*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, faves, and reviews.
There's some lemons in third scene.
End Of 1878, Beginning Of 1879
Allie POV:
It was New Year's Eve and also the day of Skunk Hair and Vera's wedding. I thought it was so romantic of them to get married on such a big holiday. One that represented new beginnings and resolutions. It was, at least in my opinion, the perfect day for their wedding. Since Granny Rue was still bound to her sick bed the wedding was being held at their house instead of at Judge Wall's office. Judge Wall was still officiating tho.
Currently I was with Vera in her room (the one that she shared with her soon to be husband) helpin' her finish fixin' up her hair. Her brown hair was half pulled back into a clip that Granny Rue gave her to be used as both her something borrowed and her something old (the clip had been worn by all the women in Vera's immediate family on their wedding day). Vera's dress was a new simple eggshell cotton dress that she made herself in a short amount of time. Her something blue was a simple light blue ribbon that was tied around her waist like a sash. My dear friend looked like such a beautiful bride; Skunk Hair was going to be smiling with adoration once he set his eyes on her.
"Well, looks like you're ready." I smiled at Vera after making sure her hair was secured tightly in it's clip. Her hair very silky, so I wanted to make sure it wouldn't slip out and had to put a light bit of setting gel on her hair.
"Oh, thank you so much for helpin' me get ready." Vera smiled at me as she looked at herself in the small vanity mirror that she was seated in front of.
"No problem, Vera. I mean you helped me get ready when I married Cap, it's only the last I could do."
Before Vera could say a word, the door opened and in popped Levicy's head. "Everyone's ready in Granny Rue's room."
"Okay, we're coming." Vera nodded, causing Levicy to just shut the door and leave.
I took the winter flower bouquets off of the vanity. Handing the larger one to my friend, I smiled, "Let's go make you Mrs. 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace."
Vera stood up with excitement and barrel towards the door while lightly giggling, "Come on before Granny Rue scares him out of marryin' me."
Cap POV:
A handful of people were gathered in Granny Rue's room where Skunk Hair's weddin' to Vera was bein' held since she was too sick t'get outta bed an' go downtown to Uncle Wall's office. I was standin' next to Skunk Hair at the foot of Granny Rue's bed, waitin' for Vera and Allie to walk in. My ma had just checked on them and said they were on their way so… Uncle Wall was eyeing up the door, most likely wonderin' if Vera was gonna go thru with the weddin' for her sick an' dyin' gran'ma or not.
When the door opened and my wife walked in I couldn't help, but think she was beautiful. She wasn't in a new dress, just an old dark blue one she'd gotten from ma months ago, and her hair was in it's trademark braid, but to me she was the most beautiful thing t'walk this earth. Once she stopped at the foot of the bed Vera walked into the room, causin' all eyes to be on her. My best friend looked all misty eyed as he watched his bride walk into the room and over t'him. I knew how he felt, cause I felt the same way on my weddin' day. The sight of one's beautiful bride cause your heart to swell and burst with love.
Whenever Vera stopped next to Skunk Hair, she gave him a soft smile, one that he returned. Uncle Wall cleared his throat and opened up his officiant book. Lookin' at the small group he declared, "Beloved, we're gathered here t'witness the wedded union between Vera Daniels and 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace." Turning his attention onto the bride, he told her, "Now, Vera, repeat after me. I, Vera Daniels, take you 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace."
"I, Vera Daniels, take you 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace." Vera repeated, beginning her vows.
"To be my lawful wedded husband."
"To be my lawful wedded husband."
"To love and obey, til death do us part."
"To love and obey, til death do us part." Vera finished her vows with a soft smile on her face and love shining in her eyes for the tall lanky man she was holding hands with.
Looking at Skunk Hair, Judge Wall told him, "Now, Skunk Hair, repeated after me. I, 'Skunk Hair', Tom Wallace take you Vera Daniels."
"I, 'Skunk Hair' Tom Wallace take you Vera Daniels." Skunk Hair said as steadily as he could while gazing into Vera's eyes.
"To be my lawful wedded wife."
"To be my lawful wedded wife."
