Chapter Thirty-Nine

"Damn Zach," Timothy shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "You've got yourself a house."

Zachary used his bandana to clean the sweat from his face and neck and nodded as he stood in front of his home and felt pride fill him. Sure, it was just a barebone house with no paint, no furniture and not one ounce of a personal touch just yet but Zachary had a feeling that his Sam could turn any house into a home.

"So what color you gonna paint it?"

Zachary bid the work crew fair well as they loaded the last of their supplies on their wagon and headed off. "Don't know. Whatever Sam picks I reckon. The supplies for you house should be in by the end of next week."

"Yeah, thanks for helping me with it, Zach. I know you're probably eager to get the rest of the buildings around here done..."

Zachary simply shrugged and headed toward the barn where Blaze was waiting to be saddled. "I reckon you're gonna have a family soon and need a house. And we have enough done here that I plan on bringing in some cattle soon. We can fix up as we go."

"You gonna bring Sam out tonight and let her look at the place?"

"Of course," Zachary hefted up Tim's saddle and handed it to him before grabbing his own. "The woman has been chomping at the bit to see it finished all week."

"She picked a nice house for sure." Timothy tightened his mare, Kitty's, saddle.

Zachary grunted his agreement. The single story home was indeed nice. It had a front and a back door. The back door opened into a small entry room for storing coats and outdoor gear and for changing out of muddy boots to keep from tracking through the house according to Sam. That entry room led into a hallway with three rooms on either side. Two that would serve perfectly as bedrooms or a bedroom and an office and one that led to a water closet with a surprise he was excited to show Samantha.

That hallway opened up at the end to a large main room with a sitting room on one side and a kitchen on the other—the front door opened into the sitting room. Off the kitchen was a large pantry and a storage closet. And off the sitting room were two more bedrooms—one large master and one smaller.

Sam had done a real good job picking a home they could build a family in—and it had a completely different layout from the home he'd shared with his parents and sisters in that spot. But then again, she had known that and that was why she had picked it. His woman's ability to always think of others amazed him.

"What type of house did Eleanor pick?"

"She didn't," Timothy replied, hooking his saddlebag over Kitty's saddle. "She made me do the picking. The only input I got from the woman was that as long as it had sturdy walls, a roof that didn't leak, and actual floorboards instead of dirt, it would be a nicer house than any she had ever lived in growing up."

Zachary was chuckling as he led a saddled Blaze from the barn. "Well, you and Samantha can bond over the unhelpfulness of the partners you chose when it comes to making decisions surrounding home ownership."

The men hopped on their horses and pointed them toward town. Samantha would be getting off work at the post office and Eleanor would be finishing up her shift at the docs. Zach thought about the quiet woman. She'd been working at the docs for the entire week and Zachary knew that she faced judgment from time to time and some people avoided going to the doc's office unless they knew he was there himself to avoid dealing with her—but all in all she was fitting in and finding a place.

Hell, Zach himself still faced judgments every time he walked down main street. There were still many who believed he had slaughtered his family and other that were afraid of him after seeing him in his various confrontations since coming back to town. And Samantha still faced judgments for being a woman with no past who had lived at the saloon and who had no last name—or none that she told anyone. And Tim was judged both for being Zach's friend and for being engaged to a whore, as some deemed Eleanor. Yes, judgmental pricks would spend their lives judging—they didn't know any different. If Eleanor could learn to ignore them and focus on the people that cared, then she'd be alright.

At least Judith Channing hadn't been a problem since the evening of the party. She hadn't been seen out at all actually. Zachary grinned as he laid a cigarette against his lips. She was probably waiting until all those bruises healed up.

"Hard to believe we both managed to find women willing to marry us, Zach. And even harder to believe we're leaving in the morning to go marry those women."

Zachary nodded. It hadn't been his intention to have his getaway with Samantha become a group activity but upon hearing that they wanted to get married away from Hackney, and knowing that Eleanor and Tim needed to move with a bit of haste with that baby in her belly, Samantha had insisted that they all go together.

And Zach wasn't angry. It seemed fitting that he have his brother by side and that he be by his brothers' side as they take this next step in their lives.

"I wish they could be there," Tim admitted, his green eyes focused on Kitty's mane. Zachary's own heart ached. He didn't have to ask who they were. "Your mama would have loved Sam."

