Page 186 of Conveniently Wed
As he drank, she studied his dark lashes. How had she never noticed how long they were before? She wanted so badly to reach out and stroke his jaw with its day-old stubble.
His eyes raised to meet hers with an intense look, as if he could read her thoughts. Heat rose up her neck, and she looked away—just in time to see Miriam watching them with a twinkle in her sassy gaze.
Thankfully, Gideon had finished the drink. Leah took the mug and almost ran to the kitchen. She began filling plates, forcing her mind to focus on the work at hand.
“Miriam, would you mind feeding your brother?” She kept her voice as schooled as possible, praying her friend would say yes to spare Leah more embarrassment.
Gideon mumbled something she couldn’t make out, but it sounded like it had something to do with being perfectly capable of feeding himself.
Despite the pain in Gideon’s ribs every time he moved, it was driving him crazy to see both women working so hard while he lay flat on his back. He had to get up. At the very least, he needed to relieve himself.
When the room was empty, with Miriam outside and Leah in her sleeping chamber, it was time to make his move. By grabbing onto a chair leg behind him, he was able to roll onto his side with minimal groans. His ribs were shooting fire, though, and it took all his power to keep from screaming. He pushed himself onto his hands and knees, squeezing his eyes tight against the spinning of the room.
“Gideon Bryant.”
He jerked at the words, his eyes flying open. The world spun again, and he fought for control. And then he was falling, at least he thought he was. The floor pulled out from under him, but a soft hand caught his shoulder, gently lowering him to the blanket. He rolled on his back to see Leah’s wide eyes hovering over him, sparks flying from their green depths like a campfire when pine needles were thrown into it.
“What do you think you were doing?” She propped a hand on each hip, rose to her full height…and glared at him.
He fought the urge to cower, but that was hard not to do when he was lying flat on his back with an angry she-bear standing over him.
“I need to get up.”
“Why?” She didn’t move, just kept her hands on her hips and her eyes sparking. Was she trying to stare him down?
“Because I have things to do.”
“What?”
Ire rose in his chest. “My chores for one. Then I need to get out to the herd. They’ve not had anything to eat or drink today.”
“Absolutely not.”
Who was this woman to tell him what he could and couldn’t do?
“Well somebody has to. I don’t plan to lose seventy cows and seven horses because you won’t let me off this floor.”
That seemed to make her pause. At least the sparks stopped flying from her eyes. She seemed to be thinking on his words. Hopefully, she would come to her senses.
At last she stepped back and nodded, as if everything had been settled. “I’ll go out and take care of the herd.”
If Gideon hadn’t already been on the floor, her words might have knocked him down. “Absolutely not.”
Her chin came up. “Why not?” Her eyes began sparking again.
“Because you can’t go out there by yourself.”
“Why not?”
If she’d been close enough, he might have grabbed her pretty little shoulders and shaken some sense into her. Not really, but it made him feel slightly better to think it.
“Because you’ll get lost. And you won’t be strong enough to break the ice. And the animals will hurt you. And there are so many more reasons why you will not go out there.” He used hisand-that’s-finaltone that had always brought instant acquiescence from his siblings. All he got from Leah, though, was a raised eyebrow. The stubborn woman.
Finally, her demeanor softened and she actually knelt down next to his pallet. Maybe that meant she was relenting.
“Gideon.” Her tone was soft and soothing. “Like you said, the animals won’t make it very long without food and water. You need a few days to recuperate—you were attacked by a bear,for goodness sake. I’ve been out with you before, and you’re an excellent teacher.”
His mind wandered back to that day, specifically to that kiss, and by the bright pink of her cheeks it looked like her thoughts had drifted in the same direction.
