He pulled her up tight against him. “Your folks will be leaving soon.”
Anticipation stole her breath. When Nora called up the stairs, she reluctantly stepped away from Daniel.
“Your bath water is hot. Shall I have your pa carry it up?”
“The tub’s in the pantry. I’ll be right down.”
The kitchen was spotless when Tess entered it. She gave her mother a hug and kissed her aunt’s cheek. “Thank you both for watching Emily while I was gone. It’s a comfort knowing she was with you.”
“We love every minute we spend with her,” Nora said.
“Of course we do,” Fay agreed. “Wesley, I believe I’ll trouble you for a ride into town. Let’s go before Tess’s bath water gets cold.”
Nora paused in the doorway. “Are you coming, Daniel?”
“I’ll be along in a minute.”
Wesley urged his wife through the door. “Don’t pester them, Nora.”
“Tell Lottie I appreciate her coming out,” Tess called.
“My goodness, I’d nearly forgotten she was here. Where has that girl gone now?”
“I’m right here, Mama.” Lottie’s voice was breathless. “I hitched up the horses.”
Tess stood in the open doorway and regarded her sister. Lottie’s color was high, and her hair was slightly mussed, but otherwise she looked perfectly composed. There was no sign of Nathan.
When the Gallagher buggy rolled out of the yard Daniel reached over and pushed the door shut. “Finally.”
“You told Mama you were leaving.”
“I lied. You might need some help with your bath.”
Tess smiled. “I’ve been taking baths alone for some time now, Daniel.”
He pulled her close and brushed her hair away from her face. “I need to hold you, Tess. Please don’t send me away.”
She looked deep into his eyes and saw a love so pure it made her heart ache. With a shaking hand she touched his face. “The tub is in the pantry.”
While he filled the tub with hot water, Tess stripped off her filthy dress. She hesitated only a moment before discarding her underclothes as well. Daniel watched her step into the tub.
“There should be soap and a towel on the shelf by the sink.”
He dropped the soap into the water with a soft plop. The ripples lapped at her breasts. He cleared his throat. “I could use a bath, too.”
She scrubbed her arms and smiled up at him. Her hand stilled at the look in his eyes. Heat settled low in her belly and spread through her. “Go ahead and heat more water. I’ll be finished in a minute.”
“Now why would I want to waste all that time when there’s a perfectly good bath prepared?” He unbuttoned his shirt.
Her gaze met his. She clenched the bar of soap between her fingers. “There’s not much room in here.”
“We’ll make room.” He dropped his shirt on the floor and sat to pull off his boots.
“We’ll get water all over the floor.”
“With all the people tracking in and out, it needs mopping anyway.”
Tess held out her hand. “In the interests of a clean floor, I think you’d better join me.”
He dropped his pants and took her hand. She scooted forward in the tub, and he climbed in behind her.
“Comfortable?” He pulled her back against his chest.
“I would be, but there’s something poking me.” She leaned her head against his wet shoulder and smiled up at him. Lethargy and desire mingled, turning her bones to liquid.
“You’re a tease,” he whispered in her ear. His large hands caressed her smooth stomach. When they moved up to cup her breasts, she sighed.
“Oh, Daniel, I was so afraid we would never have this. I was afraid Jack Craven would take away our future.”
“He didn’t. We’ll have years and years to spend together if only you’ll put aside your worries and marry me.”
She picked up his hand and twined her fingers with his. “I’ll marry you just as soon as you wish.”
He drew in a breath. “Do you mean it?”
She nodded. “I made up my mind upstairs. Lottie is chasing Nathan, not taking no for an answer. I still feel awful about hurting them, but I can’t let guilt rule my life. I love you too much to lose you, Daniel. The future is too precious to waste.”
He looked into her eyes. “You’ll never lose me. I’d wait for you forever.”
“You don’t have to. I belong to you now and always, and I want to marry you just as soon as we can arrange it.”
He exhaled deeply. “I’ve waited a lifetime to hear those words. I swear I’ll do my best to make you happy.”
Tess stroked the side of his face. “I can’t imagine anything will make me happier than I am right now.”
“I can.” Daniel reached beneath the water and stroked her until her flesh quivered. Grasping her hips, he brought her down astride him. His breath hissed out.
She shuddered in pleasure at the feel of his solid length inside her. When his hands urged her hips into motion, she rose and fell, rose and fell, sinking deeper and deeper into mind numbing joy. His hand stroked between her legs, finding the source of her pleasure, until she cried out with the intensity of her release. Water spilled over the sides of the tub in waves.
