"I'd like to. I haven't really talked itover with Wes, but I'm sure he'd want that, too." Kate seemed to bethinking about it."
"You're excited, aren't you?"
"Yes, very. But Annie, I need to talk to youabout the wedding night. Jim was so rough with me, he scared me onour wedding night. I don't want to be like that with Wes. Yet, I'ma bit scared."
"Well, honey, the wedding night is usuallywhat the men look forward to. But how does Wes treat you."
"Oh, he's never been rough with me. But hetells me making love is so much different. I can't begin to knowwhat to expect." Kate cried, as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"Annie, I've never made love."
"Never?"
"No, on my wedding night Jim forced himselfon me, tearing my dress and he was so rough. After I cried allnight, he never touched me again."
"Oh my. Well honey, I don't imagine Wesbeing that way. If that's what you mean."
"No, it’s not what I mean. I mean, what do Ido?"
Annie set her down at the table now andstared into her eyes. "Honey, if a man really loves you, it is themost wonderful thing in the world and you'll want to please him asmuch as he pleases you, believe me."
"Did Jim just jump on you or something."
"Sorta yeah. All I felt was disgust. I loveWes, I know that, but I want to be a good wife to him too. And Idon't know how to please a man like that." Kate got up and pacedthe room.
"Did Jim kiss you and talk to you and holdyou and compliment you."
"Oh no, no not at all. Should he have?"
"Well, no one can be excited unless theirpartner wants to please them, honey. Some men do just get on andoff. But that's not love. That's sex. And what your husband did wassex, too. If Wes loves you, he'll kiss you and excite you to makeyou want to please him too. And if you love him, you will respondand do the same things to him. Kissing is the beginning, thentouching, then mating. Do you understand?"
"I guess." Kate flopped down in the chair."I'm just so scared I won't please him."
"Do you really love him?"
"Oh yes, I do!" Kate told her.
"Then let nature take it's course and don’tbe afraid. It is purely natural. And you'll be his wife. A manusually does really nice things for his wife, before he evertouches her."
"Like what?"
"Compliments you, stares at you endlessly,talks sweet talk to you. Wants to look at you, touch you, kiss youall over."
"Oh my," Kate picked up a napkin on thetable and fanned herself. "I never knew what to expect afterJim."
"It will be the most pleasant thing of all,if the two of you really love each other. I can assure you of that.Jim didn't love you and maybe didn't know how to treat you."
"You think Wes will?"
"I'd bet on it."
Kate finally smiled. "Thanks for talking tome about this. I had no one else to turn to, about it. You know youreach a certain age and you figure you should already knoweverything. But after Jim, I just didn't know what was normal."
"Everyone has to have someone to talk toabout it." Annie told her.
"I blamed myself for the way Jim acted. Iwas scared because he was drunk, and he ripped my clothes."
"You had a right to be afraid."
"Having a drunk husband is as bad as whatsaloon girls put up with all the time."
"Really?" Kate laughed. "I told Wes when Ifirst met him that I might have to become one to keep my place. Iasked him if he'd come to visit me."
"What did he say?"
"He said sure, he come see me, then haul meover his shoulder and carry me out of there."
Annie laughed. "He's a good man, Kate. Don'tyou worry, if you feel too tense, tell him and he'll find a way tomake it better for you."
"He won't think I’m too dumb?"
"No, he'll love it. Men like being the manand if you tell him, he might do some very wonderful things to makeit better for you. You won't be having sex, like a saloon girl.You'll be making love with the man you love."
Kate sighed.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
Wes sold half the horses to the army andmade a big profit. Then before going to tell Kate, he checked onDickens and Black Feather.
"I want to get married pretty quick. I waswondering if the three of you would stick around a while. I gotsome plans for Kate after the wedding. We won't be here for a fewdays. So I was wondering if you fellas would watch the place andthe horses for us until we get back. If you do, I'll give Blue Dog,and White Fox those horses I promised now."
Dickens watched Wes and then looked at BlackFeather. "We can stay."
"Good, Dickens I want you to give Kate awayat the wedding. She has no kin, and she'll need your support I'msure."
"I'd be honored. So you gonna take hersomewhere?"
"I sure am. But it's a surprise and I can'ttell you until we return, we won't be gone any longer than aweek."
Dickens smiled.
"Good, she deserves that."
"Yeah, somewhere really special." Wessmiled.
"Well, we can handle the place while you aregone." Black Feather told him.
"I want to thank you, and I don't wantDickens being alone all that time. Trouble comes up, I won't haveto worry about him."
"Worry about me? I can take care ofmyself."
Wes shook his head. Some of his old fearsstill existed but he was getting better. Still, leaving Dickensalone could be a problem. "Don't argue with me on this,please?"
Seeing the look on Wes' face had him calmingdown. "Alright son, I won't argue. Besides, I'd enjoy thecompany."
"Good."
Wes went inside and saw Kate at the stoveand came up behind her. He moved her hair away from her neck andplanted an amorous kiss there.
It sent chills down her body. "Wes," shelaughed.
"I sold half the horses. Got some goodmoney. So if you need anything for the wedding, let me know."
"We need to talk to the preacher. I mean, Iwould like to marry in the church this time."
"So would I."
"You would?" she asked shyly.
"I would."
