He blinked. She couldn’t possibly be giving him permission to follow his lustful thoughts. “Yes, what?”
“You said you’d been wondering something.” Her green eyes twinkled as if she thought him amusing.
“How did you know how to approach Rachel that first evening?”
“Because I’d done it before back East.”
This surprised him. “You’ve seen other children like Rachel?”
“Oh no.” Her eyes widened slightly. “I meant I’d had some experience approaching frightened children, street orphans actually, and thought to use the same approach with Rachel.”
“Street orphans? Tell me about them.” Intrigued, he continued to eat but focused all his attention on his wife, who seemed to brighten with the subject.
“I first saw Adam and Joey climbing out of the boarding house cellar one particularly cold morning last winter. When they saw me they ran away as quickly as possible. But since my aunt never repaired the hole in the cellar window, I knew they’d be back.”
“What did you do?”
“I left two blankets down there. Then the next morning I was up early and made sure a box of food was near the window when they came out. It took a few weeks, but eventually I convinced them to come to the boarding house kitchen for breakfast and we became good friends.” Sadness crossed her face.
“Now that you’re out here, who will watch out for the boys? Your aunt?”
“No, she’d sooner call the authorities than lift a finger to help them.” She rose and began clearing the table. “A friend of mine has already taken them under her wing.”
Nathan found these peeks into her past very telling. Laura trusted him with only part of her life. He had the feeling there was more to her story than she cared to share.
The more he learned about her, the more attracted he was to her. It was one of the reasons he kept to the barn most of the daylight hours. Even in those small periods of time he spent in her presence he wanted to touch her or repeat that first kiss.
He’d long ago given up trying to convince himself that she wasn’t his type of woman. For some unexplainable reason he was irresistibly drawn to her. Before he attempted to get her into his bed, he wanted to get her to admit how much she desired him. He knew she did by the way she blushed every time he teased her.
That was one reason he controlled his desires to the best of his abilities. Instead of forcing her to accept her feelings, he wanted her to offer herself to him. If she gave herself to him then it would mean she trusted him—even if only on a primitive level.
* * * * *
Friday night after dinner, Nathan told Laura he’d be making a trip to town the next day.
She set her fork aside and wiped her mouth with the cloth napkins she’d started setting on their table each evening. “Could you pick out material to make Rachel some new dresses?”
He swallowed a bite of pie she’d made for desert. He might as well set her straight right now on who was in charge of his money. “Laura, I can’t afford a seamstress for you right now. The spring planting is going to require all the extra money from last year’s harvest. Miss Watson’s prices are just too expensive.”
“I don’t want to hire the seamstress to make the clothes. I’ve asked Sarah to teach me how to sew in exchange for half the milk, eggs and butter. You were right. She frowns upon taking charity. I also thought that sometime I’d make curtains for the windows. I feel strange dressing and undressing in my room, as if someone were watching me.”
Nathan nearly dropped his fork. The images of her as he’d seen her each night from the barn door filled his mind. Had she seen him watching her?
“Oh, I’m sure there isn’t anyone looking in way out here.” She innocently rushed to reassure him, misunderstanding his reaction as one of concern for her safety instead of guilt. “It’s simply that I’m not used to having windows without curtains.” Her cheeks turned pink, then she returned to her original idea. “I thought perhaps some pink calico and possibly dark-red wool would make nice dresses for Rachel.”
Recovered from the window discussion, Nathan eyed her thoughtfully. “I’m not very good at picking out things for little girls’ clothing. Perhaps you should go with me to get what you need?”
“I’d love to go, except I don’t think we should expose Rachel to other people right now. She’s doing so well I’d hate to have people make her regress. Frankly, after my brief encounter with the people in town, I can’t imagine them being anything but rude to her. Maybe you could have Sarah help you pick out what’s needed. She’d know better than me, anyway.”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want to go to town because you’re afraid of people staring at you?” Nathan leaned back in his chair and challenged her with a grim smile. He dared her to deny his words. “Somehow I didn’t take you for the cowardly type, darlin’. But if you want to hide here on the farm from all our neighbors, I guess I could pick out something for Rachel.”
