Newlywed Christmas (Brides of Juniper Junction Book 4) Read online

  "No, I don't want to do that. I want to be the mother to my child. I just don't have any idea how."

  "Same for me," Tassie added. "Here I thought we'd all be able to help each other, but we're just the blind leading the blind."

  Fighting back tears, Posey said, "What will we do? Oh, I'm sure you two will be just fine. You're so much smarter and cleverer than me."

  "Now, don't say that about yourself," Tassie admonished her.

  Lizzie grabbed both their hands. "Come on now. We can do this. We have to help each other. Teamwork. Right?"

  "Yes," Tassie said, with a hopeful smile.

  Posey looked from Tassie to Lizzie. "I couldn't ask for a better team." She smiled wanly. "But I'm still scared to death."

  "Being a mother will come naturally to you, Posey. I'm sure," Lizzie said.

  "But," Posey said, "aren't you afraid of ... you know... giving birth? I'm terrified. Have you seen how big Jake is? What size do you suppose his baby will be? How will I ever get it out of me?"

  The other two stared at her, stunned.

  "Okay, I know it sounds silly once I say it out loud, but I don't think you'd be so casual about it if you had to think about getting a baby Jake out of your birth canal."

  "Oh, honey," Tassie said, fighting to hold back a laugh. "He was a baby at one time, wasn't he?"

  "Of course he was," Posey said, indignant. "But he told me he was a thirteen pounder. Thirteen pounds of baby. Would I even be able to carry something that big?"

  "I know it seems like everyone is making fun of you... er... us, today, Posey, but you've got to admit, the idea of such a big baby is rather funny."

  "Besides," Tassie joined in, "maybe your baby won't be as large as Jake was when he was born. It could be a delicate little girl, just like you."

  "Oh no!" Posey wailed. "What if she's a giant girl? Like a baby girl that's Jake sized?"

  "Stop, stop it right now," Lizzie, the voice of reason, said. "If any of us start down that path of thinking what if this or what if that, we'll scare ourselves to death and never get another wink of sleep."

  "Which is already hard enough," Tassie added and the others nodded.

  "Let's think about the beautiful babies we’re going to have and how they'll all be able to play together and be friends for their whole lives." LIzzie smiled. "What lucky babies they'll be."

  Posey sighed. "You're right, Lizzie. I'm sorry I got a little crazy. I just feel so unprepared for this, but we'll do it. Together.”

  Chapter 4

  TASSIE AND CAL

  "Really, Cal. I'm fine. Please stop helping me. I'm sure there will be plenty of time for you to help with supper later. From what I understand, the last few weeks are grueling, so save your energy." Tassie tried to push him away from the stove. Truth be told, the man was a horrible cook and had burned more food and left more messes for Tassie than any of his efforts could offset.

  It was sweet and she hated to seem ungrateful for his help and for his concern, it was truly very sweet and she felt humbled by it. On the other hand, she didn't need more messes in the kitchen, not to mention the fact that she might have fibbed a tiny bit about feeling fine. She didn't have any nausea, thank goodness, but her breasts continued to swell and feel tender and now her ankles were swelling too.

  She snuck a glance toward her feet and peeked at the aforementioned ankles. They were like tree stumps, stubby and round. And a bit painful. It was nothing compared to the joy of soon feeling a baby in her arms, but still, at the moment, she felt a bit uncomfortable and having Cal burn another pan of cornbread didn't help matters any.

  He did step away, possibly relieved since he couldn't have missed the smell of charred bread permeating the kitchen and the blackened mess that not only couldn't be eaten, but had to be pried from the pan so the pan could be washed and used again.

  "Maybe I can find something other than kitchen work to do to help," he offered.

  "That seems wise," Tassie allowed, using a thick kitchen towel to carry the smoldering pan to the sink.

  "I just feel bad," Cal said, rubbing his hand through his hair. "Like you're doing everything to have this baby and I'm just standing by and watching."

  "Well, you did your part when it counted," Tassie said, giving him a sly look and closing the distance between them to slide her arms around his waist before offering her mouth up for a kiss. "Maybe we should keep practicing. We want to have more than one child, don't we?"

