Oil Patch Romance (Mail Order Bride Series) (9 page)

It had been a long day.  Emotionally wrung out, Jonathon fell asleep quickly, in the guest room’s huge bed.  A hand tugged at his shoulder.  Another soft hand covered his mouth.  “Shhh,” came from the voice behind the hand.  Instantly awake, he turned over in the bed facing Laura, who had slid beneath the covers.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

“I’m getting in bed with my fiance.  Do you want me to leave?”

“No, but if your father finds you in here, he’s likely to shoot me, and I don’t want to be shot.”

“He won’t know.  Their bedroom
’s in the other wing and he’s a sound sleeper.  Mama would be telling me to go for it.”

He reached out and touched her.  “You don’t have any clothes on!”

“I don’t.  What are you going to do about it?” she asked.

“I’m going to join you,” he said.  He slid his undershirt and shorts off and pulled her into a tight nose to nose and toes to toes embrace.  Her firm nipples were searing the skin on his chest where they touched.  He could feel the heat radiating from her inner core to his groin.

Cupping a breast, he rolled a nipple between his fingers, felt it become even more firm.  Lowering his head, he took the nipple in his mouth and rolled his tongue around it, sucking it gently and bringing a moan from Laura as her passion grew.  His hand found the folds guarding her entrance, then slipped a finger inside.  She climaxed almost immediately.
 

“Make love to me, Jonathon.  I
’ve wanted you all day.  Make love to me, and then do it again.  He rolled over on top of her, taking his weight on his elbows.  He entered her vault and began moving.  Matching his rhythm, she moved with him until they both climaxed.

After they were both spent, he pulled her over, half on, half off him They lay there molded together as one.  He kissed her gently, probing the contours of her mouth with his tongue.  With her hand beneath his head and his lips gently massaging her engorged lips, she began moving slowly, up and down on him.  Then the pace increased, and increased again.  She arched her back and cried out, overcome with her passion, she surrendered to the power of her completion.  Continuing to move, she kissed him deeply as her tongue met his in a fiery collision.  It was enough to take them both over the edge, as he let loose a series of muffled groans.

“Wow,”  she said.  “Oh, wowwwww!  I’ve never had feelings that intense before.”  She squirmed, and crushed her body against his.  Neither of them knew how long they remained in the embrace.  Jonathon did not know when she left his room.  He knew it had not been a dream, her scent was here, and the scent of their sex permeated the air.  He went back to sleep.  A contented smile on his face.

The breakfast table…

“Love certainly agrees with you,” Mrs. Ingram said to her daughter.  “You are glowing.”

Laura stretched, and then sat in the chair.  “I feel wonderful.  What do you think of Jonathon, Mama.”

“I think he’s a very nice man, and I’m happy for you.”

Later, at the train station…

“Your father is big in the oil business, isn’t he?” Jonathon asked Laura.

“I guess so,” Laura answered.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked. 

“I don’t know.  Would it have made a difference?”

“I might have been more afraid of meeting him,” Jonathon said.

“That’s one reason.  Papa intimidates people,  No one at work knows I’m his daughter.  Well, that’s not exactly true.  Becky knows, but I didn’t tell her; she guessed.  I’ve asked him not to come to our offices.”

“Your ranch is huge, too.  He told me how big it was when I asked if cattle was his main business interest.”

“I’ll bet he got a kick out of that.  At least he knows you’re not marrying me because of his business,” she said.

“Can I ask how big,” Jonathon said.

“He’s had several gushers.  He leased some some of the ranch  to Mr. Higgins.  They just about ran out of money, but were saved by some investors at the last minute.  He convinced them to drill deeper and they hit a gusher at just over 1200 feet.  A lot of oil fell to the ground there.  That’s why he was so interested when you told him we’re working on a blowout preventer.  I hadn’t said anything about it up until you told him.

“He also has an interest in Cameron.  I wouldn’t be surprised if Texas Fuels was contacted by them about our work.”

“Now, you’re scaring me.  What was it like for you growing up?”

“He was in the fields a lot, when they were drilling, so a good bit of our time was spent in oil field camps.  I suppose that’s where my interest began.

