A Groom's Promise Read online

“Pa actually said that?”

  “Those weren’t his exact words, but I caught the meaning.”

  “I don’t want to spend the evening dancing with Hugh.”

  “You won’t. I promise. I don’t know what Hugh’s doing, but I’m tired of waiting for him. I want to marry you. You want to marry me, too, right?”

  “Yes, of course, I do.”

  With a nod, he said, “We gave Hugh enough time. It’s time we did our thing.”

  “I agree, Jack. A week is plenty of time to have straightened things out with Pa. We might have rushed things on Monday morning, but we’ve been good since then.”

  “Right. If we don’t do something tonight, who knows how long this will go on?”

  “What do you want to do?” she asked, her heartbeat picking up with nervous excitement. Could he be suggesting marriage? Tonight? This soon?

  “We’ll be in town, and the town is bound to have a preacher. I got that job at O’Mallery’s if I want it, and I have some money to get us started. We can get married tonight and spend the night at one of the rooms at the hotel I saw on my way to the shop last week. We’ll go out to your pa’s tomorrow and tell him we got married. Your pa can’t stop us then.”

  Horses neighed, and she noticed the buckboard that Hugh was pulling up to them. She’d been so focused on what Jack was telling her that she forgot to watch for him. But in that moment, she thought of what her future with Hugh might be like, and she doubted she and Hugh could ever have a deep abiding love like she and Jack would have.

  “Let’s do it,” she told Jack, squeezing his hand. “I don’t want anyone else.”

  Smiling, he squeezed her hand in return. “When we get to the square dance, we’ll slip away from the others and find a preacher who’ll marry us.”

  She nodded, her heart racing with the thrill of knowing before the night was over, she was going to be Mrs. Jack Warren.

  Jack helped her into the buckboard, and soon they were heading for the square dance and the future that waited for them.

  ***

  When Hugh parked the wagon along the busy street, Jack helped Maybell down then asked her, “Will you give me a moment with Hugh?”

  “Sure.” Smiling, she stepped aside and waited on the boardwalk in front of the mercantile.

  Jack walked over to Hugh who was securing the reins to the post. “Do you really want to be with Winifred?”

  “Of course, I do,” he replied. “Jack, I tried to talk to Archie, but every time I did, he’d change the topic or run off to do something else. I think he knows what’s going on. He just doesn’t want to admit it.”

  “Well, that won’t be a problem after tonight.”

  Before Hugh had time to reply, Jack turned and went to Maybell. He didn’t know how it was possible, but she only seemed to get prettier every time he looked at her.

  Reaching for her hand, he asked, “Would you like to get a dance or two in before we find a preacher? I might trip or bump into someone, but I don’t mind if you don’t.”

  She smiled. “As much as I’d love to have a dance with you, I don’t want my pa to stop us.”

  “We’ll find a preacher then.” He scanned the people who were heading to the large building where the square dance was taking place. “You think one will be there?”

  “I’m sure one will be. Most of the people are here this evening. Want me to lead the way?”

  “You know the people around here better than I do, so yes.”

  She did as he wished, but once they were in the large building filled with lots of music and even more people, his steps slowed.

  She must have noticed it since she turned back to him. “What is it? Did you change your mind?”

  “N-no.” He took a deep breath. He’d come this far and accomplished so much—much more than anyone back in Virginia would have thought possible. He could do this. “I’m just nervous. All the p-people.”

  She slipped her arm around his. “Stay close to me. It’ll be alright.”

  With a nod, she continued to lead the way through the crowded room until they came up to a middle-aged man.

  “Evening, Preacher,” she called out, her voice barely heard over the fiddle music and clapping around them.

  He turned to her. “Howdy there, Maybell! You and your pa having a good time?”

  “Pa’s not here yet. He had to finish up with the last of the harvest.”

  “It’s a busy time of year. Some won’t finish until tomorrow.”

  “We’re lucky then since we’re finishing up tonight. This is Jack Warren. He’s working for my pa.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, Jack,” the man said, extending his hand.

  Jack almost said, Nice to meet you, too, but then decided against it. Instead, he settled for a simple, “Evening,” and shook his hand.

  Maybell glanced at Jack, a question in her expression, and he guessed she was wondering if he really wanted to do this. He did. There was no reason he didn’t. She was right for him, and he couldn’t imagine anyone else but her in his life.

  When he offered her a nod, she turned her gaze back to the preacher. “We were wondering if you’d marry us.”

  “I’d be delighted,” he said. “When would you like the wedding?”

  “Is right now too soon?”

  His eyes widened, and after a moment, he grinned. “I don’t see why it would be. Anyone can tell by looking at you two that you’re in love. Did you want to wait for your pa?”

  “Oh, no.” Maybell fidgeted a bit but quickly regained her composure. “I don’t know when he’ll be here. It’s possible he might not even show up tonight, what with all the wheat he still needs to gather together. It’d be easier to do it now, even though he’s not here.”

  “I understand. The important thing is he knows his little girl is happy, and I can see Jack makes you happy. Let me get my wife, and we’ll find a quiet place outside to do this. Wait here.”

