Page 268 of Conveniently Wed
“You’re enjoying the sunset? I have to say it’s beautiful. The mountains have drawn me like a magnet since my first glimpse of them. So strong. So majestic.”
“I love the mountains too, but it isn’t only them or the sunset I’m enjoying.”
The words hung between them like a sheet half-pegged to the line. If someone didn’t finish the job, it would fall to the ground.
“What else are you enjoying?”
Hearing wonder in his voice, she turned to face him. She sucked in air, using it to force out the words she wanted to speak but feared to, thinking she was being rash. “The company. Sharing the evening.” She rushed on. “Frank would never sit outside like this in the evening, even though I asked him. It feels right to spend a bit of time together at the end of the day.” Even though her face warmed she did not break from their locked gazes. Let him think it was a reflection of the lowering sun or let him guess how difficult it had been to speak frankly. Would he know just how true the words were? Business partners maybe, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends, couldn’t share the joys of the farm and family.
His eyes had widened at her words then crinkled around the edges and filled with such brightness that she thought they mustbe reflecting the sky. His smile held warmth. “That’s about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She sat back to watch the sunset and enjoy the company. She felt no need of words, content to simply be there.
In the trees by the river, an owl hooted then took to wing. Several birds exploded into the air in noisy protest. They both turned toward the disturbance.
“I wonder what’s alarmed them,” she said.
“I’ll take a look.” He went inside to reach over the door and take down the rifle.
“It’s growing dark, so be careful.” Her heart crawled up her throat at the dangers he might encounter.
He touched her elbow. “Always.” With distance-eating strides that took him away far too quickly, he soon reached the trees. The birds had settled back down, but again erupted with loud squawks at his approach. He disappeared in the shadows.
Stella walked to the edge of the yard, watching, waiting. What if there was a bear? A desperado? A wildcat? Her heart clinging to her ribs, she prayed for his safety.
The minutes ticked by, as slow as winter’s passing. No more birds fluttered. No sound came from the trees. Nor did Bruce reappear.
Stella’s throat grew dry. She lifted her cup to wet her mouth, but the tea was gone. All she could do was swallow.Please come back. I know we haven’t married out of love, but I would like to keep you around. I need you. I want you.
She promised herself she would examine the last statement after he was safe and sound.
A shadow shifted, grew darker. She pressed her lips together. Her breath stalled. Her heart beat a tattoo inside her head. And then the shadow parted into two. One of them became the shape of a man. Bruce. He was okay.
She wrapped her arms around herself tightly, surprised at how cold she’d grown.
Bruce jogged toward her. “I didn’t see anything to worry about.” He reached her side.
She shivered.
He tilted his head to study her face. “Are you all right?”
She nodded, but for the world she couldn’t have uttered a word.
“Were you worried about me?”
Again, she nodded, feeling her eyes stretch wide.
He cradled the rifle in one arm and drew her to himself with the other. “Nothing to worry about. You’re freezing.” His arm tightened around her. “Time to go inside.”
But neither of them moved. For her part, she didn’t think she could force any of her muscles to work. His arm steadied her both inside and out.
“Come on.” He urged her to the house. At the door, he stopped. “My hands are full, you’ll have to turn the knob.”
What was she thinking? She jerked from his embrace, opened the door, and hurried inside.
He paused to return the rifle to its place above the door while she crossed to her bedroom.
“Stella.” His call stopped her. “I enjoyed the evening.”
