Wildest Dreams

chapter 25

Lettie could see Tyler and Robbie in the street below. They had been permitted to join the crowds that swarmed into Billings for the hanging, but were ordered to stay together. Because of the delicate reason for the hanging that would take place today, Katie had chosen to stay away from the staring eyes of others and watch the hanging from a room Luke had taken on the second floor of the Billings Inn.

Lettie thought how almost none of the people milling about outside were originally from Montana. Nearly all were from other parts of the country and from all walks of life, some with past lives no one else would ever know about, come to Montana for a hundred different reasons. The Stowes, the middle-aged couple who had bought Will and Henny's place, had lost a son in the Civil War. They had owned and managed a hotel back in Ohio, then lost it all to a fire. They had moved west with their daughter to try farming, and when that failed, they had come to Montana because they had heard it was growing fast and figured they would get back into the business they knew best. Nial Bentley was from England, now married to Sydney Greene's daughter, the Greene family from Pennsylvania. The tailor,

Gino Galardo, was born in New York, and his parents had come to America from Italy. Reverend Gooding was from Illinois; Herbert Grass, the reporter for the Billings Extra, was from Wyoming and from places back east before that. Bill and Betty Richards were from Illinois.

The Double L was itself like a little village in its own right, with whole families living there now. Gone was the terrible loneliness of winter, but such a price they and others had paid for settling this untamed land. James Woodward was dead, and Matt Duncan. Little Paul was gone, and Nathan was out there... somewhere. Maybe he was dead, too. Will was gone, Henny dead, simply from a hard life. Now living here had cost poor Katie dearly.

The atmosphere outside was like a circus, people having come in from miles around. The boardinghouse and the hotel were packed to overflowing. Luke was indeed right that Billings needed another hotel, but what a hideous way to find out more room was needed. Some citizens had even rented out storage rooms, or rooms in their own homes, deciding to make a fast dollar off the hanging. Those who could not get rooms had set up wagons and tents outside of town, and vendors in the street were making money selling everything from food and drinks to little signs that read, I Saw the Hanging in Billings, Montana Territory, May 25, 1878. Programs had been printed up and handed out, giving the names of those to be hanged: Ben Walker, Jim Walker, and their uncle, Zack Walker. Because the kidnapping and blackmail scheme was Zack Walker's idea, and because he did nothing to keep his nephews from raping Katie, he was sentenced to be hanged right along with the two young Walkers. Two other men who had been brought in, a Terry Brubaker and Matt Peters, did not take part in the rape. They were given five-year prison sentences and had been sent to Montana's territorial prison at Deer Lodge, nearly two hundred miles to the west. A U.S. Marshal had already come to take them away, although the prison was not even finished yet. Only the north wing was completed, and they heard it was already filling fast with horse thieves and murderers, as Montana continued to struggle to bring law and order to its citizens, who had demanded an end to vigilante justice in their territory.

Lettie hoped such justice would end, that men like Luke could stop risking their own lives keeping the lawless out of Montana. He had brushed against death too many times over the years. If the bullet he'd taken rescuing Katie had hit him just a few inches to the left, it would most certainly have killed or crippled him. He still could not fully use his right arm, and to this day he still limped from the bullet wound that had shattered his right thigh the day the buffalo hunters had shot him down.

Today justice would be served legally. A hangman would pull the lever that would open the trapdoors beneath the three Walker men and send them to their reward, whatever that might be. Lettie hoped they would burn in hell forever for what they had done to her daughter, and she had no regrets over killing one of those men herself. By the time bodies were collected and identified after Luke's rescue of Katie, Tex told her that one she had shot was dead. It was learned he was Irv Walker, father of the two Walker boys to be hanged today, brother to Zack Walker, and just as no-good. Katie had told her that the one called Irv had urged his "boys" to have themselves a good time with their captive. Also killed were another nephew, Larry, who was one of those involved in the rape; and a man called Coolie, both shot down by Tex. They had picked Coolie up along the way on their journey of vengeance, and the man had never told them his full name. Tyler had wounded another man named Ken Justice, and the man had died on the trip back to Billings. It was Ty's first killing, and Luke and Lettie both hoped their son would never have to kill again. It had gone hard on him, and his only consolation had been that the man had been a part of the terrible gang that had hurt his sister. Ty had also wounded Brubaker, but the man had lived. Runner had captured Matt Peters, as well as the fleeing Brubaker, and it was those two who were headed for prison.

