Chapter Thirteen 13/19
My Dearest Liz
Another week has passed and you are my first and last thoughts of the day. I live for your letters. Please hug and kiss the children from me. I cannot wait until I am there every day to say their prayers with them and be a Father to my girls.
Our bill is currently stalled in committee again. Hannibal Jordan had persuaded three legislators to vote to table the work for a few months pending two new studies. Rubbish! He knows I have the votes when it comes to the floor of the statehouse. He is delaying until the new members take their seats. I have my own supporters rallying votes also. I want this to be my legacy, fair freight, and goods transportation for the state without being controlled by the railroad.
Amy has spent the last month and a half in San Francisco. She will be back at the end of the month and we will officially break off the engagement. I believe we have dragged this charade on long enough and dropped two months of hints through the rumor mill. I do believe that Amy is very happy with her choice and I know I am happy beyond belief with spending my life with you.
Leaving you and little Laurel this time was one of the hardest things I have ever done. She will have already changed by the time I see her in two more weeks. We have lived three months apart with only one visit. It is too little.
The children need me at home and I want to be there for them—-and you for the rest of my life. I am thankful for your letters. I have them committed to memory. I can see little Laurel's first smiles, Violet on a pony with Tab; Daisy and Flora practicing their poems for elocution, Lily playing the cantata for the first time with Rose on the violin—- and all the other pieces of our life.
I ache to hold you again. I wake up in the morning thinking of you and you are in my nightly prayers. This will be our first Easter together. I am sure Mother and you have already planned frocks and hats for our girls. I will see you on Wednesday before Easter.
All my love—J
Jarrod arrived on Wednesday and rode Jingo from the livery to the ranch. He didn't even stop at the office.
He made it to the big house to find the whole family waiting on him. "Welcome Home Jarrod! Pappy!" rang through the air. He hugged and kissed all his girls and Mother.
Clasped hands and backs with his brothers, kissed Audra and congratulated Carl on the news of another Wheeler coming in the fall, kissed Katarina's hands, and congratulated her on putting up with Nick and earning her sainthood.
He saved Liz for last. He quietly grabbed her hand and kissed it for a few moments. She was wearing his ring. Their eyes spoke all they needed. She did a sharp intake of breath upon the feeling that he elicited. He whispered, "Let's sneak outside as soon as we can."
It finally was after supper and getting all the children to bed before Jarrod could be alone with Liz. She nursed Laurel and Jarrod put her in the crib for Eire to watch. He took Liz outside into the moonlight and to the creek with a blanket and a basket in tow.
He spread out the blanket and took out a bottle of Barkley wine and two flutes. He poured each glass and toasted, "To us. Six more months and you will be my wife. Tonight begins our courtship in earnest."
He leaned her back against the blanket and took the pins out of her hair. It fell down in auburn ringlets around her. He fanned them out around her and brought them to his nose.
Jarrod drank deeply of his wine and set the glass down. He took her glass out of her hands and gave her a drink with his own hand. He set the cup down. He kissed her and tasted the wine upon their lips. He parted her lips and began to explore the age-old way of intimate kissing.
It was new to her—-it was slow and sensual. It wasn't forced or angry or demanding. She relaxed and let Jarrod kiss her this way—-it was so different this time. She worried that life with John would tarnish her life with Jarrod. So far, her body was responding in ways she had never done before. Feelings that never came to the surface were awakening her. Is this what passion feels like?
She relaxed even more and allowed herself the freedom to kiss Jarrod in the same way. He released several deep sighs and pulled her closer. She enjoyed his soft noises and found herself making them in return.
He pulled away slowly and looked into her eyes, "I love you Liz; I will never hurt you. I won't press my suit at any time or go quickly. We have the rest of our lives. Trust me."
"I love you and I trust you—-" and she initiated the next kiss. His body shuddered and pulled her tightly. His hands were holding her hair and caressing it with his fingertips.
He pulled away from her lips and began to kiss her earlobes and gently suck on them. She let out an audible gasp and he made his way down her neck and kissed the full outline of her full bodice.
She put her hands in his thick black hair and pulled his head down upon her. She then returned the favor of kissing his earlobes in the same way. She could feel a tremble go through his body.
He finally pulled away sadly, never taking his eyes off of her, "I think you and I are going to be just fine together m'lady"
He rolled her over to her side and spooned with her. He buried his nose in her hair and held her waist close with his hands. His body was betraying him and she could feel his desire. She found herself melding into his body almost to become one body. They stayed that way for an hour murmuring words of passion and love.
The moon dropped lower in the sky and it was time to return. Laurel would be needing to be fed soon and Liz felt that familiar ache in her breast.
She quietly said, "It's getting to be Laurel's time."
Jarrod understood and helped her up for the return to the guest house...
They made it back to Eire soothing a crying Laurel on the porch. Liz took her and she immediately settled.
"Good Night my Love"
"Good Night, my Amour"