Page 421 of Conveniently Wed
“Land sakes, no! You are the lady of this home. Ladies don’t get on their knees digging.”
“But I love to garden, and the roses need to be pruned back, the weeds pulled, and?—”
“No,” Delilah said, shaking her head. “My Abe will get to them roses before winter. We just running low on time andenergy with these old bones slowing us down. But don’t you be worrying your purty head.”
“Please. You just said yourself you have way too much. And why, with a house and grounds this size, where you should have at least twenty staff, do you only have Annie and Ruby and a couple girls who come in twice a week to help out with the clothes washing?”
“That’s Josiah’s business to tell.”
“I am his wife.” For the first time those words rang true. She was his wife.
“True.” Delilah pressed a finger against her full lips. “With all the expenses of rebuilding after the war, until them horses start selling again, we’re keeping things skinny.”
Skinny? After all he’d done for her family? “Even more reason for me to help. Plus, you work too hard.”
“Pshaw. Don’t be concerning yourself with me.” She placed both hands on her generous hips and stared Katie down. “I’ve been working this place for years now.”
Katie twisted the bottom of her apron in her hand. How could she get through to Delilah? “Then I’ll take it up with Josiah. You heard him yesterday at the supper table when he agreed it would be fine if I wanted to help. I’m thinking he will not be pleased if you can’t find his wife even one little thing to do.”
A crease furrowed her dark brow, and she put a hand to her well-starched checkered turban. “I don’t think he was paying you any mind yesterday. But I could use a little help, I guess.”
“You will not regret this.” Katie rushed forward and hugged the plump woman. “We’ll make a great team. You’ll see.” She pulled back and smiled into Delilah’s chocolate brown eyes. “You are the queen bee, and I’ll be one of your worker bees.”
A wide toothy grin split free. “Don’t be needing to be a queen anything. No, ma’am. But truth be told, a little more help ‘round here would be heaven to these old bones.”
The men often took the noon meal in the outside cook hut as a matter of convenience, so they could get quickly back to work. Katie set out that meal early so that Josiah wouldn’t wander in and catch her working. He’d said she could help, but he hadn’t realized what all she planned to do.
The day passed in a whirl of activity as Katie joined in the work of the large, sprawling house. Every accomplishment energized her. The only caveat to a perfect day was the inkling that Josiah had not known what he agreed to at dinner. He had seemed rather distracted. Before Delilah started rattling on about all they’d worked on together, she had better talk to him.
She stuffed down her embarrassment regarding the night before and stood waiting to greet him that evening when he walked in the door. She would have to get comfortable with the fact that this so called “duty” between a man and woman was much more pleasurable than she could have imagined.
The door opened, and he stepped in.
She stepped toward him. “I need to talk to you.”
He raised his brows. “My day was fine. Thanks for asking, dear wife.” He dropped a quick kiss on her cheek and chuckled.
Heat washed up her neck. “I’m sorry?—”
“I was just teasing, and you can greet me at the door anytime you wish.” He threw her a pleased look. “Give me a couple minutes to wash and change, then meet me in my room.” He bounded up the steps.
She couldn’t help watching him go, every bit of his handsome physique on display for her. The memory of his muscles beneath her fingertips, the feel of his kisses on her skin, the touch of those large but gentle hands… She shook her head, forcing her mind elsewhere.
After leaving him a respectable amount of time to change, she tapped on his bedroom door and waited.
“Come in, my love.” His deep voice rumbled through the wood.
She swallowed hard at his use of the endearment, but squared her shoulders and stepped in. She was surprised to find him in a state of undress. His trousers hung loosely at his waist, his suspenders dangling toward the floor. His chest was bare.
She stood, mesmerized, as he bent over the marble topped stand and splashed water from the washbowl onto his face and hair. He grabbed fresh linens and straightened to dry.
His wide shoulders and rippled body took her breath away. The work of the day gave definition to his muscles. Would she ever get used to how petite she felt in comparison? The night before flooded in, the memory of how gentle he’d been. It didn’t suit the strong man who stood before her.
“Talk away,” he said, as the towel slipped from his face. He caught her open stare and grinned.
She dropped her gaze and walked toward the window. “Nice view,” she said, needing a moment to regain her focus.
His arms circled her waist, and he drew her back against him. “I’m sure you didn’t come up here to talk about the view, now did you, Kat?”
