Free The Montana Doctor's Bride (New Brides of Montana) by Susan Leigh Carlton Page A

her body as she approached completion once again.
     
    “Wait for me.  Wait for me,” he whispered.
     
    “You had better hurry,” she said.   “Oohhh, I can’t wait.  I can’t stopppp… Ohhhhh”  He increased the speed of his thrusts, then together they plunged over the edge.
     
    In his arms, their bodies moist with perspiration, she said, “Thank you for coming back to get us.  I couldn’t have made the trip myself, not knowing for sure how you felt.”
     
    Entwined with each other, they fell asleep.  Elizabeth was the first to awaken; she donned her nightgown and went down the hall to check on the baby.  He pulled up on the sides of his bed, wanting to be picked up.  She changed his diaper and decided to take him back to her bedroom. She sat him on top of his father’s chest, where he immediately began bouncing. 
     
    It was the first time Carter woke with his son on his chest.  It would not be the last.
     

Chapter 16:  We’re Going Home To Montana
    The Palmers went to the bank the next morning and met with John Hackett, whom he had dealt with prior to leaving for Montana.  “Your service has been all I could have hoped for.  I wish I had the same quality of service from the bank in Helena.”
     
    “I’m pleased you are satisfied, Doctor Palmer.  Can I help you with anything today?”
     
    “I’m going to need some funds.  Elizabeth and I were married yesterday, and we will be leaving for Montana the day after tomorrow.  She would like you to manage her home just as you do mine.  She won’t ask this, but I would like to keep the accounts separate.”
     
    “Carter, it’s not necessary to do that; we’re married.  What I have is yours, you know that,” Elizabeth said.
     
    “I just think you should have access to funds on your own, without worrying about taking it from the family account.”
     
    She said, “All the same, I don’t think it’s necessary.”
     
    “I can have that set up for you, Mrs. Palmer.  You’ll be leaving the furniture, I assume?”
     
    “Yes.  Carter has a home already furnished in Helena, and it would cost a fortune to move it.  More than it’s worth, I would think.”
     
    “I think it’s a wise decision.  If you could come by tomorrow, I’ll have the papers prepared and ready for signature.  Doctor, would you like to see the ledger while you’re here?”
     
    “Why don’t I look at it when we come in tomorrow?”
     
    “Good, I’ll have it ready for you.  I’ll see you in the morning, then.
     
    “Good day, Mr. Hackett.”
     
    * * *
     
    Long.  Tiring.  Boring.
     
    For Carter Patrick, the train ride was all of these.  With little room to move around, he was fidgety, and irritable.  Elizabeth and Carter found it necessary to hold him, even though Carter had purchased drawing room tickets.  And that was the easy part of the trip.
     
    The three and one-half days on the stage were interminably long and uncomfortable.  The three of them were sore and bone weary when they arrived in Helena.  Carter led the way to the International Hotel restaurant where they had lunch. 
     
    “Elizabeth, my larder is pretty well depleted.  Do you want to go to the general store before we go home?  Our house is only a short ride.  If you prefer, we can go on home, you can make a list of what we need, and I can go later.  Also, I need to put the word out that I’m back.”
     
    “I think I would rather go home and put Carter down for a much needed nap.  I could use one too,” she laughed. 
     
    “We’ll do it that way,” he said.  He left Elizabeth and Carter, and went to the livery stable to retrieve his horse and buggy.  After he loaded their things, he helped Elizabeth into the carriage and they went home.
     
    * * *
     
    “Carter, it’s lovely!” Elizabeth exclaimed, as he brought the carriage to a stop in front of the pristine, white house.  He took Carter Patrick, and assisted Elizabeth from the