  Cal chuckled. "Oh, is that the only reason for us to do it?" He kissed the tip of her nose and Tassie felt a bit disappointed by that.

  Reaching back with one hand, she patted the kitchen table. "It's been a long time since you've given me a special thank you on the kitchen table. Remember how you used to do that?"

  A slow smile spread over Cal's face. "Oh, I remember." His hands gripped her hips and some warmth built in Tassie as she pressed her tender breasts to Cal's firm chest.

  "Maybe we could do that again?" It was hard to believe that she was practically begging him to make love to her. Had her swollen ankles and occasional yelp of pain when he touched her breasts turned him away from her? The idea sickened her even more than the nausea of her early pregnancy.

  "That sounds nice, Tassie. But are you sure it's safe, you know, for the baby?"

  “Dr. Granger didn't say anything about it being a problem. And he gave me a long list of symptoms and suggestions, so if he didn’t say anything,” she gave him a saucy look, "then I don’t see why we can’t.”

  Cal kissed her on the forehead. "Well, we'd better not take any chances until we find out for sure."

  "Wha—" Tassie couldn't believe it. "B-but—" When had Cal ever not wanted to claim her? Disappointment filled her and she stared at Cal. Didn't he find her attractive anymore? An image popped into her mind of herself in a few years’ time, many pounds heavier, hair and skin a mess, with children clinging to her skirts and crying. Oh heavens. Is that what the future held?

  She turned away from him and moved to the sink to try to clean the pan. "I'll just get supper ready. Why don't you go and relax for a few minutes and I'll call you when the food is ready?"

  His footsteps echoed in the kitchen, but instead of leaving, he loomed behind her, turning her to look at him. He cupped her face in both his hands. "What's the matter, Tassie?"

  "Nothing, Cal. I just need to get this pan cleaned and get more cornbread in the oven, that's all. We've both had a long day." She gave him a wan smile.

  "Not buying it, Tassie girl." He peered down his nose at her with a stern gaze that made her tummy flip flop. And this time, it wasn't the baby.

  "Wh-what do you mean?" she said, but her voice cracked and she blinked back tears. Darn. It seemed like her emotions were out of control now that she was expecting a baby.

  "You've got something on your mind, Mrs. Watson, and I think you need to tell me what it is." He took the dirty pan from her hands and put it back in the sink, then dried her hands with a towel and led her to the kitchen table where he sat with her on his lap. "Now, how about you tell me what's got you upset? I'm awful sorry about burning the cornbread and making a mess. But I have a feeling this is about more than that. Am I right?"

  Darn him and his sheriff's eyes. He didn't miss anything.

  She took a deep breath. "It's just...well... I mean... I guess what I want to say... Oh Cal. Do you think I'm repulsive?"

  "What?" He nearly tipped her out of his lap with his strong reaction, but kept a firm grip on her. "What are you talking about, Tassie? Of course I don't find you repulsive. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and knowing that you're carrying our baby—or darlin' whenever I look at you I'm almost overcome with love. Can't you tell?"

  "Well, yes. But..." Her face heated with embarrassment and she wondered if the smoke she smelled was from the lingering burnt pan or her own cheeks. "It's been so long... I mean. Well. You hardly ever.... We haven't." She looked up at him hoping he'd understand her meaning without her having
to say it in so many words.

  "Oh!" Understanding crossed his face. "Are you saying I'm being a bit too careful with you?"

  "Yes, that's it exactly."

  “Well, let’s see if we can correct that.” This time when he kissed her, he left no doubt in her mind about his feelings and intentions. His hands roamed her body and deftly removed her clothes while he continued to ravage her with kisses.

  When their mouths parted she had to grab hold of the table to steady herself.

  “That’s it, hold on to the table. In fact, I have an even better idea.” Cal lifted her to sit on the table, pushing her feet back so her knees were bent and her pussy totally exposed at the edge of the piece of furniture. “Yes, that’s better.” His eyes were heavy-lidded as he shrugged out of his clothes, his gaze never leaving her.