"To love and cherish, til death do us part."
"To love and cherish, til death do us part." Skunk Hair ended his vows, giving Vera's hand a slight squeeze.
"Now, the rings." Judge Wall remarked, stickin' his hand out to me since I was the best man and had the rings. Quickly, I took the rings outta my pocket and handed them over. Wall extended his palm to the bride and groom while telling them, "Take the rings." Vera and Skunk Hair took the rings and held each other's left hands, waiting for the signal to slide the rings on. "Put on the rings and say with this ring I thee wed."
"With this ring I thee wed." The couple said in joyful unison as they quickly slid the thin gold bands onto their ring fingers.
"Now with the power invested to me by god an' the state of West Virginia I pronounce ya'll man and wife. You may kiss your bride." Uncle Wall ended the service and closed his officiant book with a loud snap.
Vera and Skunk Hair kissed, sealin' their love and officially markin' them as man and wife.
Allie POV:
The reception was held in the main room of the Wallace home. All of the women had made and brought over a covered dish so the reception was potluck style. The men all brought bottles of shine, whiskey, and bourbon so that the drinks would be flowing all night. Everyone that attended the wedding (just a handful or so of people) were staying up til past midnight most likely to celebrate not just the newlyweds, but to ring in the new year as well.
Everyone was mingling, eating, drinking, and just having a good time. Well, everyone except for Shaw, who was brooding in a corner with a bottle of whiskey. God, only he could have a dark cloud over him while attending a wedding and reception for his friends.
Sully came up to me a subtly tilted his glass towards his brooding son while telling me, "My boy might be a problem in the upcoming feud we want to change."
Looking right at my former teacher turned cousin-in-law, my brow slightly arched as I asked, "How?"
"Shaw 's determined to go after Jessa; refuses to accept that she's with Tolbert now." Sully told me in his tone that he used when reciting facts before taking a quick sip of his drink.
"Oh no, that's not good." So, Shaw's one of those dudes that doesn't like being dumped and wants the girl back even after she's moved on. Great…just great…he fits the profile of all the guys on those Lifetime made of tv movies. You know, the ones where the dreamy boyfriend turns out to be a bit batshit.
"Not at all." Sully agreed with a sigh. Sully took a sip of his bourbon before telling me, "Last thing the family needs is Shaw starting fires with his brash attitude." His blue eyes flittered between his glass in his hand and his son draining a bottle in the corner of the room. "He'll be busy building his livery, but not busy enough." Turning to me, he asked, "Maybe you could convince Cap to keep Shaw busy by taking him out to the Tavern a couple nights a week?"
"To keep him occupied so he won't be tempted to cause waves with Jessa and Tolbert." I stated, letting Sully know I figured out why he wanted Cap to do boys' night with Shaw.
"Yes, and perhaps Shaw'll even get distracted by one of the whores at the tavern too." My eyes went wide at hearing that come out of the teacher's mouth.
"Um, do you really want him with a whore? Penicillin hasn't been invented yet so…" God, I can only imagine how rampant syphilis and other STDs are during this time. Hell, how is it that Johhnse never catches anything? I mean he's a major man whore. Reckon he's just lucky.
Without batting an eye, Sully told me in his logical teaching tone, "Him being with a whore'll mean he won't be running after the new Miss McCoy, so yes I want him with a whore."
"I'll talk to Cap about hanging out with Shaw, but I can't promise anything." I told him, deciding to just go along with his scheme instead of trying to derail it. I mean it wasn't a bad idea, Sully could've come up with something worse.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." Sully gratefully told me, slightly tipping his glass at me, before walking off to go find somebody else to talk to.
I too decided to go find somebody to talk to and ended up running into my brother-in-law Johnse by the food table. "Hey, Allie, how're you feelin'?" Johnse asked me with a smile, his eyes flittering between my face and my belly, as he scooped a helping of casserole onto his plate.
"I'm feeling good. Thanks for asking, Johnse." I told the golden blonde, who was one of the friendliest people that I knew. God, with his friendly demeanor and charming smile, no wonder he was a hit with the ladies.
