Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) by Hildie McQueen Read Free Book Online Page B

familiar. Yet the one thing she knew for sure was that belonging to him in that moment, when their bodies joined, was exactly what she imagined when thinking about being made love to. It was beautiful and all consuming, a torrent that dragged her down until she didn’t care if she drowned in him.
    His caresses and kisses made Judith cling to him, returning as much passion as she could, conveying to him with her touch how deeply she felt for him. Sean Montgomery became her husband that night. Yes, in two days they’d stand before God and witnesses and proclaim vows, but there in the bedroom, filled with breathless whispers and the sounds of flesh touching flesh, was when she became not just his wife, but a woman in every sense of the word.
    “I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than you right now,” Sean said, looking at her, his face close to hers on the pillow as they lay facing one another. “I am a very lucky man.”
    Judith smiled. She couldn’t be ashamed. She should have felt a bit of remorse, but all she could feel in that moment was fulfillment. “Hold me, Sean. I find it hard to be even this far away from you.”
    When he pulled her close, she snuggled against him. “Must you go? I want you to stay with me.”
    The deep rumble in her ear from his chuckle made her giddy. He let out a long sigh. “I wish that more than anything but, as you know, I’m staying with Pat…he’s probably already wondering why I’m not there.”
    “Pat? Oh, you mean Father O’Reilly. Oh, God!” Judith pushed away from Sean and sat straight up. Grabbing the blankets to cover herself, she waved her hands wildly. “For goodness sakes, what are you waiting for? Get dressed. You must hurry. He’ll know something if you don’t get there now.”
    Sean put both hands behind his head and grinned at her. “Will you always be this bossy of a wife?”
    “It’s not funny.” Judith shoved at him until he almost fell off the bed. Finally, he got up and her eyes widened at seeing him fully nude. “Oh.”
    He dressed in a hurry as she watched, unable to look away from his body. When he looked over his shoulder at her as he adjusted his belt, Judith blushed. “Sorry. I don’t mean to stare, but you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”
    “Hopefully, I’m the only man you’ve ever seen nude,” he told her with a wink.
    “You know what I mean. You are correct in that you are the only man I’ve ever seen bereft of clothing, but even your face. You are most handsome.”
    He leaned over the bed and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’m glad you think so.”
    “Go!” Judith pushed him away when he leaned in to kiss her again. “Please don’t let Father O’Reilly think we’ve…”
    “That we’ve made love?” Sean winked again and finally left.
    Judith fell back onto the bed, unsure how she felt at what had happened. Now, as she faced the reality of her actions, she covered her face with both hands. “Oh Lord, please don’t think badly of me. He’s going to be my husband, after all. And well…please forgive me. I am so happy. Thank you for gifting me with such a wonderful husband and beautiful child. I will do my best by them.”

Chapter Seven

    “It’s our wedding day. I’m going to be your mother,” Judith told the baby who looked up at her with sleepy eyes. “I can’t wait to give you a brother or sister. You will be a wonderful big sister, my beautiful Bethany.” She kissed the child’s brow, loving the smell of her.
    Just after she put the baby in the crib for a nap, Eloise burst in with her youngest one perched on her hip. “Are you as excited as I am? I can’t stand still. Woke up at dawn and made sure nothing was amiss.” Her shining eyes scanned over Judith. “What about you? What are you doing?”
    “I just put Bethany down for her morning nap. I’m about to have a cup of tea. The wedding is not for another three hours. Relax, we have plenty of time. There’s not much to be