“Why, Leena, do you worry about standing up for yourself, when you knew she spoke lies?”
“She was trying to sully the time I had spent with you. Precious time. And, in that moment, I hated her for it.” She saw his gaze soften, and she blinked away tears. “I wanted to speak with you before I had Warren approach her and before I spoke with Jessamine, but Warren and Fidelia insisted I needed to act quickly to prevent Mrs. Jameson’s vicious rumors from spreading and sticking.”
Karl nodded, his gaze guarded but hopeful. “But you did want to speak with me first?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing. I hoped I was. Everything would have been easier if you were by my side.”
He groaned and pulled her to him, holding her close. “Oh, my love,” he rasped, holding her tightly. “When I read the article in the café, I was afraid that it meant you didn’t need me anymore. That you were strong enough without me.”
Leena rubbed her face against his chest and then pushed away. “I am strong, Karl. Most women are. But that doesn’t mean I don’t need you.” She sighed and pushed herself into his embrace again.
“Jeg elsker deg, Leena,” Karl whispered. He held his breath as he waited for her to speak.
“Oh, Karl,” she sighed. She arched up on her toes and kissed his jaw and then his cheek. “Jeg elsker deg. I love you. I love you so much.”
He groaned and hauled her closer. “Come home with me. Make a life with me,” he gasped as he rained kisses over her face and neck. He stilled as he tasted the salt of her tears. “Leena?” His callused fingers swiped away her tears. “Why are you crying?”
“Nothing is settled between us. You tempt me with coming home, but …” She shook her head as tears coursed out. “I still want this life.” She held out her arms to showcase the bakery.
He nodded and looked around as though seeing it for the first time. “Come.” He gripped her hand and tugged her into the adjacent sitting room. He watched as she settled on the rocking chair, and he pulled out the desk chair, to sit facing her and close enough to touch her knee or reach for her hand. “Will you tell me about the bakery?”
Her eyes widened at his question. “You’ve never wanted to know,” she whispered.
“Ja, ’tis true. I want to now.” He waited as she stared deeply into his shining blue eyes. “Help me understand, my love.”
She took a deep breath, and soon her hesitant voice was strong and filled with passion, humor and joy as she spoke about working with Annabelle, Fidelia, Sorcha and Leticia. Leena’s voice rang with pride as she said, “I knew the townsfolk would like my pepperkake, but I never thought I’d sell out in less than two hours. Now I make twice as much each day but still sell out just as quickly.”
“How often do you bake it?” he asked as he watched her with a distant expression.
“Only twice a week. Leticia, who has a great mind for business, thought it would be better if it were more of a specialty item.” Leena smiled impishly. “However, I change the days so the townsfolk come in each day to ensure they haven’t missed it, and they wind up buying apple cake or other treats.” Her smile dimmed as Karl failed to celebrate her baking victory. “Next week I will bake the Christmas julekake that have been preordered.”
“What else do you have planned for the townsfolk?” he asked in a low voice as he listened to her speak about the gingerbread and the Norwegian Christmas cakes she would sell.
“I’m baking a pepperkake house to be auctioned off at the New Year’s Eve Dance.”
He frowned. “You should serve glogg with it,” he said. “The warm, spicy drink would be a nice change from the sweet punch.”
She flushed. “I’ve never made a good glogg.”
His smile bloomed, causing her breath to catch. “Then you are fortunate to have married an expert glogg-maker.” He frowned. “I hope you have the spices I need.”
“We can improvise,” she whispered, suddenly shy.
He sighed and reached for her hand, his fingers playing with hers. “Leena, thank you for telling me about the bakery. For sharing with me how much you love it.” He waited for her to meet his gaze and nod. “I … I’ve been jealous.”
She stared deeply into his sincere gaze for a long moment. “I never meant to make you feel second best.”
“You didn’t. My own imaginings did.” He frowned. “I’m an orphan, ja?” He saw her eyes cloud with sadness as she nodded. “I don’t know if my parents died or didn’t want me. But I know the Johansens never wanted me.”
“I want you,” she whispered.
He looked deeply into her eyes as some of his tension eased. “As I want you.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve tried to listen and learn after you left our house. I don’t want to spend Christmas alone.” His grip tightened on her fingers as she pulled back on her hand. “I don’t want to be alone ever again.”
“Karl,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“Please, listen.” He met her gaze, pleading and desperation deep within his gaze. “I understand your desire to bake as you have until Christmas. From what you’ve told me, you’ve made our treats sought after here in Bear Grass Springs.” His eyes shone as he looked at her. “I’m so proud of you, Leena.” He frowned as tears coursed down her cheeks. “But I want things to change after the holiday.”
“I won’t stop working here,” she said with a mutinous tilt to her chin. “No gentle words will hinder me!”
He knelt at her side, gripping her arms to hold her from bolting from him. “Listen, please.” When she had settled, he spoke in a soft voice. “I’ve listened. To you. To your friends. And I hope I’ve learned.” He let out a deep breath. “I still want you home, Leena, but not every day.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Ja, I know.” He smiled as he looked deeply into her eyes. “I spoke with Fidelia after I left here the other night. She said that you work here alone some days. When Annabelle is caring for her daughter.”