Nine men, Lettie thought, four killed, two going to prison, three to hang. Even that did not seem like justice enough for poor Katie. It would take more than ending their lives for her daughter to recover from her ordeal. She well knew the kind of nightmares that would haunt the girl for a long time to come. The family had surrounded her with love. They were all doing everything they could to encourage her, and she was glad she had shared her own tragedy with her daughter. That had seemed to help more than anything.

Pearl came to stand beside her mother at the window. "Katie, you should see the crowd down there!" she told her sister. "I never saw so many people!"

Katie sat in a corner of the room knitting. "I don't want to look," she answered quietly. "Just tell me when it's over."

Lettie's heart ached at the evident pain in Katie's voice. The trial had been held inside the cattlemen's hall, and the poor girl had had to live her rape all over again when she testified to the jury about what had happened. Although the general public and the outlaws involved were not allowed in the room during her testimony, it had still been a humiliating experience for her, and she still had had to face the Walkers once more, just long enough to point out the culprits who had actually raped her.

It seemed almost ludicrous that the crowd in the street below was laughing and celebrating as though they were attending some grand picnic; but then deep inside she celebrated herself that this would be the end of men like the Walkers. It was too bad that two of them were so young. Perhaps if they had been brought up differently, they might have been decent young men. They had complained that they were worried about their mother and seven siblings left behind in Wyoming, and a wire had been sent to Cheyenne for the U.S. Marshal there to deliver a message to the woman that her husband and one of her sons had been killed, and that her brother-in-law and two more of her sons would be hanged. Lettie wondered what the woman would do, where she would go. It was a sad situation, but the Walkers had chosen their path in life, and a man's sins had to be accounted for.

Piano music filtered through the window, as well as laughter, people in saloons having a jolly time... all these people in a gay mood, making money, enjoying the gossip, visiting and picnicking... all looking forward to the hanging as though it was the event of the decade. Perhaps it was. She wondered how many of those below cared about poor Katie. Most of the citizens of Billings did. They had contributed their life savings to help get her back, and Lettie was glad the money had been recovered and returned. The others, the strangers who had come into town, probably didn't care one whit what Katie had suffered. They were just here to see the results. Whole families had come, determined that their children should watch and be "taught a good lesson." This is what happens to a man who chooses the wrong path in life.

She caught sight of Luke then. He walked to the hanging scaffold that he and his men had helped build. It was right in the middle of the main street of Billings, not far from the hotel. Lettie turned and looked at a clock on the wall. It was one-forty p.m. In just twenty minutes the hanging would take place. The crowd grew more excited and louder when Sheriff Tracy, accompanied by two deputies, came out of the jail farther up the street then, herding the three Walker men in front of them. "They're bringing them out," she told Katie, who did not reply.

Lettie noticed Luke look up at the hotel window. He saw her standing there, and their eyes held for a moment. Even though she was not right beside him, she knew he felt her with him. Both of them wanted this, yet they knew that the death of the Walker men could never erase what had happened. People began to shout curses at the three men as they were brought to the gallows, but a few gathered nearby and started singing hymns. Young Jim Walker walked just fine on his own, but Benny limped from a bullet Tex had planted in his right leg as he was trying to escape. Zack Walker had to be aided by two men, one on each arm. His injuries from Luke riding his horse over the man were extensive, and he was obviously in great pain, unable to walk on his left leg at all. Lettie wished she could feel sorry for him, but she felt nothing but contempt, glad for his pain, glad that soon he would feel nothing at all. The man was shouting terrible curses, and a few women either covered their childrens' ears or hurried them away. The two younger men said nothing, but Jim looked as though he were crying. Lettie was not touched by his tears, and she knew Luke was not either. Lettie could only imagine how the young man had probably laughed at Katie's tears while he was raping her.