"Grab yourself some of this food, it sure is good." I wasn't really hungry, but I knew since I was pregnant, I needed to eat (especially since in the mornings all I did was puke up til mid-afternoon) so I decided to listen to Johnse and grab one of the clean plates from the stack on the end of the table. "Here, have some o'this slaw, it's so good." Johnse said while plopping a big helping onto my plate right after plopping some onto his.
Oh, great, so since he's the uncle of my baby he's gonna be fixing up my plate. "You trying to fatten me up, Johns?" I teased my favorite brother-in-law, arching one of my tawny brows at him.
"No, course not. Just tryin' t'keep my favorite sister-in-law and my nephew healthy."
"I'm your only sister-in-law, buddy." I reminded the golden blonde with a playful tone in my voice. "Oh and we don't know what the baby his yet; you might get a niece."
"Doubt it, our family always has a boy first." He told me matter-o-factly.
"Oh…" Well, guess I'm having a Cap Jr. then.
"Hey, Nova, over here!" Johnse called out to a redhead that was talking to Skunk Hair and Cap.
Nova, oh my god wasn't that Brenton's daughter (the one married to Perry Cline's law school friend)? Hell, how did she know Johnse? Oh, wait a minute, her dad's best friend's with Sully so I guess that's how she knows Johnse. Never mind…
Quickly, the girl (who was my age) excused herself from my husband and his best friend only to make her way over to me and Johnse. I noticed that she was sporting a baby bump and looked to be 6 or 7 months along by how round she was. Stopping right in front of me and Johnse, she smiled while telling him, "Hello, Johnse, good to see you again." Looking at me with a polite line of a smile, she added in, "And you must be Cap's wife, Allie. Good meetin' you, I'm Nova Brooksdale."
"Nice meeting you too, Nova." I responded while Johnse continued to pile up my plate. He's so sweet, no wonder Roseanna fell for Johnse.
"Allie here's expectin' too." Johnse blurted out, causing Nova to just nod and give me a genuine smile.
"Cap told me you're due sometime in August, congratulations." She told me in a tone that conveyed politeness and just enough interest. The tone reminded me of one that people used on campaign trails or during high end dinner parties (at least that's how people at high end dinner parties acted on the soaps).
"Thank you and congrats on your baby too." I responded with a polite smile while secretly praying that Johnse would stop loading up my plate. I was pregnant, not a Dallas Cowboys linebacker.
"Thank you, I'll be popping my bun out come March." So, I was right, she was 6 almost 7 months along.
"Where's your husband and daddy, they here?" Johnse asked as he finished plopping stuff onto my plate. Thank god, I don't think I could handle anymore food piled up on my plate.
"Billings is stuck ringing in the New Year with Uncle Perry at the saloon in Pikeville." Nova spat out, sounding upset that her husband had to spend time with her uncle, who he was best friends with anyways. Pointing to the far left she said, "Daddy's talkin' with Sully and Jim Vance."
"Ah…" Johnse nodded as his eyes darted to look to the far left to see the men gathered there.
"It was nice meeting you Allie." Nova told me before turning her attention to Johnse and saying, "Nice seein' you 'gain after so many years, but I better go talk to the bride for a lil bit 'fore takin' my pa back 'cross the Tug." With a smirk she giggled, "Don't want anyone knowin' we're secretly friends wit' Hatfields now do we?", before walking off.
Okay, well maybe Sully was right about Nova and Brenton being able to help influence the feud or at least slow it down a bit in favor of the Hatfields. Hell, this redhead was my age, but she already had a cunning air to her. Must be cause she her dad was a paralegal, her uncle was a crooked lawyer, and her husband a politician. Damn, did she have the gift of charming gab.
Jessa POV:
It was New Year's Eve and I was bored. Unlike in the 21st century, there isn't anything for a girl to do in the 19th century on New Year's Eve. I was just sitting on the sofa reading one of Tolbert's old books as he sat next to me, whittling. He'd opted to stay home and keep me company instead of going to the Pikeville Saloon to drink with his cousins and brothers like he did every year before I came along. I was grateful that he decided to stay in with me even tho we weren't actually doing anything.