Tess sank against him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She lay there while the water grew cool, feeling utterly at peace with the world. Finally he stirred.
“We should get out of here before you get cold.”
“Umm,” she groaned. “I was almost asleep.”
“Me, too, but we’ll be more comfortable in your bed.”
Standing, he scooped her into his arms. Pain shot through her side, and she gasped.
He set her on her feet. “What is it?”
“Craven kicked me in the ribs. They’re a little sore.”
Daniel swore and ran his hands along her sides. “Where? There?” His touch was whisper soft. “I don’t think they’re broken, just bruised. Why didn’t you say something before?”
She shrugged and picked up a towel. “They’ll heal. I didn’t want to think about Craven.”
“I would have been gentler with you.”
“I didn’t want you to be gentle.”
His voice was grim. “It’s too bad you can’t kill a man twice.”
“It’s over.” Reaching up, she rubbed the towel across his chest. “Come, Daniel. Let’s go to bed.”
* * * *
Tess turned the horses into her driveway and set the break, surprised to see her parents’ buggy standing in the barnyard. Lifting Emily from the seat beside her, she climbed over the wagon wheel to the ground. The kitchen door opened as she walked up the porch steps.
Her father’s face was sober when he greeted her. She stepped inside and saw her mother sitting at the table. Nora looked at her with red rimmed eyes.
Fear stopped her in the doorway. “What’s wrong? Tell me what’s happened!”
“Lottie’s gone.” Nora burst into tears.
Tess felt for the edge of the table as the room tilted unsteadily. “What do you mean, gone?”
Wesley reached for Emily. “She left town.”
Her breath whooshed out in relief, and she sank onto a chair. “You scared me to death, Mama. I thought you meant she—” Tess stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
“She might as well be dead,” Nora wailed. “She’s ruined herself for certain.”
Tess looked at her father. “Where did she go?”
“We don’t know. She left before dawn, took a horse and rode after Nathan.”
The tightness in her chest eased. “If she’s with Nathan she’ll be fine. He won’t let anything happen to her.”
“She’s not with him. She’s following him,” Nora said through her tears. “She explained in a letter. Imagine how I felt finding my daughter gone and nothing but a note in her place.”
Tess gritted her teeth, her mother’s histrionics grating on her nerves. “May I read the
letter?”
Wesley pulled a folded square of paper from his shirt pocket and handed it to her. She spread it out on the table to read.
Dear Mama and Pa,
I hope you won’t worry too much when you find this letter because I’ll be fine. I’m following Nathan to South Carolina. I love him, and I know he’ll love me, too, once he has time to get over Tess. I intend to be there when he does, and I mean to marry him.
I promise to write soon. Don’t worry about me. I can look after myself.
Your loving daughter, Lottie
p.s. I took all the spare cash out of the safe in the store.
Tess looked up from the letter and smiled. “Poor Nathan, he’s going to have his hands full with her.”
“Is that all you can say, ‘poor Nathan’?” Nora’s voice rose.
“What would you like me to say? Lottie is going after the man she wants. Good for her.”
“But she’s traveling alone. I shouldn’t have to tell you how dangerous that is.”
“Trouble found me in my own backyard. Lottie is smart and resourceful. She’ll be fine.”
“She’s so young.”
“She only seems that way to us, dear.” Wesley laid his hand on his wife’s shoulder.
Tess squeezed her mother’s arm. “You know Lottie. She has no patience. It won’t be long before Nathan knows she’s following him. He’ll take care of her when he does.”
Nora’s eyes brightened. “Do you think he’ll bring her home?”
A weight eased in Tess’s chest. “I hope he doesn’t. Lottie has been miserable, and I’m mostly to blame. Maybe she’ll find happiness with Nathan.”
“But South Carolina is so far away!” Nora’s lips trembled. “What if he won’t marry her? It was you he loved.”
“I wonder if he really did love me. Nathan was ready to settle down, and I fit his ideal of a wife and mother. Lottie will suit him better.”
Nora blew her nose delicately into a handkerchief. “I’ll miss her.”
“It won’t be forever, Mama. I’m willing to bet Lottie will be back by spring, and Nathan will be with her.”
“Do you think so?”
She nodded. “I really do.”
“See, Nora. I told you Tess was the one to talk to.”