Jim and Benny made it up the steps of the scaffold with no protest, neither of them even looking at Luke; but Zack Walker noticed him, and he let off another string of curses. "The devil will have his day with you, Luke Fontaine!" he shouted. "Piss on you, you rich, greedy bastard! Piss on your whole family! I wish I'd have kilt them all! All your pampered sons and that bitch of a wife and your prissy, ugly daughters!"

Lettie put a hand to her chest, glancing back at Katie, who had surely heard the words through the open window. She continued knitting feverishly, never looking up.

"Mama, Father just punched that awful Walker man!" Pearl spoke up. "And Ty is in there, too!"

Lettie looked back to see a tumble of men around Zack Walker, who was yelling with pain. A few women screamed and moved farther away, and finally several men managed to pull Luke away from Walker. Tex had hold of Ty, and Robbie stood nearby looking ready to cry. Luke was holding his arm, and Lettie knew he had lost his temper over Walker's cruel, ugly words. Luke bent over for a moment, holding his shoulder, and Ty and Robbie went to stand next to him while the sheriff and his deputies managed to get the still-cursing Walker up the platform and into position under his noose. The crowd was in an uproar of gossip now because of the scuffle, and some began shouting, "Hang them! Hang them high!" in a kind of chant.

Reverend Gooding climbed onto the platform then to talk to each man. Jim cried harder, but Ben just stood silent. Zack continued his curses, screaming so loudly that Lettie could hear some of the words above the crowd. He shouted to the reverend that the devil would get him someday, too, just like he'd get Luke Fontaine. The reverend ignored the man's swearing and turned to raise his arms, finally managing to quiet the crowd. Then he began reading from the Bible. When he finished, those who had been singing hymns began another song, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye." The rest of the crowd quieted as black hoods were placed over each man's head, then each noose put in place and tightened. The singers finished their hymn, and Reverend Gooding said a prayer for the souls of those about to die. He led the entire crowd then in singing "Shall We Gather at the River," after which Sheriff Tracy read each man's name and the charges for which he was being hanged, "murder, kidnaping, extortion, rape, and cattle rustling." He pulled a watch from his vest and announced that in just two minutes the hanging would take place.

The crowd was nearly silent then. A few of them began singing "Shall We Gather by the River" again, and Reverend Gooding and Sheriff Tracy stepped down from the platform. The two minutes seemed to take forever. Sheriff Tracy walked behind the scaffold with the hangman the town had hired, and people stared silently.

"I hope you all burn in hell!" Zack Walker suddenly shouted from under his black hood, just before the trapdoor beneath his two nephews and him was sprung, silencing all three of them.

Lettie gasped, as did just about every person in the crowd below. The sound moved through the street almost in unison so that the "Ohs!" went up almost in a roar. Pearl and Lettie stared; both the young Walker men seemed to have died right away, their necks snapping and their heads hanging oddly to the side. Zack Walker continued to kick for several seconds before finally hanging still. Everyone waited breathlessly as each body was dropped under the scaffold, where Dr. Manning waited to check each one. After several minutes Sheriff Tracy came out to climb up onto the scaffold.

"Ben Walker, Jim Walker, and their uncle, Zack Walker, are officially dead," he announced. A cheer went up from the crowd, which began mingling and celebrating again. Luke looked up at Lettie once more, then she turned away from the window, putting her arm around Pearl, who was holding her stomach.

"I'm glad they're dead," the girl told her mother, "but I don't think I want to see something like that again."

"Nor do I," Lettie answered. She left Pearl for a moment to walk over to Katie, who had dropped the knitting in her lap and was just staring at it. "They're dead, Katie. Are you all right?"