  After he disappeared into the crowd, she turned to Jack. “This is it.”

  He smiled. They were really going to do this. They were going to promise themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. “I’m going to love you every day we have together.”

  “I know you will.”

  The preacher returned with his wife, and the four went outside. Jack scanned the people around them, just to be sure Archie hadn’t shown up yet. Fortunately, he wasn’t anywhere in sight. Even so, Jack couldn’t relax until they were in a secluded spot between the post office and doctor’s office.

  “This is so exciting,” his wife said. “I love weddings. They’re just lovely.”

  “I’d rather perform a wedding than a funeral,” he replied. “At least with a wedding, people are happy.”

  Not all people, but Jack chose to keep his thoughts to himself.

  “Go on and hold hands,” the preacher began, “and we’ll get you two lovebirds wedded.”

  Jack and Maybell did as instructed, and the informal ceremony was underway. Jack kept glancing around them, afraid Archie would somehow find them, but fortunately, his fears were for nothing. By the time the preacher pronounced them husband and wife, his heart rate finally slowed to a normal pace.

  “You may now kiss your bride, Jack,” the preacher encouraged.

  Jack’s face warmed at the thought of kissing her in front of others, but he leaned forward and did so.

  “Congratulations, you two,” the preacher said, once again shaking Jack’s hand. “I’ll tell Archie that you two got married when he arrives at the dance. Why don’t you come by my house tomorrow? I’ll give you the marriage license then.” He turned to Maybell. “You know where I live, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do,” she replied.

  After the preacher and his wife congratulated them and headed back to the square dance, Jack breathed a sigh of relief. Good. It was done. Now there was no way Archie could come between them.

  He turned his attention back to her and took her hand in his. “Thank you for choos
ing me. I know you could have had men far better.”

  “There are none better than you, Jack. I knew I wanted to be with you since the day we met.” She kissed him. “I’m where I belong.”

  “Did you want to go to the square dance?”

  “No. I don’t feel like getting into an argument with Pa when he shows up. I want this night to be a good one.”

  “So, do you want to go to the hotel?”

  “That would be best. We can talk to Pa tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “And maybe it’ll give your pa time to get used to the idea of us being together.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Even if it doesn’t, I can work for O’Mallery, and we can find a place in town to rent.”

  “We’ll make it work,” she said. “Together.”

  She was right. They would make it work. Together. With her, nothing was impossible. He led her down the street. When they reached the hotel, the mood was just as festive as it had been at the square dance. Having just married Maybell, Jack had no trouble getting caught up in the excitement. It seemed that this was a good night for everyone. Except for Archie. But this might mean Hugh would finally talk to Archie, thereby freeing himself to marry Winifred.

  All of these thoughts went through his mind as he paid the owner for the night and took the key to his room. It wasn’t until he opened the door that he realized there was more to this than going to sleep. Now that they were married, he’d be able to do more than kiss and hug her.

  He looked over at her as she entered the room, wondering if she might be thinking the same thing.

  “I’ve never been in a hotel before,” she said as she went over to the window, pulled back the curtains, and looked down at the street. “I can see where the square dance is from here.”

  “Do you see your pa?” He asked the question before he had time to think about it. He didn’t want to spend the rest of the evening thinking about Archie, but some morbid curiosity deep within him had to know.

  “No, I don’t see him.”

  He lit the kerosene lamp then set the wick low so it created a dim light in the room. “It’s just as well. I don’t want to know when he finds out. Knowing we’ll have to deal with him tomorrow is enough.”

  “You’re right.” She shut the curtains then went to the bed and sat down, which was exactly where he hoped she’d go. “There’s no use in worrying about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”

  More than happy to join her on the bed, he headed towards her, and in his excitement, he didn’t see the fold in the rug. His foot hit it, and he stumbled forward, only to end up right on top of Maybell who, in turn, fell onto her back.

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “It’s nice to see you’re enthusiastic about being with me tonight.”

  “I-I-I,” he cleared his throat, “didn’t do that on purpose.”

  “I know, but I certainly don’t mind it, do you?”

  “N-no. Of-of course not.”

  She pulled him closer to her and kissed him, eliminating the need for him to speak anymore. Before long, he forgot all about his embarrassment and became aware of the way her body felt beneath his. He’d dreamt of this moment, but it was even better now that it was really happening.

  He wiggled off of her so he was beside her, an action which allowed him to unfasten the buttons of her dress. Despite his eagerness to see her naked, he slowed down since she had made the dress specifically for this night. And in the process, slowing things down allowed him to pause in order to caress her breasts, even choosing to slide his hand over the sheer fabric of her chemise.

  He traced the curve of her breasts. She let out a soft moan then helped him unbutton the rest of the top of her dress. Then he lifted the chemise enough to expose her generous breasts. He couldn’t recall ever seeing a more lovely sight. She was beautifully made. And to think she’d chosen him, out of everyone else, to spend her life with.

  He cupped one of her breasts in his hand, not minding one bit when he noticed he couldn’t hold the entire thing. In fact, it only served to excite him more. She was like a masterpiece, something to be savored, and he fully intended to take his time learning all of her. He lowered his head to brush one of her pink buds with his tongue.

