He gripped the spoon she’d tucked in the bowl, then looked up to see when she’d be coming with her own portion.
She was wiping the work counter beside the stove, moving with deliberate motions. Not in a hurry at all. Did she not plan to join him for the prayer? He’d not been obvious about it earlier because she’d had so much on her mind, but this felt like the official evening meal.
He cleared his throat. “Aren’t you coming?”
She glanced back at him. “I'm not hungry. Too nervous, I suppose." She gave a tight smile.
She had to eat. Everyone did. He was concerned about their situation, too, but skipping meals would only sap his strength. The same for her. It seemed she’d need a bit of coaxing though.
He rose and crossed to the stove before he could second-guess himself. He didn’t miss her wide eyes when she turned to watch him, but he kept his focus on his actions. After grabbing a bowl from the stack where she’d gotten his, he lifted the pot lid and dipped the ladle inside to scoop out a few plump dumplings and chunks of deer meat. He only filled the bowl halfway—about how much the women on the ranch ate at a meal—then replaced the cover and turned to her.
She looked like a cornered rabbit.
He offered his best encouraging smile, then stepped closer and reached out to gently slip his arm around her back. She started to pull away, but he kept his hand secure, curving his fingers around her side for a slightly better hold. He wouldn’t force her, but he wanted to offer significant encouragement.
“Wife, it would please me greatly if you’d share this meal with me.” He smiled down at her face, which was tilted up at him. This close, he could dip his head and kiss those lips. She had a faint dusting of freckles he’d not noticed before, which made her look strangely delicate. A good reminder to tread carefully.
She wasn’t stepping forward, even though he’d added a little pressure.
He added a little pleading to his smile. Her shock seemed to ease a little at that. Her mouth pinched, but no anger sparked in her eyes. Maybe she was holding back a smile.
He gave her back another little nudge. “Please?”
Now the corner of her mouth twitched, and she let out a sigh. “All right. I’ll sit down with you anyway.”
He kept his triumph from showing but didn’t let up on his grin as he guided her to the table. “Thank you.”
Once he placed the bowl in front of her and helped scoot her chair in, he went back to pour her a mug full of whatever heated in the carafe on the back of the stove. Tea, from the smell of it.
After settling that and a spoon in front of her, he went around to his own seat and pulled in close to the table. He reached his hand across the wooden surface, palm up. “Shall we pray for the meal?”
Her gaze flashed wary, but she took his hand and bowed her head. Maybe he shouldn’t push for so much contact between them, but that seemed to be a struggle for her, and if they were going to convince her father that they were not only married but had been intimate enough to produce a child, she needed to get used to his touch. Nothing improper, but she couldn’t back away with her eyes as big as plates every time their hands brushed.
The fact that his body surged to life with every contact was a nice extra for him. He worked to center his focus on God. “Lord, thank You. For this food. For Jess and all the ability you’ve given her. For guiding us to meet just the way we did today.” He had no doubt God had led him to her. She needed help. And without her help, he might never have found not only Sampson, but also the very man who’d ordered the theft of their sapphires.
He searched for the right words for his request. “Lord, give us wisdom to know how to proceed. Show us each step. Give usfavor with Jess’s father, and help us accomplish what we need to here. In the name of Your Son we ask these things. Amen.”
Jess didn’t immediately jerk her hand from his after that last word, and when he opened his eyes and lifted his head, she was watching him with a sober expression, one that made him think she’d been focused on each word of his prayer. Or maybe even praying her own.
“Thank you.” Her voice came soft. Almost reverent.
He nodded, then released her hand, despite the fact that he’d rather keep hold of it through the rest of the meal. And the rest of the night, for that matter.
He took up his spoon and let himself scoop a full bite into his mouth. Sweet mercy, but this was good. So many flavors and warm enough to ease all the way through him as the dumpling practically melted in his mouth.
Jess was watching him, and he gave a smile that hopefully showed his pure pleasure. “Best dumplings I’ve ever eaten. No doubt about it.”
Her cheeks tinged pink, and she dipped her head, focusing on her own food as she scooped a tiny chunk of meat. As much as he loved watching her, his belly needed another bite. Now.
His food was half gone by the time he looked up again.
Jess was staring down at her bowl as she swirled her spoon around the dumplings. It didn’t look like a one of them was missing from what he’d ladled out.
“Aren’t you going to eat that? It’s too good to pass up."
Her smile was weak as she nudged a dumpling on her spoon.
Maybe conversation would help distract her. There were a few things they needed to talk about anyway. He took his own bite, relishing the taste, then swallowed. “I guess we should figure out… I mean, do you have thoughts on tonight?”