“I didn’t say I was afraid of the people in town.” Laura straightened her shoulders, her cheeks almost red with indignation as she rose to his bait. “In fact I’d love to go to with you tomorrow. Maybe I could leave Rachel with Sarah while I shop.”
Nathan was pleased she’d taken his challenge. The townsfolk hadn’t been just rude, they’d been contemptuous and he wanted to make them eat crow. They expected her to act as spoiled as Kirsten, possibly throwing a tantrum if she didn’t get her way. They’d be surprised. This time he’d married a real lady and Laura’s pride would speak for itself tomorrow. “If you’re sure you aren’t afraid of being stared at, we’ll plan on leaving right after breakfast and the morning chores are completed.”
“I told you I’m not afraid of those people, Nathan.” Laura began clearing the table. “Rachel and I would love a trip to town, wouldn’t we, little one?”
Blink.
“There, you see? You have two very brave ladies living in this house.” Laura leaned over his shoulder to take his plate.
“That I do,” he said quietly, grabbing her hand and looking into her eyes, which turned that dark shade of old jade he found seductive. Her lips parted slightly, her tongue touching her lips lightly.
Slowly he drew her toward him, touching his lips to hers in a moist, gentle kiss that sent heat directly to his groin once again, stunning his senses.
Nathan lifted his lips from hers, still holding her hand to steady her as she slowly opened her eyes. He smiled wickedly at her.
“Laura,” he called her back to reality. “I need to tuck Rachel in bed, but if you’re feeling adventurous, I’ll be happy to continue this when I’m done.”
Laura took a step back. “What… I… How dare you…? I can’t believe… Oh!” she sputtered after him as he left the room with his daughter.
As Nathan stepped off the last step and into the kitchen, she grabbed a skillet to wash.
For a few minutes he stood silently watching Laura nearly scrub a hole in the cast-iron skillet she held. She stood as straight as a piece of forged steel, her jaw set in that defiant position he’d learned meant she’d closed up and he wouldn’t get any more information out of her tonight.
When she became obstinate like this, he wanted to take her in his arms and make her trust him. He wanted to make her open up, tell him all the things she kept locked inside, to depend on him, but with great determination he kept his hands to himself. She had to do those things on her own or it would mean nothing.
* * * * *
That night Laura dreamt about the kisses they shared. She dreamed of Nathan holding her in his arms—the warmth and trust he offered her. Then the dream changed. The pleasurable feel of Nathan’s arms around her became mixed with images from her past. Her cousin Clara, laughing at her. Images of her scrubbing the boarding house floors while Clara and Aunt Ellen took away Nathan and Rachel. And finally, Nigel standing with the others. They all laughed over her inert, bleeding body. Nigel held a wire between his hands, dripping with blood—her
blood.
Gasping for air, she jerked up out of her sheets. Her body covered in a cold sweat, she tried to remember if she’d screamed out loud or only in her dreams. Panting, she mopped at her face and untangled her legs from her sheets to sit on the side of the bed.
She thought she saw a small form near her door. She squinted into the dark. “Rachel? Is that you?”
The silent child moved closer and Laura swore she was looking straight at her with focused eyes this time.
“Did I scare you with my dream?”
Blink.
“Do you want me to take you back to bed?”
No response.
“Do you want something to eat?”
No response.
“Do you want to climb in here and cuddle with me?”
Blink.
Surprised but pleased, Laura lifted her covers and moved back in the bed, allowing the little girl to crawl in beside her. Laura lowered the blankets and tentatively put her arms around Rachel’s body, drawing her close. After a minute or so, she realized Rachel had already fallen asleep. As she listened to the child’s rhythmic breathing, she started to relax.
I wish Nathan could see this.
The thought made her smile as she slowly drifted into a dreamless sleep, hugging the little girl to her.
