I catch Grant looking at me several times on the way back to the cabin, and I know he’s worried about me, but I’m just numb. I should be upset about Oren, I know that, but I think I was more concerned about the stove’s cost. What does that say about me as a person?
The wagon is packed, but Bolt and Star are just walking along like it weighs nothing. The air is warm as the sun shines down upon us, and I close my eyes, wondering how Oren’s death would have affected me days ago. Would I have been forced to go back home? Could I have found a job and taken care of myself? Who knows now, but even though I wish it had happened differently. I’m not regretting being where I am right now. Because of my wool gathering, I find us topping the ridge, the small cabin a welcome sight as I hear Blue crowing when he sees us approaching. Grant’s voice comes out in a growl.
“I swear, I think that chicken is confused. He thinks he’s a dog.”
I nudge him with my shoulder, laughing, “Don’t be mean to Blue, he’s just an overachiever.”
We roll up behind the house and I watch Grant set the brake on the wagon before jumping off. I’m just stepping down when I feel his large hands circle my waist, and a gasp leaves my lips.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I hurt your ribs?”
“No, you’re always gentle and I appreciate your constant care. Once we get the wagon unloaded, I’ll start dinner. You must be hungry by now.”
“No need. I had Harvey run over to the inn and grab us their special while we were loading up the wagon. It’s in that large wrapping next to the tailgate. We will just need to heat it up.”
“An entire day without fixing a meal? I don’t believe I’ve ever experienced that. Well, in that case, I’ll start unloading the crates you’re taking in so that we can relax some this evening. I’m looking forward to sitting in my new rocking chair. Thank you for buying them, they are such a luxury.”
The next hour or so, I watch the cabin’s interior start to change. The two chairs we were using for the table and in front of the fire are now pushed together under the table, while the rockers take center stage. I plan to make curtains for the windows and possibly crochet a few lap blankets for those cool evenings. Grant keeps looking at me like he’s expecting me to fall apart while we eat dinner, but I just smile, simply trying to push it all away.
“I need to unharness the two troublemakers; they’re out there stomping around, ready for their own dinner.”
“I’ll gather the eggs and clean the coop while you’re doing that, then make us some coffee. It’s been a long day.”
He rubs my shoulder as he walks past and tears come to my eyes as I watch him walk off. A beast. I heard the rumors … saw people whisper … even thought the same things. How wrong the world judged him as I have never met a kinder soul.
Grant is still not back by the time I have everything cleaned and put away and because I still feel restless, I take my cup of coffee and walk out on the front porch. Sitting down on the top step, I gaze out at the stars. I can hear the chickens cooing as they start roosting for the evening and a whinny as the horses move around the field. A whippoorwill calls out into the darkness, and I feel my shoulders relax. The world is simpler here and I’ve come to appreciate and crave the quiet it provides. I have no idea how long I have been sitting here wrapped up in my own thoughts when a warm blanket is draped around my shoulders, before Grant sits down next to me.
“Thank you.”
“I figured you had to be chilled as you’ve been out here for a while now. The stars sure are bright tonight.”
“They really are.”
“You alright, you wanna talk about it? Do you want to go to his services?”
“No, I do not! This might sound awful, but Oren was dead to me the moment he threw me on the ground and said …sell her. Any feelings or emotions I’d tried to build or hold onto died that very moment.”
“May I ask why you have been so quiet, or should I say, not yourself then?”
“I was more worried about you, and that scared me. I had just seen you talking to the owner of the lumber mill when I heard the shots. All I could think was, I needed to get to you. If Harvey hadn’t grabbed me, I would have walked right into the middle of that gunfight. What does that mean? The guy I was once married to lies dead in front of me, and the only one I’m worried about is the one who bought me. I discarded my feelings for him effortlessly, but you have somehow crept past my defenses and that’s terrifying.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear but choosing to love despite it. If it makes you feel any better, the moment I saw you on that walkway, my heart hit my throat. I was terrified you’d get hurt in the crossfire. Come on, it’s getting late, and I need my snuggle partner beside me to sleep. It’s been a very eventful day.”
He reaches down for me and I take his hand, standing as he pulls me close, his massive arms wrapping around me, hugging me tight as I sink into him, simply enjoying being held as I look out into the vastness around us. A shooting star across the sky has me gasping. “Did you see it?”
“I did … did you make a wish?”
“I don’t know what to wish for.”
“It’s a good thing I have enough wishes stored back for both of us. Let’s see if this one comes true. He leans his massive, shadowy form toward me, his features now beautifully foreign, making me wish for so much more. I clutch his arms tight when I feel his breath against my lips.
When his mouth finally touches mine, everything changes. There is nothing gentle about the kiss. It’s possession, pure and simple. Grant’s lips are hot, demanding, claiming mine with anintensity that steals my very breath. I have been kissed before but never has it set my body on fire. I feel precious as he holds me tenderly in his arms. My hands find purchase against his chest as his tongue slides against mine. I moan into his mouth, startled and aroused by the intense feelings building inside me. When he pulls back, his now hot lips pressed against the cool skin on my forehead, I feel dizzy, almost drunk on the taste of him.
“Little Mouse, it seems like wishes do come true. Come, let’s get to bed before this gets out of hand. I’m not a saint and you feel too good in my arms.”
CHAPTER 15
LAUREN
