Romance: Luther's Property (41 page)

By: Katie Summers

Paradise on the
Frontier,
A BBW Western Romance

© Katie Summers, 2015 – All rights reserved

Published by Steamy Reads4U

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
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or reviews.

This is a work of fiction.
 
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either
the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner.
 
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or
dead, or actual events are purely coincidental.
 
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Warning

This book contains graphic content intended for readers 18+
years old.

If you are under 18 years old, or are not comfortable with
adult content, please close this book now.

Clara looked at herself in the looking glass. She wondered
how things got so out of control? She didn’t know what had happened, but she
knew that she was now penniless, widowed and defeated.

“Ms. Clara. Hello?”

She sighed quietly as she heard James’s voice through the
doorway. James was her neighbour. He was a good guy and had been incredibly sweet
to her through the whole ordeal. She just didn’t want to leave yet. She wiped a
tear from her cheek and stood up straight. Squaring her shoulders she made her
way to the door.

“I am leaving James. I just needed a minute or two. This was
the last place I saw my husband and where I thought I would have my children
you know.”

“There is no rush ma’am. I just wondered if I could speak to
you for a moment. May I come in?”

“Yes please.” She held the door for him as he made his way
inside. She followed him slowly to the small foyer where a table sat. “I would
offer you something to drink but, as I’m sure you know, I have nothing to give
at the moment.”

“I am fine ma’am. Thank you though. I was wondering what you
would be doing now. I mean where will you go now?”

Her sigh was frustrated because the truth was she didn’t
know. She had no idea where she was going. She just knew that she could live
with the embarrassment of staying there. Her husband had killed any life she
could have made in Boston. Her sad eyes looked up at the man in reserve. “To
tell you the truth sir. I don’t know. I have nowhere to go really.”
 

“Well, I ask because I have a brother out in Colorado. He is
a widow like yourself and needs some help. You see he has a daughter. Lexi is
10 and she needs a woman to help her. There are things that a man just cannot
teach a young woman you know. He is looking for someone to help him.”

“What about the women there in town? Can’t they help him?”
She looked at him with her forehead worried into a frown.

“Ha. Well, first off my dear is the number of women out in
the west is slim to none. Also, his ranch is a day’s ride from the town so he
couldn’t possibly have someone come out every day. He would need someone to
live there with him and Lexi. It isn’t much but Craig’s a kind man and Lexi is
as cute as they come. He can’t pay you much, but he can give you a place to
stay and food and such. At least until you can get back on your feet. Who
knows, you might even like it out there.” He said the last with a shrug of his
shoulders and a sheepish grin.
 

Clara looked over at the man across from her. Her options
were, well she didn’t really have any options. “I don’t know anything about
children James and I definitely don’t know nothing about living in the west.
Are you sure he would be ok with me?”

“Oh, ma’am I think you would be perfect for the job. Why,
look at you. You hold yourself prim and proper like a young lady should and
have the best of manners. Lexi could learn a lot from you. Craig, too I guess.”

“If you don’t mind James can I ask what happened to his
wife?”

“She died from the fever. I would say it’s going on 5 years
now. He’s a little rough around the edges, but Craig’s a good man and I know he
would do right by ya.”

She nodded her head and thought about it for a minute. “Well
I guess I need to figure out how to get on the stage and head that way. I am
assuming it will take me.”

“I have that taken care of. Don’t you worry your pretty
little head over anything. The stage will take you as far as the next town and
then you will join the wagon train. It’s safer you know.”

Her eyes widened when she realized just what he was talking
about. “You mean Indians? We won’t run into any will we?”

“We haven’t had any trouble lately but you can never be too
sure you know. I would feel better if you were with a group of people you
know.”

“Thank you James. If not for you, I don’t really know what I
would do.”

She looked down at his hand where it patted her own. “Don’t
think nothing of it. I’m just glad I caught ya before some young bloke swept
you off your feet. Ok well the stage doesn’t leave until tomorrow so if you
would like to stay here then you are more than welcome or I can get you a room
at the inn.”

She stood and looked around the foyer she had shared with
her husband. “No. I think the inn would be good. I have said my goodbyes here
already. I’m ready to leave now.”

“Ok. Let’s get going then. I have my sons with me to help
load your luggage onto the buggy.”

She laughed softly. “Were you planning on me telling you I
would go, James?” She smiled again at his sheepish smile.

“I was hoping ma’am. Both my brother and his daughter could
really use the help if you know what I mean.” She didn’t have any clue what he
was talking about, but she knew that she would soon find out. She also knew
that James was looking out for her as well. He had made sure she had somewhere
to go and wasn’t living on the streets somewhere. He was a good man and she was
glad to say she could call him friend.

* * * * *

The next morning she made her way downstairs and to the
stagecoach that was waiting. She had a quick breakfast earlier in her room and
looked at what was to be her ride across the country. It was little more than a
covered wagon.

