Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride by Susan Leigh Carlton

provisions. Her arm brushed against Jed’s arm as she reached into the wagon. She felt a tingle as they touched. “Did I imagine that?” she wondered.
     
    They finished the task and were standing in the kitchen. “Jedadah, you did all this?” she asked.
     
    “Well, all except the walls and the roof. It took the better part of two years, what with all of the gardening and working with the cattle,” he said.
     
    “Well, you did a wonderful job, I must say.”
     
    “Thank you,” a blushing Jed said. “I worked hard the last three months. I wanted it to be right for you when you came out. I didn’t want the cabin to be the reason you didn’t stay.”
     
    “I would like for you to do something for me. Stop calling this a cabin. It’s much more than a cabin and now it’s our home.”
     
    “I will try. I have to see to the cattle now, but first, could I kiss you?”
     
    “Jedadiah, you’re my husband. Of course you can kiss me. I would like that. I would like it very much.”.
     
    She moved into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kiss was the first real kiss of their marriage. Neither was very experienced, but kissing is an experience that involves learning what the other person likes. They had just taken the first step in the learning process.
     
    He showed her where dishes and pots were stored and the food products. “I’ll start dinner while you’re working with the cattle,” she said. She went to the well and filled the bucket from the kitchen, then went back, built a fire in the store and began preparing her first meal for her husband.
     
    After dinner, Jed had pronounced the meal as delicious.  After she put the dishes away and wiped everything down, she said, “Jedadiah, could we sit outside for a little while? I just want to look at the stars and the moon. A lot has happened to me in the past two weeks and I want to let it settle a bit before we go to bed.” She had no ominous feelings about going to bed with her husband for the first time. It was what people did and she was ready for the experience. After sitting on a large rock outside, she stood and said, Jedadiah, I’m ready to go to bed now.” He took her hand and they went into the house.
     
    “You go ahead and get ready for bed,” Jed said, “and I’ll be in in just a few minutes.”
     
    “That’s not necessary, Jedadiah, but I appreciate the thought.”
     
    “I just want you to be comfortable,” he said.
     
    “I am comfortable, now let’s get ready for bed,” she said.
     
    In the bedroom, she turned her back to him and asked, “Would you please unbutton the back of my dress for me?”
     
    He did so, with shaky fingers. When his fingers touched her bare flesh, she felt the tingle again. She shrugged her shoulders out of the top of the dress, letting it fall to the floor. She lifted her chemise over her head and let it drop to the floor also. Now, clad in her corset, bloomers and undergarments, she stood before him. She moved into his arms and uptilted her face to be kissed. Wrapping his arms around her, Jed pulled her close, feeling the points of her breasts hot as they mashed against his chest. He kissed her softly and as she moved tighter in his arms, he could feel her the softness of her lips moving against his. He looked at her, and murmured, “You’re beautiful, Sarah. You are truly beautiful.” As he continued to look into her lovely face, he thought, “Her green eyes are like the deep pools of a mountain lake.”
     
    “Thank you Jedadiah. No one has ever called me beautiful before.”
She marveled at the soft tenderness of his gaze. That such a strong man could be so tender was surprising. His gaze was like the softness of a caress. His eyes moved to the creaminess of her neck. He felt moved to kiss it, and did so, bestowing his kisses just below her ears, moving downward, ever kissing her. As he kissed the tender flesh beneath her chin, she arched her back, and tilted her head back,