she pet the dog one more time. She checked the food and water dishes and grabbed a bucket to fill the later of the two. After taking care of that, she headed to the house to see about some scraps. As she started up the walk, a shadow against the house moved and Rick stepped into the light making her catch her breath in appreciation.
“I finally gave up looking for you Sweetheart. If I didn’t know better I’d have thought you were avoiding our talk.” He said only half joking.
“I needed to check on Belle and the pups after I put Dusty away.” She explained. “I figured once you were done assigning orders and checking everything out, you’d come find me. I just wasn’t ready to hurry that along yet.”
Settling his hand possessively on her waist, they walked up to the porch; she waited patiently allowing him to open and hold the door for her. Going into the living area, she automatically lit the small lamp and went to settle into her favorite chair leaving the larger, more accommodating chair for him.
Ignoring the chair, he bent down to light a fire in the hearth to warm the room. Staring into the small flames, he debated where he wanted to start and how he could convince her to leave this home she had built to move in with he and his girls. Finally, after deciding that he couldn’t stall any further, he stood up and wandered towards the chair. He stopped at hers first, taking her small calloused hand in his larger, stronger one. Pulling her up and into his arms, he did something he hadn’t planned on. As he wrapped his arms around her, his lips descended to hers. Not thinking any further then the thought of how well she fit against him, his mouth took possession of hers and his hands began to roam with a will of their own. As they settled on her full breasts, she broke the kiss in a panicked protest.
“Please stop Rick. I...I’m not ready for this.” She said shakily. “And you might not be either once you hear the full story.”
“Kaitlyn honey, there is nothing that you could tell me that would keep me from wanting you or wanting to make love to you. Nothing.” Rick stated. “But you’re right, let’s lay the cards on the table so we can move forward with our relationship and with our life. I love you Kaitlyn; you know that now and there is nothing that will change that either.” He pulled her down onto the chair and into his lap. After settling her against his chest and wrapping his arms around her, he nodded for her to begin.
“I just wish I could be so sure Rick.” She whispered in a pained voice. “I guess the best place to start is always at the beginning; just so you know though, this will be very hard so please be patient with me. I have never told anyone any of this.” She started. “Not even my sister.”
“My mother came from a middle class family who wanted more sons and didn’t care for having a daughter; especially one that was not as beautiful as they’d have liked. Because she wasn’t wanted out east, at fourteen she answered an advertisement for a mail order bride. Her ticket west came and she never looked back. A widower from the Texas Territory was in need of a girl to take care of two children, a four year old, and a newborn baby boy. She agreed to move there and be his wife. His name was Charles Carson and he was a good man. He was my father in every way but by blood.” She took a breath and Rick shifted her in his lap so that they would both be more comfortable
“He left my mother and the two boys at the ranch one day to ride into town for supplies. He was only gone for five hours but it was long enough to change all of their lives forever. It was washday and my mother was out hanging the clothes on the line. Mark was inside with the baby when two men rode up into the yard. My mother looked worriedly toward the house but knew she wasn’t
“I finally gave up looking for you Sweetheart. If I didn’t know better I’d have thought you were avoiding our talk.” He said only half joking.
“I needed to check on Belle and the pups after I put Dusty away.” She explained. “I figured once you were done assigning orders and checking everything out, you’d come find me. I just wasn’t ready to hurry that along yet.”
Settling his hand possessively on her waist, they walked up to the porch; she waited patiently allowing him to open and hold the door for her. Going into the living area, she automatically lit the small lamp and went to settle into her favorite chair leaving the larger, more accommodating chair for him.
Ignoring the chair, he bent down to light a fire in the hearth to warm the room. Staring into the small flames, he debated where he wanted to start and how he could convince her to leave this home she had built to move in with he and his girls. Finally, after deciding that he couldn’t stall any further, he stood up and wandered towards the chair. He stopped at hers first, taking her small calloused hand in his larger, stronger one. Pulling her up and into his arms, he did something he hadn’t planned on. As he wrapped his arms around her, his lips descended to hers. Not thinking any further then the thought of how well she fit against him, his mouth took possession of hers and his hands began to roam with a will of their own. As they settled on her full breasts, she broke the kiss in a panicked protest.
“Please stop Rick. I...I’m not ready for this.” She said shakily. “And you might not be either once you hear the full story.”
“Kaitlyn honey, there is nothing that you could tell me that would keep me from wanting you or wanting to make love to you. Nothing.” Rick stated. “But you’re right, let’s lay the cards on the table so we can move forward with our relationship and with our life. I love you Kaitlyn; you know that now and there is nothing that will change that either.” He pulled her down onto the chair and into his lap. After settling her against his chest and wrapping his arms around her, he nodded for her to begin.
“I just wish I could be so sure Rick.” She whispered in a pained voice. “I guess the best place to start is always at the beginning; just so you know though, this will be very hard so please be patient with me. I have never told anyone any of this.” She started. “Not even my sister.”
“My mother came from a middle class family who wanted more sons and didn’t care for having a daughter; especially one that was not as beautiful as they’d have liked. Because she wasn’t wanted out east, at fourteen she answered an advertisement for a mail order bride. Her ticket west came and she never looked back. A widower from the Texas Territory was in need of a girl to take care of two children, a four year old, and a newborn baby boy. She agreed to move there and be his wife. His name was Charles Carson and he was a good man. He was my father in every way but by blood.” She took a breath and Rick shifted her in his lap so that they would both be more comfortable
“He left my mother and the two boys at the ranch one day to ride into town for supplies. He was only gone for five hours but it was long enough to change all of their lives forever. It was washday and my mother was out hanging the clothes on the line. Mark was inside with the baby when two men rode up into the yard. My mother looked worriedly toward the house but knew she wasn’t
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