Page 28 of Chloe's Christmas Escape
She turned to face him, her wet hair dripping down her shoulders. His hands itched to reach out and touch the wet strands, but he kept them by his sides.
“Four years. I was in Chicago when I got the summons to join the union troops in Virginia.” He swallowed hard. He didn’t resent his time served; it was his duty.
“You miss your parents.” A hush filled the room as she spoke. His eyes grew wide, and he audibly gasped at her words, sapping his energy away in an instant. Tears welled up and his heart sank like a stone in his chest. He could not reply, so he nodded faintly in acknowledgment and grabbed onto her hand for support as they walked out of the kitchen.
She continued speaking. “I don’t want to be unequally yoked in marriage. There is so much we still don’t know about each other. I appreciate what you and your uncle have done for me, but I do not know if your beliefs are like mine or even if you have any convictions at all.”
He felt guilty. She sounded sad and exhausted. “I’m not catholic.” The admission fled his mouth without thought.
“Neither am I.” She turned to look at him, blocking their progress down the hallway.
“You’re Irish.”
“We’re Protestant. Ireland is literally divided by faith, and my parents have remained loyal to their Protestant upbringing.” She sighed, turning to let him lead her down the hall.
“The church in Sterling is Methodist.” This was one weight lifted off his shoulders, as he’d had the same question since Des Moines.
“That should be fine. I have my Bible as well.”
He stopped in front of a door, pushing it open. He expected more regret to hit, but he found comfort instead. The room looked as it always had. “This was my parents’ room. You can stay here.”
His parents’ marriage quilt lay folded at the end of the bed and one of his mother’s wraps was still draped over the back of a chair. Memories washed over him. The sound of Mama’s laughter and the smell of his dad’s pipe.
Home, he truly was home.
Chapter Eleven
Chloe looked out the window to see a light dusting of snow coming down. Jackson was standing on Mama Holstead’s porch talking to the woman. Suddenly, the woman jumped up and gave Jackson a hug, kissing his cheek. Chloe laughed at the easy comradery between the older woman and the man she thought of as another son.
A few moments later Jackson was jogging across the street back towards his parents’ house. Chloe moved to the stove to stir the pot of chili she’d made while he was gone. Biscuits were already on the table, along with a jar of jam she found in the pantry. The coffee was hot, just waiting for her husband to arrive home.
She’d been surprised there wasn’t any tea in the house, but most of the dried goods and basics were there. She wondered if Mrs. Holstead had stocked the house as soon as she learned he was coming home.
The door burst open, bringing with it a gust of cold air and swirls of snowflakes. Jackson’s cheeks were red, and his eyes were bright from the frigid temperatures.
“You look chilled to the bone,” she said, pouring him a cup of coffee. Hanging his hat on a peg by the door, he took the cup and pressed a kiss against her forehead. She giggled. “Your lips are icy.”
“This coffee will warm them up.” Jackson sipped at the hot coffee and breathed out a contented sigh.
“Better?”
“Not yet.”
He put the cup on the table and shrugged out of his coat, draping it on the chair. Chloe’s breath caught in her throat as he pulled her into his arms. His warm breath against her cheek sent shivers down her spine. She looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest.
Was he going to kiss her?
She had prayed he would.
He left her alone in his parents’ room the night before and escaped to a room down the hall. She was almost tempted to seek him out, but as she ventured down the hall, she heard him shout in the darkness. Remembering what he told her, she ran back to sleep alone in the cold bed. By morning, he was gone.
He looked at her with a hungry gaze, his eyes devouring her form as if he wanted to possess it. His lips were slightly parted, and his breathing was ragged, creating a sense of anticipation as he looked at her. Without a word, Jackson leaned down and captured her lips in a searing kiss. Chloe melted against him, her hands fisting in his shirt as he claimed her mouth.
It was only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity, and Chloe didn’t want it to end. He raised his chin and a faint grin appeared on his face.
He held her close, a hand gently caressing the back of her head as she sunk into his chest. His embrace was so tight she could feel his heart beating against her body. Her throat tightened, her lips twitched, and tears stung the corners of her eyes. She could feel his hands trembling on her back as he held her close, his own body shaking.
“You must be very cold,” she said, hugging him a little tighter.