  When he freed his cock from his pants, she wriggled her hips in eager anticipation. She needed him. She needed to be claimed hot and hard.

  And that is precisely what her husband gave her. Clasping her hips, he buried himself deep, throwing his head back in ecstasy. “Good lord, Tassie. I can’t believe I thought this was a bad idea.” His breath was ragged and they both stared down to watch as he plundered her core.

  Watching as his cock moved in and out, slickened with her essence, put Tassie into a frenzy and she threw her head back with a guttural moan. The table bounced across the kitchen floor a few inches when Cal rammed into her with particular roughness and she clutched his shoulders to keep him in place.

  With one fierce thrust, a shattering climax overtook her and moments later, Cal found his release as well.

  For a moment, they stilled, their harsh breaths echoing around the kitchen. Then Matt helped her down from the table and gathered her close, sitting in the chair and holding her in his lap, murmuring words of love against her temple.

  Tassie sighed contentedly. Her life was perfect.

  POSEY AND JAKE

  "Whew," Posey said, blowing out a big breath of air as the final customer left the Juniper Junction post office and she shut the door behind them. Once the lock was turned, she reached behind and rubbed at her lower back. It seemed like all of a sudden, her stomach had swollen massively and being on her feet for hours and hours at a time at the post office had really become uncomfortable.

  But, she loved her job. It made her feel like she was helping people and having her own money sure was nice too. She'd been setting aside part of each pay to get something nice for Jake for Christmas. Unfortunately, she hadn't had time to give much thought to exactly what she'd like to get him. Being pregnant seemed to take up a lot of her time and mental energy. Physical energy too. She continued rubbing as she made her way behind the counter.

  Mrs. Everett, the post mistress and her boss, came in the back door and paused for a moment to study her only employee. "Posey dear, are you sure it's a good idea for you to keep working? You look like you're in a lot of pain."

  "I'll be all right, Mrs. Everett. Really. Even before I was expecting, this job was pretty tiring. You know that."

  "I can't argue with you there," Mrs. Everett said. "I don't know how I managed before you came along."

  Posey flushed with pride. "Thank you. I'm so grateful that you decided to hire me. I don't want to let you down."

  "Well, I expect I'll have to hire someone new soon, though it'll be hard to find the person who can fill your shoes."

  "What?" Posey wheeled around and gaped at her employer. "Have I done something wrong? Are you mad at me?"

  Mrs. Everett put her hand over her heart, taken aback. "Of course not, Posey. I just told you how much you've helped me. I'm just saying that most women don't work after they've had a baby. Too much to do. In fact, a lot of men don't like their wives working at all. Of course, they don't mind how much they cook and clean for them back home, but leaving home and having a job? Oh no. They kick up a big fuss about that. I'm glad Jake's not one of those men."

  "Oh no. Jake's the best," Posey said.

  "Well, speak of the devil," Mrs. Everett said, nodding her head toward the front door where the imposing figure of Posey's husband could be seen basically blocking the entire view out the window.

  Posey rushed toward the door, or rushed as much as she could, and let her husband in. "Jake," she said, "what are you doing here?"

  She shut the door quickly behind him. The afternoon had gotten cold and the chilly air needed to stay outside as far as Posey was concerned.

  "I came to town to do an errand and thought I'd give you a ride home." He gestured toward the window and when Posey looked out she saw one of the Windy River wagons loaded down with supplies. Her feet and back gave a grateful sigh. It wasn't a long walk home, but the way her body ached, a ride sounded nice. Real nice.

  "Thank you, Jake. I'll just be a minute." She picked up the broom and started sweeping the floor.

  Mrs. Everett waved her away and grabbed the broom from her hands. "You go on home and get some rest."

  Posey didn't have to be told twice. "Thank you, Mrs. Everett. I'll make it up to you."

  "Don't you worry about a thing, Posey. I'll see you on Thursday."

  Mrs. Everett locked the door behind them as they left and a bit of guilt formed in Posey's tummy as she glanced through the window and saw the older woman sweeping the floor. That was her job.

