BECCA Season of Willows Read online

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  He shook his head and kissed her.

  “No Becca. I just want to be inside yah.”

  Becca bit her lip again.

  “Then show me Harrison, please? Show me how to please you.”

  Harrison groaned and felt his control fly away as he kissed her passionately.

  Their tongues met and seemed to fuse together relishing the movement of their lips. Becca gripped his shoulders and ran her hands over his arms and back.

  Becca felt his erection at the entrance to her secret place and knew her time had come. She would now become a woman.

  She braced herself for the pain that Auntie had said would only be temporary. Harrison reached between her legs and began to rub her swollen bud. Becca was already wet for him. He rubbed her bud as he kissed, licked and nipped his way to her breasts again suckling her nipples with relish.

  Becca could feel something…something within her building. There was no holding it back. It was like trying to close a door against a strong wind.

  Becca closed her eyes and let go as she cried out her release. That was just before Harrison broke her maidenhead hoping his timing was right to cause her the least amount of pain.

  Becca never even felt the pain for the orgasm racing through her was so strong she felt she would faint. She arched her back shifting her pelvis for more of him. Harrison gripped her hips pounding into her feeling his release as her vaginal muscles gripped him, holding him in place till the finish.

  Becca laid there, feeling the weight of him on her and it wasn’t uncomfortable. She ran her hands over his broad shoulders and kissed his neck. He chuckled as he lifted up on his elbows.

  Harrison brushed her hair away from her forehead and stared at her lovingly.

  “My beautiful wife. You have made me very, very happy. I hope I pleased you?”

  Becca smiled and brushed his cheek with her palm as she kissed him lightly all over his face.

  “That was wonderful… Harrison? Will it always be like this?”

  Harrison kissed her again.

  “Give me a few minutes honey and I’ll make sure it does.”

  Becca grinned, wanting to know but feeling rather foolish.

  “You mean we can do that more than once during the night?”

  Harrison laughed.

  “Oh yes ma’am…”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  It was just before dawn and Becca woke snug and warm feeling something long and hard in the crack of her behind. She blinked her eyes and all the night of loving came back to her. Harrison has shown her what making love was and it was worth every single embarrassing giggle from Auntie Marcie’s description.

  She grinned thinking of all that Auntie had told her and she was so right. Bless her heart!

  Becca had enjoyed every moment of his kisses, his touches and his pleasuring her. His whispers in her ear as he nibbled her lobe. His groan as he released his seed in her. It was all so strange but beautiful. She wiggled her behind into his groin and she heard a rumble of laughter in her ear as she felt his arms pull her into his chest.

  Harrison was thrilled with his sweet new wife and their wedding night. Becca was a virgin and inexperienced as he expected but what she didn’t know she made up for in enthusiasm.

  He was tickled to death that she actually liked touching him. Now, he would work just as hard to make her happy in and out of the marriage bed.

  He nibbled her ear and slipped inside her from behind. He groaned for she was already wet for him. Palming her breasts and tweaking her nipples he brought them both to a quick climax.

  Becca kissed his bicep close to her and she rose from bed. Harrison felt the cold with the feeling of wanting her back snuggled against him.

  “Where yah goin, Mrs. McGann?”

  He flipped the covers off and stretched out like an old tomcat winking at Becca. She had the good graces to giggle and blush at his blatant nudity.

  “You rascal! I have to wash and get dressed. There’s coffee to make and eggs to gather. Children to get dressed and breakfast to make.”

  Harrison groaned and got out of bed.

  “I guess then I’ll go milk Mrs. Astor”

  He got a rag and started to wash himself.

  Becca gave him a look.

  “Mrs. Astor?”

  He nodded.

  “Mac named the milk cow.”

  Becca laughed and got Harrison to laughing too. He never thought he would wake with a smile and now sharing a laugh over the name of the cow.

  Finished with his washing, he gave the rag a pop on her behind. Becca jumped and squeaked giving him a smirk.

  “Rascal!”

  She watched him put on a fresh pair of jeans and a clean shirt deciding she needed to get busy and dress herself.

  Becca washed up and dressed in her chemise, then wrestled on her favorite blue cotton dress. Grabbing a clean apron, she tied it around her waist making her way to the kitchen.

  It was just a few short minutes and she had the fire in the stove going. She put on the coffee as Mac drug himself into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. Becca grinned and kissed his cheek.

  “Good morning Sunshine! Will you be so kind as to watch the coffee as I go gather the eggs?”

  Mac yawned big.

  “I’ll gather the eggs for yuh, Mama.” Becca nodded.

  “Why thank you, Mac.”

  She went to the cellar and got the bacon setting it on the kitchen counter. She sliced it in strips and soon had it frying on the cast iron skillet. She set the boiling coffee off the hot part of the stove and turned to the pantry.

  The bread she had mixed the night before had risen nicely and she kneaded it out to put in the bread pans to rise again. Next was biscuits. She had a big pan in the oven when Mac ran in and set down the eggs.

  “Mama? The rooster got me on the leg. Can you help me?”

  Becca saw his leg bleeding through his pants and she wanted to cry out.