“Mama said times were rough when the first few holes he drilled were dry, but he kept going until they drilled into the salt dome and it blew out on them.  After that, things were easier.  He rarely goes into the field anymore, and spends most of his time at the Ingram Offices in Beaumont.”

“Why in the world did a girl like you get into such dirty work, and why did you pick me to work with?”

“To answer both of your questions, Papa wanted a boy, so I was elected.  I wanted the best, so I wanted to work with you.”

“Well, I’m glad you did.  Now that I have his blessing, we need to go ring shopping,” he said.

“Look at me, Jonathon, I hardly ever wear jewelry, I don’t need a ring.  I just need you to tell me you love me.”

“I need for the world to know you’re taken and to stay away from my girl,”

“You have no worries there, my darling,” she said, and kissed him on the cheek.

* * *

Most of the staff came over when Laura came into the office with Jonathon.  She received a warm welcome, particularly from her short-time working partner, Chuck.

“Welcome back, Laura,” he said.  “Are you ready to get back to work?”

“I’m glad to be back, but I think I’m back working with Jonathon,” she said.

“Are you sure you want to put yourself through that?  I heard…”

“Things are different now,” she said.

“How so?” Chuck asked.

“Jonathon’s changed,” she replied.

“I’ll believe that when I see it,” said a skeptical Chuck.

None of the office had seen Jonathon since the yelling match in Bill’s office, so they were  surprised to see him walk
into the office and close the door behind him.  They waited for the fireworks to start.

They didn’t.  Bill greeted Jonathon with a handshake and indicated he should take a seat.  “Rebecca called me,” he began.

“I know.  I was there,” Jonathon replied.  “Thank you for giving me another chance.  I won’t let you down.”

“Somehow, I don’t think you will.  Rebecca tells me you and Laura are engaged.  When is it going to happen?”

“We haven’t settled on a date yet.”  He laughed.  “Her mother is in charge now, so I guess she’ll tell us when and where to be.”

“I’m happy for you, but I’m more happy for Laura.  She’s a real lady.  She told me how she felt about you.  Do you have any idea what she did?  She called the corporate office and pleaded with them to be assigned back here.  I don’t know how she did it, but she made her case.  Then she called me and asked if I could put our differences aside.  She said she had forgiven you and I should too.”

“I’m a lucky man, Bill.  You are too, for that matter.”

“Me?  Why?  For agreeing to continue working with you?  Corporate insisted on that.”

“No,” Jonathon said.  “Becky cares for you.  She threatened me with bodily harm if I messed things between you two.”

“Well, I care for her too.  That’s one of the reasons I asked for the Katy job,” Bill said.

“She told me.  I thought it was what I did.”

“That was part of it.  I would like to be closer to her.  Excuse me for a minute,” he said and opened the door.  He motioned for Laura to come over. 

When she came in, she searched their faces for a sign.  Bill smiled.  “Welcome back, Laura.  Congratulations.  I’m glad things worked out for you.”

Laura smiled, and hugged him.  “Thank you and thanks for your help.  I don’t know if it could have happened without your agreement.  We both appreciate it.”  She squeezed Jonathon’s hand.

“Laura will have the best,” Elizabeth proclaimed to her husband.  “We’re going to Paris and have her dress made.”

“Mother, that will take forever.  I don’t want to wait that long.  It will take months.”

“Darling, this is the only time you will be married and I want it to be done right.”

“We need to talk,” Laura said.

“That’s my cue to leave, “ her father said.  “I’ll be in the office,” and left the two of them in the living room.

“Mother, I don’t mean to be hurtful, but are you doing this for me or for yourself?” Laura asked.

“I don’t want you to miss out on your wedding the way I did.”

“You’ve been happy, married to Papa, haven’t you?” Laura asked.  “Would you have been happier with a big wedding?”

“Honey, we couldn’t afford a big wedding.   It was not an option  We can afford for you to have the wedding you’ve dreamed of.”

Laura smiled, “The wedding I dream of, is the one where I’m marrying Jonathon.  I want to move in with Jonathon now, I don’t want to wait.”

“Has he… ?”

“No, he hasn’t asked me to.  I would have if he’d asked, “ Laura replied.

“You love him that much?”

“I do.” Laura said.

“Okay, no Paris,” her mother said.  Can we at least go to Dallas and shop?”

