Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 6
The next two weeks were filled with the beginnings of a courtship. Strolls down the boardwalk and meals at the hotel and saloon, and the promise of a ride once she'd found a horse.
Edward was walking down Main Street after spending the morning cleaning, when he saw a smart-looking buggy being pulled behind the stagecoach. He helped them unload the mail while the men unhitched the small carriage. They delivered the mail to the Post Office and the outgoing mail was given to the driver. The coach's horses were changed at the livery, and before long they were on their way.
Edward saw Bella as she approached the livery.
"Mr. Miller, good day."
"And to you, Missus. Have you found a horse fit enough to pull this buggy?"
"Not yet. One of the local ranchers said he had a mare he thought would work well for the purpose as well as being gentle enough to ride. I need to see the creature for myself."
Edward stepped up. "If you'd like, I could bring you out. Who was the rancher?"
"Banner. If my understanding is correct, he's only a few miles outside town."
"Yes, he's the closest ranch, little more than an hour's ride if you're interested in a second opinion on it."
Bella smiled at him. "That would be lovely. Would we be able to hire a horse for the journey?"
Mr. Miller nodded. "You could, but I have a feeling the marshal will insist on taking Shadow. Should I hitch him to the buggy?"
"Thank you, Francis."
"Shadow's your horse?"
"Yes, she is. Best mare I've ever ridden. We'll see if this new one suits you."
Mr. Miller finished hitching Shadow to the buggy, and they added his saddle so Edward would be able to ride back if the purchase was successful.
Edward offered his hand to Bella and together they rode out of town. Normally they might require a chaperone, but no one would question the marshal and a widow's propriety, so they were able to make the trek alone.
An hour and a half later, they were riding up the drive of the ranch as Mrs. Banner came out to greet them.
"Mrs. Black. Are you here to see the mare?"
Edward climbed down first, hitching Shadow's reins around the post before offering to assist Bella.
"I am. I hope I'm not interrupting your day."
"Nonsense. Mr. Banner is down at the stables working with a few of his young ones. Marshal, if you want to lead Mrs. Black down, I'll get some refreshments prepared for once you've seen to your business."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Edward walked Bella the relatively short distance to the stables and the corral beyond. Mr. Banner had two horses on leads as they worked them. He handed the leads over to one of his men and approached the couple.
"Mrs. Black, Marshal Cullen, it is good to see you. Have you come to see your horse?"
"Yes, and we brought the buggy to try her out with that."
"Excellent. Let me bring her over."
From the moment the mare approached, Edward could sense there was something wrong. She was fine with the men handling her, but when she got near Bella, she would become more aggressive. Nothing truly scary, but unsettling enough for Edward to put himself between Bella and the horse.
"I don't think this is a good match, Bill."
Just then, the other horse they'd been working pranced past. Both men looked at the horse and shrugged. "Let's see if the stallion suits her better."
Bill Banner brought the male over and he playfully nudged at Bella's hand. They passed her a carrot and, once he'd been fed the treat, he was putty in her hand. Edward watched as Bella easily mounted the side saddle and rode on the lead. Where the mare had been skittish and standoffish, this stallion was clearly as captivated with the widow Black as the other men in town.
"He's cart-trained as well," Bill said. "We could hitch him to her buggy and see if he balks at that."
"Good idea, though I doubt she'll leave him behind. She'd just as soon get a separate horse for her buggy from the look on her face."
Thankfully, it wasn't necessary. Edward helped Bella down from the saddle, since the position of the stirrups did not fit her and required her to step down without sure footing, so he positioned himself behind her enough to steady her, but also to hide the hint of pantaloons the extension caused. Though he clearly saw the fine trim on the cuff. Once she was safely on the ground, they brought the horse up and he eagerly stepped into the buggy's rigging. Bella discussed the cost of the stallion and, with a tiny nod from Edward, she paid Bill Banner's asking price.
After a brief stop at the house for the offered refreshments, Edward saddled Shadow and, once Bella was safely seated in the buggy, they took off.
Conversation was minimal as they rode, but once they were back at the Rosewood livery, Bella made sure to thank her new steed.
"Good boy, Gotham. I will come and visit you in the morning."
Mr. Miller and his men took care of both horses and the buggy, while Edward led Bella back to the store. "Was Gotham the name Banner had given the horse?"
"No, it is a nickname for New York. The city can be cleverly chaotic to ward off those they don't want, but if you're welcome there, it isn't so bad at all."
"Well, he was definitely taken with you. Gotham's a smart horse."
The sound of Edward's name being called drew both of their attention. Bella asked, "Who is that?"
"Sheriff Whitlock," he told her before calling out a greeting.
"Is this Mrs. Black?" Jasper asked as he looked between the pair.
"It is. Bella Black, this is Sheriff Jasper Whitlock of Golden City. Jasper, this is Bella Black."
"Mrs. Black, a pleasure. But if you have a moment to spare, I've got a question to ask your beau," Jasper winked at Bella before he turned to Edward fully. "Mr. Brandon has finally seen fit to give me his blessing to marry Mary Alice, and I'm hoping you'll be able to attend a week from Saturday. I've just come from Emmett's and he and Rosalie will be there. The invitation is open if you need another seat at your table."