  She bit her lip and nodded not wanting to show she was a coward when it came to blood. She already felt herself getting light headed and fought it off.

  “Let’s get that taken care of Mac, shall we?”

  She found the salve and bandages in the pantry and knelt down to wash his wound.

  After she had bandaged him Mac jumped up completely unaffected by the wound or all the blood. He hugged her and ran out of the kitchen as Becca wiped her face and swallowed hard. She rinsed out the cleaning rag watching the pink cover her hands and she felt that feeling of going to faint as she dumped the water out the back door. She quickly looked away to shove her hands in soapy water to wash. Wiping her face with a cold water rag grounded her thoughts to finish her breakfast.

  Scrambled eggs, crisp bacon and fresh biscuits were on the table as Harrison walked through the kitchen door.

  “I see I’m just in time.”

  He set the milk pail on the counter and washed up for breakfast. He gave her a strange look.

  “You’re pale Becca. Has somethin’ happened? Are you okay?”

  A playful Mac bounced in with a sleepy Mazie in tow dressed and rubbing her eyes.

  “I gathered the eggs for her this morning Pa. I wasn’t payin’ attention and Big Red spurred me good on the leg. Mama took care of it for me. She was real brave too. She didn’t cry or yell at me or nothin’ like Ma used to.”

  Harrison smirked and pulled Becca to him kissing her.

  “Thank you Becca.”

  Becca smiled and brushed his cheek.

  “I bet y’all are hungry. Sit and eat.”

  Harrison patted her behind as she poured him coffee. Mac and Mazie giggled at each other.

  Their Pa smirked at his laughing children at the breakfast table.

  “Now you two youngins know that when a man and woman marry they get real close so you can wipe those giggles off your faces.”

  He chuckled letting them know he was teasing them.

  Mac barked a laugh.
r />   “You never did that with Ma. She would have swatted yah back.”

  Harrison got silent and then sighed. A perturbed scowl darkened his face.

  “That’s right, Mac. Your Ma didn’t like me touchin’ her but Becca likes me huggin’ and kissin’ on her. In this marriage I’m tryin’ to start off on the right foot by makin’ sure Becca and I see eye to eye. And if she’s happy…I’m happy. And you will be happy too. So there!”

  Becca bit her lip trying not to laugh at their father’s explanation and matter of fact attitude to love. Love? Did I just say love? Is that what I feel for this man? No. I’m not in love with him. But I will care for him I’m sure.

  She looked up to see him smiling at her, his face beaming with something akin to admiration that melted her heart.

  Yeah! I guess that’s what this strong feeling I have for him is. It IS a caring. It’s not just that I like the feel of him against me or what we did in bed last night. It’s the hope of a happy future I see now in his beautiful gray eyes.

  Becca moved to his side like a magnet had pulled her there. He took her hand and she wrapped her free arm around his neck and bent to kiss him.

  He grinned like he had just received the biggest, brightest gift for Christmas. Becca looked at Mac and he giggled and hugged himself making kissing smacking noises. Becca chuckled.

  “Well Mr. Mac, you know your Pa and I just married yesterday. But I have no doubt that in no time at all, I’m gonna care for your Pa so much, he’ll never get rid of me.”

  She kissed Harrison’s cheek running her hands through his thick waves of hair still damp from his washing.

  Harrison felt on top of the world. He swelled with pride at her open honesty and his sparkling eyes showed what he was thinking. Becca giggled and trotted into the kitchen to get more biscuits. Mac watched his Pa beaming and felt like crying. He had found a jewel.

  He was so glad he had sent off that letter for a new Ma hoping against all hope that he would find the right one and sure ‘nuff, he had.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “What do you mean you have to go on a cattle drive? For how long?”

  Becca looked down right pissed but more scared than pissed! Harrison sighed trying to explain.

  “That’s right Becca. I need to drive the cattle with the hands to meet up with my cousin’s herd in Kansas and herd them east to Kansas City to send east to all those beef eaters. That’s mostly how we make our living.”

  Becca sighed and fell into the chair across from his desk.

  “But Harrison, We just got married. I still don’t know very much that goes on here. I’ve only lived with you three weeks!”

  McGann sat back and studied his new wife.

  “Becca? Now that you’re here with the children, I can resume my duties to provide for y’all. That WAS our agreement after all.

  I’ve had to cut back the herd for years to tend the children. Now that you are here, I need to start meeting with buyers again. I lost a big contract when…when my…when she left me and I think I may be able to get it back. I would like your support in this.”

  Becca sighed but didn’t hesitate. He was right. She had agreed to these terms. She rose and went to his side putting her arm around his shoulder. Becca felt like she was being put to the test and she would show him she was ready for the challenge.

  “I’ll do my best to keep everyone safe till you get home.”

  She bent to kiss his cheek and he gave her a sweet smile.

  Harrison stood and brushed her cheek with his thumb. He felt like a big ass for pushing her. Pushing is all he had been doing since he married her, even before he married her. Then he pushed her into a wild wedding night and she had met the challenge with grace and enthusiasm.

