Meant To Be Read online

  He chuckled and picked up the basket. “I wish I’d been there to see it.”

  She strolled with him toward the house. “It’s probably better you didn’t. I’m sure Esther wouldn’t want anyone to find out she knows a couple of colorful words.”

  “Esther cussed?”

  “To be fair, her dress did catch fire.”

  Once his laughter died down, he asked, “Do you forgive me for letting you spend a week in prison?”

  She stepped onto the porch and petted the dog. “I guess so. Are you going to do that again?”

  “No. I promise.”

  “Okay.”

  He opened the door for her. “Ladies first.”

  She entered the house with Buddy at her feet. “I do admit that I like this part of living in the past. It’s too bad men in our time didn’t open doors for women.”

  He grinned and went into the house, letting the screen door shut behind him. “Me too. If you ask me, the men in the future are missing out.”

  “On treating women with respect?”

  “No. On watching them walk.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “You have a lovely backside.”

  Her jaw dropped as he walked past her and went into the kitchen. Well, maybe men weren’t such gentlemen in 1898 after all.

  ***

  Megan couldn’t believe it. An hour later, Ted hooked up the horses to the wagon.

  “You’re actually going to the potluck and dance without me?”

  He clapped his hands together and turned from the wagon. “Yep.” Then he strode to the well.

  “Why?” she asked, following him.

  “Because I refuse to sit out the rest of my life. I plan to enjoy the time I have.”

  “But you can’t show up without me.”

  He washed his hands. “Why not?”

  “Because I’m your wife. It wouldn’t look right.”

  “Fine. Then come along. Stop hiding in the shadows all the time.” He walked over to her and patted her arm. “Live.”

  She glanced at her shorts. “I’d have to change.”

  “Then change. I’ll wait.”

  She bit her lower lip. Did she dare? “Are Esther and Miriam going to be there?”

  “Yes, but Miriam’s going with Richie.”

  She blinked in surprise. “Richie?”

  “Yes, Richie. As it turns out, after you ran into Mrs. Baxter’s porch, they stayed to talk to Mrs. Baxter to calm her down, and the woman invited them for supper. She made a comment about them being a nice looking couple, and they decided she was right.”

  Megan closed her eyes and groaned. “I’ve changed the future.”

  He shot her a pointed look. “You did nothing of the sort. Richie’s been in love with Miriam since she first went to that barn dance. It’s about time he got the courage to do something about it.” He finished and went to the barn.

  She followed him. “Don’t you see? If I hadn’t run into Mrs. Baxter’s house, this wouldn’t have happened. This wasn’t meant to be.”

  “Are you suggesting that they shouldn’t be together?” he asked as he closed the stall doors.

  “If they were, then it should have happened without me. We’re dangerous, Ted!”

  “You might be dangerous, but I’m not. I’m not the one going around causing trouble.”

  She felt sick again. What if Miriam wasn’t supposed to be with Richie? What if she was supposed to be alone? Or with someone else? And just how long could she resist her desire for Ted? She knew he wanted to be with her, and God help her but she wanted to be with him too.

  “We have to get an annulment, Ted.”

  His amused expression turned dark. He stormed over to her. Startled, she stepped back, but he took her in his arms. “I’m tired of hearing this. We are not getting an annulment, and you can’t keep on imprisoning yourself. You have to enjoy life while you have it. And I want to enjoy my life with you. Do you want to be with me?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I want. I can’t fight temptation with my hand in the cookie jar.” She realized her mistake too late. Now he knew the truth!

  She wanted to retreat and hide in her bed, but he kissed her and all thoughts of fleeing departed from her mind. Oh how she’d longed for this!

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his, relishing in the solid feel of him. His body was so different from hers, and she liked it. Everything about him screamed male. The stubble on his face, the strength in his arms, the broad shoulders, and that male part of him that clued her into just how much he wanted her. She liked all of it. She moaned and ran her fingers through the hair at the base of his neck. He removed his hat, granting her better access to his silky brown strands.