  And Mrs. Everett wanted to replace her. No wonder. She wasn't pulling her fair share of the weight.

  Jake lifted her up onto the buckboard and tucked a blanket around her knees. "Thank you for the ride, Jake. But it's not that far so the blanket isn't really necessary." He looked up at her, his face stern.

  "You're my most precious cargo, Posey. Ain't gonna let nothing happen to you. Not on my watch."

  Her gaze roamed over the mountain of a man who was her husband and her heart contracted with love. How had she ever gotten so lucky?

  He took the seat next to her and she sighed and leaned against him as they pulled away from the post office. He wrapped one big arm around her and pulled her close so she could rest her head on his shoulder. "You look wore out, Posey."

  "I guess I haven't been sleeping so well. I think the baby is kicking me during the night."

  "You work too hard at the post office, honey. I'll be glad when you quit."

  She jerked her head up and glared at him. "What do you mean quit? Are you the one who told Mrs. Everett to hire someone new? Why is everyone trying to replace me? I'm good at my job. I just get a little tired sometimes, but people need me. They need their mail. And Christmas is coming with packages and letters and cards. I can’t quit now."

  "Whoa there, Posey." Jake rubbed his hand up and down her arm trying to calm her. "No one is trying to replace you. You're irreplaceable. But, you need to take care of yourself and the baby."

  "Well, I'm not quitting my job," she said with a yawn as the gentle sway of the wagon lulled her to sleep.

  Chapter 5

  LIZZIE AND MATT

  Lizzie shifted in the bed and blinked into the darkness. The wind rattled the bedroom window but Matt slept on blissfully. His rhythmic breathing indicated a deep slumber. Good for him. She’d woken and couldn’t get back to sleep.

  Now that the nausea had subsided, Lizzie had hoped she’d feel more like her normal self. Well, her normal self carrying a baby.

  Except pregnancy was causing all kinds of havoc with her body. She didn’t have the food cravings that Posey had experienced, but she craved something else. All the time. Like an obsession. An unladylike obsession.

  It was far too embarrassing to ask Dr. Granger or anyone else about.

  Her libido was out of control.

  And to make matters worse, Matt had somehow gotten it into his head that it could be bad for the baby if they acted on their desires.

  She had no idea if it was true or not or who had told him, but he’d been distant for the past few weeks. At least distant in the bedroom. Otherwise, she couldn’t have asked for a more attentive and solicitous husband. He
fussed over her like a mother hen and she had to admit, she liked it.

  But she wanted more. She needed some serious loving. Like bent over the kitchen table and taken from behind, rough. Matt’s cock pounding into her deep and hard, over and over until she screamed out her climax and it woke the neighbors.

  Oh yes, that was exactly what she needed.

  Warmth formed between her thighs and she squirmed a bit in the bed, her clitty throbbed and even without touching herself to find out for sure, she knew moisture had formed in her core.

  Darn. Thinking about touching herself—even if her thought was that she shouldn’t—made it impossible for her to think about anything else.

  Don’t you dare touch what’s mine without my permission.

  Even though he slept soundly next to her, Matt’s words of warning echoed in her mind.

  With an exasperated sigh she remembered something else. Lizzie’s Naughty Book.

  Matt had created the horrible book a couple of weeks earlier when she'd been rather sullen and sassy with him. He'd decided that not only was sex a bad idea but so was spanking. She had no complaints about the lack of discipline, that was for sure, though to be honest she did miss the closeness that followed and the way he'd cuddle and soothe her while she cried and apologized.

  But he'd come up with what he considered a brilliant idea. Lizzie's Naughty Book. Oh, the sight of it infuriated her and she wondered how she might go about tossing it into the fire some time when he wasn't looking. Of course, he'd just find another book to use, but at least the transgressions listed would disappear up the chimney.

  It was a large ledger book with plenty of lines in it. On the front he'd written in bold letters Lizzie's Naughty Book and inside he'd carefully jotted down each of her infractions and the punishment that he intended to mete out across her backside when he deemed it safe to do so.