Kissing in Kansas Read online

  Cindy smiled. "I'm happy to keep my flat belly for as long as possible. I'm only six weeks. I'm not even supposed to be showing yet."

  "That doesn't mean I don't want you to be!" Lachele frowned at Cindy. "You should have gotten pregnant a few months sooner so you'd have a nice baby bump now. Were you holding out on Trey?"

  Cindy rolled her eyes. "You may have been the one to match us up, but that doesn't mean you get details about our sex lives."

  "Oh sure it does. Who do you think you're fooling with that nonsense?"

  Cissie laughed. "She gives me details, Lachele. I'll fill you in later."

  Cindy glared at Cissie. "Why do I go anywhere with you?"

  "'Cuz I look so pretty on your arm?"

  "In your dreams." Cindy turned to look at Samara whose face was now lit up with laughter. "You look happy, Sami."

  "I'm not as nervous as I was before you girls came in, so thank you for that. Lachele obviously did a great job with your matches. She'll do just as well with mine."

  "Of course, I did!" Lachele glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's time, Sami. I'll see you when you walk down the aisle." She slipped from the room, leaving Samara with Cindy and Cissie.

  The door opened again immediately, and Samara frowned, wondering who it could be. When she saw her brother, Wayne, walk through the door, she gave a cry of pure joy, running to him and burying her face in his shoulder. "I didn't think you were coming!"

  "Of course I was. Do you really think I'd miss my favorite sister's wedding?"

  "I'm only your favorite, because your other sister is psycho."

  "True! You're still my favorite, though!" He put his arm around her shoulder. "Lachele contacted me and gave me the location of the wedding two weeks ago, before you even told me what was happening. So when I told you I was busy this weekend, I was, but only because I was coming here to your wedding."

  Samara felt tears sting her eyes. "That crazy woman is good at taking care of me!"

  Wayne kissed the top of Samara's head affectionately. "I'm giving you away. Just so you know."

  "Of course you are!" She pointed at Cindy and Cissie. "These are my friends, Cissie and Cindy. The blonde is Cindy and the brunette is Cissie. They both married the same way I am."

  Wayne looked down at Samara. "Are you sure you're being smart about this? I mean, I like Lachele and all, but do you really trust her to pick the man you're going to spend the rest of your life with?"

  Samara shrugged. "Mostly. I mean, I'm scared right now, but I would be even if I'd chosen the man myself. Pre-wedding jitters and all that nonsense."

  "You mind if I have a talk with him after the wedding? You know...make sure he's not going to cut your throat and leave you for dead?"

  "Lachele checked him out. She's not going to let me marry some freak like that, Wayne. She needs me still."

  He eyed her skeptically. "She needs you to work, but you're not her baby sister."

  "I'll be fine. Talk to him if you need to, but don't get ridiculous. Remember when you threatened to cut off Tommy Jenkins's genitals if he tried to kiss me on the first date? That was ridiculous. He never took me out again." She glared at him.

  "Tommy Jenkins is in jail for domestic violence! You should be thanking me."

  Samara rolled her eyes. "Do you see what I put up with?" she asked Cindy and Cissie.

  Cindy looked from Samara to Wayne. "I think it's time for us to go get seated." She hurried forward and hugged Samara, kissing her cheek. "You look so beautiful today."

  Samara smiled. "Thank you. I sure hope my future husband thinks so."

  Cissie hugged Samara as well. "How could he not? Unless he's blind, he'll recognize the gem he's getting."

  Samara looked up at Wayne. "You're going to behave right?"

  Wayne nodded grudgingly. "Of course I will. I really want you to be happy, sis."

  "I trust Lachele." She didn't realize until that moment just how true that was. She knew she was walking down the aisle to the man she'd spend her life with, and who would truly complete her. Lachele was never wrong.

  She placed her hand in the curve of Wayne's arm and they walked slowly toward the back of the sanctuary. "These shoes hurt my feet," Samara whispered.

  Wayne looked at her in shock. "Shoes? I'm surprised you're even wearing them! I figured you'd walk down the aisle barefoot."

  She grinned at him. "Don't think I didn't think about it!"

  *****

  Henry watched as his bride and her escort, who was obviously too young to be her father, drifted down the aisle toward him. She was beautiful. Her hair was dark, and she had brown eyes, and the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He was shocked to find himself attracted to her. He almost called it off at that very moment. He wasn't looking for a love match, just a mother for his nieces.

  He imagined his heart being encased in ice as he watched her come toward him. There was no time in his life for a woman. She would only take him away from his work and steal the time he should be spending with his nieces.

  When she got to the front of the church, the man she was with placed her hand in his, and he squeezed hers gently, trying to reassure her. Her eyes looked slightly panicked now that they were close. She obviously was nervous about marrying a stranger, and he thought he could use that to his advantage when they started negotiating their marriage.

  She would be happy to wait for marital shenanigans. She would understand he didn't have time in his life for her. It was that simple.

  Chapter Two

  As soon as they entered the sanctuary, Samara knew that Lachele had once again done a fabulous job. The man in front of her was strong, and his eyes were shining. He was a good man. She could feel it. And he was so sexy, she couldn't wait to go to bed with him.

