1 Chapter 3
Sue Lee brushed her wet hair out next to the open window in the hotel room. She stood there in her chemise and underdrawers as the soft breeze fluttered the heavy curtains at the window. She felt wonderful. It was so good to talk that bath, even if it was a lukewarm one. A heavy set black man brought up the tub and bucket after bucket of hot water, and then he filled it with some cool water to lower the temperature. She immediately bathed the baby, loving the soft giggles and cooing noises the baby gave off as she played in the water. Just as she was finishing nursing the baby, a knock came to her door. I hope that's Jake, Sue Lee mused rushing to the door. She was disappointed to find a young boy with 2 suitcases under his arms in the doorway. The boy said, "Mr. Roedel told me to bring these here to ya straight away, ma'am." Sue Lee smiled as the boy placed the suitcases inside the room and sped off like the devil himself where on his tail. Sue Lee had hoped Jake would be back soon, but he apparently was in no rush to be alone with her. A frown skirted across her face, then another knock came from the door. Sue Lee put the now sleeping baby in the cradle the owner had sent up with the tub. As she answered the door, the same young boy stood in the doorway. This time he carried 3 large boxes, stacked on top of the other, so high that he could barely see around them.
"What are these?" Sue Lee as she took a large round "hatbox" type box from the top of the stack.
"Mr. Gatlin told me to bring these here packages to ya straig…." The boy stopped as Sue Lee finished his sentence.
"Straight away?" Sue Lee smiled as she took the boxes from the boy, messing up his hair in a friendly way. The boy tipped his hat and again ran away.
Sue Lee looked curiously down at the boxes. They weren't heavy. She walked across the room to the bed, setting each box down. She didn't know if she was supposed to open them or not. Best wait until Jake comes back, Sue Lee thought to herself as she started to undress. The water was lukewarm, but she didn't want to have to trouble anyone. She would see to it that Jake had a nice hot bath when he got there, whenever that was.
Jake sat at the poker table, calmly looking at his cards, then turning them over. He wasn't one to gamble with his money; his father always told him it was a fool's folly. But he was a grown man now; he could do what he wanted. So when he saw the saloon, he decided to go in have a drink. His thoughts turned to Sue Lee. Had she opened the boxes? Was she pleased? Was she happy to be here with him? Jake thought as he took another long swallow of his beer.
"I'll raise ya this boy! See if you can handle that!" The greasy leather- faced drunk old man across from Jake as he threw a heavy metal object into the pot in the middle of table. He and leather-face where the only two left in the game. It was a showdown. As Jake peered at the item the man had thrown, he realized it was a ring. A simple gold band, and from the looks of how small it was, it looked like a woman's. Jake smiled as he realized that if he won he could give it to Sue Lee. Their wedding had been such a spur of the moment type that Jake hadn't had time to buy her a proper wedding ring. Hell, truth be told he wasn't even thinkin' marriage when Mr. Brown walked up with that preacher that day. She'd never have to know that he won it at a poker game. But the amount need to match what the ring was worth would be everything Jake had in his pocket, plus a little more. It was huge risk, and Jake didn't like taking huge risks. But with the money and the ring he might win, he could get his family settled real nice. He could also loose everything.
Jake reached inside his coat pocket and placed the land deed into the pot. The land had been a wedding gift to Sue Lee from Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown was going to move out West himself, but Mrs. Brown was hesitant to leave, so he gave it to Sue Lee. She in turn gave it to Jake. If he lost it in this card game, she would most likely hate him forever. Jake remained calm and unimpressed by the amount of money at was at stake. Jake started to pray, silently.
"Read'em and weep, boy!" leather-face cackled as he laid down 3 kings. Jake slowly lowered his cards revealing a full house. The old man sputtered obscenities as he shoved away from the table. Jake let out a look bent up breath as he leaned back in his chair. The game had drawn considerable attention, and many of the patrons congratulated Jake on his good fortune. A pretty dark-haired saloon girl sauntered over and sat in Jake's lap.
"Hi there. Need some company tonight." She purred.
Jake smiled and gently unwound her arms from his neck and stood slowly, collecting his winnings. "No thanks, I've already have company waiting for me." The girl shrugged her shoulder and winked as she walked to the next customer. Jake picked up the gold ring from the table and he smiled. He deftly flipped it and then caught it in mid-air, putting it in his pocket. He collected his money and decided it was time to face the future.
