Page 45 of Willing to Wed the Rancher
Was she crying?
He laid a hand on her back.
She stiffened and sniffled.
“What are you thinking?” he asked gently.
“She needs a better mother than me, Franz.” Her voice wobbled.
“That is not true. You are a good mother.”
“I don’t know why Eric chose me.” The words came out on the edge of a sob.
“Because you are wonderful with the children.”
“He should have picked someone else. Someone older and wiser and more capable.” Her voice cut off with another sob.
“Nein, mein Liebchen.” He leaned forward and drew her into a hug. He didn’t care that they were on a bed and that physical contact wasn’t appropriate for them. All that mattered was comforting her.
She buried her face against his chest, and the sobs came freely, quiet but broken.
He wanted to say more, needed to convince her she had all the qualities Bianca and Dieter needed in a mother. But he sensed that right now, after the past night of trying to console Bianca, Clarabelle needed to let out her tension and frustration.
As her sobs finally began to calm, he situated himself against the wall again, drawing her into the crook of his arm with her face still partially buried against his chest. With one arm around her back, he simply held her.
That seemed to be enough. No words were necessary. After a moment, she quieted and didn’t move, just rested against him as if she’d found peace in his arms.
He hoped so. He had the overwhelming need to take care of her and make her life better and easier and happier. That’s all he wanted to do. He wanted to spend the rest of his days being with her and making sure she always had something to smile about. He wanted to love her and spoil her and sacrifice for her.
As impossible as it seemed in such a short time, he’d fallen in love with her. Maybe it had been at first sight. Maybe there was a rational, scientific reason behind it. Or maybe there was no explanation at all.
Whatever the case, he loved her with a consuming depth that was so pervasive his chest radiated with it. And he knew that he could never live without her. He would give up everything and stay in Colorado if that’s what it would take to be with her. Surely he could find places to teach here, even in the mountains.
He had to find a way to be with her and make a future together work. Of course, she probably didn’t feel quite the sameway he did. It might take some time and wooing and convincing to be able to win her heart, but he would do it eventually. He’d work hard, be patient, and show her she meant everything to him.
Her breathing had evened to a slow and rhythmic pace, and her eyes had closed. Had she fallen asleep?
He had to sit up, get off the bed, and allow her to sleep. But as he shifted forward, she released a soft, tired sigh.
He paused. It wouldn’t hurt anything to let her sleep for a few minutes against him, would it? After the nearly sleepless night she’d had, he didn’t want to wake her up. The chores could wait. The children would likely sleep late.
Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to hold her for a little longer. He’d just sit with her and rest.
Slowly, he reclined against the wall again. She didn’t resist and seemed to curl into his side as if she were made to fit there.
He bent his head and buried his nose in her hair. He took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of sunshine and strawberries. She smelled so good. And she felt so perfect against him.
Even though a part of him warned against staying on the bed for too long, he closed his eyes and breathed out a sigh of contentment. He was exactly where he wanted to be for the rest of his life... by her side.
16
Clarabelle awoke with a start, the distant call of her name lingering in her memory. Was someone looking for her? Or had she just dreamed it?
Her eyes felt heavy and her head groggy, and as she struggled to open her eyes, strong arms tightened around her.
Wakefulness swept through her, and she was suddenly conscious that she was lying down on a bed beside someone. Her eyes flew open to find herself looking into Franz’s sleeping face on the pillow beside her.
Bright sunlight streamed through the window, leaving little doubt that she was indeed in bed beside Franz.