  His mouth left hers and traveled down her neck. She tilted her head back. Though she felt weak in the knees, he supported her so she could remain standing. This was wrong. She shouldn’t be doing this. She knew where it was leading. But for the life of her, she couldn’t remember why this was a bad idea. All she could do was feel. Feel the way her skin tingled where he kissed her. Feel the way her nipples hardened as her arousal increased. She opened her eyes, trying to get her brain back into gear, but then he brought his mouth to hers and she gave in to the thrill of the moment.

  She’d been kissed before, but this was different. It communicated a passion that none of the others had. He wanted her. He didn’t just want sex. He wanted all of her. And she loved him for that. Her carefully concealed feelings came rushing out. She parted her lips and he accepted her invitation. His tongue brushed hers ever so lightly, as if asking for her permission to do this. She moaned and encouraged him to continue. She’d spent her entire life waiting for this moment, and she couldn’t think of anyone better to do it with than Ted.

  He pulled back from her, his breathing heavy, and he started to unbutton his shirt.

  “Maybe we should do this in the house,” she suggested, glancing uneasily at the floor. There really wasn’t a clean spot to make love on.

  “I don’t want you to change your mind,” he said, tossing his shirt aside. He reached for her and kissed her again.

  Now this was ridiculous! She refused to have sex in the barn…at least for her first time. She turned her head and tried to ignore the way his hands cupped her bottom which made her ache for him even more.

  “Ted, I can’t do it out here.”

  “But I don’t want to lose the moment,” he mumbled into her neck.

  “You won’t. Really, if you want to lose the moment, then this is the best way to do it.”

  He groaned as if he was in pain but lifted her up in his arms and carried her to the house. Had she not been with him, she wouldn’t have believed a man could move so fast. As he carried her up the stairs, he said, “You can’t change your mind. You promised.”

  She grinned. “Will it kill you if I do change my mind?”

  “Yes.”

  She blinked at his serious tone. For goodness sakes. She knew that was a lie, but she was flattered that he needed her with the kind of intensity that demanded immediate satisfaction. He reached her bedroom and set her on her feet. Then he kissed her again, in an apparent attempt to get her fully back in the mood.

  She couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

  He frowned at her. “What? Is my technique wrong?”

  “No. It’s just that you’re acting like a horny teenager.”

  He shrugged and pulled her shirt over her head. “That’s how I’m feeling. You’ve been parading around here with that shirt and these shorts. What did you expect?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with my clothes,” she insisted while he slid her shorts and underwear off. She flushed at the warmth of his hands on her bare skin. Suddenly, she didn’t feel like laughing anymore.

  “Take your bra off, honey. There’s no way I can figure that thing out.”

  The order should have offended her. Had he done it at any other time, she would have been properly annoyed, but in this case,
it excited her. She obeyed while he took his pants off.

  As soon as they were both naked, he practically threw her on the bed and kissed her again. His hands were everywhere, caressing every inch of her body, exploring regions that no one had touched before. Even with the hint of impatience in his movements, he remained gentle. He fondled her breasts, something she found particularly delightful. Then he reached between her legs and she spread them, her body screaming for him to keep going.

  Somewhere, in the back of her mind, something was warning her to stop. It was the same nagging voice she’d heard in the barn, but it got muffled beneath her moans and pleas for Ted to continue. She was beyond sense or reason.

  When he stopped, she grabbed his hand. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to enter you,” he said, as if he was surprised that he had to explain it to her.

  “No. Not yet.” She brought his hand back to where it had been. “Please, don’t stop.”

  Understanding lit his eyes and he resumed his stroking, letting her lead him until she climaxed. As her body was still enjoying the bliss he’d given her, she encouraged him to enter her, wanting to feel him inside her. The initial pressure from his arousal caused her slight discomfort, so she adjusted her hips and raised them to better accommodate his entry. He eased into her, the sensation creating a slight pain but mostly, it brought her pleasure. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he groaned. He managed several thrusts before he released his seed into her. Afterward, he settled onto her and she embraced him. They remained in each other’s arms for a good minute before he spoke.