"She would have loved Eleanor too," Zachary assured him. When Timothy frowned doubtfully, Zach shrugged. "She might have worried at first that you'd get hurt given Eleanor's past profession, but once she got to know the woman she would have loved her. Mama never was the judgmental kind, you know that."

"I know." He let out a sigh. "What time are we leaving out tomorrow?"

"Around ten. I'll have the wagon ready and in town. Samantha and I have to go see Joseph Anders about ordering furniture and I'll ask him about your house. Make sure those supplies are still due in next week so they can start getting it built."

"It'll take until evening to make it all the way to Anberina." Timothy noted. "It would be quicker if we took the train and just rented a wagon to bring back anything we need to haul."

Zachary shook his head, took a long draw off his cigarette and replied on his exhale. "I don't do trains."

"Why?"

"Too many people. Too enclosed. And I've seen a few get robbed. I'm not too eager to be on one if that happens."

Timothy's laughter rang out in the late afternoon air. "Alright then, Zach. Fair enough."

The rest of the ride to town went about how most rides with Timothy went. He talked—a lot—while Zachary simply grunted, nodded, and spoke a word here and there. Once they were riding down Main Street, Zachary's eyes were drawn toward the doc's office where Eleanor and Samantha both stood together with Creed secured to a leash in Samantha's hand. That pup had been after Sam's heels since she'd found it and Zachary loved seeing the happiness it brought her.

The women hadn't noticed their approach and Zach simply took a moment to admire the beauty that was Samantha. Her hair shimmered in the early evening sunlight. Her freckled face was bright and those green eyes shining, as she smiled and laughed at something Eleanor said.

"Damn Zach..... We are the luckiest men alive."

Zachary simply nodded his agreement, hopped off Blaze, and led the horse by foot toward the doc's. The moment Samantha noticed him she lit up brighter than a lightning strike and headed his way. Zachary couldn't reach her fast enough and it was completely without shame that he jogged the last few steps and wrapped that woman tight in his arms.

"I missed you, lady."

"I missed you too, man."

He breathed her in. She smelled of dust from working with the mail all day but that hint of lavender still rested in her curls. It was a scent that soothed him like nothing else ever had. Slowly, he pulled away. As he did so, he realized that Eleanor and Tim were still locked in an embrace—and a kiss that was more than likely considered improper to be sharing in the middle of town.

Zachary simply averted his gaze and smoothed a bit of Sam's hair from her brow. It wasn't any of his business. Besides, he had shared a few improper kisses with Sam right on Main Street—and would probably share more if he had any say in it.

Samantha smiled up at him, those crinkles forming around her tiny nose. "We saw the crew come back a little while ago. Is the house done?"

"It's built," Zachary replied. Creed was whimpering and jumping on his leg for attention, so he stooped down and lifted the pup into his arms. "Now it just needs paint, furniture, and for you to make it into a home."

She laid her head on his shoulder and scratched Creed behind the ear. "I think I can do that."

Timothy and Eleanor finally came up for air and her face flamed red as she seemed to realize they had become lost in that embrace right there with an audience. Timothy seemed unfazed, however, as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. "Y'all want to come to the diner and eat with us?"

Zachary shook his head. "A riverside dinner sounds better to me. Besides, I don't think the diner accepts canine patrons." He tipped his head toward Creed. "And I want to show Samantha the house."

"Zach, they're having a meeting at six at the community center." Samantha raised her head. "It's for the whole town to attend. They'll be discussing the need for a new lawman in town."

"We won't be going to that."

"What if I want to go to that?"

With a raise of his brow, he stared her down. "You expect me to believe you want to go listen to townsfolk bitch, moan, and complain for hours while arguing over who is better suited to deal with every dispute and squabble that ever occurs around here?"

She grumbled under her breath. "You know me too well. I was only wanting to give you a hard time."

"I don't know why you're so mean to me, woman."

"Oh hush," she swatted his chest and kissed his jaw. "I treat you like a king."

Zachary felt his cheeks color a bit as he cleared his throat. "Yes ma'am."

"Well, we'll let you two get to your riverside dinner together," Tim said with a grin. "Ell and I will meet you at the lumberyard around ten tomorrow if that's still the plan."

"Alright then," Zachary agreed. "See you then."

Samantha and Eleanor bid each other a quick goodbye and the group parted ways. After saddling Athena and placing Creed in a basket slung over Athena's saddle horn, Zachary and Samantha began to trip back to the ranch. "Be honest." Samantha suddenly spoke.

