Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) (11 page)

All Judith could do was blink at his declaration. “Love me more? I feel love by the way you demonstrate it most nights.”

The one shoulder shrug and slight coloring of his cheeks was endearing and she chuckled. “Why, Mr. Montgomery, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you blush.” A warm flush filled her.

“Don’t go expecting me to follow you around declaring my love at every turn,” he kidded. “I’m not one for flowery comments.”

Judith nodded solemnly. “Of course not.”

Without speaking, they continued on what had become a routine. The dishes were rinsed, Bethany taken to their room and they undressed for bed.

When Sean pulled her against him, Judith relaxed into his broad chest wanting to bask in the attention her husband gave. He tipped her face up and pressed his lips over hers as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Hungry for him, needing the assurance that his strength gave, Judith pressed herself against him.

Sean’s roughened hands slid down her body, slipping under her shift and up her bare skin. Each inch he touched immediately came to life. The wonderful tingling that came from anticipation of joining with him made her heart race.

His breaths became faster as he urged her lips apart and delved in, tasting, teasing. Everything forgotten, Judith gave herself over to the sensations.

Clinging to him, she trembled when he cupped her bottom and pushed his hips into her, the hardness of his arousal pressing between her legs.

He guided her to put her right leg over his hip to grant access and he slid into her as both let out a deep moan of satisfaction.

Her body accommodated for his girth and he hesitated long enough to ensure it was not uncomfortable for her. Tenderly at first, he began to move in and out of her until both lost control and all sense of rhythm disappeared.

Release came with such starkness, Judith could only gasp for breath. Lost in a whirlwind of sensations too strong to keep at bay, she flailed under him while Sean continued to seek his own release.

The deep moan in her ear was like a beautiful song and Judith could not help the tear that slid down her face as she clung to him in desperation when a second climax slammed into her.

Continuing to hold each other, Sean kissed her neck as she did the same, the saltiness of his moist skin filling her mouth. Her husband was everything she could ever dream of.

Moments later, she snuggled closer as he snored softly. In the crib, Bethany made a soft sound of waking and Judith waited to see if she’d continue to sleep or not. Whether up with the fussy baby or against her slumbering husband, for the first time in a long time she felt at ease.

The next day, Judith sat outside with Bethany who looked around in awe at birds chirping noisily, darting in and out of a tree next to the house.

Eloise walked up with her youngest by the hand and climbed up the steps to the porch. “I have news.”

Immediately Judith tensed. “What happened?”

“Nothing too horrible in my opinion.” Eloise released her son’s hand and the toddler began exploring the area. “Angela died.”

“So soon?” A coldness gripped her as she wondered how the woman’s life had ended so abruptly. “It’s only been a bit over a month since she left here.”

Eloise nodded and frowned. “Father O’Reilly went to Casper to visit the priest there and learned they’d found her drowned.” Eloise visibly shivered. “How awful. I wonder if she purposely ended her own life.”

“There is no way to know. It’s very sad.” Judith looked toward the stables. “Does Sean know?”

“I’m not sure if Patrick has told him yet. I’m sure he will speak to him. The only reason I know is because I went to get some flour earlier this morning and I bumped into him at the mercantile.”

Judith hoped the priest was the one to break the news to Sean. In spite of everything, Angela had given birth to Bethany. She was the mother of his only child. “No one deserves to die alone like that.”

“I don’t agree,” Eloise replied. “The woman was not a good person.”

“True, she was not.”

Chapter Fourteen

The sun’s rays streamed between the trees lighting the ground. Judith sat with a blanket around her shoulders and watched Bethany toddle across the porch. In her hand was a letter from her dear friend, Alice.

My Dear Judith,

I’m writing to you on Christmas Day and it’s a most wonderful holiday for me. I can only hope the same is true for you and that you’ve found happiness with your pastor. I’m happy to report that my marriage to James Martel has taken a turn for the better. While it began under a false pretense, and there was much concern as to his motives, I now rest assured in his high regard and love. I was forced to engage with my stepfather despite my every effort in believing that I wouldn’t have to, but you’ll be pleased to know that I’ve inherited a fishing company thanks to the foresight of my mother. I come to my marriage an equal partner and I can continue the legacy of not only my father, but James’ as well.

I miss you and the other girls dearly and I pray that each of you has found joy and prosperity in your new situations.

Yours Affectionately,

Alice

It seemed she’d had found true love and Judith was glad for it. Not only had she’d also found love, but also the one thing she’d never had. A family.

Along with Sean and Bethany, she’d gained a sister in Eloise and extended family with her new nieces and nephews. Good family friends, the Browns often came to supper and now as they all gathered to celebrate Bethany’s first birthday, it was a bigger gift to Judith to have so many people she’d grown to love in attendance.

Sean stood with his nephews at the creek teaching them to shoot with a slingshot, while Eloise’s husband and Martin Brown stood over a fire cooking a wild boar a short distance from them.

“You’re deep in thought,” Eloise lowered to the rocker next to hers. “It sure is a beautiful winter day. Everyone must think we’re crazing for being outside though.”

“I don’t know about you two, but it’s a nice break from remaining indoors,” Lorna added.

Judith smiled. “It’s perfectly wonderful.” She looked to Eloise. “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have found all of you. When I came here, I was alone, with no one to count on for support. You and Lorna immediately became my guardian angels. The family I never had.”

Sniffing to keep from blubbering, Judith giggled. “I don’t know why I’m so emotional of late. One minute I’m laughing and the next I cry over the silliest thing.”