  Standing with her hand in his, she smiled up at him, her eyes full of trust. This was it. The moment she'd waited her entire life for, and she wasn't going to mess it up.

  The preacher began the ceremony. Samara tried to pay attention, but her eyes were taking in the church and everything around it. She wondered if it was his church. It was a non-denominational in a small Kansas town. With him by her side, Kansas would be totally doable.

  "Do you Samara, take Henry to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

  "I do." Henry. His name was Henry.

  "Do you Henry, take Samara to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor, and cherish her, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"

  "I do."

  Samara looked at Henry in shock. It was only two words, but had she heard just a little bit of a Scottish burr in those two words? Her heart beat faster at the mere idea that he could be a Scot. She loved how they spoke, and dreamed that a highlander would come and sweep her off her feet. Had she married not only a man who looked sexy as could be, but sounded sexy as well? He'd better be ready to consummate their marriage fast, because she wasn't sure she could stay off him!

  "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your bride, Henry."

  Henry seemed uncertain about kissing her, but Samara was having none of that. She grabbed him by his tie, pulling his face down to hers for their first kiss. She pressed her lips to his, and her tongue ventured out to stroke his lips. She wished he'd kiss her properly, but he didn't.

  He broke it off much sooner than she would have liked, but that was okay. She'd kiss him until he begged for mercy the first chance they had.

  They were introduced to the congregation as Mr. and Mrs. Henry Crider. She'd married Henry Crider, and he sounded like a Scotsman.

  They walked toward the back of the church, and the only thing Samara could think about was getting him alone. "Slow down, lass. Where ye goin' in such a hurry?"

  Samara felt her knees go weak as her suspicions were confirmed. He was a Scot, and he was hers. Keeping her hand firmly tucked in his, she hurried
toward the bride's room, shutting the door behind them. "I want a real kiss," she insisted.

  Henry opened his mouth as if to protest, but she grabbed his tie again, her lips fastening onto his and kissed him wildly. Her tongue stroked his, and she put her heart and soul into that kiss. Lachele had truly outdone herself this time.

  Henry finally pulled himself away from the kiss, out of breath and more turned on than he'd ever been in his life. "Now, Samara, we need to talk about the way things are going to be between us before you go too crazy here."

  "I want to go crazy. You are the man I've been waiting for my whole life. Can we skip the reception and go straight to the wedding night?"

  He shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Sit down, lass, and we'll have ourselves a chat."

  Samara frowned. She may be new to this marriage business, but she knew that men were supposed to be eager to consummate the marriage vows. She knew she was. "What is there to talk about?" she asked as she sat down.

  "Well, I want to start by saying, I think you're a verra beautiful woman. I'm just not ready for our wedding night yet. I think we should wait a while to consummate things, until we get to know each other a little better. Maybe in six months or so—"

  "Six months?" Samara's sweet soft spoken side went into hiding. "There's no way I'm waiting six months to have sex with my husband! Have you lost your mind?"

  "Calm down, lass. Please don't yell. Let me explain." He took a deep breath, knowing he only had one chance to get this right, and explain to her exactly what he was looking for in a marriage. He couldn't mess it up. "I was born in Scotland, and my parents emigrated to America when I was two and my brother was four. James was the best brother any man could ask for."

  "Was?" Samara knew this story was going to end in tragedy.

  "Yes, he died four months ago. He and his wife Bobbi went sailing while I watched their four year old twins, Abigail and Avery. I'm not certain what happened, but their boat capsized, and they both drowned." He paced as he talked to her. "In their will, they asked that I raise Abby and Avy. I love them both dearly, but raising four year old twins isn't something I had in mind for this point in my life."

  "So you need a wife to help with them? Am I just a nanny with conjugal rights?"

  Henry closed his eyes for a moment. He was muddling things, and he thought they were going so well. "I didn't want a nanny. I wanted someone who would be more of a mother to the girls. Someone who would learn to love them as I do."

  Samara shook her head. "I'm good with children. I won't have a problem learning to love them, but—I want a real husband. A man who is interested in me as a woman, not just a glorified nanny."

  "I am interested in you as a woman, Samara. More interested than I'd like to be, I'm afraid. You are causing stirrings in my body I'd rather not be feeling right now. My problem is, I don't feel like I should be having sex with a woman I've just met. I want us to share a room, because I don't want the girls to think anything strange is going on, but I don't plan on touching you."

  "You've got to be kidding me! So we're going to sleep together every night and not make love? Why did I marry then?"

  "I hope you married for more than just sex. I hope you married for companionship and for a desire for a lifelong mate."

  "Of course, I did!" Samara shook her head. "It just doesn't sound like you did."

  "I want those things, but I don't necessarily feel like I'm ready for them today. I want to move more slowly. My business takes up too much of my time now, and I don't feel like I have the time to devote to a wife and family. In another year, if my financial plans go as I'd like, I'll have more free time, and then I will feel like I can be married."

  She stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out if he was joking. "Are you serious?"

  "I wouldn't say something like this if I wasna serious, lass." He sighed. "I don't want to disappoint you, but for right now, I need a helper. Someone who will be by my side when I need help with the children, and the stress of daily life. I don't need a bed warmer."

