Free Rocky Mountain Bride (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 2) by Lee Savino Page A

recognize it at first, because piled high on the frame was a new, white mattress.
    “It’s down,” Miles said as Carrie hurried to cross the room and sink her hand into the fluffy pile. With an excited cry, she whirled and lay back, and closed her eyes at the feeling like floating on the clouds. Her bottom didn’t even protest as she lay on the soft feathers.
    She stretched out, a large grin on her face. “Thank you.”
    Suddenly, a weight lay next to her, and her body rolled into Miles. His arms closed around her and he kissed her breathless.
    “Been waiting days to do that,” he murmured, his fingers lingering in her hair before he swung himself up and out of bed. “Need to check on the cattle before dinner,” he said.
    A sigh escaped her before she could catch it, and his face cracked into another grin.
    Miles was long gone before Carrie’s heartbeat steadied. Her bottom still pulsed with pain, but that only seemed to add to her excitement. What was it about this man that set her blood pounding? Her whole body felt hot and happy, flushed with breathless anticipation. And she hardly understood why.
    She caressed the soft mattress and felt the familiar surge of excitement, mixed with fear. He’d gotten her a gift that suited her, but would also benefit him. It made her wonder how much she needed to know about the relations between a man and woman.
    Her mother had died when Carrie was young, and her brother Thomas had raised her, with the help of a few spinsters at church. Between all her guardians, she’d missed the teaching on lovemaking. None of the old maids had enlightened her on the subject. In fact, some of their advice confused her.
    She’d seen a dog mount another, but other than that, what little she’d learned she’d gleaned in snatches from a few of the married church women, plus one awkward conversation with her brother where he’d corrected a misunderstanding.
    Of course, the last man who’d made her heart flutter turned out to be a scoundrel, but she couldn’t let her thoughts slide down that dark road.
    All through making dinner, worry gnawed her. What if Miles didn’t think she was beautiful? What if she didn’t know enough to please him? Could she be a good wife to him if she could not perform for him in this way?
    Then she heard Miles’ footfalls on the porch, and rushed to put the pot of simple hominy on the table. Her eyes fell on the shawl Esther had given her, draped over the new chair.
    Don’t worry, he’s already in love with you.
    “Dinner ready?” Miles asked from the doorway. He’d washed his face and hands, and sleeked back his reddish brown hair. His face did look relaxed and calm, though his tawny eyes burned when they met hers.
    “Yes.” She shook out of his spell and hurried to get the final dish, a luxurious treat of canned peaches in their own syrup, another gift from Esther. Miles watched her rush about, and though she didn’t look at him, she had the feeling a smile hovered over his face, just out of sight.
    “You can stand for your meal, if you wish,” he said. Her cheeks turned pink, and she only just stopped herself from rubbing her sore bottom.
    As she served him, he caught her hand long enough to squeeze it. She halted and took his large hand in hers, bringing it to her lips. She kissed the roughened skin, looking into his tawny eyes, then ducked her head.
    He waited until she’d seated herself gingerly on her new chair before starting to eat.
    “Wait.” She stopped him. “We need to say grace.”
    He set down the bread and took her hand. A thrill went through her, but she closed her eyes and joined him in prayer.
    When it was done, he squeezed her hand. “You’ll be a good wife to me, Carrie.”
    Sitting down and eating took the last of the energy she had. Her bottom throbbed, and the excitement of the day, along with all her worried thoughts, started to take its toll. Even with the passion heating her body, exhaustion hit her, and her head drooped