“Could you be in the family way?” Eloise gave her a knowing look, her gaze dipping to Judith’s still flat stomach. “When was the last time you had your flux?”

Her eyes threatened to pop out of their sockets as Judith opened her mouth and then closed it not sure what to say. “I don’t remember to be honest. I’ve been so busy.”

Lorna chuckled. “How about any nausea or dizzy spells?”

Judith shook her head. “Not that I can tell. I feel better than ever, well, except for the moodiness. Last night at dinner when Sean praised my cooking, I cried like a baby. He wasn’t sure whether to apologize or feel pleased.”

The women laughed. Eloise and Lorna continued asking her questions regarding her physical being until they all seemed satisfied with the determination that she was, indeed, expecting.

Once Judith thought about it, she realized it had been almost two months since her last monthly flow. “Oh, my goodness.” She looked to where Sean stood and almost as if feeling her regard, he turned to her.

Immediately warmth enveloped her and she flushed.

“You two are certainly in love,” Lorna said with a wide smile. “He is enamored with you.”

“Very true,” Eloise added. “They can’t keep from looking to one another. A bit sickening at times.” She shook her head.

Judith laughed. “It’s not that bad.”

Eloise’s soft smile told she agreed. “You’re right. I am so very happy for Sean. He’s always been such a good man and brother. Deserves to be happy.”

It took Judith by surprise when Sean tapped her shoulder and extended his hand. “I am stealing my wife for a short walk if you ladies don’t mind.”

“Of course we don’t,” Lorna replied giving Judith a knowing look.

Sean wondered why the women all exchanged conspiring looks when he’d neared to ask his wife to take a walk with him. He’d spied a family of rabbits he knew Judith would love to watch and planned to walk with her. Nothing pleased him more than to see her excited over the smallest of things. From her, he learned to appreciate the beauty he’d otherwise not notice. Just like the moment seeing the rabbits in a thicket had taken his attention where before he would have ignored it.

“Oh, my,” Judith said breathlessly already kneeling to admire the rabbits, who scurried away. “How beautiful they are!” She smiled brightly at him. “I hope they are warm enough.”

She took his hand and tugged him down to sit beside her. “I have something to tell you.” Her fingers tightened on his hand sending alarm immediately through him.

“Is something wrong?”

Judith laughed. “We have to stop thinking something is wrong when someone has news. I caught myself doing the same thing when Lorna announced she had a surprise for me.” She hesitated. “It was a new bolt of beautiful fabric.”

Sean relaxed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. His lips lingered on her temple and she closed her eyes soaking in his attentions.

“I hope you never stop being so wonderful. Especially when I grow round.”

His chuckle rumbled deep. “I will love you when you are plump if that happens.”

“Oh, it will,” Judith said with conviction and he looked to her with a curious expression. “In the next few months.”

Sean wasn’t sure why she predicted the weight gain, but instead of trying to figure out how women thought, he went along with it. “Very good. Do you want me to help you gather some flowers before we go back to the group?”

Judith didn’t move. She kept her head bowed. “You haven’t asked me what I want to tell you.”

He scrambled to remember what she’d said earlier. Not quite knowing what to expect, he took her hand and looked into her beautiful, shining eyes. “Tell me.”

When she swallowed visibly, he did his best not to fret. “Well, I suspect…I’m pretty sure I’m expecting.”

“Go on.”

“With what?”

This was not going well, he could see it by the way her brows came together in a frown. “With what you are going to tell me.”

“I did.” Judith pushed away, both hands flat on his chest. “Did you not hear me? I’m expecting.”

He forced himself to be patient. “Dearest. What exactly are you expecting?”

Her mouth fell open and he waited for her to snap at him. Instead, she began laughing. Mirth-filled eyes met his and she burst into guffaws. When she tried to talk, once again laughter would take over until he, too, joined in, unable to resist.

Finally, she stopped laughing and wiped at tears that threatened to spill. “You are so adorable.” She kissed him then and he wished they were alone so he could take advantage of the wonderful curves that now leaned against him.

“I’m sorry if I don’t understand what you’re saying,” he told her and pressed another kiss to her lips.

“Sean,” she looked into his eyes. “In seven months, we will have a brother or sister for Bethany. I’m expecting a baby.”

His eyes rounded and all the blood drained from his face. His heart thudded against his chest as he tried to remember how to breathe. “A baby?”

“Yes,” Judith said softly, her face flushed. “I’m so happy.”

Sean wrapped his arms around her and let out a long breath. “You just made me the happiest man alive.”

In the end, things had worked out for them. From the loss of her family and everything she knew back in Massachusetts to Sean’s journey of having to raise a child alone. They’d come together in the most unconventional way, but in Judith’s estimation, it was all a perfect plan for what they had now.

The End

About the Series

Judith, Bride of Wyoming
, is book number forty-four in the unprecedented 50-book American Mail-Order Brides Series. There are forty-five authors involved in this project. I hope you will pick up each book and enjoy.

If you enjoyed reading this book there are 49 more in the series! Find out about the rest of the American Mail-Order Brides here,
http://www.newwesternromance.com

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading
Judith, Bride of Wyoming
. I hope you enjoyed it. If you were curious about the two men who stopped at the mercantile, they are US Marshals, whose story begins in the book
Beneath a Silver Sky
. I believe you’ll love it. It’s a great book featuring the Scot, Brogan Hage.

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Hildie McQueen

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