Leena nodded and frowned.
“Why does the bakery need two bakers every day?”
“It doesn’t. Fridays and Saturdays are our busiest days, and that is when we are both here.”
He relaxed his hands, stroking them down her arms. “Then why must you be here every day? Can you and Annabelle split the week?” He smiled. “You work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, and she work Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Or the other way around?”
Her mouth open and closed as she gaped at him, speechless.
“Leena?” he whispered. When she remained quiet, he rose and paced away. “Dammit, I’m trying. What more do you want?”
She rose and grabbed his muscled arm. “Karl?” Her eyes were filled with a luminous, wondrous joy as she beheld him. “You would compromise?”
His passion-filled gaze bore into her. “I’ve come to realize there is little I wouldn’t do to reconcile with you, Leena. And I can’t bear to take away what brings you joy.” He paused as he looked at her, taking in her arched eyebrows, rounded cheekbones and full lips. He caressed a thumb over her jaw, marveling that such a woman was his wife. “I read that newspaperwoman’s article on you. Last night.”
Leena frowned in confusion.
“The True and Tantalizing piece.” He took a deep breath and rasped, meeting her gaze with embarrassment. “And I finally understood that baking, here with these women, eases the ache of leaving your mother and sisters behind.”
She nodded as tears coursed down her cheeks. “Ja.”
“Forgive me for being too stubborn to realize that before.”
“Oh, my love,” she gasped as she threw herself into his arms. She clung to him as she sobbed.
“Shh, love, there is no reason for tears,” he murmured as he kissed her head.
“I thought … I thought when you left last time that I’d never get you back. That you’d find a more malleable woman,” she hiccupped out.
&nbs
p; “Never,” he whispered as he cupped her sodden cheeks between his large palms. “Never, my Leena. I want you and only you. From the moment I saw you in Norway, in your mother’s kitchen, wearing a blue-and-red apron, I’ve wanted you.”
“Truly?” she whispered. “You never paid me any attention.”
He smiled. “I always knew where you were. Your constant touches to my shoulder were a torment.”
She shook her head in wonder as she stared at him. “I thought you only wanted to marry me because of the sawmill. Because of your partnership with Nathanial.”
He growled and swooped forward to kiss her. “Damn the partnership. Damn the sawmill. I’ve always wanted you, Leena.” He sighed, resting his forehead against her. “And the thought that you didn’t want me, that you wished you’d married another …” He closed his eyes.
She cupped his cheeks, her fingers moving through his stubble. “I always wanted you too. My only fear was that you didn’t want me as I truly am. I’m not going to change, Karl. Not in any essential way.”
“Do you want to have a home with me? Do you want our spedbarn?”
Her eyes filled with tears at the Norwegian word for children as her lips followed her fingers, peppering his face with kisses. “Yes. I only left our home because I felt I had no other choice. I never wanted to leave you.” She met his hopeful gaze. “I haven’t slept well without you by my side.”
He let out a deep breath and kissed her. “I missed you, every second of every day,” he whispered.
“And I you,” she said as a sob burst forth.
He pulled her close as he held her, rocking her as she cried. When she quieted, he whispered, “Leena?”
“Don’t let your fears turn you into a bully again. I don’t know if our marriage could handle it.” She relaxed in his embrace as he nodded, tucking her head onto his shoulder and under his chin.
“I will do my best to always share my fears with you, my love,” he whispered into her ear.
“And share your love with me too,” she said as she kissed his neck.
He groaned and pulled back, kissing her passionately. “I want you home,” he rasped.
“Tomorrow,” she gasped as his hands loosened her dress and eased her corset free. “For tonight, let us enjoy our time here.”
After their lovemaking, Karl ran his hands over his wife’s shoulder to her arm and hip and then back up again, leaning forward frequently to give her little kisses. “I’ve missed this.”
“This quiet contentment,” she whispered.
“Ja.” He leaned forward, breathing in her scent and then wrapped an arm over her waist as he tugged her backside into his front. “I’ve missed holding you, knowing that I would wake each morning with you in my arms.”
“I’ve missed so much more than that.” She grabbed his hand and raised it to her mouth, kissing it. “I missed talking over problems with you, hearing about your day. Reminiscing about Norway. Dreaming about our future.”
“Have you enjoyed living in town? Would you rather live closer to the bakery than near the sawmill?”
She pushed against him until she faced him. “No, Karl. I want to live in our home. Near Nathanial. Away from those who love to gossip.”
He frowned as he saw her battle anger and embarrassment. “You have loyal friends who will continue to defend you, min kjærlighet.”
“The MacKinnons are your friends too,” she whispered, kissing him softly.
“What happened to put such shadows in your eyes?” His finger traced under her eye, and his frown deepened.
“I had an argument with Mr. Sutton at the Merc. He wanted to charge me more because he believed I was a woman of loose morals.” She gripped his arm as she felt him stiffen with rage next to her.
After a moment he exhaled and relaxed next to her. “How did you persuade him to change his mind?”