“Howdy ma’am. I’m Wayne and I’ll be your guide across to the
west. You can either sit up front or in the wagon whichever you prefer when we
join the others. Unfortunately for your safety I will ask you to sit in the
wagon until then. It is going to be a fast and dusty ride until we meet up with
them. It will be better if a woman is not seen while we are alone just in case
we come across anyone.” The man looked at her with a toothy grin. He had to be
old enough to be her father. She sighed when she thought of putting her life in
this man’s hands.

The journey across the land and into the next town was very
bumpy. It could have been from how fast they were going. It also could have
been from how she had to sit in the back. After they met up with the others in the
wagon train she began to make friends with many of the women traveling across
the rugged terrain as she was. She was happy to make friends especially when it
came to dinner. She may have found a way to cook, but she was nowhere as good
as some of the women on the wagon train.
 

After spending weeks in the wagon and with the rest of the
wagon train she finally reached her destination. They had reached the lines of
Colorado and right outside Denver where the little town sat. She quickly booked
a room at the inn and took a long hot bath before sinking into a real bed. She
would head out to the ranch the following morning. One of the men in town had a
delivery for Craig and had offered to give her a ride. She had bought some
things in the store to take with her as well. She smiled when she thought of
her new life. She was a little worried about what would happen next but if
Craig was anything like his brother then she knew she would be safe.

Clara looked out at the expanse of beautiful land in front
of her. They had just come through the gate of the ranch and in front of her
sat a small log cabin. There was a man standing by the doorway that she assumed
was Craig. As they got closer she noticed just how handsome he was. His dark
hair curled around his temple and over his ears. His dark eyes shone as they
looked at her. Their eyes met for a few brief seconds before she averted her
gaze to look around.

“Robert. Thanks for bringing that out here.”

“Well I wouldn’t necessarily call her a that you know. Come
on now boy. Your momma taught you some manners. This is Clara Sterling. Clara
this is Craig Wilson.”

The older man from the store helped her down from the wagon
and she turned to look at the man across from her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr.
Wilson.”

“And you as well Ms. Sterling.”

“Lexi! Get out here and say hello.”

Just then a young girl about 10 years old came bounding out
of the house. Her reddish brown hair laid in ragged curls down her back. She
had on trousers and a shirt that was stained brown with dirt and mud. Her face
was covered in a frown among the dark smudges of dirt.

“Hello Lexi. I’m Clara.”

The little girl crept behind her father’s leg without saying
a word. Before anyone could say anything else to her she bounded off towards
the woods.
 

Craig watched his daughter run and then turned to look at
Clara again. “I’m sorry. She really is a good girl she just doesn’t get to be
around many people with us being way out here. If you give me a minute I’ll go
fetch her.

“Please, Mr. Sterling that’s really unnecessary. I am sure
she will come around when she is up to it.” She gave him a smile of
reassurance.

He nodded at her. “I’m sure you’re right. I cleared out the
bedroom for you. I will stay in the loft with Lexi. Please come in. It’s not
much, but its home.”

She smiled at him and started to follow him in when his
hands lifted the suitcases up. “I’m sure it’s lovely.” She looked around the
home as she walked through the door. With a good scrubbing of the place, it
really would be a lovely home. There were only a few furnishings in the small
room including a couple rocking chairs and a table with chairs where she
assumed they ate. She had seen a couple rocking chairs on the front porch as
well. There was a ladder on one side that led up to the loft and then there was
a door that must have led into the bedroom where he carried her luggage. She
looked around at the home. This was where she would be living for a while. She
didn’t know what life had in store for her but as she looked around she became
excited about her new life.

“Well, that’s all of it. I hate to just up and leave you
when you just got here, but I need to get to the fields. Please make yourself
at home Ms. Sterling and get settled.”

“Thank you but please call me Clara.”

He smiled briefly as he looked at her. “If you will call me
Craig.”

Smiling back she nodded. “Deal.”

Clara watched him walk from the house and then turned back
around to look at the house again. First she needed some water.

It had taken her all day long, but she looked around at the
home she now lived in. The place looked entirely different now that it was
scrubbed clean. She looked down at herself and groaned. Making her way to the
back of the house, she pumped water into the bowl there and began to rinse her
hands and arms before wiping down her neck and over her face. She immediately
felt better. Turning she stopped dead in her tracks at the sight she saw. There
was Craig in the fields. He had removed his shirt and wore nothing but his
trousers. She could see his muscles straining as he stood up and put his hands
on his back and stretched. He must have felt her eyes on him because he turned
at that second and his eyes met hers. Embarrassed she had been caught staring
at him she quickly ducked inside the home.

She began to look around the kitchen for something she could
make for dinner and she found some vegetables and a small hunk of meat.
Rummaging through the stuff she had just stacked up neat, she grabbed out a pot
and had vegetable beef soup on in a matter of minutes. Finding the flour, she
began to prepare the dough for biscuits. Soon the house began to simmer with
the aroma of food. Smiling, she quickly ran into the bedroom to gather her
spices she had brought. What she saw made her gasp out loud. The room was small
but elegant and pretty. There was a large vanity on one side and a large bed in
one corner.

