Page 189 of Conveniently Wed
“There, you can lie back now.”
Good thing, too, ’cause his muscles were one breath away from turning to jelly.
Once he’d lowered, he focused on keeping his breathing slow and even while Leah examined his cuts and dabbed them with a wet rag. Then she laid clean Juniper leaves and cloth squares over his wounds, and picked up another long bandage. He bit his lip, mentally preparing for what was coming next.
“Do you think you can raise up again?”
If only he could say no. But instead, he forced his elbows underneath his body once more and squeezed his eyes shut against the agony.
It seemed like a very long time before she said, “I’m done.”
He fell back, exhausted, and measured each breath so as not to stress his ribs. Something tugged on his shirt, and he opened his eyes. There was his angel—the one who had just put him through so much agony—sweetly fastening the buttons on his shirt.
He reached a hand to stop her. Doing his own buttons was the least he could manage. When he touched her, she froze, her eyes drifting up to meet his. His gut squeezed at her tortured expression.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
It was all he could do not to pull her to him and kiss her until all the pain in his body and soul was gone. Instead, he slipped his hand around her soft, slender one, then raised it to his lips.
He meant to kiss the tops of her fingers, like a knight greeting his princess. But his mouth found its way to the soft, fleshy part of her palm. He savored a single kiss, then his eyes found her gaze again. “You’ve nothing to be sorry for.”
“And don’t forget to take the supplies to the north pasture first before you move the animals.”
A smile tugged Leah’s face at Gideon’s fourth reminder. She straightened the oversize buckskin tunic over her coat and turned with a grin to the pallet where he was propped on pillows. “Yes, sir.”
The lines on his face fell. He ran a hand through his hair, and her heart tugged at the frustration on his face. He released a sigh. “I hate being stuck here while you do all the work.”
She knelt beside him. His earnest green eyes drew her like always. “I know you do, but you’ll be out there sooner if you let yourself heal now. Besides”—she sat back on her heels, giving him a sweet smile—“I’m finally getting the chance to really help around here. Please don’t spoil my fun.”
His lips twitched at that, and she rose to her feet and wrapped the scarf around her head. The thickness of her layers made it harder to move, but she relished the softness of Gideon’s buckskin. Just the fact that it washisheated her insides much more than the abundance of clothing she wore.
The cabin door opened, and Miriam stomped in, shaking the snow from her skirt. “Brrr. Leah, your horse is saddled and ready for ya.”
“And I’m ready, too.” She pulled on her last glove.
“You’re taking Drifter, right?” Gideon asked. “Where is that dog?”
On cue, the click of toenails on wood sounded the animal’s presence as he trotted from the direction of Leah’s bedchamber. She reached a hand to him and he came willingly, his tongue lolling as she stroked his head.
“Looks like he’s chosen a new master.” Gideon’s tone was grumpy, reminding Leah of that first day when he’d been so angry about Drifter’s friendliness toward her.
She studied Gideon’s face now to gauge his temperament. Through the four-day stubble around his mouth, his lips pinched in a firm line. Her gaze drifted up to his eyes. Would she find a storm brewing there? Or worse—the impassive expression he used to mask his fears. Instead, there was the faintest glimmer of a twinkle, and it sent her heartbeat into double time.
She turned toward the door. She needed to leave now if she was going to. “I guess I’m off then.”
Miriam followed her onto the porch, and Leah turned to face her. “Please make sure he doesn’t get up today, Miri, unless he absolutely must. His color is looking better, but he could injure the rib bones again if he moves around too much.”
Her friend placed a hand on Leah’s arm. The pressure felt slight under all her clothing. “I’ll take good care of him. Don’t worry. Just be careful out there.”
Miriam’s clear green eyes were so kind and her concerned smile so sweet, Leah couldn’t stop an impulsive hug. “I know you will. I’ll be back before dark.”
29
The sky was a clear blue as Leah followed the trail through the woods, with Drifter trotting in her horse’s tracks. The quiet time was perfect to thank her Father for the beauty all around. And, of course, she sent up her usual prayers for Gideon and Miriam back at the cabin. She was careful to stay away from the topic of her future in her prayer, though. She would need to face reality once the snow melted, but no need to push things yet. For now, she could enjoy this peaceful haven in the mountains.
When the trees broke and she arrived at the overlook, she paused for a moment to enjoy the view. It still took her breath away—the wild beauty of this scene. The white valley far below, rising into majestic peaks in the distance. She understood how Gideon felt when he’d said the land was a part of him. Her chest ached at the thought of leaving this place.
What would it be like to marry a mountain man and stay here forever? Images of Gideon flashed through her mind. First the strong, hardened, emotionless man she’d met when she arrived at the ranch, then the tender strength he’d shown after she changed his bandage the other night. There had been emotion in that face, to be sure. But could Gideon ever allow himself tolove her? He’d been through so much. Would he let his defenses down again? Only God could make that happen…but would He?
