Lily settled into the wagon and pulled on her heavy gloves as Caleb climbed in alongside her. Despite the disaster of the last trip into town, she was excited about making this journey. Feeling a bit restless due to cabin fever, it would be nice to see other people.
With her and Caleb having their differences, she’d been reluctant to visit with the ladies at the main house, lest someone begin questioning her. She was sure the other marriages were working out just fine, and she didn’t want to have to share her failure with the others.
She took in a deep breath of the clear mountain air. This morning the sun was shining, a lot of the snow had melted, and Caleb had been quite pleasant since they’d awoken. She’d found herself wrapped around him when the first rays of sunlight appeared through the bedroom window, sprawled over him like a harlot. However, for some reason she didn’t feel like a harlot, more like a wife who was awakening to a new day in the arms of her husband. It had felt good.
Just like last night when he held her in his arms, with no expectations. Her heart had melted at his gesture and she couldn’t help the tears that had dripped from her eyes. She’d been unhappy for so long, it was wonderful to have the comfort of someone’s arms around her. Strong arms that made her feel protected and cherished. Yes, this new day brought her hope.
Since Caleb seemed to be making an attempt, she would give this her best effort and strive not to turn into someone she thoroughly disliked if he so much as glanced at another woman. Although she’d yet to feel she could trust him, it was obvious he was trying to make peace between them.
Before they’d dressed, she’d checked his bandage, and the gash was almost healed. He had said his ribs were merely tender, no longer painful. But the nicest part was how he smiled and thanked her for looking after him.
“You ready, darlin’?” Caleb tucked the plaid wool blanket around the two of them and gave her a warm smile.
Yes, having Caleb in a pleasant mood was very pleasant, indeed.
He spent the entire drive into town answering her questions and pointing out various spots where he and his brothers had played as boys. There were ponds, hills they’d hiked, trees they’d climbed, and enough information for her to know that the Fraser men had a great childhood. Similar to hers, in fact, before her parents died and left her with the care of her younger sister.
Caleb waved to a copse of Aspen trees. “If it was spring or summer, I’d take you on a picnic. There are many places where we could spread out a blanket and enjoy the sunshine, and some of your wonderful fried chicken.”
Oh, if only things could stay like this. If she could trust him. She glanced sideways as he continued to talk, and admired his strong jaw, bright smile, and hair that continuously fell over his forehead. A slight fluttering began in her stomach and moved to her lower parts.
One day soon she would have to allow Caleb his husbandly rights. Based on her body’s eager responses when she’d allowed him some liberties, it was something she looked forward to. However, the fear of discovery of her past indiscretion still caused her to break out in a sweat.
Angel Springs was bustling when she guided their wagon onto the main street. Excitement filled her at the activity. How she’d missed being in town. Her small house had been at the edge of North Grove, so it had been a short walk to the library. The years she’d spent going back and forth as she greeted the store owners and shoppers each day had been pleasant.
Until Fred had run off and left her to face the town and the humiliation that followed. She shivered, remembering the sly looks and conversations that ended when she walked by. The stares, the pitying glances.
“Are you cold, darlin’?”
“Just a bit, perhaps.”
Cold, no. Disturbed by memories? Yes.
“On the left side on the next street is the livery where we can leave the wagon while we get our supplies. The mercantile is a short walk from there. Patience Farmer always has a pot of coffee going on the stove. I’m sure she can rustle up some tea for you to warm up.”
By the time they pulled into the livery, Lily was more than happy to hand the reins over to the man Caleb introduced as Zack Turner, who owned the business. Her arms ached from unused muscles and sitting stiffly to guide the animals.
Despite his injury, Caleb climbed down, then grasped her around her waist and swung her to the floor. The slight paling of his lips told her that had caused him some pain.
“You didn’t have to do that, I could have climbed down.”
Caleb took her arm in his. “Not at all, darlin’. I hope I’m never so feeble that I can’t lift my wife from a wagon.” He winked and she was both surprised and pleased to feel her blush at his attentions. It was almost as if they were courting!
She pulled the brim of her bonnet lower when they left the livery. The sun shone brightly, the rays bouncing off the snow still tucked into corners along the street.
“Caleb!”
They both turned to see a woman hurrying down the boardwalk, the ribbons on her bonnet streaming behind her as she hastened toward them. Lily’s stomach clenched, and she took deep breaths, reminding herself she was not going to let this bother her.
She was a tall woman, almost reaching Caleb’s height. The label ‘pretty’ would not be attached to her, but her face became quite pleasant when she smiled. Caleb pulled Lily closer and smiled at the woman. “Margaret.” He turned toward Lily. “Have you met my wife, Lily?”
Margaret’s face fell. “Your wife? When did you get married?”
“Almost a month ago now. I thought the entire town knew about it.”
“I’ve been away, visiting my grandfather in Kansas.” She looked Lily up and down, and obviously found her wanting.
Caleb’s lips tightened. “I’m sure you and the other ladies in town will do whatever you can to make my wife feel welcomed.”