  She let out another light moan, and he stopped, wondering if he’d somehow hurt her. But she put her hand on his back and pulled him closer to her, signaling she wanted him to keep going. Relieved, he did. This time when he brought his tongue to her nipple, he traced it, starting at the edge and working his way in, using circular motions on his way to the center. Then, when he reached it, he placed his mouth over it and gently suckled.

  “Oh, Jack,” she whispered, pleasure hinting in her voice.

  She enjoyed it. That was good. And it encouraged him to keep doing it, especially when she murmured his name. Eager to explore more of her, he brought his hand under the skirt of her dress and lifted it. She widened her legs, making it easier for him to slide his hand up her thighs. Even with the bloomers blocking direct contact with her skin, he was growing more and more excited. In fact, the fabric only served to tease him with hints of what was to come. And her continued moans prompted him to go even higher until he was at the apex.

  His fingers slid across this area, noting the slit in the damp material. Caught up in a mixture of apprehension and anticipation, he dipped into the opening and came in direct contact with her warm flesh. This time he was the one who groaned. Exquisite. Absolutely exquisite. He traced the folds of her flesh. She was wet, so wet in fact, he had no trouble slipping his finger deep into her.

  She cried out his name and lifted her hips to take him in deeper. Oh, she felt heavenly. His penis ached to be in her, but he resisted the urge to settle between her legs and make her his. She was enjoying the way his finger stroked her core. He could tell it by the way she rocked her hips to aid him along. And he wanted to give her pleasure. Above all else, he wanted her to find fulfillment in this act.

  So he slid another finger in and, when she murmured how good it felt, he added another. She was a little tight but not bad. She was slick enough for him to move with ease. More than that, her hips were rocking faster, her core pulling him even deeper. He found a soft spot deep within her that seemed to heighten her pleasure further, if her louder moans could properly indicate her level of enjoyment. And he had no doubt they did.

  He paused for a moment, but only for a moment, so he could lift the skirt of her dress higher. The bloomers hid most of her, but he used his free hand to pull back enough of the opening so he could see more of her.

  “Jack,” she whimpered, lifting her hips once more and gently rocking them.

  Since she had enjoyed the way he suckled her nipple, he wondered if she might enjoy it if he did the same thing on her sensitive nub. He lowered his head and placed his mouth over it and suckled, ever so lightly. Her response to him was much more than he’d hoped for.

  She brought his head closer to her and whispered, “Yes. Oh, Jack, yes.”

  Then he was suckling her sensitive nub and stroking that soft spot deep in her core in earnest. This had to be the most exciting thing that had ever happened to him. It was easy to believe he was the most graceful man at this moment when he was bringing her so much pleasure. In fact, he felt as if he could do anything. Being with her had that affect on him. He wasn’t the awkward, stuttering hick when he was with her. He was a confident man who was deserving of respect. And more than that, she loved him.

  She let out a final cry and grew still. Her core clenched around him, tight at first then lessening with each contraction until she relaxed. He moved his fingers out of her and rose up to kiss her on the mouth.

  “Oh Jack,” she whispered, her breathing still heavy, “that was…that was…”

  He smiled. She looked even more attractive when her face was flushed with the aftereffects of her orgasm. “I know,” he said then kissed her again.

  Ignoring his persistent erection, he removed all
of her clothes and then his. He didn’t want anything between them when he made her his wife. He settled on top of her and kissed her, allowing his tongue to brush hers before he deepened the kiss.

  With a contented sigh, she wrapped her legs around his waist then she put her hands on his arms and pulled him closer to her. The tip of his erection settled over her entrance, and he recalled how warm and soft she was. Finally, he could satisfy his need to be inside her. He angled his hips so his tip dipped into her opening, and he groaned. If this little bit brought him this much pleasure, filling her core completely was going to be his undoing.

  He didn’t want to climax as soon as he entered her, so he forced his mind onto something that would dampen his excitement. Opening his eyes, he looked ahead and saw several nails in the wood in front of him. He counted five of them. Whoever put those in hadn’t done that good of a job.

  “Jack?” Maybell asked, lifting her hips, an action which took him deeper inside her.

  Returning his gaze to hers, he said, “I don’t want to finish too soon. This feels so good. I want it to last.”

  “This won’t be the only time we’ll do it,” she said, wiggling so that he was a little further in.

  With a groan, he gave in and thrust into her so her core surrounded all of him. From there, the rest was a blur. All he could do was feel how exquisite she was, and the driving need for release pushed him to make love to her in earnest. He had been sure he wouldn’t last long, and he was right. He didn’t think he managed more than six thrusts before he couldn’t hold back anymore. Growing taut, he cried out and released his seed, the rush of pleasure engulfing him. Once the intensity of his orgasm subsided, he collapsed in her arms.

  “That was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he murmured when he could catch his breath.

  She giggled and kissed his cheek. “It was the best thing that ever happened to me, too.”

  Once he gathered enough strength, he rolled off of her and gathered her into his arms. He hesitated to ask the question on his mind, but he had to know, especially now that he knew how enjoyable lovemaking was.