Page 35 of The Marriage Mission

"Thanks," she said as she stepped out, her voice softer than she intended. Her feet touched the ground, but it was his steady presence that grounded her more than the concrete beneath her shoes.

Noah closed the door behind her and lingered, looking like he was debating whether to say more. They walked silently to the door. He stayed a step behind her, a quiet shadow that was part protector with a touch of what felt like a stalker.

But that couldn't be right. He was just here to do a job. Just here for the money. And then he'd go.

They marched up the porch steps in tandem. Coming face to face with the locked front door, Jacqui didn't wait for him to hold out his hand for her keys. She just held them up between them. Noah took the proffered key ring from her. Rough calluses brushed over the back of her finger, lingering at her polished nail before releasing her.

"I suppose I should get you your own set," she hedged.

The key scraped against the lock as he tensed. Oh no, had she said the wrong thing? He was probably already mentally packing.

"You want me to stay?" he asked.

"You need to finish the wiring." But he'd mentioned he was almost done. "And the additional work at my sister's place."

He nodded, stepping aside so she could enter through the open door. But not before he did a sweep of the entryway and turned on the lights. It had to be his military training, but she liked it.

The sound of the door locking behind her was loud. Jacqui liked the notion of being trapped inside with him. It made all worries lift from her head and fly away. But really, what worries did she have left?

She had the money from her trust fund. The wiring was nearly done. Her sisters were in good health and now would want for nothing with the cash infusion in the envelope in her hands.

Noah took her bag from her and hung it on the rack. With the weight of her satchel gone, she felt even lighter.

"Did you eat?" he asked.

Jacqui pursed her lips, trying to remember what she consumed aside from tasting a few sauces before approving them to be served.

Noah sighed, but he didn't sound put out. "I'll heat up something."

"You don't have to."

"What kind of husband would I look like if my chef-wife starved?"

"Just be wary of the ketchup. Don't want anything too spicy for you."

"Ha, ha." Noah grinned.

Jacqui grinned.

He was walking backward toward the kitchen, not taking his eyes off her. That's when he paused.

"What's that?" he asked.

Jacqui winced. "I had it delivered while we were out."

He glared at the king-sized package outside the guest bedroom. But he didn't say anything.

"I figured you'd, you know, want it."

His gaze snapped back to her. He looked at her almost like he wanted her instead of the new bed she'd had delivered.

"I'm not tired," he said.

"Me neither," she said hurriedly. "I was going to watch some TV for a while. On the couch."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Sure. Okay."

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