Jake silently entered the hotel room where Sue Lee and he were staying. She was on the bed, asleep. Jake frowned as he noticed the boxes lay unopened at her feet. He crept into the room, not wanting to wake her. Jake saw the tub sitting in the corner; obviously she had gotten a bath. Jake looked in on the baby, who was fast asleep as well.
Jake walked over to the tub, which faced away from the bed, feeling the water temperature. It was warm. Jake smiled; Sue Lee was trying so hard to please him. He found he liked it that way.
Jake started to undress to get in the tub, totally oblivious to the pair of blue eyes that were watching him. Sue Lee didn't say anything, she just watched as Jake undressed. She could tell he didn't know she was awake. He had been so tense and nervous around her since Holt had left. She watched as Jake sat in the tub, sighing heavily as he leaned back against the rim. Sue Lee had left soap, a razor and mirror, and a towel by the tub for Jake's use. The thoughtfulness was not unnoticed by Jake as he reached of the soap.
Sue Lee watched as he started to scrub. She slowly rose from the bed, trying to be a quiet as possible. Jake splashed water onto his face and hair, running his hands through it as he did. Sue Lee paused right behind Jake. Jake knew she was there. Years in battle had sharpened his senses. He knew exactly when she got up from the bed. Sue Lee stood there a moment, not knowing how to proceed. Finally she reached for the soap in Jake's hand, taking it from him and alerting him to her presence. Jake turned and looked at her.
"Let me help you." Sue Lee stated as she turned him back around. She ran the soap across his back. Jake closed his eyes at the sheer wonder of the feeling. Sue Lee rubbed his shoulders and forearms with her strong hands. She ran her hands up his shoulders to his neck, when she began to rub the tense muscles there. Jake's head lolled back against the tub rim. She moved the soap into his hair. She ran her fingers through it and massaged his scalp. She didn't know who was enjoying it more, her or Jake.
"Why didn't you open 'im?" Jake asked quietly as she continued her ministrations to his head.
"I wasn't sure if I should." Sue Lee answered realizing he was talking about the boxes. Sue Lee reached over to a pitcher that sat next to the tub. Filling it with water, she poured the water over Jake's head, rinsing the dirt and grime of weeks on the trail away. She did this several times and then stood up. Jake's hand reached out and stopped her; the intense look in his eyes spoke volumes.
"Thank you."
Sue Lee smiled as nodded; Jake pulled her gently to sit on the stool next to the tub. She picked up the towel, razor, and mirror and put them in her lap. Jake took the corner of the towel from her and wiped his hair- roughened face. He started to shave as Sue Lee watched in fascination. She'd never seen a man shaving before.
"Does it hurt when you do that?" She asked innocently.
"No. It feels great actually." Jake replied as he shaved his chin. "Why don't you open those boxes, see what's inside?" Sue Lee rose from the stool and walked over to the bed. She opened the hatbox first. She smiled at the new hat that Jake got for himself. But it looked exactly like the one he had now, just not so beat up. The next box there was a shirt. This one had a collar. She fingered the pearl-like buttons along the length of the shirt. She refolded the shirt and placed it to one side. A she opened the next box, her breath caught up short. She covered her mouth as she looked at the beautiful pale blue dress that lay within. But it was the rattle that made the tears well over in her eyes. She picked it up and shook it once.
Jake smiled as he listened to Sue Lee's failed attempts to conceal her joy. He finished shaving and rose from the tub. He towel dried his hair, making it stand on end and wrapped the towel around his hips. He walked slowly up behind Sue Lee as she held the dress up before her.
"You like it?" Jake asked questioningly.
Sue Lee turned quickly around, dropping the dress on the bed. She softly chuckled at his hair standing on end. The tears that stained her face where proof enough for Jake that she did indeed like the dress. Jake reached up and cupped her cheek, running his thumb across the tear tracks on her face.
"Don't cry. I can't stand it when you cry."
"Oh God, Jake! I love you! I love you so much!" Sue Lee sobbed as she threw herself into his arms. Jake's arms immediately went around her as her body pressed against his. How wonderful it felt to have her there after so long. Sue Lee leaned back, peering curiously in Jake's face. She waited a moment, watching for Jake's cue. Jake's lips moved hesitantly down to Sue Lee's. He paused just before they touched, "I love you too, Sue Lee." He whispered softly against her lips. Then his lips devoured hers, as did the rest of him for the remained of the evening. They both forgot about dinner.