Lily sucked in a deep breath and had to work to keep the bright smile from her face at his words. Margaret stiffened her shoulders and nodded. “Yes, of course. It was very nice to meet you, Mrs. Fraser.”
“Please, call me Lily.”
Margaret looked from Caleb to Lily and gave them a tight smile. “Well, have a nice day.”
Caleb tugged on the brim of his hat and they continued on their way. Lily glanced at him, but he looked perfectly normal. He didn’t behave as if he’d just made her day a whole lot brighter.
The soft tinkle of a bell greeted them as they entered the mercantile. Lily headed directly to the stove and held her hands over the warmth.
“Howdy, Caleb. I see you brought your wife with you again. How are you getting on, Mrs. Fraser?” Patience Farmer placed the duster she’d been using on the counter and joined them both at the stove.
“Please call me Lily. Every time I hear ‘Mrs. Fraser’ I think of Caleb’s mother.”
“I can sure understand that. And since all you boys married, it seems to me this town is flooded with Mrs. Frasers.”
Lily took a quick peek at Caleb’s face, but if he’d been irritated by Mrs. Farmer’s reference to him and his brothers getting married rather unexpectedly, it didn’t show. What in heaven’s name had come over the man? Whatever it was, she was more than happy to bask in the glow of his change in attitude.
“I imagine you’re right, Patience. There are sure a lot of them now.” He grinned and tugged off his gloves. “I could use a cup of that coffee. Can you fix a cup of tea for Lily? She’s not a coffee drinker.”
“Well, I sure can. You both sit there and warm yourselves while I get the tea. Caleb, you know where the mugs are for your coffee. I guess your mama is excited about the new baby.”
“Baby?” they both said.
“Now don’t tell me you didn’t know that your brother, Gideon’s wife was pregnant before she married him?” She made a tsking sound. “Why, it’s all over town. Such a shame for the poor man to be stuck raising another man’s child.” She leaned in, almost giddy to be spreading bad news. “And Ruby was never married, you know. She lied about that.”
The woman bustled away, speaking over her shoulder. “You just warm yourselves up at the stove and I’ll be right back with your tea.”
Lily and Caleb glanced at each other, eyebrows raised. “Did you know she was expecting?” Caleb asked.
Lily shook her head. “No. Ruby sort of stayed to herself, and she always wore a coat, so it’s not something I noticed.”
Caleb swallowed that bit of news along with the cup of strong coffee. Gideon’s wife was pregnant when she arrived. Ruby had told them she was a widow, but according to Patience, she was not. He couldn’t help but wonder how his brother was dealing with the news of a child on the way and his wife being a fallen woman. The only time he’d spoken to Gideon since the weddings, had been when he saw fit to lecture him about Desiree. He really should go see him. They were brothers, and brothers supported each other.
He watched Lily as she and Patience chatted away. Lily’s expressive face indicated her happiness at the opportunity to visit with another woman. A woman who was the town gossip but at least wasn’t trying to cozy up to him. The guilt at how unhappy Lily had been would have ripped him up if he hadn’t already started to correct that. It was actually sad that just a little bit of kindness on his part had meant so much to her.
This morning when they’d awoken, he’d been pleased to see his wife plastered all over him. Until his erection reminded him that his cock had been out of service for quite a while. Almost a month of celibacy. A record, for sure.
Hopefully, with them getting along better, and with him doing whatever it was he needed to do to have her trust him, that sad situation would be resolved soon.
Nick Farmer, Patience’s husband, joined their little group by the stove. He took his ever present pipe out of his mouth and said, “You want to give me your list? I can get started on it while these women waste their time gossiping.”
Caleb reached into his jacket pocket and produced the list he and Lily had worked on this morning before they left. “Here ya go. And Lily will be wanting to put some things on there for herself.”
Lily stopped in mid-sentence to stare at him. “I will?”
“Sure. I know women like all those scented soaps and lotions and things. Just pick out what you want.”
Good Lord if her eyes weren’t watering again. Had she really seen him as that much of an ogre?
Once Lily had chosen a few items and added them to the pile on the counter, Caleb again took her arm and addressed Nick. “Lily and I are headed to the hotel our noon dinner. My wagon is at the livery if you want to drive it back here and load the stuff.”
“Sure thing, Caleb.”
Lily never stopped talking as they strolled from the mercantile to the hotel, passing other shoppers on the boardwalk. He merely nodded at some folks, and stopped to introduce her to others. Each time he made sure the person knew he was happy to have a wife. In fact, with the way things were going this morning, he had started to believe it himself.
His wife was a pretty woman, with a sparkling personality. In the short walk, he’d discovered that people seemed to take a liking to Lily right away. Her eyes were bright, she couldn’t seem to stop smiling.
And he felt like a worm.
It sure hadn’t taken much to make her happy. This was how he was used to women responding. Thoughts of her thanking him in various naughty ways crossed his mind. He tamped down those visions. First he had to gain her trust. What he was doing so far seemed to be working.
