night Jim forced himself on me, tearing my dress and he was so rough. After I cried all night, he never touched me again."

"Oh my. Well honey, I don't imagine Wes being that way. If that's what you mean."

"No, it’s not what I mean. I mean, what do I do?"

Annie set her down at the table now and stared into her eyes. "Honey, if a man really loves you, it is the most wonderful thing in the world and you'll want to please him as much as he pleases you, believe me."

"Did Jim just jump on you or something."

"Sorta yeah. All I felt was disgust. I love Wes, I know that, but I want to be a good wife to him too. And I don't know how to please a man like that." Kate got up and paced the room.

"Did Jim kiss you and talk to you and hold you and compliment you."

"Oh no, no not at all. Should he have?"

"Well, no one can be excited unless their partner wants to please them, honey. Some men do just get on and off. But that's not love. That's sex. And what your husband did was sex, too. If Wes loves you, he'll kiss you and excite you to make you want to please him too. And if you love him, you will respond and do the same things to him. Kissing is the beginning, then touching, then mating. Do you understand?"

"I guess." Kate flopped down in the chair. "I'm just so scared I won't please him."

"Do you really love him?"

"Oh yes, I do!" Kate told her.

"Then let nature take it's course and don’t be afraid. It is purely natural. And you'll be his wife. A man usually does really nice things for his wife, before he ever touches her."

"Like what?"

"Compliments you, stares at you endlessly, talks sweet talk to you. Wants to look at you, touch you, kiss you all over."

"Oh my," Kate picked up a napkin on the table and fanned herself. "I never knew what to expect after Jim."

"It will be the most pleasant thing of all, if the two of you really love each other. I can assure you of that. Jim didn't love you and maybe didn't know how to treat you."

"You think Wes will?"

"I'd bet on it."

Kate finally smiled. "Thanks for talking to me about this. I had no one else to turn to, about it. You know you reach a certain age and you figure you should already know everything. But after Jim, I just didn't know what was normal."

"Everyone has to have someone to talk to about it." Annie told her.

"I blamed myself for the way Jim acted. I was scared because he was drunk, and he ripped my clothes."

"You had a right to be afraid."

"Having a drunk husband is as bad as what saloon girls put up with all the time."

"Really?" Kate laughed. "I told Wes when I first met him that I might have to become one to keep my place. I asked him if he'd come to visit me."

"What did he say?"

"He said sure, he come see me, then haul me over his shoulder and carry me out of there."

Annie laughed. "He's a good man, Kate. Don't you worry, if you feel too tense, tell him and he'll find a way to make it better for you."

"He won't think I’m too dumb?"

"No, he'll love it. Men like being the man and if you tell him, he might do some very wonderful things to make it better for you. You won't be having sex, like a saloon girl. You'll be making love with the man you love."

Kate sighed.