  “I thought it was going to last longer than that.”

  She gave him a knowing grin. “Kind of makes it seem like a waste of time, doesn’t it?”

  “Hush your tongue. Next time, it’ll be longer. I just needed to get that first time out of my system.”

  “I’m not complaining. I had fun.”

  He brushed her lips with his in a lingering kiss when the door downstairs opened.

  “Is anyone here?” someone called out.

  Ted quickly jumped out of the bed, yelled out, “I’ll be there in a minute!” and shut the door. Then he picked up his boxers and pants and hopped into them.

  “Well, hurry up. If we’re late, then all the good food will be gone,” Richie shouted from the parlor.

  “What is he doing here?” Megan asked as she ran to her wardrobe to find a suitable dress to wear.

  “I don’t know.”

  She decided to wear the pink dress. “I’m going to need a few minutes to get ready.”

  “Okay. We’ll be waiting.” He quickly left, shutting the door behind him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Ted made his way down the steps, buttoning the shirt he’d found in his room. He saw that Richie was in the parlor, thumbing through a book. “Nice of you to knock.”

  Richie glanced up at him. “I did knock. If your dog hadn’t been out in the fields doing who knows what, he would’ve let you know I was here.”

  He figured that Richie was telling the truth. He doubted that he would have heard Richie while he was in Megan’s bedroom. He took a good look at his friend. “You didn’t hear anything up there, did you?”

  He raised his eyebrows and gave an innocent shrug. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Ted didn’t believe him, and he supposed he should’ve been embarrassed, except now Richie had proof that Ted and Megan had indeed consummated the marriage and now Richie and the other farmhands could leave him alone about it. Even so, he made a mental note to lock the front door in the future.

  Deciding to change topics, Ted asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be taking Miriam tonight?”

  He placed the book back on the small bookshelf. “I am. She had to take care of some personal business in the privy. She’ll be here soon. She wanted to stop by and see if Megan’s coming.”

  “She’s coming.” Ted moved the curtain and looked out the window. “What are Esther and Aaron doing in the backseat of your wagon?”

  “Oh. Esther insisted on chaperoning. She said that until I marry her sister, I have no right to be alone with her.”

  “And you brought everyone here?”

  “Miriam really wanted to see Megan. She hasn’t seen Megan for awhile and wants to talk to her. Do you mind riding in my wagon with me, Esther and Aaron while Miriam takes your wagon over there?”

  Ted grimaced at the thought of being around Aaron, but he knew that Megan missed Miriam and Esther’s visits so he’d deal with the overbearing marshal. “Alright.”

  “Good.”

  Footsteps alerted him to Megan’s entrance in the parlor, and he smiled at the sight of her. She wore her hair back, and her pink dress made her cheeks rosy. Of course, she could still be flushed from their activity upstairs. He rather liked that reasoning better. She finally belonged to him, and all the annulment talk and hiding herself from the world would come to an end.

  “You’re beautiful,” he told her.

  She smiled shyly at him. “Thanks.”

  “Miriam’s anxious to see you. Do you mind riding with her in our wagon? I was thinking of going with Richie and the marshal and Esther.”

  “Why don’t you ever call him Aaron?”

  “Because he’s not a friend.”

  “Aaron’s a good guy,” Richie said.

  “He’s an intimidating one,” Ted corrected as he peeked out the window where Esther rambled on to her husband who looked bored. Even when he was bored, he had a scowl on his face.

  Megan tapped Ted on the arm.

  He turned to her. “What?”

  “I was just saying that I’ll miss you.”

  He grinned. “We’ll be following you.”

  She shrugged. “I know, but it’ll be nice to dance with you.” She left the house just as Miriam climbed the porch steps.

