CHAPTER19
Several days later, Blanche pulled the last batch of cookies out of the oven. Today, she was meeting the ladies in town to say good-bye to Rose and Alice. They were going to make that long arduous journey back to Charleston.
And frankly, she was glad to see Alice go. The woman had not been nice to her and, in fact, hated her for some reason she had yet to learn.
Unable to accept having two husbands, they were returning to the city that she loved and missed. Everyone was gathering for their sendoff, and Blanche had made cookies to give to each one of the ladies. And a special going away gift for them.
They had endured a harrowing journey together and they all had a special place in her heart, except for Alice. And then, Blanche felt sorry for the woman. She obviously could not open her mind to the idea of two husbands and she didn’t know what she was missing out on.
For Blanche, she loved her life with her husbands, and knew that in the days since their marriage, she was falling in love with them. She was waiting for the right moment to tell them her feelings. And she hoped they felt the same for her.
Today, Jakob and Martin were not quite certain they were ready to see her ride into town alone, but Blanche had absolute confidence. Plus, she wanted to show the ladies her wedding gifts: the horse she loved named Sweetie and the gold locket from Jakob.
“Let one of us go with you,” Martin said.
“No, gentlemen, you have things that need to get done around the ranch. It’s branding time, and since I can’t help, I’m going to go see my friends. I’ll be fine.”
Jakob shook his head. “I’m with Martin, I think we should go with you.”
“I’ll only be gone a couple of hours. If I’m not home by dark, then you can get worried. But I think Sweetie knows the way home probably better than I do. And I really want to visit with the girls while none of my men are hanging around making me feel like I need to go.”
Martin sighed and Jakob shook his head. “If you’re not home by four o’clock, I’m coming after you.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll be fine.”
Then she gave Martin a kiss. “In fact, after dinner tonight, I’ll be ready for the both of you.”
“Really?” Martin asked.
“Yes, I put the last butt plug in this morning. I think by tonight, you’ll both be able to claim me at the same time,” she said, knowing that would satisfy them and give them something to think about all day while she was gone.
“All right,” Jakob said. “But be careful.”
“I will,” she promised and stepped into the stirrups, her new split-dress covering her legs properly. She smiled at Jakob. “I modified this dress so I could wear it when I rode. I’m trying to please you.”
A smile spread across his face. “Thank you. It looks perfect. Now be safe and get back home.”
“I will,” she said and tapped the sides of Sweetie.
The horse promptly moved down the drive toward the lane that would take them into town. She gave her free rein and smiled as she enjoyed the countryside. It had been only days since the wedding and she couldn’t be happier.
It seemed the three of them were growing closer, and as she turned to wave at them, her heart leaped into her throat. She loved them. Since her arrival in Treasure Falls, her feelings for each of them had grown.
Jakob was a strong man who wanted the world to know he could defend his wife and family. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to anything. And his need for the perfect woman had almost gotten him into trouble. But somehow they seemed to have worked through his issue of needing a lady.
Since the night he spanked her, he had grown more tender and loving, and she believed he truly regretted letting his desire for perfection overcome his common sense. After she’d been honest and told him that she had only recently learned how to be a lady, he seemed to have settled down.
Now she felt like he would protect her regardless of whatever happened.
And Martin, her heart seemed to automatically connect with his in a way she never expected. Now she understood his moodiness, and since he told her what troubled him, she had helped him learn to smile more.
Truly, her life seemed almost perfect and she hoped it was that way for the other ladies she was meeting today. Riding Sweetie, they pulled up in front of Doctor Sanders’s home and she gazed at the big house and smiled.
It was here that her life seemed to have come together. It was here that she married her men and dedicated her life to making them happy.
Sliding down off the horse, she pulled the boxes of cookies out of her saddle bags. Tying the reins, she smiled at the horse.
“I’ll be back soon. Here’s a carrot for waiting for me,” she said and pulled one out of her dress pockets. The horse hungrily took the treat from her.
As she climbed the stairs, she hurried, eager to see the other women.
The door opened and Aunt Grace greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
“You look so wonderful. Are you happy?”
A smile spread across her face. “Yes, I am.”
“I’m so glad,” Aunt Grace said. “The other girls are sitting in the parlor. I’ve had the cook fix lunch.”
“Thank you,” she said.
She hurried into the parlor and there she saw most of the women she’d traveled so far with. “Ladies, it’s so good to see you.”
“Sit down,” Daisy said. “We’re talking about marriage and if we like it or not.”