Sue Lee brushed her wet hair out next to the open window in the hotel room. She stood there in her chemise and underdrawers as the soft breeze fluttered the heavy curtains at the window. She felt wonderful. It was so good to talk that bath, even if it was a lukewarm one. A heavy set black man brought up the tub and bucket after bucket of hot water, and then he filled it with some cool water to lower the temperature. She immediately bathed the baby, loving the soft giggles and cooing noises the baby gave off as she played in the water. Just as she was finishing nursing the baby, a knock came to her door. I hope that's Jake, Sue Lee mused rushing to the door. She was disappointed to find a young boy with 2 suitcases under his arms in the doorway. The boy said, "Mr. Roedel told me to bring these here to ya straight away, ma'am." Sue Lee smiled as the boy placed the suitcases inside the room and sped off like the devil himself where on his tail. Sue Lee had hoped Jake would be back soon, but he apparently was in no rush to be alone with her. A frown skirted across her face, then another knock came from the door. Sue Lee put the now sleeping baby in the cradle the owner had sent up with the tub. As she answered the door, the same young boy stood in the doorway. This time he carried 3 large boxes, stacked on top of the other, so high that he could barely see around them.
"What are these?" Sue Lee as she took a large round "hatbox" type box from the top of the stack.
"Mr. Gatlin told me to bring these here packages to ya straig…." The boy stopped as Sue Lee finished his sentence.
"Straight away?" Sue Lee smiled as she took the boxes from the boy, messing up his hair in a friendly way. The boy tipped his hat and again ran away.
Sue Lee looked curiously down at the boxes. They weren't heavy. She walked across the room to the bed, setting each box down. She didn't know if she was supposed to open them or not. Best wait until Jake comes back, Sue Lee thought to herself as she started to undress. The water was lukewarm, but she didn't want to have to trouble anyone. She would see to it that Jake had a nice hot bath when he got there, whenever that was.
Jake sat at the poker table, calmly looking at his cards, then turning them over. He wasn't one to gamble with his money; his father always told him it was a fool's folly. But he was a grown man now; he could do what he wanted. So when he saw the saloon, he decided to go in have a drink. His thoughts turned to Sue Lee. Had she opened the boxes? Was she pleased? Was she happy to be here with him? Jake thought as he took another long swallow of his beer.
"I'll raise ya this boy! See if you can handle that!" The greasy leather- faced drunk old man across from Jake as he threw a heavy metal object into the pot in the middle of table. He and leather-face where the only two left in the game. It was a showdown. As Jake peered at the item the man had thrown, he realized it was a ring. A simple gold band, and from the looks of how small it was, it looked like a woman's. Jake smiled as he realized that if he won he could give it to Sue Lee. Their wedding had been such a spur of the moment type that Jake hadn't had time to buy her a proper wedding ring. Hell, truth be told he wasn't even thinkin' marriage when Mr. Brown walked up with that preacher that day. She'd never have to know that he won it at a poker game. But the amount need to match what the ring was worth would be everything Jake had in his pocket, plus a little more. It was huge risk, and Jake didn't like taking huge risks. But with the money and the ring he might win, he could get his family settled real nice. He could also loose everything.
Jake reached inside his coat pocket and placed the land deed into the pot. The land had been a wedding gift to Sue Lee from Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown was going to move out West himself, but Mrs. Brown was hesitant to leave, so he gave it to Sue Lee. She in turn gave it to Jake. If he lost it in this card game, she would most likely hate him forever. Jake remained calm and unimpressed by the amount of money at was at stake. Jake started to pray, silently.
"Read'em and weep, boy!" leather-face cackled as he laid down 3 kings. Jake slowly lowered his cards revealing a full house. The old man sputtered obscenities as he shoved away from the table. Jake let out a look bent up breath as he leaned back in his chair. The game had drawn considerable attention, and many of the patrons congratulated Jake on his good fortune. A pretty dark-haired saloon girl sauntered over and sat in Jake's lap.
"Hi there. Need some company tonight." She purred.
Jake smiled and gently unwound her arms from his neck and stood slowly, collecting his winnings. "No thanks, I've already have company waiting for me." The girl shrugged her shoulder and winked as she walked to the next customer. Jake picked up the gold ring from the table and he smiled. He deftly flipped it and then caught it in mid-air, putting it in his pocket. He collected his money and decided it was time to face the future.