  “It’s nice to see things are as they should be,” Richie commented.

  “Yes,” Ted agreed. “We’re getting along great.”

  “I know. I heard.”

  He frowned at him. “You better watch yourself, Richie. I’ll start setting traps around this house in case you decide to come in uninvited again. If I’d been expecting you, I guarantee you that you wouldn’t have been able to barge in.”

  “Look, I’m happy for you.” He walked out of the house with Ted. “I worried that things weren’t going to work out, but now that things are as they should be, I can relax.”

  Ted shook his head, wondering why his friend chose to worry about things that had nothing to do with him. He shut the door and went down the steps. “You’re strange.” He glanced over at his wagon and stopped when he saw Megan fiddling with the brake. “What are you doing?” he asked as he ran over to her.

  Megan and Miriam looked up from where they sat in the wagon.

  “Miriam’s just showing me how to use the brake,” Megan replied.

  “You’re not driving this thing, are you?”

  “Really, Ted. Do you think I’m that stupid? I’m not going to drive a wagon until I learn how. Miriam’s giving me my first lesson.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “I don’t know. It’s not as easy as a car. I mean, the horses have a mind of their own.”

  “You don’t think I can do it?”

  “Well, maybe with lots of lessons and lots of practice.”

  “I look forward to being instructed.” She winked at him.

  He blinked, wondering if there was a double meaning in that statement.

  Miriam smiled and looked at Ted and Megan. “It’s nice to see that you two worked things out.”

  “Yeah,” he began, nodding, “it’s amazing what happens when a husband sticks his wife in prison.”

  Megan rolled her eyes.

  “What’s this?” Miriam reached under the seat and pulled out Ted’s jacket. “Oh! I remember this. You had it on when you came to town.”

  “I forgot I put it there after the cool morning
in June,” Ted remarked, surprised that it was dry after the rainstorms the wagon had been through, but it had been protected by the seat.

  Miriam read the letters on the back of the blue polyester jacket. “What does JIC stand for?”

  “Jacob Innovative Creations,” Megan replied.

  “Jacob? That’s your last name,” Miriam said. “Did your family own the business?”

  Ted never thought he’d have to answer this question here, in the past, of all places. “No. It was another Jacob.”

  “Oh. So, what is it?” Miriam asked.

  “A place that made inventions for things that people used around their homes,” Megan said. “The company pretty much gobbled up its competitors.”

  “That’s because the company knew how to treat their customers right,” Ted said. “The employees were treated well too.”

  Megan smiled in amusement. “You sound like one of the commercials I saw on TV.”

  “TV?” Miriam asked, looking back and forth between them.

  “Uh…It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.” Megan quickly took the jacket and shoved it back under the seat. “We should get going.”

  Relieved, Ted agreed and went to the buckboard where Esther was still rambling on. Aaron yawned. When Ted realized she talked about different herbs to plant in the garden for the following year, he couldn’t help but smile. That’s why the marshal looked like he was in pain. It was a small justice for all the snickering Ted had endured from the marshal, but he’d take whatever he could get.

  ***

  Cole stood behind a group of trees clustered around the barn. He couldn’t make out everything the six people said, but he watched them anyway. As they rode off the property, his eyes drifted to the time travel device in his hand. There was no doubt about it. The chip was in the wagon with the two women. He had no choice but to follow them. He walked to the horse he hid behind the barn and hopped up on it. Had it not been for Penelope’s horses, he wouldn’t have learned how to ride a steed.

  His hands tightened on the reins, and he swallowed the bitter lump in his throat. Regret stabbed him with a force that threatened to take his breath away. He had to leave her. He didn’t deserve her. He was a liar and a thief. She could do better. She would do better. Surely, any man worthy of her would be smart enough to marry her. He clenched his teeth, cursing the lucky jerk who managed to win her affections. She’d spend the rest of her life smiling at him, tending to his wounds, taking care of him, loving him…