She came back into the kitchen humming as she finished up on
dinner. She heard the door open behind her and spun around. It was Craig, but he
had replaced his shirt. Lexi was on his heels as well.

“It smells good in here.” He smiled at her. She ducked her
head in embarrassment with the compliment. Her husband had been so sick and she
had been alone most of the time that she rarely heard any compliments anymore.

“Thanks. I filled the basin outside with fresh water so you
two could clean up for dinner.” She looked at him pointedly. Ducking his head a
little he nodded and grabbed Lexi’s hand.

Clara smiled as she heard their conversation.

“But daddy do we have to clean up? We never did before she
came.”

“We did with your momma. You mind your manners. You wouldn’t
have second guessed what your momma told you to do.”

“I just don’t see why we have to be so clean. And did you
see the house? What she go and do something like that for? I mean it was fine
just the way we had it wasn’t it Pa?”

“It may have been before but not anymore. I kind of like
having real food don’t you? It smells like vegetable soup in there. Isn’t that
better than cold meat and bread that we get from town already made?”

“I don’t know. I kinda like it being us two. Like two peas
in a pod you always say.”

“Yes, but some pods have three peas, Lexi.”

“Seems crowded to me in that pod.” The girl’s voice was
gruff.

“Stop your fussing. You don’t cause her no trouble, Lexi
Marie. Do you hear me? She came a long way to help us out. Understand?”

“Yes, Pa. I promise not even no frogs or snakes in her bed
and I promise I won’t try and scare her away.”

“You’re a good girl Lexi and you need a woman around to help
you fix your hair and stuff.”

“What’s wrong with my hair? And she’ll just make me wash it
like Ma used to. I mean I liked it when ma did it. She was different wasn’t she
Pa?”

“Yes she was honey. Now come on. Let’s go give Clara the
gratitude she deserves.”

“Yes sir.”

Clara looked up when they came through the doorway. “The
place looks amazing Clara thank you. Did you get settled in alright?”

“Yes I did. Thank you.” She acknowledged but she hadn’t even
stepped into the bedroom except to grab the spices. It would be something she
would have to tackle tomorrow. She watched as they both sat down at the table.

Clara began to eat the soup in front of her and looked over
at Lexi. She took a small bite and the girl’s eyes widened with delight. “This
soup is really good uh Pa. Wow.”

“I’m glad you like it. I used some spice that I brought with
me from back home.”

“It is amazing Clara thank you. We will have to get more of
those spices sent in.” He smiled at her as he tore a piece of his biscuit off to
dip into the bowl. After filling his bowl twice and Lexi’s once she began to
clean up the dishes. They both carried their dishes to the sink. He stood
behind her and she could feel the heat radiate off of his body onto her own.
“We normally go outside and sit after dinner. Lexi’s tries to catch lightning
flies and I use my pipe. We would like it if you would join us.”

She turned to smile at him and almost ran right into him.
She sucked in a breath. “I would like that a lot. Thank you.”

They sat in the two rocking chairs and watched Lexi play in
the yard. Clara saw herself on that porch rocking when she was older. The life
in the west may be hard but it was peaceful. It was simple and less stressful.
She didn’t need to compare herself to other women or try to outdo them. She
simply had to be herself and enjoy life. Not to mention it was absolutely
breathtaking out there. She was amazed at how different it was from the city.
The air smelled so clean and fresh. She took a big whiff and caught on the
scent of the pipe in the man’s mouth next to her. She remembered Liam and how
he smoked his pipe in the foyer at night while she curled up with a good book
in front of the fire. It had been so peaceful and comfortable to just share the
silence together.

“I’m sorry does the pipe bother you. I can put it out.”

She looked over to see his worried look. “No. To tell you
the truth I have missed the smell. My husband used to smoke his after dinner as
well.”

“James told me about your husband. I am sorry for your
loss.”

“Yes. It was hard. Still is. I am sorry for yours as well. I
always think that people don’t really understand. I guess you do, though.” She
looked over at him sadly.

He sighed deeply as he looked out at the yard where Lexi was
hopping around trying to catch lightning bugs inside her hands. Her laughter
could be heard across the yard and Clara watched him. “It is definitely harder
than people think. And yes unfortunately I understand all too well. I would say
that you will eventually get over it but you won’t. I miss Sierra every day but
it does get easier with time. You will see that you will remember the little
things. The small things you took for granted. Her laughter, her smile, the way
she said good morning and the way she looked sitting just as you are now. That
is the memories you remember and miss the most. The little things such as your
husband smoking a pipe every evening.”

She smiled sadly as she thought of what he said and realized
that he was right. It was the small things in their marriage that she
remembered the most. His smile and the way he used to call her his precious
before he left every morning. It all came back to her and a smile spread across
her face.

“I see you agree.” She turned to see him smiling in her
direction.

“I have to say you are right. It is sad but it is also good
to remember as well.”

“Yeah it is.”

“Look daddy I got one. Look. Look.” Lexi came bounding up
the stairs to show off her treasure. “Look Clara.”