Patience walked back in, and although they had been alone in the cabin countless times, this time seemed like the first. Rud had taken his nightshirt off when Patience went out to check for the signal. Sensing her hesitation, Rud said, "Patience, please come to bed."

Patience went behind the blind, took her wedding dress off, and put on her nightgown. She then got into bed and moved next to Rud. Realizing Rud no longer had his nightshirt on, Patience quickly got out of the bed, turned facing Rud, and slipped her nightgown off over her head.

Even though the cabin was dark, her outline was silhouetted against the orange glow from the fireplace behind her. Her slender waist, narrow hips, the outline of her breast as she moved all caused Rud to lose his breath. He watched as her hair was pulled free of the nightgown and cascaded down her neck, onto her shoulders and back.

She raised her arms and used a ribbon to tie her hair together behind her head. Rud just kept looking at her. He knew every contour of her face so well his mind filled in the details of what in the dim light from the fire his eyes could not see.

Patience slipped under the covers and up against Rud. Rud moved his hand up her side and over her shoulder to cup her face. He could feel her tremble as he touched her skin. He moved even closer and began to kiss her lips with very small, light kisses. Patience put her hands on his sides, carefully avoiding those injured areas she knew still caused him pain. Her touch on his skin was exhilarating.

Rud had not taken a breath since she had removed her nightgown and suddenly gulped for air. Rud said, "I am a little nervous. You took my breath when I saw you remove your nightgown." Patience replied, "I am a little nervous too," as her lips pressed back against his. Their bodies in full contact now as they kissed.

Rud and Patience wrapped their arms around each other. They held each other for a moment then started moving their hands along their backs and sides. Rud pulled back and told Patience he could not believe it was possible to be happier than he was right now. Patience said she had wanted this ever since she spent the night with him on the tattered old rug. Until now, that had been the best night of her entire life. Rud said he felt the same.

As they talked, the fear and nervousness eased, and they were both noticeably more relaxed now than even a moment ago. Rud said, "You had quite an effect on me that morning." Patience replied, "Evidently, I am having the same effect on you now." Rud tried to act shocked at what she said but failed miserably.

He pressed Patience harder against him, hands moving more freely on her frame now. He moved his hand very slowly down her neck, past her shoulders feeling every bump in her spine. As he moved steadily down to her waist, he occasionally paused to make small circles on her skin with his fingers.

Still moving down, his large hand firmly gripped her smooth, soft bottom then released before moving even lower. Patience moaned softly, letting Rud know the pleasure she felt as he touched the more sensitive areas.

At first, they cautiously explored each other's bodies. Patience had seen Rud naked and washed him many times, but this was as different as night and day. Patience's body was all new to Rud, and she could feel his hands shake as he touched her.

Patience could tell he was anxious yet was trying so hard to go slow and be gentle with her. As Rud's lips searched for Patience's lips, they both knew it was time, and gradually began to move. Rud was moving on top of Patience as she was pulling him towards her. He moved up and over her as she slid under him.

Rud shifted his weight to his legs and arms, not wanting to put his full weight on her much smaller body. As Miss Betty had predicted, their bodies knew what to do. Patience provided a little assistance, and they became man and woman together. It was painful for Patience at first, and feeling her body respond to pain, Rud hesitated, knowing he had somehow hurt her. Patience put her hands on her man's waist and encouraged him to continue.

Soon they were moving against each other in a slowly accelerating rhythm. Neither was in a hurry. Both were intensely aware of the other while at the same time overwhelmed with pleasure and excitement. The end was a little awkward, but with neither having experienced anything like this before, Rud and Patience still reveled in the new sensations.

Still weak from his injuries, Rud was having trouble holding himself up with his arms, so he rolled over onto his back taking Patience with him. Patience managed to stay coupled as she moved on top of Rud. Once there, she exhaled deeply and laid her head on her big man's chest. Rud was also breathing deeply, and Patience rose and fell with each breath. Neither spoke. Patience lifted her head and kissed his chest.

Rud moved his hands down her back to her bottom. He could feel her breasts against his chest, the two points causing excitement to course through his body. Rud was acutely aware of even the smallest movement Patience made. He could feel the protrusions of her hip bones against his hips, and he could count her toes as she pressed them lightly against the tops of his feet.

Rud listened to the sound of her breathing and felt her hair, the ribbon holding it back now lost, slipping off his chest as he breathed in and out. Patience could feel her man becoming aroused and smiled knowing she was having "that effect" on him yet again.

As her body began to respond as well, Patience raised her upper torso with her arms and started moving her hips. Rud joined in moving his hips in rhythm. In the orange light from the fireplace, they could more easily see each other's faces and could gauge their reactions. They were learning what pleased each other.

This time they were more relaxed, but the sensations were just as intense. When the end came, it was much more satisfying, and each marveled at the pleasured look on the other's face. Rud raised his head and found Patience's lips.

They touched, kissed, made love, talked, and cuddled until the early morning hours when sleep finally came. Rud, weakened by his injuries, was the first to sleep. Patience laid her head on his shoulder and watched as he breathed in and out.

She thought about how happy and content he looked. She had watched him sleep many times as Rud lay on the tattered old rug. Many times she had wished she could reach out from her bed to hold him. Now he was hers and she would never have to wish again. Patience wrapped her arms around her man and closed her eyes.

The next morning Patience woke first. Sunlight was streaming through the window. Coals and ash were all that remained in the fireplace, and the only warmth in the cabin was from each other.

Patience was in front with her man's arms wrapped tightly around her, his face above hers, their legs bent together. Her tiny feet were resting on top of his. She remembered this was the same position they had been in when they woke after spending the night together on the tattered old rug.

Patience realized the fears and anxiety the night before had all been wasted effort. Rud had been her perfect mate, and together they had moved from the state they were in before last night to a new state this morning as man and woman, husband and wife, and lovers. It wasn't the ceremony or the gold ring on her finger that was responsible for this new state. It was the love they had shared during their first night together. Patience remembered Alice's words from the night before, and Alice had been right.

* * * * *

Rud stirred and felt the warmth of his soulmate in his arms. One eye opened but then squinted in reaction to the light from the window. Patience pushed back into him, he felt her naked body against his. Her contours always hidden under fabric before were now distinct. Slowly he began to react in typical fashion, but this time did not attempt to hide it from his lover. Patience felt the pressure on her lower back. She smiled, knowing the effect she was having on him yet again.

He had lost his family and lived alone for seven years. But now his life belonged to the woman sharing his bed. Nothing would ever be better than this moment right now. Rud held Patience, never wanting to let go.

Eventually, though, they turned to each other. Rud was amazed at the feeling of Patience's body against his. Patience said, "Good morning," then asked Rud to please put some more wood on the fire. She told him here under these blankets he was more than enough warmth for her, but it is a bit chilly in their cabin, and eventually, they would need to get up.

Rud was the man for the job, and he rolled over Patience and out from under the blankets. He added kindling and several small pieces of wood to get the fire restarted, then threw in several large logs, so once going, it would last a while. Rud did not want to get up again anytime soon.

As the fire grew, Rud made his way back to Patience. Patience giggled as her man, naked, wincing in pain from his injuries, dodging items on the floor, finally jumping the last few feet to the bed, landing with an "ouch, that hurt."

Patience warned him not to reopen any of his wounds as she had plans for him today right here in this bed. Rud smiled. Under the covers again, the passion was renewed. The tragedies in their past meant nothing now, they had each other and needed nothing else.