  "A bed warmer? You're acting as if I've got loose morals and sleep around. Nothing could be further from the truth! I expected to lose my virginity tonight, on my wedding night."

  Henry nodded. "I'm a virgin as well. I just know that once I cross that line and start having sexual relations, I'm not going to be able to stay as serious about my work as I currently am."

  "So what you want from me is simply someone to take care of the house, take care of the children, and run things, while you take care of your business. Is that right?"

  "Exactly. I'm glad you're agreeable."

  "Oh, I never said I was agreeable. I married you thinking I was getting a real marriage. One where we worked together to build a future for ourselves and any children we may have." She stood up and walked toward him, pleased to see that he backed up a couple of steps as she got close. "I will not be disrespected this way." She poked him in the chest.

  "Don't poke me. That hurts."

  "I don't care! I'll poke you all I want, since you obviously won't be poking me! Thanks for ruining my wedding day!" She wished she hadn't signed the contract stating she'd stay with him for a year. There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to get right back on a plane and go back to Manhattan, where men weren't stupid.

  Henry gaped at his new bride as if she'd lost her mind. He'd thought she'd be relieved that he wouldn't expect sex until they'd gotten to know one another better. "Look, Samara, I'm sorry to upset you. It's just that I've never been with a woman before, and I feel like I need to get to know you first."

  "That's not true. You already gave me the real reason! I've never had sex before either, but that doesn't mean I wasn't planning to ride you like a cowgirl on my wedding night!"

  Henry blushed, annoyed with her for causing it. Already she was getting under his skin, and that was just what he didn't want to happen. "Are you going to say things like that to me a lot? Because I don't like it."

  Samara took a step closer to him, her hands flattened on his chest. "Really? Your blush says otherwise."

  "I wish you'd stop touching me so much."

  She laughed. "You know, I'm going to touch you all I want whenever I want. Maybe you won't make love with me, but that doesn't matter. I'm going to do everything I can to drive you absolutely crazy." She stood on tiptoe and kissed him, pressing her body against his. "Get used to it."

  Henry backed away from her. "It's time we went to the reception," he said, his voice a half octave higher than he wanted it to be. He flushed in embarrassment.

  "Let's go. I'd love to meet your nieces."

  "You won't—take your anger with me out on them, will you?" he asked, his voice soft.

  "You should have thought of that before you married me, but no, I won't. I love children, and I would never mistreat one, just because her guardian was an ass."

  "I don't like your language."

  Samara stopped and stared at him in disbelief. "You can mess with my life however you want, but I can't retaliate by calling you an ass? I promise, I won't say it in front of the girls." She lifted the skirt of her dress in one hand and wrenched the door open, following the noise to the church's fellowship hall.

  When she walked into the fellowship hall there was applause, and she turned to see that Henry was right behind her. He draped his arm loosely around her waist, obviously wanting it to look like they were happy. She thought for a moment about shrugging him off, but decided not to be that petty.

  Cindy rushed over and hugged her. "He's got a Scottish accent!" she hissed in Samara's ear.

  "He's hardheaded, rigid, and if I don't kill him within the week, it will be a miracle," Samara responded.

  Cindy covered her mouth with her hand as if to prevent a giggle. "Sorry, Sami."

  "Me too!"

  Cissie hurried over, taking her turn hugging Samara. "He's not quite as sexy as Deputy Bob, but that accent could make a girl go weak in the knees."

  Samara laughed. "Yes, it
could." She sighed. "I guess that accent helps to make up for where he's lacking." She looked at Henry who was smiling down at her with a look of love, and she wanted to hit him. He didn't look at her like that while they were alone, only in public. "Henry, these are my friends, Cissie and Cindy."

  "It's nice to meet you," Henry responded. He didn't ask which was which, because he never expected to see them again. "I'd like to take you over to meet the girls if you don't mind, Samara."

  Samara nodded, wondering if she'd ever be able to handle him saying her name with that accent without wanting to fall at his feet. She followed him across the room to where an older woman sat at a long table between two identical girls, petite and angelic looking. They were both eating chips from small paper plates.

  "Abby, Avy? I want you to meet your new aunt, Samara."

  One of the girls looked at Samara, studying her. "Are you going to be our new mommy?"

  Samara squatted down beside the girl's chair, ignoring the fact that she was getting her wedding dress dirty. "Are you Abby or Avy?"

  "Avy." The girl had blond hair and blue eyes and was cute as a button. Samara felt her heart melting a bit.

  "Well, I'll do mommy things for you, but I won't take the place of your mommy. You had a mommy who loved you a lot. You can call me Aunt Sami or you can call me Mommy if that's easier for you."

  The little girl stared at her for a moment. "Can I call you Aunt Sami for a while? And maybe Mommy later?"

  "Absolutely. I'd be honored to be called either one. I'm glad I get to live with you."

  Avy nodded seriously. "Me too. But not tonight. Tonight we're staying with Grandma Betty, so you can spend time with Uncle Henry."

  "I bet that was Grandma Betty's idea, wasn't it?"