* * * * *
The next morning, Nathan knocked softly on Laura’s door. Receiving no answer, he quietly opened it. In the dim morning light he couldn’t see very well, so he moved closer to the bed. The sight that greeted him nearly knocked him off his feet. There in the bed, Laura hugged Rachel to her in her sleep.
Rachel opened her eyes and looked right at him.
Stunned, Nathan could only stare back for a moment, then he gave her a wink and placed his finger to his lips signaling her not to wake Laura. She closed her eyes and put her thumb in her mouth.
Walking past the bed to the window, he inhaled deeply at the tightness squeezing his heart and chest. He leaned against the window frame to watch in amazement as Laura and Rachel slept. Tears ran unchecked down his cheek. As the light grew in the misty gray sky, he stared out the window to offer his thanks to God for sending this woman into their lives.
A movement from the bed caught his eye. When he turned, he received the delightful sight of his wife stretching in bed. Strands of her mahogany hair had loosened from her braid during her sleep. Suddenly he wished he’d been the one to cause the disarray. She let out a little squeal with her stretch then remembered Rachel was in bed with her. Carefully she climbed over the little girl and out of bed. In the process she showed him a shapely, firm leg. It was neither too thin nor too thick. He nearly groaned when she bent to pull the covers over his daughter and presented her round bottom to his view.
He cleared his throat instead.
“Nathan!” Laura gasped and grabbed her robe. “What are you doing in here?”
“Enjoying the view.”
She drew her robe on and closed it as if it were a suit of armor. “You shouldn’t be admiring the view or anything else in here.”
He pushed himself away from the windowsill, stalking slowly toward her. She backed away until she stood pressed against the wall. He kept advancing as if he were a hunter cornering his prey. Finally he stopped with mere inches separating them. With one hand he brushed the dark hair away from her face, letting the silky strands slide between his fingers.
Staring into her eyes, he pulled her forward into his arms and held her tightly against his chest. At first she resisted, but soon his warmth melted her wariness and she leaned into his strength.
“Laura,” he whispered into her hair, “I don’t know how you got Rachel to trust you enough to sleep with you, but I’m glad you’re here for her.”
“I didn’t do anything, really.” Her whispered words fluttered across his chest, her breath lightly brushing against his wool shirt. “Actually, she came in here to comfort me. I’d been having a bad dream. When I woke up she was standing there. I could even swear she was looking right at me.”
He glanced at the bed. “I think she probably was.”
She leaned her back against the wall and looked at him. “Why do you think that?”
“Because she’s looking at us right now.”
Laura peeked around him to see the tiny child staring at them.
“Oh my lord.” She scooted away from Nathan and went to the bed to kneel near Rachel. “Good morning. I’m so glad you came to sleep with me last night. It made me feel better. Did you sleep well?”
Blink.
Nathan scooped his daughter into his arms. “If you two are planning on me taking you to town today then you’d better get a start on breakfast.” He walked toward the door, carrying Rachel with him. As he passed by Laura, he leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her smiling lips. “We’d like pancakes, wouldn’t we, little darlin’?”
“Oh… You…” Laura laughed and threw her pillow at his retreating back.
* * * * *
When the trio arrived at Sarah’s small two-room cabin just outside town, two redheaded girls greeted them. The girls, about six and ten years old, were named Evie and Belle. Since their mother was already in town, the girls promised to keep an eye on Rachel until Nathan and Laura returned. Laura’s apprehension at the arrangement eased when Rachel went willingly with the girls, who noticed the change in the little girl immediately.
Nathan drove the wagon on into town, stopping in the alley beside the mercantile. He helped Laura down from the wagon, his hands on her waist while her hands rested lightly on his shoulders. Once her feet were on the ground, he continued to hold her a moment longer.
“Remember,” he whispered loud enough for only her to hear, “you’re one of two brave ladies who live in my house.”
“I never have forgotten.” She straightened herself and pushed away from him. “Just you remember it.”
