Page 26 of A Letter to Carolina
Carolina’s head dropped back to his shoulder, wondering how she’d gotten so lucky. This man was so much more than she could have hoped for.
“Did you sleep ok?”
Carolina bit her lip. It had taken a long while for her to fall asleep. “I slept well enough. It took me a while to realize that you weren’t upset with me.”
“Why did you think I was upset?” He sat up, but she pressed her hand to his chest, holding him in place. This was the most relaxed she’d seen him since their picnic on the ranch.
“You were quiet after the encounter with Mrs. Arden. I didn’t hear you say two words at dinner and then you left right afterwards to go visit the sheriff and marshal.”
“I suppose we don’t know each other well enough for that to feel normal. If I’m honest, it feels like we have been together longer than just one week.” Nate sat up further, pulling her onto his lap. “I was more concerned that she upset you, and I did not want to do so further.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t have set so many boundaries around how our marriage was going to work.” She leaned her head against his shoulder.
“What do you mean?” His thumb stroked her hip.
“Did we limit ourselves in thinking that by creating rules, it would be better? If we just jump in feet first, it would somehow ruin things?”
“Were you listening at the door when Doc said that?”
“I may have been coming out to see you, and he was already there.” She gave him a coy smile. “I work with you. We share meals and time together in the evenings. It feels like we’re walking on eggshells, though.”
“I love you.” His words were like a balm to her spirit. This was what they were missing at the end of every day. “I know it is rather quick, but I love you and I’ll love you for the rest of our lives.”
“I love you too. You are an excellent doctor, a wonderful husband, and a pillar in this community.”
“Buuuuuut.” Nate drug out the word and Carolina nearly laughed at his impatience.
“But nothing. I don’t want to wait, or second guess the Lord’s plan. I want to move forward with you.”
Nate let out a slow breath, his hand gripping her tightly. “You are the smartest woman that I know other than Aunt Cleo. Whatever your heart desires, I will do everything I can to make it come true.”
She looked at him with hooded lids. “I desire you.”
Nate looked at the food he’d set out on the blanket. “Should we pack this up and head home?”
Carolina giggled, nodding her head as she lifted herself from his lap. “We can have this for supper instead.”
Nate hastily stuffed the scattered items back into the basket and stood, rising to his full height. Carolina met him halfway, stepping close and wrapping her arms around his neck. He leaned into her embrace as she rose on tiptoe to meet him. Their lips touched softly and then with increasing intensity, until all sound faded away and the warmth of the meadow surrounded them, oblivious to everything but each other.
His lips lingered on hers until Carolina’s head spun and her breath caught in her throat. When he finally drew away, she lifted her fingers to her swollen lips. They were still warm from his kiss.
“You are my greatest blessing. I love you, Carolina.”
“I love you, Nate Pickett. Kiss me again.”
He grinned as he leaned down to capture her mouth once more.
Chapter Ten
The clinic had been a ghost town since Carolina’s encounter with Mrs. Arden. Nate had gone out to check on patients that couldn’t make it into town and told her he’d be back midafternoon.
Despite Molly’s significant progress, Miss Marcy refused to give her job back when she went to ask. Carolina stepped in immediately, her desire to help anyone in need stronger than the protests from any naysayers in town. She offered Molly a place to stay until she figured out what she wanted to do with her future.
She may not be making friends in town the way the busybodies thought she should, but she was making friends. Hannah King and June Hardin had come on Friday to introduce themselves. Molly had taken a part time position at the diner down the street owned by the marshal’s wife.
When Carolina heard that Mrs. Davis was on bed rest for her pregnancy, she immediately went over to make her acquaintance and offered help in any way that might be needed.
She’d packed up her belongings and moved into Nate’s room as soon as they arrived home from the romantic picnic in the meadow. She gave a little giggle, thinking about it. It wasn’t immediately, but it was the same day.