Zachary looked her way, taking a moment to admire the portrait she painted sitting atop Athena before responding. "I'm always honest with you."

"Do you want the lawman job?" She didn't meet his gaze, simply stared ahead.

"Why would you ask me that?"

One of her slender shoulders rose and fell. "You're the right type for the job, Zach. You're fair, honest, strong, confident, capable. People would listen to you. And you've done a lot to help the town since you came back to it. I just want to make sure you aren't saying no because you worry what I'll think."

"I don't have any interest in being a lawman, Sam. I promise. I spent enough years chasing bad men and I ain't got the stomach to keep doing it. The things I saw...." He paused and swallowed hard against some of the images flashing in his mind. "There is only one thing I want in this life."

"What's that?"

"You. A life with you. A quiet, full life on our ranch with our cattle and our horses and our one hundred dogs. Maybe a youngin or two." Zachary smiled. "Yeah, that's what I want."

Samantha sighed, her gaze seeming far away as a smile pulled at her full lips. "That sounds like heaven."

Zachary had to agree. The rest of the ride was peaceful—just as was every moment he spent like this with Samantha at his side. They talked about their future. They spoke about the ranch and what they wanted for it—the crops they would grow and the animals they would tend. They talked about children they would one day raise with her fiery hair and his quiet nature. And more than once they laughed at Creed who kept poking his furry head out of the basket to nip and growl at flies that buzzed around.

"Zachary, the house looks amazing," Samantha beamed as it came into view.

"Still needs paint and decoration but I'll let you worry about that."

Her gaze went skyward. "Of course you will. Don't you have any preferences for color?"

He was quiet a moment before nodding. "The front door. It can be any color but black. Don't give our home a goddamn black front door."

Her gaze was gentle and knowing as she nodded. "Of course. I've always favored red."

Zachary nodded. "Red it will be then."

They slid off their horses, leaving them beneath the shade of an oak. Samantha pulled a squirming Creed from the basket and sat the pup on his feet. Finally free to run, he did just that. Not a bee or butterfly was safe.

Taking her hand in his, Zachary led Samantha up to the house. Stepping up onto the wraparound porch, Samantha smiled, her eyes bright with tears. "This is... this is beautiful. I've always wanted a big porch that wrapped around... I never dreamed I'd have a home like this."

Zachary tilted his head and studied the house. Technically it wasn't anything too special. It was a mansion and wasn't made of bricks or stone. It was a simple one story home with a decent attic and a pretty porch—but it was their home and that made it the most important building Zachary had ever stood at the doorway of.

"I promise, Sam. You're going to have everything you've ever wanted. I'll make sure of that."

Zachary's heart pounded against his ribs as Samantha slid in close, laid her palms on his chest and kissed his jaw. "As long as I have you, Zachary Marston, I'm a happy woman."

He swallowed hard as he wrapped one arm around her, placing his palm on the small of her back and bringing her in closer. "You'll never be without me, lady."

Holding her just a few moments longer, Zachary pressed a kiss to her brow and pulled away. "Now let's take a look inside."

Her excitement was palpable as Zachary grabbed the door handle and swung it open. She hadn't been inside since the walls had begun to go up. Samantha had wanted to be surprised by finished project, so Zach was eager to show it to her.

He led her into the spacious sitting room. The evening sun shone in through the wide windows. A stone fireplace was on the far wall with a thick oak mantle resting above it. "I think you'll like the kitchen," he said, leading her to the right. The kitchen connected to the sitting room and had a cookstove. Countertops and cabinets lined the wall and another wide window sat above the sink, awarding a view of the plains stretching out to the east. Hooks hung from the ceiling to hold cooking pots and an island sat in the center of the room to give more cooking space.

"We can put the table here," Samantha said, standing in an empty space near the pantry door.

"Wherever you want it," Zachary agreed.

She bit her lip as she glanced at the hooks hanging above the island. "Can I order copper pots? I know they're expensive and I don't truly need them but..."

Zachary chuckled. "I don't know a damn thing about pots, Sam. If you want some copper ones, order them."

"Thank you!" She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Zachary held her close, loving the feel of that soft, tiny body against him. "This is beautiful. This kitchen is nearly the size of the entire cabin I shared with my family!"

"Come on, I'll show you the rest of it."