She flushed. “Jessamine knows something about his past and advised me what to say to make it seem as though I knew it too. He was terrified for the townsfolk to know whatever he had done.” She ducked her head. “I am ashamed I tricked him and used something he is not proud of against him.”
Karl growled and tilted her chin so that she would meet his gaze. “He was willing to shame you for something you did not do. He willingly believed the worst about you. I have no sympathy for him.”
She sniffled. “That is what Jessamine said.”
Karl’s gaze shone with pride as he stared at his wife. “Knowledge is power,” he whispered. “Thank God you had the newspaperwoman on your side.”
Leena giggled as she fell forward into his arms. “She was disappointed Tobias saw sense and relented from charging me an exorbitant amount. I think she is waiting for the day she can expose whatever it is he did.”
Karl held Leena close, kissing the top of her head. “I wouldn’t be so certain. Once it is divulged, she will have no leverage over him. And, whatever it is, it might hurt those she cares about.”
Leena sighed, her fingers playing over his chest muscles. “Stay the night with me?” When he remained silent, she scooted away from him, her shoulders stiffening as though trying to deflect his rejection.
When he grabbed her hands and stilled her erratic movements, she met his tender gaze. “Love, nothing could force me to leave you tonight.”
She sighed with happiness and snuggled into the bedcovers with him again.
“Leena, love, wake up,” Karl whispered as he kissed her shoulder.
She snuggled into his embrace. “No,” she murmured as she shivered at his touch. “Don’t make me.”
“Come, love. You have work to do.” He kissed her again and pulled his arm from around her waist. He stopped moving when she gripped his arm, her fingernails biting into his muscles.
“Karl?” she breathed, releasing him and turning over to see him. She traced a finger over his arm and then his face. “You’re really here? This wasn’t a dream?”
He smiled at her, a relieved sigh escaping as he kissed her. “I’m here. If I am lucky, I will spend every night beside you.” His smile turned mischievous. “However, Annabelle will find me in your bed if you don’t get up soon.”
Leena beamed at him. “Let her find you here. She’s only ever wanted us to find happiness, Karl. She never meant to cause strife between us by offering me a place to stay.”
He pulled his wife close, breathing in her scent. He jerked when he heard the back door open and slam shut, Annabelle’s voice calling out for Leena. He tugged the blankets up over her to ensure they were covered to their chins and then looked toward the door with an amused expression.
Annabelle entered the back room with a lantern, one hand absently tucking errant strands of hair into her bun. She stilled when she met Karl’s gaze. “Oh, I beg your pardon,” she whispered. “I … I’ll see you when you—” She spun on her heels and slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.
Leena groaned while Karl burst into laughter. “I’ve never seen your friend, who is so composed and in command, at a loss for words before.”
“It’s the first shocking thing I’ve ever done.” Leena kissed his neck and sighed as she prepared herself for rising in the cold room.
He eased her down into the bed and crawled over her, moving to the small stove to rekindle the embers and to add wood. “Wait a few minutes to allow the room to warm. Then you can prepare your delicacies to share with the townsfolk.” He crawled back into bed with her, sighing with pleasure as she plastered herself along his front.
“You can stay here for as long as you want, darling. However, there will be more noise once Fidelia and Leticia arrive.”
He kissed her head. “I’ll sleep a while longer before traveling home.” After a few minutes, he reluctantly opened his arms so she could ease out of them to dress for the day. He closed his eyes with blissful tenderness when she kissed his forehead and then his lips before venturing into the kitchen area to cook.
Although he remained in bed, he did not sleep. He listened
to the women’s voices, their camaraderie as they told stories and laughed. He could not make out what they said, but their affection and friendship was evident. After a few hours, two new voices joined in, and he knew it was time to rise.
He dressed and eased open the sitting room door, stilling his movements as he beheld Leena. Her apron was covered in flour; she had a streak of something marring one cheek, and her hands were elbow deep in a bowl, kneading bread. She giggled at something Leticia said, and his breath caught at her joy.
For a moment he was transported back to her mother’s house in Norway, where Leena had spent so many hours in the kitchen. So often she had looked just like this, with joy and laughter pervading her as she had chatted with her sisters and mother. Suddenly he understood that she had recreated what she had lost by moving to America. She had a place that was like home, with women who were like family to her.
His throat tightened at the thought of what he had attempted to deprive her of, and he cleared his throat. The gruff sound alerted the women to his presence, and their chattering halted.
Leena glanced at him, her smile fading as she saw his serious countenance.
Her eyes rounded as he strode toward her, gripped her shoulders and kissed her soundly. “You belong here, my love. I will pick you up this afternoon.” He kissed her again, nodded to the women who watched him with shocked expressions and then marched out the back door.
Fidelia swiped her hands on a towel and then gave Leena a little smack with it. “Well, it seems one of us has something to tell.”
Leena flushed but could not hide her contented smile. “Ja. Karl read Jessamine’s article last night while he was at the café, and he came here to ensure I was fine.”
“Seems he made sure you were more than fine,” Leticia said with a wry smile, causing Fidelia to snort and Annabelle to laugh.
Annabelle sobered as she studied her friend. “Does this mean you are moving home?”
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