“Yes ma’am.” He chuckled.
The low baritone of his laughter rolled over Laura and she smiled at his good humor. He pulled her arm through his and she felt the strength of his muscles beneath her fingers. If he treated her like this every day, she’d find it hard not to lose her heart to him.
All conversation ceased as they entered the store. Many customers stopped to stare openly. Ignoring them, Nathan doffed his hat and drew Laura with him to the main counter.
“Frank?” he addressed a stocky, redheaded gentleman. “I’d be pleased to introduce my wife, Mrs. Laura Cantrell. Laura, this is Frank Jensen. He owns the mercantile. He’ll help you pick out whatever you need.” He handed Frank a list. “Add her purchases to this list of supplies, Frank, and I’ll pay up when I get back from the livery.”
“Sure thing, Nathan. Glad to make your acquaintance, ma’am.” Frank smiled warmly at Laura as Nathan left the store. “You just look around and when you decide what it is you need, you just let me know.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jensen.” Laura returned his smile, understanding what it was Sarah liked in the man. Obviously Sarah had a soft heart for redheads with nice smiles. “Could you tell me where your dry goods are?”
“Over to your left, ma’am, by the window there.”
Thanking him again she moved in the direction he’d indicated. She nodded greetings to several older women as she passed by their staring countenances, refusing to let their bad manners upset her morning.
On the dry goods table lay many bolts of different colored material. Smaller rolls of lace sat piled on a counter of drawers containing buttons, ribbons and threads. Soon she was lost in deciding which ones would make Rachel pretty dresses.
“Decided on what to get yet?”
“Oh Sarah! You startled me. When did you come in?” Laura smiled.
“I just dropped off Mr. Jensen’s laundry out back. Saw you over here being ignored by the high society of Doverton and thought you might like some company while you picked out your dress-makin’ material.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather stay and help so you c
an visit with a certain redheaded storekeeper?” Laura whispered.
“Got that figured out already now, have you?”
Keeping her tone low so no one would hear her, Laura patted her friend on the shoulder. “Sarah, he’s a fine-looking man. I can see what you see in him. Why don’t you spend some time talking with him while I shop? I’m not afraid of these ladies.”
“I agree he’s a fine-looking man, but if I act too interested all these old buzzards will eat me alive with their gossip.”
“Why don’t you introduce me to them and maybe I can keep them busy while you go courting?” Laura suggested with a conspiratorial wink.
Sarah laughed and turned to address two sour-looking women. “Mrs. Abernathey and Mrs. Potter, let me innerduce Laura Cantrell, Nathan’s new wife. I was hopin’ you might suggest some things she could sew up into dresses fer Nathan’s little girl. I know how nice you dress yer daughters.”
Sarah’s words of praise took some pucker out of their faces and both ladies shook hands with Laura. They, in turn introduced her to three slightly younger women, Mrs. Dawson, Mrs. Hillman and Mrs. Trainer. Soon all the ladies were offering advice on what material to buy and what notions to use to decorate several dresses for Rachel.
Despite their frequent references to Rachel as that poor little child, Laura held her temper and kept them occupied discussing clothes and curtain designs while Sarah spent time with Frank.
The ladies quickly filled her in on the social position of each woman’s husband. Mr. Abernathey was the preacher for the First Baptist Church, while Mr. Potter was a local farmer and head deacon in the church. Mrs. Dawson’s husband was the area doctor, and Laura made sure to remember that in case any of them needed his services. Mr. Hillman was the banker and Mr. Trainer was the local blacksmith. All the women had several children.
Laura also discovered that the town had no teacher for the children and each family was responsible for educating their children at home. Knowing how difficult it was for her to educate herself, she wondered if the children learned more than rudimentary reading and ciphering skills.
Finally deciding on pink calico and golden wool material for the dresses, some lace for collars, yellow calico for kitchen curtains and threads to match, Laura extricated herself from the group of gossiping women.
CantrellsBride Page 10
