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Mrs. Belford crossed herself and mumbled something. Mr. Belford looked angry as he attacked his beans.

I’d prefer to be back on the stagecoach being held up by the outlaws.

Eventually the meal came to an end. Matt looked up from the piece of pie he devoured. “Are you sleeping here tonight?”

Emily looked directly at Nate. “If it’s no trouble. We would rather not spend the money for a hotel. Besides, as we came through town, we noticed the hotel didn’t look too respectable.”

Nate shook his head. “It’s no problem.”

Angel shot him a look, her eyebrows raised.

He sighed. “You two can take our bedroom. Angel can sleep with the boys, and I’ll sleep on the settee.”

Another night to lie awake and wonder what I’m missing.

Every time she caught Nate staring at her as if she was his next meal, the hairs on the back of her neck rose. His touch raised goose bumps, and his good night kisses ignited a fire in her she was more than ready to explore.

Although nervous when she first arrived, contemplating all that went on between a husband and wife, her fears had slowly turned into frustration. At least if she could meet his expectations in the bedroom, he might be patient with her other shortcomings.

Chapter 9

Nate sat on the settee, relishing the quiet as the house settled down for the night. He’d managed to give his wife one decent kiss before she went into the boys’ room to sleep. It wasn’t his imagination that she was as reluctant to end the kiss as he. It seemed his shy, hesitant bride was no longer timid. Maybe the enforced wait had been good for her. It’d certainly increased his desire. As he lay next to her each night, her s

oftness brushing against him was torture. Oftentimes she’d wrap herself around him in sleep. Just thinking about it beaded his forehead with sweat.

Mr. and Mrs. Belford had retired upstairs shortly after Angel supervised the washing and bedding of the children, while Nate was sent out to bring in the wash. As he folded the dry clothes, he’d listened to her read a story in the boys’ room. It had become a nightly habit. She loved to read, and the boys loved to hear the stories. Tonight, she’d read from The Swiss Family Robinson, and the boys were enthralled.

No doubt with all the confusion today, his wife hadn’t been to see Dr. Penrose. He would have to remind her to do that tomorrow. The way she raced around the kitchen tonight, she must be all healed up, but he would feel better knowing the doctor gave his okay. Of course, what Nate wanted the doctor’s okay for wouldn’t be happening tonight. Again.

Sighing, he poured a brandy, and returned to the settee, stretching his long legs out, and peered at the darkness. He took a sip and wondered at the feasibility of leaving the children in the care of their grandparents, grabbing Angel, and heading to the hotel in town for a quiet night. Although the Belfords hadn’t found the hotel respectable, he sure didn’t need a respectable hotel for what he had in mind. Just a bed big enough for the two of them, with no interruptions.

He chuckled to himself, thinking how scandalized Angel would be if she knew his thoughts. Then again, maybe not. He continued to sit and stare out the window at the darkness. It was going to be another long night.

Nate sat up and dragged his hand down his face. Every muscle in his body ached. His mouth felt like cotton, and his head pounded.

How the hell much brandy did I drink last night? He shook his head to clear it and stumbled into the kitchen. As long as he was up, he might as well put on the coffee.

“What should I make for breakfast?” Angel entered the kitchen behind him, tying an apron over her dress.

“Oatmeal. It’s pretty hard to mess up.”

“Well, I am trying, you know.” She snapped back.

Given his frame of mind, he decided to let it go, although he should have apologized. God, it was hard to be in the same room with her, day after day, and not touch her the way he wanted to. If he didn’t get relief soon, he would probably be a cripple.

With them working together, they got a decent meal on the table, and soon said goodbye to the Belfords. The boys followed them out the door, off to school. Nate disappeared for a while, leaving Angel to clean up from breakfast and get Julia-Rose ready for the day.

Out of breath, Nate hurried in the front door. “Angel, there’s a Mrs. Murphy three houses down. She’ll watch Julia-Rose, Luke, and John when you go to town to see Dr. Penrose today.”

“Why?” Angel stopped in the middle of wiping the table.

“I think it will be easier to see the doctor with them out of the way.” He snapped his fingers as if a thought occurred. “In fact, I’ll pick you up in the buggy, and drive you there. We can drop them off before we leave.”

Angel stared at him for a minute, frowning. “I guess it would be easier without the children. Are you sure she won’t mind?”

“Not at all. She’s taken care of them for me before, when Mrs. Darby wasn’t available.”

He gave her a quick kiss on her forehead and headed for the door. “I’ll be back around noon, but don’t eat. We’ll have a meal in town.”


Tags: Callie Hutton Oregon Trail Historical