Destiny's Bride by Ginger Simpson Read Free Book Online Page B

lengths. Her husband was truly amazing.
    Wrapped in the blanket, she waddled off to find a secluded place to relieve herself. Sharing her body was one thing, but there were still some tasks one needed to attend to in private.
    She returned to Walt’s humming. He seemed even happier than before as he rolled up the bedding, re-packed the wagon, and hitched up the horses. Cecile took her clothes and washed and dressed by the stream, then climbed aboard the wagon for the next leg of the journey.  She tucked her folded blanket under the seat with the others.
    As Walt walked around making sure everything was secure, she recalled her wedding night, thankful to have gotten past her first physical encounter. “Mrs. Walt Williams,” she whispered, trying out her new name. “I’m really Mrs. Walt Williams.” 
    Walt climbed aboard and sat next to her, patting her knee and giving her a warm smile before urging the horses onward. She gazed at the cloudless blue sky and tried again to picture her new home, but to no avail. As the wheels began to turn, the wagon pitched forward, almost unseating her. She grabbed onto Walt’s arm to steady herself. She prickled with excitement to finally lay the mystery about her husband’s ranch to rest.
    “We’ll be home in another two or three days,” he said, as if reading her mind.
    With a smile, she breathed a sigh of relief. Home! Her new home, her new life with her new husband. What could be more exciting than that?
    The sun climbed higher in the sky and the day grew warmer. She reached behind the seat and grabbed her bonnet. In her mind, she heard her mother‘s voice. “If you don’t cover your head, you’re going to end up with ugly freckles on your face.”
     
    ***
     
    Walt was right, the next night of sharing one another’s body felt even better. With only a momentary twinge of pain, Cecile reveled in feelings she never knew possible. Once she reached a certain point, letting him take control of her body seemed as natural as breathing. It just didn’t make sense that when the moment passed, she reverted to her prim and proper ways. Her lack of experience kept her on edge—not knowing for sure what she should do or where she should touch him. She wanted to bring the same pleasure to him that he gave her. She had no doubt that given time she’d learn. Walt was a great teacher.
    Despite her nighttime rewards, the days seemed as endless as the prairie they crossed. There was nothing to look at and little to say. Her back and legs ached from balancing on the wagon seat, and her hands had splinters from holding onto the worn wooden sides. Her patience wore thin.
    “Well, Cece,” Walt said, breaking the silence, “over that next rise is our new home.” Pride filled his voice.
    A surge of excitement shot through her. “Home, we‘re really here? You mean tonight we can sleep in a bed, and even wash up?” It sounded wonderful. She straightened her posture and scanned the horizon, eager to see what her mind had tried so hard to envision.
     
     
    Chapter Four
    The passed the lake at the foot of the rise, with water so inviting Cecile wished for a swim, and just beyond, the thick stand of trees Walt had talked of so many times. Her heart fluttered with excitement. They were finally home.
    The team’s shoulder muscles bulged with effort to get the loaded wagon to the crest of the hill. Once there, Walt reined the horses. “Well, here we are.” His gaze trained on the buildings below.
    Cecile blinked her eyes in disbelief. This couldn’t be it. There was no house, just a deserted shack with a terribly rundown barn. There had to be a mistake. She waited for Walt to put an end to his joke. He didn’t, just snapped the reins and set the wagon in motion, stopping in front of the ugliest structure Cecile had ever seen.
    She sat frozen to the wagon seat and looked around. Prairie grass had grown up to the doorway, and in place of glass windows, weather-beaten shutters barely hung on