Page 209 of Conveniently Wed
Gideon settled his hat on the peg by the door and turned to survey the table. “Looks good.”
“It’s not much, but it’s ready.” She moved to the stove and picked up the coffee pot, then poured the steaming brew into Gideon’s mug first before filling her own.
Gideon helped her with her chair, then sat and spoke a blessing over their food. The gusto with which he consumed the ham, biscuits, plum preserves, and dried apples was more than the simple meal deserved.
She picked at her own food, mostly to keep her hands from twisting knots in her skirt. There was no way she could eat.
After finishing the last bite of his apples, Gideon set down his fork with a contented sigh. “I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed your cooking.” Smile lines formed around his eyes.
She allowed a small smile back. “It’s only been three days. And I didn’t really cook this.” She motioned toward the empty dishes in front of them. “The biscuits were from Aunt Pearl’s.”
The twinkle in Gideon’s eyes darkened. He placed his napkin on the table and rose to his feet, deliberation cloaking each movement. He locked his gaze with Leah’s, holding her attention so tight she couldn’t breathe.
He came around to her chair, took both her hands, and pulled her up and to his chest in a fluid motion, like a magnet to iron. He cradled her hands between his own, then raised them to his mouth, planting a kiss on her fingertips. Her whole body trembled.
“You’re cold.” Concern shadowed his face. He turned, leading her toward the large fireplace. When they reached the hearth, Gideon wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him.
The heat of the fire soaked into her, and the warmth of Gideon’s hold pushed her nervousness away. She absorbed the strong beat of his heart.
How many times had they been in front of this fire together? But never like this. Never with this glorious feeling of melding together.
Her mind drifted back to other times they’d been here, when she’d doctored his wounds from the bear attack. She’d been so frightened then. Not really knowing what to do. Afraid she’d miss an important step that would kill him.
And then the idea came, like a bullet striking its target. She leaned back to watch Gideon’s face while she spoke. “I know what we should do with the money.”
His expression registered confusion, but his hands kept their grip at her back. “The money?”
“From my inheritance.”
His confusion shifted into amusement. “What should we do with it?”
Excitement started to build in her mind. “We should bring a doctor to Butte City, so the people here can have real medical care. And maybe an assistant, too, so he can make house calls into the mountain country.” She paused to wait for his response.
His face softened, and he raised a hand to cup her cheek. The love in his gaze tightened her chest so she couldn’t have spoken if she wanted. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. That’s one of the things I love about you. How much you care about other people.”
She drew a breath. It was too easy to lose herself in his gaze. “Really?”
Those eyes twinkled. “Yes. But there are so many other things I love, too.” And then he drew closer, bringing his lips to hers. His kiss was soft and light and filled with love.
He pulled back to look in her eyes, the twinkles taking on a rakish gleam. “Can I tell you about them?”