Tolbert lifted his eyes off of whatever he was whittling and set his gaze onto the nearby wall clock. "Well, it's almost midnite."
"Really, it's that late?" I asked, slightly taken a back since I didn't even think it was nearing the strike of 12 yet. I mean it didn't feel late and I didn't feel tired. I guess I was just too occupied with reading to notice how late it really was.
"Yea, it is." Tolbert nodded before placing his whittle work and his knife onto the coffee table.
When he sat back into the sofa, he looked at me with a sparkle shinning in his stormy-blue eyes. I've never seen him look at me like that before so it made my heart race and, in a way, made my nerves tingle. Was he going to give me a kiss at midnight to ring in the New Year? I mean we've been together for about a week, but Tolbert's been giving me my space and hasn't done much more then hold my hand or wrap an arm around my shoulder. Silently, he took the book out of my hands, snapped it shut, and placed it onto the coffee table next to his whittle work. Oh my god, he was going to kiss me. Finally, Tolbert, my common law husband, was going to kiss me.
His eyes drifted to the wall clock before they locked back onto my indigo ones. "Happy New Year, darlin'." Tolbert told me, his velvet timbre just above a whisper, before placing his hand on my cheek and moving in, pressing a kiss onto my lips.
I kissed him back, feeling his lips turn up into a slight smile. I broke away from the kiss only to look at Tolbert and smile, "Happy New Year to you too."
Tolbert just gave me a soft line of a smile before kissing me again. Instantly, out of pure instinct, my lips melded into his. His thumb traced my cheek bone as his lips pressed harder into mine, nipping and tugging at my soft lips with a sense of longing. As his tongue trace over my bottom lip, begging for permission to deepen the kiss, I felt like he was pouring all of his energy into taking us to the next level; solidifying the intimacy in our relationship. I granted him permission to deepen the kiss while gripping his shoulder with one hand and holding onto the back of his neck with the other. Our tongues danced as or kiss heated up. His free hand snaked its way around my waist, pulling me to sit onto his lap. Suddenly, Tolbert wrenched his mouth away from mine only to pepper open mouth kissed p and down my jaw, trailing down my neck.
A small wispy moan escaped from the back of my throat as Tolbert nipped and nibbled a spot right behind my ear. Tolbert stopped his ministrations and looked at me with a desire in his stormy blue eyes. He rested his forehead against mine while telling me in a hoarse whisper, "I wanna make love t'ya, if ya'd let me."
Oh my god, Tolbert wants to get as serious and can be with me. Of course, he does, he's older than me and knows by now that we're a done deal. Gosh, this is only going to be my second time. I hope he's not expecting me to actually know what I'm doing like those whores he used to see do. I mean the one time I did do it Shaw took the lead and set the pace, basically guided me on what to do. Thing is, I don't know how experienced Tolbert expects me to be since you know he's used to whores.
"Okay." I softly told Tolbert, pulling back slightly so that my indigo eyes could lock onto his stormy ones.
A gentle smile appeared on his face before he kissed me and stood up, offering me his hand in order to pull me up to my feet. Quietly, I placed my hand in his open palm, letting him help me stand. Holding my hand, he walked over to the wall scone and turned the brass dial to kill the flame before leading me to our bedroom off of the kitchen. After we were inside of our room, Tolbert led me over to our bed before dropping my hand and lighting the oil lamp on the bedside table.
"If ya'd feel more comfortable wit' takin' off yer own dress ya can." Tolbert told me, his eyes flittering up and down my form, as he stood in front of me.
Um, okay, well, I wasn't expecting him to say that. Nodding my head, I squeaked out, "Okay."
Silently, me and Tolbert stripped. Once we were in our long-john pants and shift, he gently cupped my face and kissed me. The kiss was tender and slow as I twined one of my arms around his neck. My fingertips brushed the red hair on the nap of his neck as I rested my other hand on his rusty hair splattered chest. Tolbert's lips softly glided over mine until they got firmer and heated in their movements. I matched his movements, pressing my lips against his in a heated fever.
