We hadn’t realized how much of the day getting married would take up, so we decided to spend the night rather than drive back to Willowridge.
Jo wanted to check into our room at the Lancaster and freshen up before she ate lunch. It was already late, and I didn’t care for the idea at all. I couldn’t have my pregnant wife walking around on an empty stomach. My job was to look after our baby. I took that responsibility seriously.
I could go for hours without eating. Most times, after having a hearty breakfast, I wouldn’t eat again until my day was done. Rounding up cattle or mending fences required my full attention and left little time for breaks. The vast landscape and the constant movement of the herd meant there was always something demanding my focus. With so many tasks at hand, there was little time to think about food. Iwasn’t hungry, but I still used it as motivation to get Jo to eat.
“Are you trying to starve me?” I asked, appealing to her nurturing side.
“No, of course not. Let’s go get you something to eat.”
I chuckled inwardly because her words mirrored my thoughts exactly.
Jo wasn’t ready for anything too big or fancy. Now, I’m not overly sentimental, but I was hoping our first meal together would be a little more festive, something more than chicken salad on a kaiser roll and a bowl of Three Sisters soup.
Seeing Jo so content after her first bite brought unexpected warmth to my heart. The simplicity of the meal suddenly seemed fitting, and I appreciated the moment more than I had expected. It was the shared experience, not the fanciness of the meal, that made it special. On any other day, I would be more than content with a simple, so it wasn’t a bad meal to start off our lives together.
Besides, by the time she took her last bite, an idea had formed. We would have a celebratory meal another time… soon. For today, lunch was perfect.
Although we had discussed it before the wedding, it still stung to see Jo remove the wedding band and place it in a small jewellery tin. She looked up and caught me staring at it.
“This entire thing is so unorthodox.” She frowned. Her big brown eyes, usually so full of certainty, now seemed clouded with concern.
Seeing her unhappy made my heart sink. I didn’t want my reactions to make her upset, and it reminded me how much I cared about her well-being. It was just a ring, and as far as I was concerned, her putting away her ring was temporary.
“It doesn’t matter if our marriage is unorthodox as long as we make it work for us.”
“And you really think we can make it work for us?” Her voice sounded unsure but somehow hopeful.
“Yes, of course…” I closed the space between us. “…otherwise, I wouldn’t have suggested it. This is best for me, you, and our baby.”
My hand cupped her rounded belly. A feeling of possessiveness washed over me. A smile spread across my face.
“You know, we still have more to do to make our marriage legal.”
“The officiant will file the paperwork with the registry,” Jo explained.
“Yes. She will take care of that part of things. But we still have to do our part.”
Her brows furrowed. “Which part?”
I grinned at her. “We need to consummate our marriage.”
Jo gave a sharp bark of laughter. “Oh, really.” She placed her hand right beside mine on her belly. “I don’t think anyone would challenge the idea of our marriage being consummated.”
“They might, because you were already pregnant when we got married. Besides, we should follow the letter of the law.”
“I did not know you were such a law-abiding citizen.”
“I am.” I nodded.
“So, Mr. Kay, did you do all of this so you could get me back into bed?” Her smile was cheeky.
“You know better than that, Sunshine. Although I see no reason we shouldn’t enjoy each other.” And because it bore repeating, “Especially since we are the only ones allowed to touch each other.”
Jo sighed dramatically. “Well, I am an officer of the court. I shouldn’t entertain suborning perjury.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. Cupping her face, I kissed along her jawline. My lips traced a path down her neck, savouring the warmth of her skin. I moved my hand from her belly to cup her breast. She moaned as my thumb rubbed circles on her hardened nipple.
The barrier separating my touch from the warmth of her skin was all I wanted to erase. “I’m going to get you out of this dress.”