Jake silently entered the hotel room where Sue Lee and he were staying. She was on the bed, asleep. Jake frowned as he noticed the boxes lay unopened at her feet. He crept into the room, not wanting to wake her. Jake saw the tub sitting in the corner; obviously she had gotten a bath. Jake looked in on the baby, who was fast asleep as well.
Jake walked over to the tub, which faced away from the bed, feeling the water temperature. It was warm. Jake smiled; Sue Lee was trying so hard to please him. He found he liked it that way.
Jake started to undress to get in the tub, totally oblivious to the pair of blue eyes that were watching him. Sue Lee didn't say anything, she just watched as Jake undressed. She could tell he didn't know she was awake. He had been so tense and nervous around her since Holt had left. She watched as Jake sat in the tub, sighing heavily as he leaned back against the rim. Sue Lee had left soap, a razor and mirror, and a towel by the tub for Jake's use. The thoughtfulness was not unnoticed by Jake as he reached of the soap.
Sue Lee watched as he started to scrub. She slowly rose from the bed, trying to be a quiet as possible. Jake splashed water onto his face and hair, running his hands through it as he did. Sue Lee paused right behind Jake. Jake knew she was there. Years in battle had sharpened his senses. He knew exactly when she got up from the bed. Sue Lee stood there a moment, not knowing how to proceed. Finally she reached for the soap in Jake's hand, taking it from him and alerting him to her presence. Jake turned and looked at her.
"Let me help you." Sue Lee stated as she turned him back around. She ran the soap across his back. Jake closed his eyes at the sheer wonder of the feeling. Sue Lee rubbed his shoulders and forearms with her strong hands. She ran her hands up his shoulders to his neck, when she began to rub the tense muscles there. Jake's head lolled back against the tub rim. She moved the soap into his hair. She ran her fingers through it and massaged his scalp. She didn't know who was enjoying it more, her or Jake.
"Why didn't you open 'im?" Jake asked quietly as she continued her ministrations to his head.
"I wasn't sure if I should." Sue Lee answered realizing he was talking about the boxes. Sue Lee reached over to a pitcher that sat next to the tub. Filling it with water, she poured the water over Jake's head, rinsing the dirt and grime of weeks on the trail away. She did this several times and then stood up. Jake's hand reached out and stopped her; the intense look in his eyes spoke volumes.
"Thank you."
Sue Lee smiled as nodded; Jake pulled her gently to sit on the stool next to the tub. She picked up the towel, razor, and mirror and put them in her lap. Jake took the corner of the towel from her and wiped his hair- roughened face. He started to shave as Sue Lee watched in fascination. She'd never seen a man shaving before.
"Does it hurt when you do that?" She asked innocently.
"No. It feels great actually." Jake replied as he shaved his chin. "Why don't you open those boxes, see what's inside?" Sue Lee rose from the stool and walked over to the bed. She opened the hatbox first. She smiled at the new hat that Jake got for himself. But it looked exactly like the one he had now, just not so beat up. The next box there was a shirt. This one had a collar. She fingered the pearl-like buttons along the length of the shirt. She refolded the shirt and placed it to one side. A she opened the next box, her breath caught up short. She covered her mouth as she looked at the beautiful pale blue dress that lay within. But it was the rattle that made the tears well over in her eyes. She picked it up and shook it once.
Jake smiled as he listened to Sue Lee's failed attempts to conceal her joy. He finished shaving and rose from the tub. He towel dried his hair, making it stand on end and wrapped the towel around his hips. He walked slowly up behind Sue Lee as she held the dress up before her.
"You like it?" Jake asked questioningly.
Sue Lee turned quickly around, dropping the dress on the bed. She softly chuckled at his hair standing on end. The tears that stained her face where proof enough for Jake that she did indeed like the dress. Jake reached up and cupped her cheek, running his thumb across the tear tracks on her face.
"Don't cry. I can't stand it when you cry."
"Oh God, Jake! I love you! I love you so much!" Sue Lee sobbed as she threw herself into his arms. Jake's arms immediately went around her as her body pressed against his. How wonderful it felt to have her there after so long. Sue Lee leaned back, peering curiously in Jake's face. She waited a moment, watching for Jake's cue. Jake's lips moved hesitantly down to Sue Lee's. He paused just before they touched, "I love you too, Sue Lee." He whispered softly against her lips. Then his lips devoured hers, as did the rest of him for the remained of the evening. They both forgot about dinner.