Suddenly, Tolbert inched me back until he set me down on the bed. Breaking our kiss, he planted his knees into the mattress on either side of me while trailing kisses along my jaw. An airy wisp escaped my throat as he nibbled down my neck, lightly tickling me with his facial stubble. I tilted my neck to the side out of instinct so that he'd have a better access to my neck while my hands roaming up and down his torso, taking in the feel of his hard muscles under my fingertips. Tolbert kissed a trail down my neck, across my collar bone, and to my shoulder, as he deftly untied the ribbon keeping the top of my shift tied tightly by my cleavage. He stopped kissing me only to give me a reassuring smile as he pushed my shift straps down my shoulders, making the top of my shift roll down and expose my breasts to him.
Oh god, I felt so nervous being exposed to him. I know, I know, I'm technically married to the guy, but he's older than me and I dunno I guess I just feel a tiny bit insecure about my looks. I mean the last time I had sex was in the dark with just moonlight shining in the room, plus I wasn't fully naked since Shaw just lifted the skirt of my shift up. Hell, I didn't actually see Shaw naked either since he was under a blanket and just pulled his pants down, but now I'm gonna be seeing Tolbert naked tonight. It's all a bit nerve-wracking.
Tolbert gently rubbed my shoulders while smoothly telling me, "Calm yerself, no need t'be nervous."
"I know, it's just-" I began to say until I was bluntly cut off by Tolbert telling me, "But yer inexperienced an' still don't know what t'expect from me?"
"Yea." I shyly admitted with an embarrassed blush.
"Don't worry, I'll treat ya good." Tolbert assured me, his voice an octave softer, but raspier, then usual, as his thumbs lightly traced my shoulders.
"Okay." I simply said while nodding and giving Tolbert a soft smile.
A mix of lust and tenderness shone in Tolbert's stormy eyes as he took in my naked upper half. His hands drifted from my shoulders down my chest only to stop at the side of my breast. Gently, he cupped my breasts while latching his mouth on my collar bone, nip and nibbling me with kisses. His thumbs grazed over my nipples, sending a sudden jolt to my core. He trailed fluttering kisses down the valley of my breast and over to one of my breasts. His tongue swirl around my nipple, causing a wispy moan to escape my lips, as he kneaded my other breast with his calloused hand.
Oh my god, Tolbert definitely knew what he was doing. Um, why was I even nervous for earlier again? He seems content with the foreplay. I had no idea what he liked, so I ran a hand thru his ginger colored hair. A low moan sounded from the back of his throat, revealing that Tolbert liked me playing with his hair.
After a few minutes Tolbert pulled back, looking at me with eyes blown and dark with desire. As he quickly stood, I noticed that he had a bulge in his pants; that he was obviously ready to get the show on the road. Without a word, he stretched his hand out for me to take so he could pull me to my feet. Of course, I took his hand and let him pull me up to stand in front of him. In a matter of seconds, he pushed my shift all the way down my body (since the thing was already pulled down my torso it wasn't hard to push it down) before taking off his long-john pants.
As I stood in front of Tolbert (both of us butt naked) I realized that he was a very attractive man. His chest, which was ripped from all the farm and shine work he did, had a light dusting of rusty hair on it. He also had a small strip of rusty hair going from his belly down to his member, acting as a treasure trail. And his member seemed big enough. Well, I never actually got a good look at Shaw's since we were under the cover's in the dark so I didn't really have anything to compare Tolbert's too, but like I said it looked big. All in all, I was pleased by my common law husband's looks.
Out of some kind of primal instinct I had, I placed my hand on Tolbert's chest, running it up and down his torso before slowly bringing my hand down low and letting it run down his rusty treasure trail only to stop at the base of him. Tentatively, I touched his hardness; making his breath hitch out loudly. As I slowly touched him, I could hear his breathing go heavy and labored.
"Okay, darlin', 'nough of that or we ain't gonna be doin' the trick." Tolbert cut me off in a heaving raspy tone and he grabbed my hand and removed it from his member. Ah, so my touch as an effect of him. Good to know that it gets him hot and bothered.
"Okay, handsome." I smiled causing Tolbert to just give me a quick kiss before guiding me to lay down on the bed.