They took seats at a small table near the front window of the dining room. Caleb groaned inwardly when Nancy Fuller sashayed out of the kitchen and headed to their table. “Hi Caleb. There’s a nasty rumor going round town that you got married. I know that can’t possibly be true.” She gave him her familiar sweet smile.
Goddamn, was Lily invisible? Didn’t Nancy see her sitting right here next to him? Now he was starting to get mad at the behavior of these women. You would think with the men outnumbering the women in Colorado that there wouldn’t be so many single ones in Angel Springs. A lot of the women supported themselves with jobs in town since the men all worked the ranches, so he guessed they could be fussy about whom they married.
Funny how he never questioned that before. Just took the availability of all the females as a boon.
“Yes, I did. I’d like to introduce my wife, Lily.”
Based on the look Nancy gave them, meeting Lily was no surprise. She’d known he was married all along. “And here I thought you were saving yourself for me.” She gave a little pout.
“We’d like to order dinner.” He gave her his best smile, but she obviously didn’t care for his refusal to acknowledge her statement.
“What do you want?” She sighed and pulled out a small pad and pencil.
“I’ll have the steak.” He turned to Lily who stared at the menu. “What do you want, honey?”
Nancy placed her hand on her hip. “The fried chicken is good.”
“Not as good as Lily’s,” Caleb said.
Biting her lips to keep from smiling, Lily said, “I’ll take the steak, too.”
Nancy grabbed the menus. “Be right up.”
Lily folded her hands in her lap. “Caleb, what are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Not that I’m unhappy, but you seem very different from the last time we were in town.”
Indeed he was very different. He’d found as the morning went on, he was proud to introduce Lily. He saw the looks in the men’s eyes when they strolled the boardwalk. She was a fine looking woman. If he had to spend the rest of his life with only one, it helped that she was a looker.
But that wasn’t the only appeal Lily held. Once she relaxed, he found her funny, smart, and curious. She’d asked him questions about his childhood all the way on the trip to town. She was interested in what Patience Farmer told her about the town and its people, and enjoyed all the little tidbits he’d added as they passed the stores. Who owned what, and any gossip he knew the ladies enjoyed.
Could it be possible that his decision to begin to act like the gentleman he’d always believed himself to be had been the only thing necessary to make her happy? He thought back to their arguments and realized they’d all stemmed from Lily not feeling wanted.
Well, truth be known, she hadn’t been wanted. But he certainly hadn’t helped by letting her know that. “I meant it when I said we should start over. I don’t like fighting all the time.”
“Me neither.”
He placed his hand over hers. “Good.”
Nancy stood behind them and cleared her throat. “I have your meal.” She slammed the plates down on the table. Lily and Caleb grinned at each other, then tucked into their food.
They finished off their dinner with chocolate ice cream, a real treat. As they left the dining room, Caleb steered her toward the front desk in the hotel.
“Hey, Caleb. Is this the new missus?” Thomas Bartle, who’d manned the desk for as long as Caleb could remember shifted a wad of tobacco from one side of his mouth to the other.
“Lily, I’d like you to meet Thomas Bartle.”
“How do you do, Mrs. Fraser? Leave it to Caleb to get a fine looking woman like yourself.” Thomas grinned at Lily, then turned his attention to Caleb. “So whatcha gonna do about all them ladies you’ve been courtin’? Lots of broken hearts out there.”
Feeling her tense, Caleb placed his hand over Lily’s hand resting on his forearm. “Those days are over, Thomas. Got a wife now.”
“Well, good for you, son. I wish you both the best. You should bring the missus to the dance at the Grange Hall this Saturday. Gonna have a different fiddler. Someone new to town. I hear tell he’ll keep your toes tapping”
He looked at Lily. “Would you want to go to the dance?”
“Oh, I would love to. I haven’t danced in ages.”
“Then we will see you Saturday night, Thomas.” He snapped his fingers. “I wonder if you can do me a favor?”
“Sure. Want a room?” He grinned and winked. Lily’s gasp had Caleb thinking of all the pleasurable things they could do to each other in that room. Not yet.
“No. We’re headed back to the ranch. Do you have an envelope?”
“Sure.” Thomas fumbled under the desk, and after shuffling a few things around, produced a wrinkled envelope. “Here ya go.”
Caleb reached into his pocket and pulled out Desiree’s necklace. He dropped it into the envelope, licked the edge and sealed it. Handing it to Thomas, he said, “Can you see that Desiree at the saloon gets this? I know she comes in to eat once in a while.”
“Sure enough.” He took the envelope and placed it under the counter. “I expect her in tonight, as a matter of fact. She always comes in when the dining room special is fried chicken.”
“Thanks.” Caleb tugged on the brim of his hat and placed his hand on Lily’s lower back, directing her toward the door.
Once they stepped outside, she stopped and looked up at him. “Thank you. You’ve made this a wonderful day for me.”
He touched her soft cheek. “You’re welcome.” He kissed her gently on her forehead. “Let’s go home, Mrs. Fraser.”
She nodded and swiped her eyes.
Lord above, she was crying again.