The girl shook her head and began sobbing. "They took... part of me with them," she wept.

Lettie knelt beside her and put an arm around her. "Katie, no man can take what a woman doesn't want to give."

Pearl touched her sister's hair. She did not totally understand what had happened to Katie, but she knew it was something horrible and humiliating. "I love you, Katie," she told her.

Minutes later Ty, Robbie, and Luke came back to the room, Ty strutting inside with a manly air. "They're dead, sis," he told Katie.

Robbie timidly walked up to Katie, tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Katie. If I had watched you better that night—"

"We'll have none of that," Lettie interrupted. "Nothing that happened was anyone's fault," she reminded him again. She had had several talks with the boy since Katie was taken, assuring him that he was not to blame for what happened, any more than he should blame himself for Paul's death. Both things would have happened whether he was there or not. "The Walkers were out to get us, one way or another," she told the boy. "We're lucky they didn't take you, too, maybe kill you."

Katie reached out and hugged Robbie. "Don't ever blame yourself, Robbie." She sobbed.

Lettie looked up at Luke, saw the agony in his eyes. She rose and walked over to him. "You shouldn't have gotten into that scuffle. How is your arm and shoulder?"

He sighed deeply. "Feels like fire is raging inside my shoulder and down my arm," he answered. He reached out with his good arm and embraced her. "Let's go home, Lettie."

Outside men covered the bodies of the three Walker men and carried them off for burial.



It was four months after the hanging before Lettie could get Katie to come to town again. The only reason the girl had obliged her mother was because Pearl was to play during a special Saturday church service that was to take place just before a church social being held to celebrate harvest time. Luke grumbled that he had no desire to celebrate a farmer's holiday, as he had no use for farmers in general; but he came to attend a cattlemen's meeting, and because he wanted to hear Pearl in her first public piano recital.

Lettie's heart glowed with pride, and she could see that same pride in Luke's eyes as the entire congregation sat spellbound by Pearl Fontaine. She turned simple hymns into something glorious, her fingers flowing over the keys in rich melody that brought goosebumps, the music made more touching and thrilling by the simple fact that the girl playing the hymns was only a child. How much better would she play by the time she was an adult?

Lettie grasped Luke's hand, turning to look at him. He smiled, and she knew she would eventually win the argument she and Elsie Yost had been giving him—that Pearl should study music when she was older. It was obvious each child was going in a different direction, Robbie still talking about wanting to be a doctor, Pearl adamant that she wanted to go to the music school in Chicago that Nial Bentley had told her about. Lettie knew part of the reason Luke had fought the idea was simply because Nial had suggested it; but Nial was no longer a threat to their marriage, and there was no doubt in their minds now that to deny the girl her heart's desire would be a shame.

When Pearl finished playing several hymns in a row, the congregation cheered and clapped and whistled, in spite of the fact that they were sitting in church. Such a performance simply could not be met with silence afterward, and Pearl stood up and curtseyed. The sight tugged at Lettie's heart. Pearl had always behaved like someone older than her real age. She had an elegance about her that no one had had to teach her, and she seemed to welcome an audience eagerly. She was a natural-born performer, with no fear of playing in front of others. Her beautiful young face was lit up with a smile and personal pride, and her red hair was twisted into a tumble of curls that made her look older.

Katie stood up and clapped right along with everyone else, and Lettie was glad Pearl's playing had brought Katie to town. For the moment she seemed to have forgotten her ordeal, and Lettie decided to bring the girl to town more often from now on. The best way to get over the worry of what others thought was to face people and show them she was not ashamed, that she was the same generous, loving Katie she had been before the Walkers tried to destroy her.