Taking her through the house, Zachary showed her every room and they talked more about children and where each would sleep, which room would become the office, and how the room that sat right beside theirs would make the perfect nursery.

"I've got a surprise for you with the water closet," Zachary admitted, opening the door to it and revealing the vanity, mirror, bathtub, and shower inside.

Samantha gasped. "A shower? We have running water in here?"

"Yep. Just pull that handle and you can shower. It's not the warmest in the world but it runs."

She was practically bouncing up and down. "That is amazing!"

The happiness on her face made the price he'd paid to have that shower crafted and plumbing done well worth it. "You didn't notice the faucets in the kitchen, did you?"

She blinked several times. "I have running water in my kitchen sink?"

"I figured it would save time on packing water to cook and clean with."

Those big green eyes shined as they gazed up at him. "I believe I just fell even more in love you with, Mr. Marston."

A smile spread across his face. "Anytime I can make that happen, I reckon I've done alright."

Her entire face lit up and a guilty grin spread across her face. "I've never actually seen running faucets in a kitchen sink." Just like that she was gone.

When Zachary caught up to her she was lifting the handle causing water to sputter and spurt from the spout. "If only my mama could have had this. She would have loved it."

Zachary leaned his shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yeah, my mama wanted it but never got around to having it done."

Samantha bit her lip as she turned the faucet off. "Thank you. You really are a good man, Zachary Marston."

While outwardly he grumbled at the compliment, he couldn't ignore the way it warmed him on the inside. Zachary didn't give a damn what most of the world thought of him. But Samantha? He wanted to live up to her expectations—exceed her expectations. He wanted to spend his life making sure she was happy, content, satisfied, and sated.

Speaking of.

Zachary stepped in closer and he saw her teeth graze her bottom lip as those green eyes darkened and gazed up at him. Clearly, she recognized the look in his eyes.

Sliding his hand along her jaw, Zachary tipped Samantha's head back, lowered his mouth, found her lips, and devoured her. Desperately, Samantha clung to him. He felt her body go slack and knew her knees had weakened. With a growl, Zachary grabbed her by her hips, lifted her up and sat her on the wooden countertop.

As he continued his assault on her mouth, Zachary cupped her breast, sliding his thumb across her nipple and feeling it harden beneath the layers of clothing separating their skin. Zachary moved his mouth to her jaw and Sam threw her head back as he nibbled at her long neck.

She was moaning and whimpering, her hand in his hair pushing his head lower. Zachary knew his woman well enough to know what she wanted—and he was more than happy to oblige. Dropping to his knee, Zachary lifted up her skirts and pulled them over his head. Darkness enveloped him, but Zachary knew these curves well and did not need his sight to guide him to his paradise.

Grabbing the waistband of her underclothes, Samantha lifted her hips and allowed him to slide them down her pale legs. He pressed hot kisses to her creamy thighs as they fell apart. Zachary wanted to taste the sweetness he knew awaited him and so he did.

As he licked and sucked at her warm, wet haven, Samantha cried out his name and wrapped her legs around him, holding him firmly in place. Zachary growled against her before bringing his hand up and sliding his finger within her, feeling her tight walls clench and pull him deeper.

Her moans grew in intensity. Zachary knew exactly how to touch and taste his woman to bring her to release and with one final hook of his finger, Samantha let out a cry of release. Her thighs tightened around his head and her body arched as she trembled and shook with the force of her pleasure.

Slipping from under her skirts, Zachary took a moment to simply watch Samantha as she sat there panting upon the counter. Her head thrown back, those red curls loose around her shoulders, her full lips parted and her cheeks flushed. Damn, she was breathtaking.

Zachary stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. "What are you doing?" she gasped.

He pressed a kiss to those red curls and growled. "Gonna make love to my woman in our bedroom."

"Zachary?" she nibbled at his neck, causing his legs to nearly buckle as he walked. "We don't have a bed."

"I think I've proven I don't need a bed to love you, Sam." He tightened his hold on her as she nipped at his ear. The damn woman knew what she did to him and she did it shamelessly. "I want you so goddamn bad, I'll take your delicious little body against the wall."

A/N: I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter! As always thanks you for reading and, please, let me know what you think! Zach and Sam finally have a home! A home with actual faucets and a shower! She's a lucky woman! Wedding bells next chapter perhaps??? Stay tuned.....