Tori continued to cry, taking in great gulps of air.
“It all happened again.” She shuddered. “The blood, the baby, Dr. Hendricks.” She held him so tight, strangulation became a possibility. He rubbed her back, whispering words of comfort as he eased down beside her, pulling her body up against the length of his.
After about five minutes, he eased away, but she tugged him close. “Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere, darlin’.” His muscles cramped, so he eased Tori down, her head on his chest.
Great. Here I am, naked, with Tori plastered against me. If you’re listening, God, can you please have a little sympathy?
After a while, her heartbeat slowed and her sobs stopped. He pulled the blankets over them both. Tori took a huge breath and yawned. He continued to rub her back until she relaxed and he heard the soft, even breathing of sleep.
What the devil had happened? He shivered at the memory of Tori’s screams of terror. This problem of hers went deep. Could it be the little bit of love play they’d engaged earlier had triggered a nightmare? How could he help her? He had no idea.
He continued to stroke her arm, while his brain bombarded him with frightening thoughts. What if she never got past this? Could he continue in a celibate marriage?
The answer was simple. He loved his wife and would never do anything to hurt her. In order to keep Tori by his side, he would honor her request to stay away from her bed. But he would continue his campaign to erase her fears.
He’d overheard Norman Alton at the drugstore speaking with a customer earlier in the week. Alton confided he’d managed to get some condoms in stock. He kept them under the counter, then sold them to a few people he could trust not to spread the word. Important to be discreet, he’d said to the customer as he winked. He’d broken the law by having them mailed to him from his supplier.
Jesse dragged his hand down his face. Damn, this made him feel like a randy youth. But that wouldn’t stop him from seeing good old Norman tomorrow to get a small supply of condoms. Smiling to himself, he drifted off to sleep.
Tori shifted, turning so her soft, warm bottom pushed against him. Fully awake again, a long night threatened.
Tori smoothed the quilt and promptly sat on the made bed, the same bed she’d chased her husband from last night. Once again her mind wandered back to a conversation between her and Jesse a few weeks ago when he mentioned there were ways to prevent pregnancy. She told him at the time they weren’t foolproof, but truth be known, as most well-brought-up young ladies, she possessed no knowledge of what those ways were.
Since she’d finished her housework, and supper baked in the oven, now would be a good time to do some investigating. She went to the kitchen, checked the mirror and studied her reflection.
Last night when Jesse stormed out, she was left as frustrated as he. To never again feel joy from Jesse’s hands and mouth depressed her. She craved the sensation of his hard body pressed against hers. Thoughts of his large hands moving over her naked flesh, caressing places he knew would bring her pleasure, heated her face.
“Tori, are you feeling all right?” Rachel entered through the back door, books in hand.
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s a little warm in here.”
“You’re flushed. Are you running a fever?” Rachel touched Tori’s forehead.
“No fever.” Tori scooted away. “I’m fine. I have a couple errands to run. Did you need me for something?”
“Yes, in fact. I wanted to drop off my report card.” Rachel whipped out a paper, handed it to Tori. “All A’s.” Her niece’s face glowed.
Tori unfolded the paper and scanned it. “Rachel, this is wonderful. You’re doing so well.” Tears sprang to her eyes.
“Thanks.” Rachel leaned over her aunt’s shoulder to peer at the paper again.
Tori glanced back at the girl, smiling at Rachel’s grin. “I’d like Jesse to see it.”
“Fine with me.” Rachel snagged a cookie from the plate on the table. “I’m off now. Big test tomorrow.”
Tori followed her out the door, then waved goodbye as she headed to town. Within two blocks, she stopped, two fingers pressed against her lips. Now that she was on her way, where could she go? Several ladies moved along the boardwalk, going in and out of stores. It wasn’t like she could saunter over to one of them to question her.
The town didn’t own a library yet, although it didn’t seem likely she could get that kind of information there anyway. Dr. Hendricks? Heat suffused her face, imagining how that conversation would go.
She glanced up and down the street, then her eyes settled on The Bottomless Bucket. The women who worked there would know all about preventing pregnancy. It wouldn’t be wise to walk up to the front door while the place was packed and request to speak with one of the saloon girls. Her reputation was already suspect since her last venture into the place.
She checked her watch. Barely four o’clock. The saloon didn’t start doing any type of business until well after eight or nine at night, so maybe she could sneak in unseen right now.
A few of the prostitutes from The Bottomless Bucket had shared a jail cell with her, but one in particular came to mind. She frowned, chewing her lip in concentration. What was her name again? Sally? Sheila? She snapped her fingers. No, Sadie.
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