The crowd pleaded for more, and Pearl gladly obliged, playing requests for several more minutes before Reverend Gooding reminded everyone there was food waiting outside and laughingly hinted that a lot of the men were getting hungry. The congregation clapped once more for Pearl and began breaking up, and Lettie spotted Nial Bentley talking to Pearl. He embraced her and was obviously congratulating her. He had young Chloris on his arm, and Lettie almost laughed at the proud look on the rather plain girl's face. She had been after Nial for a long time, and had finally snared him.

She had not seen Nial herself since she had sent him away after he had tried to kiss her. He had invited Luke and her to his wedding at Essex Manor, but Luke had made up an excuse for declining. Now Lettie could feel Luke's irritation by the way he held her arm as they approached Pearl. Not only did he not like Nial talking to his wife, he didn't even like the man talking to his children. They made their way to the front of the little church, greeting Nial coolly. Nial reddened a little, nodding to Lettie, putting his hand out to Luke, who shook it reluctantly.

"I was just congratulating Pearl," Nial said, looking at Lettie again. "I have missed hearing her play, and I see she has only gotten better. Have you decided whether to send her to Chicago?"

"Yes, I believe we will," Lettie answered cordially. "It's rather obvious we would be doing our daughter an injustice if we did not allow her to study music."

Nial did not miss the accent on our daughter. He looked at Luke. "Yes, well, you must be a very proud man today, Luke. And, by the way, I am sorry about what happened a few months ago. I was in Europe at the time. Chloris and I have been traveling even more since then, just got back only a month ago after visiting my ranch in Wisconsin. I apparently missed quite a spectacle with the hanging and all. I'm just sorry for the reason. I truly mean that. If I had been here and more money had been needed, I would have given it to you without ever expecting it back."

Luke was surprised by the sincerity in the man's eyes, but he knew the main reason for the gesture was Lettie and Katie. "I appreciate what you're saying," he answered, putting an arm around Katie, who was looking down. "Katie's going to be all right." He gave her a squeeze. Katie raised her eyes to look at Nial, knowing Luke hated it when she acted bashful or ashamed. Her parents had helped instill a new pride in herself, had smothered her with love and attention, had prayed with her and preached to her, to the point that coming to town today and facing people had not been nearly as unbearable as she had thought it might be. "In fact, Katie baked several of the pies out there waiting to be eaten," Luke added. "She's one hell of a pie maker, and damn smart to boot. Elsie Yost is expecting again and having a hard time of it, so Katie has taken over tutoring Pearl and Robbie in their lessons, as well as several of the other children living at the ranch."

"Well, I'm glad for you, Katie," Nial said with a smile. He put an arm around Chloris. "And I want all of you to know that Chloris and I are very happy. We appreciate your wedding gifts."

Chloris blushed as Luke and Lettie congratulated her, but when Lettie met Nial's eyes, she knew who was still first in his heart. He had only married Chloris because he wanted a woman in his bed, so he had probably figured he might as well pick someone young, who could give him children. Luke shook the man's hand again, and Nial and Chloris left, as did all the Fontaine children. Luke and Lettie lagged behind, Luke watching Nial from the church steps. The grounds around the church were alive with picnickers, tables full of food brought in by the congregation, people laughing. Katie walked to the table that held her pies and began slicing them, and Lettie noticed Ty sitting under a tree with Alice Richards. Alice was such a pretty girl, with blond hair and blue eyes, eyes that always watched Ty with adoration.

Robbie ran up to his brother then and seemed excited about something. Ty jumped up and ran off with him, and Alice stood up and watched after him with a forlorn look on her face. Then she hurried over to where a girlfriend was standing and grabbed her arm, both of them running after Ty. Lettie grinned. The girl's affection for Tyler was so apparent that she almost felt sorry for her, since Ty still was not old enough to realize how the girl truly felt about him.

"I guess the little 'talk' I had with Nial in the alley behind the cattlemen's hall last year taught him something," Luke said, his mind on Nial rather than the puppy love between Ty and Alice. "But I saw the way he looked at you just now. If you were available, it wouldn't be Chloris on his arm."