  Then he pushed again by just dumping everything for the house on her at once. Cooking, cleaning, washing, the children. She had no honeymoon. No adjustment period. She was immediately put to work. There had been no special nights. No walks hand in hand. No time spent together talking, except in bed. What few talks they had there was short because passion took over. Becca was doing everything she could to fit into his life and Harrison knew he was just making more demands of her.

  Harrison pulled her to him and held her. Becca was grateful for these now brief displays she hoped were affection. She needed him now. And he needed to know she would support his decisions.

  Sometimes she wondered if all he ever needed was a servant because all he did was give orders. Then he would do something generous or sweet. Just like now, by pulling her in his arms comforting her.

  Since he had shown her the wonderful glory of the marriage bed, she craved that intimacy with him. After their wedding night, the truth of her attraction and desire for him was no problem for Becca. She could fully admit to herself that she wanted his big body close to her every night. His heat, his scent of soap and man was something she enjoyed and it made her feel safe. She couldn’t say she loved him because she didn’t really know him but she was trying her best to get to that place of feeling comfortable in talking with him.

  That’s why Becca was very nervous about him leaving so soon. She would be alone and in charge till he returned. She felt a brief moment of panic when she thought of him being injured out there somewhere in route to meet his cousin’s herd and shook it off. She mustn’t think like that! The life of a rancher’s wife is what she chose and she would face it.

  She knew he wanted to get back into the everyday running of the ranch so she would just have to raise her chin and be the wife he needs. It was high time she got a solid backbone.

  Harrison felt her stiffen as she pulled back.

  “You can depend on me to do what must be done Harrison. I won’t let you down.”

  Harrison was smiling at her bravery but worried about the distant look in her eyes. Mac had certainly chosen well for a mother and he thought she was enjoying being his wife. But he knew she was holding back. She was beautiful and brave but she was hiding a part of herself he still couldn’t touch. She would not give him her heart.

  “You won’t be alone, Becca. I asked Still River to be with you to help. He has the best overall knowledge of keeping the livestock and ranch in order while I’m gone. He has done it many times before. He will protect you.”

  Becca frowned not being able to place him. Still River was talked about often and knew he was loved by the children and was Harrison’s best friend. She was hoping to meet him soon. She had never met this man and Harrison was leaving her in his care? She got a little frightened.

  “But I’ve never met this man Harrison. But I guess since you trust him…I will trust him too.”

  Harrison laughed.

  “No! You haven’t met River. If you had…you’d remember him. He is my neighbor to the south of my ranch and he’s my very best friend. We’ve been brothers for years.

  He farms and raises a few cattle but he mostly breeds and breaks horses. I see him everyday out in the pastureland but he only comes to the house when he needs to talk.

  He is a good man, Becca. I wouldn’t leave you in anyone else’s hands. He’s saved my hide more than once. We have depended on each other out here in the wilderness. I trust him with my family. I wanted to make sure I got my claim on yah in first though before he met yah. He was a little too interested in you for my liking.”

  Becca nodded and relaxed her stance.

  “Alright Harrison…we’ll be fine. It’s you who need to take care of yourself and come back to us.” He laughed and patted her behind.

  “You got that right, Becca! Don’t you worry. Nothin’ will happen that shouldn’t be happenin’. I’ll come home.”

  The next two weeks were a blur getting ready to drive the cattle southeast to meet up with his cousin’s herd in Kansas. It was constant washing and packing for Becca as Harrison made sure everything was taken care of legally and the route they were taking mapped out.

  So it was a big surprise two days before the drive that she saw an Indian ride in on a sp
otted horse.

  His saddle was highly tooled and he rode using what Harrison called a hackamore instead of a bridle. The horse was a kind she had never seen before. It had spots all over it and mostly on the rump of the huge animal.

  Becca stared in awe at the size of the horse and then…the size of its rider.

  He was most definitely Indian but had piercing blue eyes. So blue they almost glowed. Taller than Harrison, if that was possible, he was a giant. Raven black hair hung long down his back and braided at the sides.

  His red/copper skin was striking in contrast to his hair. He wore a red headband to hold his hair back and had on deerskin leggings and a loincloth for God’s sake! His holster carrying two pistols was low on his hips making him look somewhat comical with his other dress. He wore a linen shirt and it was bound at the waist with a colorful beaded belt. A large deadly looking knife was attached to the belt by an open sheath. His moccasins were knee high of deer skin. She just knew there were other weapons on him hidden somewhere on that huge muscled body. Becca had certainly never seen anything like him before.

  He slid off the horse and embraced Harrison as a big smile broke over his handsome face.

  “Hau Kola! Are you ready for the drive? The cattle are fat and are good this year, yes?”

  Harrison took off his hat and raked his hand through his longish black hair grinning at River.

  “Yep! Just about ready. I really appreciate you stayin’ around and lookin’ after things. My new wife Becca is still a little gun shy and she will need some advice on things. We’ve only been married three weeks yah know. She and the youngins will need to be protected if need be.”

  Becca saw River nod and grunt like he wasn’t in the least interested. Becca took that moment to walk out on the porch smiling, trying to look brave and nonchalant.

  River’s eyes lit up as he looked at Becca and immediately honed in on her eyes and stared. Harrison nudged his elbow.”She is a pretty one. Isn’t she?”