“I do feel better,” Nora said. “I just hope Nathan marries my girl before her reputation is completely ruined.”
“Nathan will do what is right. He’s an honorable man.”
“Come, Nora, we should go home. Tess is trying to pack.”
“I was supposed to help,” Nora cried. “What with the upset over finding Lottie’s letter, it slipped my mind.”
“I’m almost finished, Mama.”
Wesley looked around the kitchen. “What about your furniture?”
“We’re leaving most of it for Aunt Fay to use until her wedding next month. Daniel will bring over the few pieces I want this evening.”
“I can hardly believe you’re getting married tomorrow. It’s been such a rush, and it doesn’t seem right that your sister won’t be here.”
Tess’s lips quirked. “Lottie will be happier being anywhere but at my wedding.”
Nora sighed. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am.”
* * * *
Tess read the telegram and smiled.
Lottie is with me. Stop. Will see to her safety. Stop. Nathan.
“I was so relieved when it arrived.” Nora sat on the edge of Tess’s bed and smoothed her dress. “Now I can enjoy myself at your wedding without worrying myself sick over your sister.”
“I know, Mama. I’m glad she’s with Nathan, too. He’ll take care of her.”
“We won’t talk anymore about it, then.” Nora took the telegram and stuffed it into her reticule. “This is your day, and don’t you look beautiful.”
Tess studied her reflection in the mirror. “My dress is perfect, even if we didn’t have time to make a new one.”
“The pink matches the color in your cheeks, and the cut shows off your figure to perfection. You’re absolutely glowing.”
“The glow is from happiness.” Tess smiled, contentment welling from her soul. “I do look pretty, as every bride should.”
“You’re more than pretty. Here, let me help you with those flowers before you ruin your hair. How ever did you get it to stay so nicely?”
“With a lot of effort. Aunt Fay was an angel and took Emily so I could get ready.”
Nora adjusted the flowers. “There, you look perfect.”
“Thank you, Mama.” Tess scrutinized her reflection one last time. The bruises had faded, and her bright green eyes shone with happiness.
“Your pa is waiting downstairs with Emily to drive us to Daniel’s if you’re ready.”
“I’m more than ready.” Tess took a last look around her old room and shut the door behind her. Her future was with Daniel.
“My, aren’t you something,” Wesley said from the foot of the stairs. “Daniel is a lucky man.”
“I’m a lucky woman.” She took Emily from her father’s arms and followed her parents across the yard to the buggy. She was on her way to marry her true love. Her joy was complete.
* * **
They stood in the shade of the young aspens with their friends and family gathered around them. With the golden leaves rustling overhead, they exchanged their wedding vows.
“I, Daniel, take you, Tess, to be my lawful wedded wife.”
As he repeated the words, Daniel stared at his bride, unable to believe she was finally his. She was beautiful, and her eyes were full of love for him. He swallowed the knot in his throat before he could continue.
When it was Tess’s turn she vowed her love in a clear, confident voice. Her smile was brighter than the sun shining through the trees.
“I now pronounce you man and wife,” Reverend Thomas said. “You may kiss your bride.”
Daniel didn’t need a second invitation. He pulled Tess into his arms, and kissed her with all the love and passion in his heart. Behind them everyone clapped and cheered. Reluctantly he let her go.
While he accepted congratulations and good wishes from their guests, his gaze never left Tess. Finally everyone moved toward the food laden tables, and he was free to return to his bride’s side.
He smiled down at her. “Hello, Mrs. Moran.”
She took his hand and squeezed it, her eyes shining. “I love you, Daniel.” She leaned against his side as they strolled across the yard.
“I love you, too.” He stopped and pulled her into his arms. “You and Emily are my life. Do you suppose we could sneak away from this crowd? I’m sure your mother would watch her for us.”
She laughed. “Where would we go? We live here.”
“So we do, but I’m anxious to have you alone.”
“We can wait. We have the rest of our lives together.”
“It has a wonderful sound to it, doesn’t it, Tess?”
“Yes, Daniel, yes it does.”
Overhead, the breeze blew gently as they walked toward their future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Write about what you know. Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart, creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great outdoors. She grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband and two daughters. When she isn’t busy writing or being a full time mom, Jannine hikes and snowshoes in the woods around her home.
Whether she’s writing historical, contemporary, or romantic suspense, Jannine tries to bring the beauty of nature to her stories. To find out more about this author and her books, visit her website at www.janninegallant.com.
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