Page 577 of Conveniently Wed
“Don’t know.” This time her voice was a little stronger.
When the ropes were all gone, he reached toward her.
“No, Franklin. I’m so dirty.” A glisten of tears appeared in her eyes, but none fell down her cheeks.
He lifted Lorinda to her feet. He started to let go, but her legs buckled. He grabbed her up in his arms before she could fall.
“Do your legs hurt?”
She nodded against his chest.
He held her close to his heart, cradling her with his love, until she was able to stand up. With one hand, he tilted her face toward his and settled his lips against hers. He didn’t want to hurt them, but he wanted to pour his love into her. The kiss was gentle, but it lasted long minutes. She melted against him and raised her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and closer. Just as the one at the wedding, this kiss took on a life of its own. He was as gentle with her as he could be, but he didn’t want to break the connection.
When their lips finally parted, he leaned closer to her exquisite ear and whispered, “Lorinda, I love you with all my heart.”
“I love you, too, Franklin.”
Her words startled him. How long had she loved him? Had they been living the lie with both of them wanting more from their marriage? What an idiot he had been when he suggested such a thing. They had a lot to talk about. But not right here. Not right now.
When he turned around, he saw Rusty had unloaded food from the saddlebags. And even though they had ridden through the rest of the night, the coffee had been wrapped so well that a little bit of vapor rose from the cups. Two blankets were spread beside the food.
Rusty waved his hand toward the bounty. “Breakfast, anyone?”
40
The breakfast, even though it was cold, tasted like a banquet to Lorinda. She wanted to just shovel the food into her mouth and not stop until she was full.
“You need to eat slowly, since you haven’t had anything for over twenty-four hours.” Franklin must have read her mind. “We don’t want you sick before we get you home.”
She slowed down and enjoyed every bite, surprised by how little it took before she couldn’t hold anything else. The coffee helped perk her up, but the cold water was most soothing to her dry throat and mouth.
When they all finished eating, Franklin helped her stand. She still didn’t feel too steady, so she was glad he stayed close beside her.
“Rusty, there is a natural spring just a short way from the opening of this cave, to the west. Please take the horses so they can drink before we head back to the ranch.” He reached for the extra canteen they hadn’t opened yet. “I’ll keep this one here for Lorinda, and you can fill the rest.”
After Rusty left, Franklin grabbed a gunnysack that had been tied to one of the saddles. “I didn’t know why before I left, but I stuffed some of my warmest clothes into this. I’m glad I did.”
Lorinda wondered why Franklin needed to change. He was very clean compared to her. Every thread of clothing on her was soiled and she stunk so bad she could hardly keep from throwing up.
“Now that Rusty’s gone, you can use this water to clean up the best you can, and then you put on these clothes. We’ll take the ones you have on back to the ranch and burn them.”
Lorinda’s eyes widened, and she could feel a blush creep up her neck into her face. She loved Franklin, but she didn’t want the first time he saw her naked to be in this sorry state. She shivered in apprehension.
He smiled at her. “I want you to come over by that wall that’s near the tunnel opening to clean up and dress. I’ll stay in the tunnel with my back to you unless you need help.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then a kiss as soft as a butterfly on her cracked lips.
She smiled as he strode away.Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me such a wonderful husband.
By the time Rusty returned, she was as clean as she could get from the small amount of water and fully dressed in warm, clean clothes.
“Thanks, Rusty.” Franklin took Major’s reins from his ranch hand. “I’m going to wrap Lorinda in two blankets and we’re both riding Major. We’re leaving right away. Please load anything salvageable onto your horse and Golden Boy and bring it home.”
He quickly wrapped her in the blankets. Then he mounted his horse and had Rusty lift her into his lap. She was so thin, she fit comfortably between him and the saddle horn. This reminded her of the time he brought her down from the mountain after her log cabin burned. That time, she tried not to touch him any more than she had to. This time, she nestled against him, enjoying the comfort of his arms around her and his broad, muscular chest for her to rest on.
Although exhausted, Lorinda couldn’t rest without telling Franklin everything she’d been feeling. She poured out her heart to him, and she reveled in the love he covered her with. Finally, this ranch was home where she wanted to be, and she knew now that he wanted her there with all his heart. The gentle swaying of Major’s gait lulled her to sleep and she rested knowing her husband loved her and would protect her from harm.
Just before they reached the ranch headquarters, Franklin woke her gently with a kiss. She yawned and stretched as much as she could wrapped up in the blankets, surprised that the sun was now coming more from the west than overhead.Must be after noon.
When they rode up to the house, Franklin’s foreman, Thomas Walker, ran out of the barn to meet them by the gate. “Welcome home, Franklin. So good to see you, Mrs. Vine.”