"Oh, Luke, don't be silly. Walk me back to the hotel. I want to change into a cooler dress before we eat. I had no idea it would end up this hot today." She walked over to tell Katie where they were going, and Pearl joined Katie in helping serve pie, accepting more praise and congratulations from people who came to the table.

Luke watched, proud of his family. In the distance he could see Ty and Robbie had already discarded their hats and jackets and were preparing to join a sack race, which was not going to be easy, since Ty's legs were so much longer than Robbie's. He watched them practice and fall down laughing, and he thought how this gathering was good for the family, good for Katie. He took Lettie's arm when she returned and headed across the church lawn to the street to walk her back to the hotel.

"Maybe things will go right from now on," he told Lettie. "All we have to deal with are some lingering problems with rustlers, and there has been a new influx of sheep-herders this summer. We'll be meeting later today to talk about how to keep them out."

"Luke, you can't keep out every single person who wants to do something other than raise cattle. Montana is a big territory."

"Not big enough for sheep and cattle together. We've got enough problems putting up with more and more farmers coming in and losing federal land to them. If we let the sheep come, too, there won't be any grazing land left for the cattle."

"Why don't you just try talking to the sheep men first? Maybe there is a way to work things out. From what I hear, they get kicked out of everyplace they go. We've both read about the awful range wars in Colorado and Wyoming. I don't want to see that happen here, too, Luke." She grasped his arm tighter. "And I don't want to have to go through the hell again of worrying about you out there maybe getting hurt or killed. I'm so tired of it all. I want some peace."

"We'll find a peaceful way to stop them, if that's possible. I'm not out to slaughter the sheep or kill innocent men like some cattlemen have done, but we'll do whatever we have to do to get the message across, Lettie. We own a lot of land, but we still need the federal land for extra grass. We'd have to cut way back if we lost it, and I didn't build the Double L to the size it is just to have to turn around and take a step backward. No sheep man is going to make me do that."

They walked past the Lonesome Tree, and Lettie could not help glancing toward the swinging doors at the sound of piano music and laughter that came from inside. Luke led her across the street and down toward the hotel. "She's gone, Lettie."

"Who?"

"Annie Gates. I went into the Lonesome Tree for a drink a couple of weeks ago when I was in town, and she told me she was leaving the next day. She decided to go to Denver to try to start a new life."

They walked quietly to the hotel, each lost in their own thoughts of Nial Bentley and Annie Gates. Luke led her up to the room and unlocked the door. They went inside, and Luke closed and locked the door again. "Why didn't you tell me you had been to see Annie?" he asked. "She told me it was you who convinced her she could change her life if she wanted."

Lettie removed her hat. "I don't know why I didn't tell you. I guess it just didn't seem to matter. It was before you came back from going after those rustlers last year, back when Henny had just died. I guess I needed to hear from the horse's mouth what was going on between you and Annie." She began unbuttoning the front of her dress, turning to face Luke. "Actually, it was because of some things that Annie told me that I decided I wanted to make things right between us."

His eyes moved over her lovingly. "I guess we've both had reminders today of big mistakes we made." He walked closer, grasping the back of her neck and pulling her closer. "I don't ever want anything to come between us again, Let-tie. This thing with Katie was a big test, but thank God it didn't keep you out of my bed. We can't let that happen again."

Lettie arched an eyebrow teasingly. "And did you give Annie Gates a kiss good-bye?"

Luke grinned the handsome grin that had always stirred her deeply. "Maybe I should let you wonder about that."

"Luke Fontaine—"

He met her lips before she could finish, his tongue searching suggestively. He left her mouth and moved to kiss and lick at her neck. "Only on the cheek," he answered. "A quick peck on the cheek for good luck." He sighed deeply, pulling some combs from her hair. "Annie Gates is gone for good, and Nial Bentley is married. We're getting our lives back to normal, and Katie seems to be getting stronger every day." He kissed her eyes. "And right now the kids are all over at the church having a good time. How about you and I have our own good time right here before we go back?"