"Jasper," Edward warned.
"There's a hotel in town and a chaperone traveling with you. Consider it." With a doffed hat towards Bella, Jasper strode to the livery to fetch his horse.
"That's the sheriff you work for? I expected him to be older."
"He was a deputy under his father, but he ran for the position when his father passed. They're both military men, so there was a lot of faith in the Whitlock name. Even if some men don't see value in it."
"I'm guessing Mr. Brandon is one such man."
"He is, but the important thing is that Alice convinced him that Jasper was her choice. And since we're on the subject, he did extend the invitation should I wish to bring someone with me."
"Would that be proper?"
"Mr. and Mrs. McCarty would be going with us, and there's a hotel there where you could have your own room. But I wouldn't want you to feel obligated."
"I would like to see Golden City and get to know those close to you better. Will Mrs. McCarty mind the imposition?"
"I've got a feeling they'll be at supper at my parents' tonight. I could ask her."
"Well, if she's willing, I'd be honored to go with you."
Edward waited for Bella's blush to finish coloring her cheeks before he took her hand and kissed it. "I'll speak to her and let you know her feelings on it. But if I'm going to make supper, I had better run. Good night, Bella."
"Night, Edward."
Once she was safely on the boardwalk, Edward walked down to First Street and his parents' house. As he'd suspected, Emmett and Rosalie were both there when he walked in. Edward went straight to the pump house out back and washed up before entering through the kitchen.
"Edward, you reek of horse," Esme teased as he kissed her cheek.
"Well, he was seen riding out of town in the widow Black's new buggy earlier, Esme."
Edward turned to his cousin's wife, smirking at him as she mashed some of the last of the jarred potatoes.
"Rosalie, don't make a scandal where there isn't one. I'm sure Edward was simply offering her some assistance," Esme admonished.
"I know she's only teasing, Mother. Rosalie hasn't been around polite society much the last few months."
"That's right, Edward. Little Hale is all that occupies my waking hours, and most of my sleeping ones, if I'm being honest. But I wouldn't trade him for anything. Now, I expect you to introduce me to the lovely woman who has captured your attention."
"Actually, there's something I need to ask you regarding that."
"Edward," Esme gasped.
"You're about seven steps ahead of me, Mother."
"A mother can hope," she said to no one.
Edward shook his head before refocusing on Rosalie. "Ro, would you act as a chaperone for the Whitlock wedding? Jasper extended an additional invitation for her, but we both want to make sure propriety is maintained."
"Of course. Though I would like to get to know her before we travel together."
"I can introduce you tomorrow, we can go shopping for my great-nephew and anything else you may need," Esme eagerly offered.
Rosalie smiled. "That settles that. I'll speak to Mrs. Black tomorrow, then you can ask her formally."
"Edward," Emmett's voice boomed from the parlor. "Come in here and quit talking up my wife."
"I'd better go and see the menfolk."
The unmistakable sound of a crying infant came from upstairs, and Emmett could barely offer his cousin a greeting as he went to soothe the startled child.
"How was your day?" Carlisle asked his son.
"Good. Bella and I rode to the Banner ranch and purchased her a horse, so now she can use her buggy and has a horse that is also capable of being ridden."
"Does she ride well?" he asked.
"She's more practiced riding sidesaddle, but she wasn't opposed to learning how to ride astride since it is safer on uneven paths."
"And I'm sure you're more than happy to show her what riding astride takes."
"Father," Edward hissed.
Carlisle continued, unperturbed by his son's prudish reaction. "Relax, Son. No one is going to think less of you for thinking it. She is an attractive young woman and you're a hot-blooded man."
"I'm not having this discussion with you," Edward grumbled.
"Just remember, use the cream on your left hand as well, or she may wonder about the difference between the two. I dropped off a fresh jar in your desk drawer at the jail when I returned from Golden City this afternoon."
"Supper's ready," Esme called.
Edward was thankful for an end to that conversation.
It wasn't until hours later, when he'd returned home and retrieved the lotion his father had procured, that Edward let his thoughts wander.
The feel of her skin on his lips.
The feel of her back pressed against him as she'd dismounted her horse unsteadily.
The sight of white lace and linen wrapped around her calf before her dress fell back into place.
Edward unbuttoned his union suit and with his cream-slick hand, he reached inside to grasp himself. His hand followed the familiar stroking pattern he'd honed since his father had begun that first embarrassing conversation in his teen years. Only now, his mind was filled with a new image; Bella astride him as though he were her steed.
His hand sped at the sight in his mind's eye, the long coffee-colored hair loose and brushing his thighs as she arched her back in pleasure. His left hand gripped his own thigh, wishing he could do that to her, and imagined her breasts bouncing as she sought out pleasure from his body.
The imagined sound of his name on her lips, though far breathier than he'd heard it in reality, was his undoing as he cried out in his own ecstasy.
Within a few minutes he was cleaned up and put back together, the fingers of his right hand working some of the cream into his left as his body relaxed into a peaceful sleep.