Page 526 of Conveniently Wed
Dragging her trunk behind her, she hadn’t realized it would be so heavy.
“Let me help you with that.” Franklin’s fingers grazed hers as he slipped his hand in the handle. He stopped a moment before he hefted it up on his shoulder. Maybe he had felt the same spark she did when they touched. She rubbed at the tingles that shot from her hand and up her arm.
He opened the door, then lifted his bag with the other hand. “I’ll take these things downstairs, then go to the livery to rent a carriage to take you home.”
Home.Yes, she finally had a home of her own again. A home she’d grown to love. A good place to raise her son. Their son.
“You can stay here in the room, or you can sit in the lobby until I get back.”
Lorinda didn’t want to be on display for whoever might come into the hotel. “I’ll wait here.”
Standing in the doorway, she watched her husband descend the stairs with their luggage. At least, no one was in the area of the lobby that she could see from her vantage point, looking through the stair railing.
When he reached the front door, a laugh burst from him, then he turned and looked toward her through the banister on the lobby side of the staircase. “Come on down, Lorinda. Rusty is waiting out front withourbuggy.”
18
When Lorinda arrived on the board walk outside the hotel, Franklin and Rusty were loading the luggage into the buggy. “What a surprise to find you out here, Rusty.”
For the first time, she saw the cowboy blush.
“Thought you and the boss would want to ride home in the buggy...Mrs. Vine.”
The name, coming from one of the ranch hands, stopped Lorinda for a moment. She would have to get used to hearing people call her Mrs. Vine, instead of Lorinda or Mrs. Sullivan. With the deception attached to the wedding, the name didn’t feel like it fit.Lord, please help me. Since they were lying about their marriage, would He listen to her?
“That was thoughtful of you.” Lorinda tried to smile, but it felt tight.
“I brought Mrs. Oleson to town. She has several things to do today.” He climbed up on the driver’s seat. “I’m gonna drive you home, and I’ll come back later to pick her up in the wagon. She’s buying supplies, too.”
Franklin leaned close to her ear. “That explains why we have a ride.” The scent of cinnamon from their breakfast came with his breath.
He clasped her waist between his strong hands and lifted her to the buggy seat as if she were as light as a butterfly. Her stomach fluttered like the beautiful insect as well. Why did just the feel of his hands always cause some kind of unusual reaction in her person?
“Thank you, Franklin.” She arranged her skirt without looking at him.
“My pleasure,Mrs. Vine.”
The emphasis he placed on the last two words intensified the feelings that unsettled her. She peeked at him, and his smoldering smile lit a fire in her heart. She knew he was only playing a part in front of the people who were out and about in town, but something deep inside wished it wasn’t so.
Franklin climbed up and settled close beside her. “We’re ready, Rusty.”
As the buggy rolled out of town, many people turned to stare at them. Most wore smiles. A few had a kind of smirk that made her uncomfortable.
Lorinda felt she was on display, and she didn’t like it. When they finally left the town behind, she relaxed. Even though the morning was heating up, the speed of the horses stirred a breeze that kept her cool.
For some reason, everything looked different today. The tall trees were greener. Wildflowers covered meadows with a myriad of colors, as if God had taken a paintbrush and splashed various hues across the fields. Birds sailed high in the sky against a cerulean backdrop for the few cottony clouds that floated lazily as if on a slow-moving river. Enjoying the fresh air, she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
Franklin leaned closer and put his arm across the back of the seat. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” The word whispered at the end of her exhale.
No, you’re too close to me.Her gaze fell to her hands clasped in her lap. The faint aroma of the Bay Rum Oil he used yesterday still lingered, along with the unique masculine scent she’d become familiar with since she lived at the Rocking V. She wanted to turn away but didn’t want him to notice.
“Are you sure?” The words blew against her ear.
When did he move that close?If she turned her head up toward him, their lips might almost touch...maybe they would. Maybe she wanted to see if that kiss yesterday was a fluke. But could her heart take it? The memory of the feelings she’d only experienced that one time flooded over her, bringing back the fire in her belly and capturing her breath.
How far are we from the ranch?She glanced around but couldn’t tell for sure. Finally, she raised her eyes to peek at him. A frown wrinkled his brow and drew his lips down. He almost looked worried.