"Luke!" She pulled away. "In the middle of the day? While everyone else is at a church social? That is absolutely wicked."

He just kept grinning and began removing his shirt. "You have to undress anyway."

Lettie drank in the sight of his still-solid chest and arms. At forty-three, and after all he had been through, Luke Fontaine had only grown more masculine and handsome. Age and hard work had been good to him, and the sight of his many scars, from the grizzly attack and bullet wounds brought back aching memories, and awakened her heart to how it had felt every time she thought she might lose this man to death. Still, through it all, he had somehow remained invincible, and now he had accomplished every dream for which he had come to this land. The only thing that she knew still troubled him deeply was that he had never heard from his father and brother back in St. Louis, in spite of all the times he had written them.

She finished unbuttoning her dress as Luke sat down to remove his boots. They had come through the loss of Nathan, had survived little Paul's death and Katie's rape. They had risen above trouble with the land and the weather, rustlers and outlaws, the loss of their two best friends. She knew Luke still missed Will, and she sorely missed Henny; but their deaths had brought them closer, both realizing that all they had was each other.

Luke stood up and removed his pants and underwear, and Lettie finished undressing, blushing, hoping she still looked as good to her husband in broad daylight as he still looked to her. "This is ridiculous," she protested.

"Then why did you strip naked?" he asked with a grin, walking closer. "You could have just changed your dress."

"You forced me," she replied. "I have to do what my husband commands."

He chuckled, pulling her close and rubbing his chest against her breasts. "You don't seem to be fighting me, and I don't hear you arguing." He hoisted her up so that she wrapped her legs around his waist and her breasts were near his face. He kissed eagerly at them as he carried her to the bed.

"This is absolutely outrageous," Lettie told him, grasping his hair and closing her eyes in sweet ecstasy.

"Mmm-hmmm," he answered. He knelt down and set her on the bed, laid her back. He licked at her breasts, then gently tasted a nipple before moving his lips to her throat while massaging a breast teasingly. "Do you realize you're just as beautiful as that first night I took you in that awful little cabin we use now for a storage shed?"

Lettie ran her hands over his solid shoulders, feeling a familiar fire make its way through her body. "Your eyes are getting old, Luke Fontaine. You must not see so well anymore. My waist is a little thicker, my breasts have fed six babies and—"

He cut off her words with another kiss, this one deeper, hungrier, hotter. She said nothing more, returning his kiss with equal hunger, parting her legs in welcome. He quickly moved downward, tasting her breasts again, trailing his tongue over her belly and finally to that most intimate part of her that only Luke Fontaine had tasted.

"Luke," she whispered.

His only reply was a groan. He licked his way back up to meet her mouth again, then pushed himself inside her, his shaft hard and hot, filling her to surprising pleasure, considering the fact that she had borne six children. She had worried over the years that she would not please him as she once had, but the ecstasy of this splendid coupling never seemed to change. In moments they were moving in perfect rhythm, each trying to give as much as they could, glorying in this act that represented the deep love and affection they had shared over the fifteen years since they had settled here.

The thought of Luke doing this with Annie made Lettie grasp at him desperately. She dug her fingers into his arms, arching up to him in an effort to please, to erase any memory he might have of being with someone else. All the while Luke was reminded of how close he had come to losing this woman to another man. How he hated the thought of someone else touching his Lettie. He raised up to drink in her nakedness, grasping her hips and pushing deep, wanting to show her that in spite of all the babies, he was still man enough to please her.

Lettie threw her head back and cried out his name as a sweet climax engulfed her. Luke came down closer again, moving more gently now, teasing, moving in slow circles, licking at her cheeks, her mouth. "Luke, please," she cried. He grinned, kissing her savagely then, moving in hard, quick thrusts and burying his head in the pillow near hers to muffle his groans as his life spilled into her in blessed release.

"Stay there," he whispered. "Just once more before we join the others."

Lettie's only reply was to meet his mouth in another hungry kiss.