Nestling himself between my thighs, he softly looked at me and asked, "Ya sure, darlin'?"
Really, am I sure? I'm already pregnant and he knows I'm okay with us sleeping together since earlier I told him we'd do it, but now he's asking if I wanna change my mind. Um, no, I'm not changing my mind. He's my husband, this is something that has to husband. Besides, after the foreplay I'd be nuts to stop things.
"I'm sure." I told Tolbert, wrapping my arms so that my hands would link behind his neck.
Tolbert just nodded before dipping a hand between us to feel my center. A smirk crossed his lips as he remarked, "You're ready."
Of course, I am. After all of his kisses and the attention he paid to my breasts how could I not be ready? As he grabbed himself in order to guide his member into me, I told him, "Just go slow, it's only my second time doing this."
Tolbert didn't say a word, just nodded before slowly pressing himself inside of me. Oh my god…Yep, that's all I gotta say. At least it doesn't feel any different from last time (other then there not being a slight uncomfortable pinch in the beginning). Slowly, Tolbert began to moved and set steady pace for us. After a minute or so I relaxed and started to feel something slowly begin to build and coil deep in my lower belly. Tolbert, once he saw that I was feeling comfortable, began to nip and nibble randomly at my shoulder and neck. One my hands clutched the back of his neck while the other ran down his chest and around to his back. As my feelings of bliss built up, I instantly hiked a leg to wrap high around Tolbert's hip as low moans fell from my lips. Grunts and moans vibrated from the back of Tolbert's throat as he clutched tightly onto my leg that was wrapped high around his hip.
"Oh god, Jessa." Tolbert groaned while quickly grabbing my other leg and wrapping it high around his hip, making my legs cradle behind him.
Tolbert quickened his pace, making me let out a high-pitched moan as my hand clawed up and down his back. "Tolbert…Tolbert…" I moaned as I felt myself come undone.
Tolbert made a few fast-paced movements before letting out a groan of, "Jessa. Oh, damn, darlin'.", while stilling above me and spilling his seed. After a few seconds he removed himself from me and laid down by my side.
We were sweaty as our chests heaved up and down quickly. A sated glowing look beamed on Tolbert's face and I surmise I must've had a similar look on my face. Well, now my relationship is officially serious with my redhead.
"Happy New Year, darlin'." Tolbert told me, moving onto his side.
"Happy New Year, Tolbert." I told him as he wrapped an arm around my middle, bringing me into him so that we could spoon.
He pressed a kiss on my shoulder blade before telling me, "Don't worry, this year'll be good for us."
"I know." I said, since I didn't really know what else to say, as he unwrapped him arm from my middle only to rest it so that it went parallel to my side. His hand rested on my thigh, making me think that maybe he wasn't wrapping an arm around my middle or touching my belly cause the baby in it wasn't his. "Are you sure you're okay with me having my baby?" I asked in a leery sigh, a bit afraid of the answer I'd get.
"I told ya t'have it, course I'm okay wit' bein' a poppy t'yer baby." He told me, sounding a bit clipped and defensive, as his chest tightened up a bit against my back.
"I just don't want you to resent him cause of who is daddy is." I honestly told Tolbert since I didn't want my child to end up having a childhood like its dad had.
"Why're ya referin' to it as a boy? Hasn't been born yet so don't do that." Tolbert told me, taking me by surprise that he'd be so bothered by me calling my baby him instead of it.
"I didn't want to call the baby it; I didn't mean any harm." I honestly told him before looking over my shoulder at him and adding, "I don't know why you're upset tho."
"I ain't upset, just don't wanna be callin' it he or she 'fore it comes is all." My redheaded husband told me, trying to sound as casual as he could.
"Oh…" I let out in a long sigh while turning my head around and laying it down on my pillow.
"And t'answer yer question, as far as it's concerned, I'm the father of yer baby." Okay, well I guess that answer works. His breath fanned my neck as he whispered into my ear, "Clear yer head o'these thoughts, darlin'. We'll do just fine wit' raisin' the baby; bein' a family."