“Yes, we can do Dallas.” Laura said, with a smile.  “Thanks, Mama.”

* * *

The headline of the Daily Enterprise, Beaumont’s only newspaper screamed, “1903’s  Wedding Of  The Year.”  The accompanying article was composed by the society editor of the Dallas newspaper, under the direction of Elizabeth Ingram.  It read:

Laura Ingram, Jonathon Thomas

Laura Elizabeth Ingram and Jonathon Clinton Thomas were married June 25, 1903, in the main sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Beaumont.  The Rev. Paul Haynes performed the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Ingram of Beaumont. The groom is the son of Clinton and Sarah Thomas of Marshall, Texas.

Presented in marriage by her father, the bride was attended by the sisters of Jonathon, Rebecca Hutchison and Cassandra Thomas, as maids of honor.

Bridesmaids were Helen Richardson, Mary Penrod, Judith Barbe and Caroline Yoder of Boston, Massachusetts..

William Barnes of Beaumont was the best man.

Ushers were Matthew Henderson, Daniel Pinkerton, Joshua Manning and Raymond Kauffman, former classmates of the groom..

The junior usher was Jordan Singer of Beaumont.

Susannah Fullerton of Beaumont was the flower girl.

Kenneth Tyler of Beaumont was the ring bearer.

Two violinists and a cellist from Dallas provided the music.

A reception was held at the Ingram Ranch, home of the bride.

After a wedding trip to Paris, France, the couple will make their home in Beaumont.

As the couple left the church, they passed by their waiting carriage.  Laura turned, and tossed her bouquet over her shoulder.  When she turned back to see who had caught it, a smiling Rebecca held it aloft.  “You’re next, Becky,” Laura said. 

“I’m ready.  Do you have anyone in mind?” Rebecca asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Laura said.

Laura’s bedroom, Ingram Ranch…

“That was a beautiful wedding, and you were radiant.  You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen,” Rebecca said.  “Our brother is one lucky man.”

Cassie said, “I agree completely.  Because of you, he’s almost tolerable now.”

The girls loved their brother, and laughed heartily at Cassie’s joke.

Just before midnight, Laura and Jonathon ducked out of the reception and went to their bedroom.  After a night of tender lovemaking, punctuated by many declarations of love and eternal devotion, each to the other, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Bleary eyed from lack of sleep, their appearance drew laughter from her parents.  “We have a long train ride and then the entire Atlantic Ocean to rest,” Laura said.  “Thank goodness for makeup.”

“Easy for you to say,” retorted Jonathon.

Hank said, “You have the resilience of youth.  You’ll bounce back in a hurry.

“Jonathon, can you give me a few minutes before we have to leave for the train?”

In Hank’s office, he said,  “Jonathon, she’s the most precious thing in my life.  I’d spend everything I have or will have to keep her safe.  Take care of her for me, will you.”  His voice choked and his eyes became misty.  “Look at me, I’m blubbering like a baby.”

“Sir, my one goal in life is to make her happy.  I will not let her, or you down.”

Hank clasped Jonathon’s hand in both of his and said, “I don’t think you will.  If you need anything, let us know.  The undersea cable can get messages to us quickly.  We’ve used it at work for several years now.”

“Someday, we’ll be able to make overseas telephone calls.  Until then, telegraph will do.  We’ll be all right, sir, and we’ll keep you posted.”

“Thank you, son.  I know I can count on you.  Now, let’s get you on the train.”

Her mother’s bedroom…

“I’m going to miss you, baby.  I know Jonathon will take care of you, but you have to take care of him too.  One last piece of advice from your mother.

“You know I want grandbabies, but don’t be in too much of a hurry.  Enjoy each other before you get in the family way.  You’re young and you have plenty of time.”

“Jonathon and I have talked about it.  We would like to wait a year or two, but if it happens, that’s all right too.  It will be the most loved child since… Well, since me.  Thank you Mama, and thank you for my wedding.  It was wonderful.”

“It was my pleasure, Darling.  Now, we’d better go.  Your husband and Papa are waiting.”  Impulsively, Laura hugged her mother hard, and said, I love you Mama.”

“I love you too, Darling”

And they left, Laura, to meet her future, and Elizabeth to see her daughter board a train for distant places, here-to-fore only dreamed about.