I can’t stop the smile as his large hands rub my sore muscles and skin tenderly, amazed that someone as large as he is could even be this gentle.
CHAPTER 9
LAUREN
Even though I’m sick of wearing it, Grant insisted on re-wrapping my ribs. The feel of his large hands and the heat from his skin as his arms surrounded me was intimidating and exciting all at once. As I kept my hands over my bare breasts, it makes me wonder for a moment what his naked skin would feel like upon mine.
The moment he lowers my nightgown back over my head, I practically run out of the room, flustered and completely overwhelmed by him. Shivers wrack my entire frame as I run a cold, damp rag over my skin before donning my new clothes, my thoughts consumed with waking up in his arms.
Changing my undergarments, I lay them on the bed to be washed later, only to struggle to bend down and slide my stockings on. Once done, I’m practically out of breath. Stepping into the new skirt, I tug the adjusters in place and twirl around playfully, watching the material flow around my legs. Holding both shirts up, I decide to wear the tan one to match this dark, rust-colored skirt, hoping the colors will look nice together with my new apron. My fingers work quickly, buttoning up the shirt’ssmall, shiny buttons before tucking its long tail into the skirt, adjusting it again to fit snugly around my waist.
Running my hands down the long sleeves, I can’t help but smile when I find a button just a few inches below my shoulder. Rolling the cuffs up, I quickly find the narrow strip sewn inside the sleeve, with a hole for the outer button, so the sleeves can be secured in place while working. I had seen a few girls in town wear shirts like this in the summer months and was always envious, thinking the simple design was so useful to keep your sleeves out of the way. Smoothing down my outfit, I twirl around once again, smiling as I have never worn anything this pretty. Picking up the mirror, my smile fades when I see the yellow and green bruises on my face. The pain lingering in my now healing body has painful images floating through my head. Grant’s voice on the other side of the door pulls me out of my dark thoughts.
“You ready?”
“Just have to braid my hair … I’ll be right out.”
Rapidly running the comb through my hair, I pull it over my shoulder, my fingers making quick work of my waist-length hair. When I open the door, I’m shocked to see Grant sitting at the table with two steaming bowls in front of him. A flattering whistle leaves his lips.
“You’re a vision, Lauren.”
“It’s just the clothes but thank you.”
“It’s not the clothes, but the curves filling them that got my attention. Come on, have a seat before these oats get cold. I would have loved to have some bread with this, but I’ve never figured out how to fix it.”
“I could fix some pone bread really quick if you’d like?”
“Nahh, I’d better get to it. I spent most of the morning lying around in bed with a pretty girl and now the world is yelling. However, if you ever get the urge to make bread, I would highly appreciate it.”
“I’ll remember that.” We both dig into this meager breakfast, and I can’t help but sneak little glances at him from under my eyelashes. For such a huge man, he seems almost graceful, as if it takes no effort to move that immense frame.
“How is it?”
“What?”
“The oats?”
“Ohh, sorry … they’re fine, but I’m not a huge fan. To be honest, it’s something about the texture I don’t care for, but I always eat what’s placed in front of me.”
He pushes the bowl away, “Glad I am not the only one; I have to force myself to eat them. Leave the bowls, I’ll help you clean up this mess once I tend to the animals.”
Pushing the bowl away, I get up and follow him out. The morning is a little chilly, but you can tell that summer is close at hand, because the air no longer holds that deep chill. “Grant, did you build all of this or was it here?”
“No, the back part of the cabin was finished and Toby had started the barn; the main frame was up, but that was it.”
A large, cinnamon-colored quarter horse is running along the barn fence, kicking and playing.
“Who is that beauty?”
“That’s Rebel! His liveliness is what caught my attention and I love to watch him simply enjoy life. Star is the Clydesdale in the corral with him. Don’t let her size make you think she’s slow because as large as she is, she’s extremely fast. Bolt is probably still in the barn. Thankfully, he’s my gentle giant, because at twenty hands tall, if he wanted to, one mere human couldn’t stop him.”
I walk a few steps behind Grant, only to be shocked when he stops suddenly, turning around. “Why are you walking behind me?”
“Ummm … habit?”
“Not in my world, Little Mouse. You’re right here either in front of me or beside me where you’re the safest, but never behind me.”
He motions me forward, and I walk into the barn while he holds the main door open. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dimmer light, but a whinny at the end makes Grant laugh. “Oh, I’m coming Bolt and I brought you a new admirer.”