Allie POV:
It was now slightly after midnight and the wedding reception was officially over. People were leaving and going home, using the moon and stars as a guiding light in the dark night atmosphere. Me and Cap were no different. We had just exited the Daniels-Wallace (well just Wallace house once Granny Rue crosses to the other side one day) and were making our way to where we had the wagon parked. "I'm driving home, you've been drinking." I told my husband as we got close to our wagon.
"What?" Cap asked, his brow rising in shock. Rolling his mismatched eyes, he scoffed, "Allie, I can drive us home."
"No, you're not driving us home." I firmly told him, coming to a stop by the back of our wagon. "Hell, drinking and driving's dangerous. You could veer off the road or run us into a tree."
"Darlin', I ain't gonna run us into a tree." Cap scoffed at me while shaking his black Stetson covered head. "Now, stop acting silly and get into the wagon. It's late and we gotta get home."
Knowing I wasn't getting anywhere with my husband since drinking and driving clearly wasn't thing yet I relented. "Fine." I sighed, going over to the passenger's side of the wagon and climbing in.
"You're one hell of a woman, Allie. I'll give ya that and our marriage'll never be dull." Cap chuckled, climbing up into the driver's side of our wagon.
"Well, you're something else too, Will." I told my husband with a teasing undertone to my voice as he grabbed the reigns and snapped them, directing our wagon out of its parking spot.
Cap didn't say anything, just shook his head and drove us down the road. After a while, when we were halfway home, I turned to him and said, "Cap, maybe you should hang out with Shaw a couple times a week to cheer him up."
Cap shook his head before letting out a chuckle of, "He needs more then cards and drinks with me to cheer him up." My husband's jaw ticked slightly as he bluntly told me, "Shaw needs to forget about Jessa and move on or he's never gonna cheer up."
"Yea, I know, but you hanging out with him a couple times a week could help him forget and move on. I mean you can even invite my brother and ya'll can encourage Shaw to talk to girls at the tavern or something."
"Oh hell, you want me to help keep his mind off of his failed relationship by takin' him to the tavern to drink and hopefully find a woman?" Cap asked me in a deep sigh, acting as if what I was suggesting would be a burden.
"Yea." I told him while slightly making out the shape of our house in the distance.
"Okay…" Cap sighed, sounding like he'd just been deflated. "I guess if he found somebody knew he wouldn't be such a pain in the ass to everybody anymore."
Well, Sully should be happy to know that Cap agreed to hang out with Shaw and keep him occupied so he doesn't so something stupid like go after Jessa and get into a fight with Tolbert, fueling the feud.
"Hell, reckon I might as well invite Johnse out too. If anyone attracts whores it's him."
"Sure, I don't see why not."
"Hell, I hope havin' a boys night of cards an' whiskey work in cheerin' up Shaw. If not, well then we're doomed t'put up wit' his bullshit."
"Don't worry, it'll work." I assured my husband as he pulled up to our house. Truthfully, I hoped it would work. I mean Sully thought it would, but who knows. I mean if Shaw could stop brooding and get over Jessa then the feud might blow up bigger and faster then it's supposed to.
"Mhm…" Cap mumbled out in a deep throaty sigh as he pulled our wagon to a stop. "Let's get inside and t'bed, I got work tomorrow."
"But I thought pa gave everyone tomorrow off?" I asked my husband as we climbed out of our wagon.
"He did, but somehow I got lassoed by Uncle Jim t'help give Shaw a hand breakin' ground for his livery business." Cap explained as he walked over to our porch, up and, and thru our front door.
"Oh, well you can make plans with him while workin' then." I told my husband while hanging up my shawl while he took off his coat and hat, hanging them up.
"Yea…" My husband sighed, sounding like he wanted to do anything, but what a suggested, before takin' off his gun belt and hangin' it up. Givin' me a soft look, he placed a hand on my shoulder and suggested, "Let get t'bed, darlin'."
I just nodded at my husband and let him lead the way to our room. I knew that tonight we'd be doing nothing, but sleeping, for a change. Oh, I hope that everything goes fine tomorrow and that Shaw agrees to hang out with Cap.
AN:
Next up is a small time jump to spring.