She flexed her fingers carefully. There was a slight twinge, but nothing like the pain she’d had the past week. She would be healed before long, and not a moment too soon. The bills were due next week, and she needed the dinner performance at the Chevalier Hotel to make her budget. But that was a problem for another day—all she had to do right now was enjoy her first formal outing with a man.
She stole a glance at Emil from beneath her lashes. He was always handsome, but there was something especially captivating about the confident way he maneuvered them through the streets. She had come to trust, even depend on, that unfailing competence of his. It made her feel safe. It made it unexpectedly easy to accept an invitation without needing to know every detail in advance or anticipate every possible outcome. God, what a relief it was. What freedom.
“You’re smiling.”
“And how would you know?” she teased. “Shouldn’t your eyes be on the road?”
“It’s easy once there aren’t six layers of lace hiding you from the public,” he said, flicking her an amused glance.
She laughed. “You promised to take me somewhere no one would know me. I believed you.”
“If we’re going to celebrate our victory over Wingate, it’s damn well going to be somewhere you aren’t worried about appearances.”
“We’re also celebrating your job with Mr. Gunn,” she pointed out.
“That, too.”
She wiggled a hand free of the blankets and placed it on his thigh. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not being upset I didn’t want to stay in town. For taking the time to think about what would make me happy. You have no idea how much it means to me.”
“It’s how you deserve to be treated, Olive.” He let go of the steering wheel to pat her hand once before returning it. “Besides, I’m also looking forward to tonight. I’ve never done anything like it.”
“A first for a man who’s done everything? I didn’t know I could become more excited.”
He snorted. “I would dearly love to know what you think everything is. Hell, I’d love to try everything you can think of—and more—with you.”
Warmth flooded her cheeks, and her lower belly tightened. There was no mistaking his meaning, not with the way his voice deepened to a purr. It made her want to scoot across the seat and press her lips to his neck. To see if she could make him shiver like he did to her.
“I’m game.”
He hissed between his teeth. “After, Emil. After your surprise. After.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “It must be a wonderful surprise, if you must instruct yourself to behave.”
“It is. In fact, here’s the turn.”
He slowed, then turned onto a narrow, dirt road. The auto rumbled and bumped along, and Olive bounced in her seat. Her lap blanket fell to the floor, but she just laughed and held onto the door handle.
“Almost there,” Emil called out.
When the auto pulled to a complete stop, Olive looked out the window in confusion. “There’s nothing here.”
“It’s the back entrance to Rick Higgins’ farm. We have to walk around the bend. Wait there.”
He wiggled the brake handle, then nodded with satisfaction. He threw open his door, adjusting his knit hat over his ears as he circled the front of the auto to open her door and hand her down. She shivered at the blast of cold air.
“Good thing I didn’t wear my ball gown,” she murmured. She’d been sorely tempted, but the yellow gown Rhoda had gifted her was her prized possession. Emil’s only instructions had been to dress warmly, so she’d settled for a less attractive, but far warmer, walking suit and her mother’s coat.
“You look lovely. Except for your hat.”
Her hand flew upward to touch it. “Oh no. What’s wrong with it?”
“It doesn’t match your scarf.” With a small flourish, he reached into his pocket and produced a burst of color. It was a tam hat, knitted from the same beautiful forest green wool as her scarf. “May I?”
She nodded, her pulse kicking up a notch. She held still as he removed her mother’s old hat, mindful not to dislodge her pins, and adjusted his creation on her head. He’d made her something. On purpose. Without having to be cajoled, as his mother and sister claimed. If that wasn’t proof of how important she was to him, she couldn’t imagine what was.
