“I apologize for the state of the place,” Nate said as they returned downstairs. “I doubt any woman wishes to undertake a thorough cleaning of an apartment on her wedding day.”
Ruthann laughed. “Well, I suppose that with such an untraditional marriage, we ought to start things off as unexpectedly as possible.”
That drew a grin from him, and her heart danced at his lightened mood. He gathered his hat and stood by the door, turning it over in his hands. “I suppose I ought to pay Mr. Flagler a visit.”
“There is no need, unless you desire to be the one to give him the news. My mother and Norah will ensure the entire town knows you’re married before sunset.” And then, thankfully, this nightmare would end for Nate.
After Ruthann paid her own visit to Sissy, anyway.
Nate made his way to the general store while Ruthann turned toward Mrs. Claver’s hat shop next door. Visiting Sissy Flagler—and lying about having overheard the photography session she’d had with Nate—was not something Ruthann looked forward to at all, and yet it was the only way she could ensure the woman knew that any hold she thought she had over Nate was gone.
Mrs. Claver was more than willing to help, and Ruthann left her shop armed with every cleaning item she could possibly need. She filled the bucket with water from the well behind the businesses, and after lugging everything upstairs, she set to work.
By the time Nate returned, she’d accomplished what was necessary for that evening. The rest would simply have to wait until tomorrow. As Nate brought in crates filled with food and other items, Ruthann delighted in the simple task of unpacking each thing.
How funny it was that she could tear open brown paper with such glee, knowing the surprise inside was something so practical. It wasn’t as if she grew giddy at the thought of putting away flour and salt at her parents’ home.
But this was all hers. Hers and Nate’s, to share. She would decide where the tin of crackers would be kept, and where she’d hide the scrub brush, and how neatly the bed would be made.
She smiled at a basket of eggs before letting her eyes sweep over the room to figure out where to keep it.
“I believe this is the last item.” Nate set a small parcel in the middle of the rickety table that Ruthann had scrubbed clean earlier.
Setting down the eggs, Ruthann took up the parcel and pulled the string. Inside sat a small, hinged wooden box. Curious, Ruthann lifted the tiny lid—to discover a cameo brooch resting on a velvet cushion.
Her hand pressed to her chest, Ruthann lifted her eyes to meet Nate’s. “It’s lovely. I— I don’t know what to say.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “You don’t have to say anything. I thought . . . Well, you deserved something nice.”
It was a wedding gift, Ruthann realized as heat flooded her face. For her. She gazed down at the brooch again and ran a finger over the fine workmanship. Could Nate afford such a thing? She didn’t dare ask, for fear of insulting him. Yet, she didn’t want him to feel as if she required such fancy things.
She looked up to find him watching her. He was likely waiting to see her put it on. She picked it up and realized the problem she faced.
“I fear I can’t pin it properly without a looking glass. And there isn’t one to be found here.”
“I have one downstairs for customers to use. I’ll bring it up until we can purchase a second one,” he said, stepping forward and taking the cameo from her hand. “May I?”
Ruthann nodded, and he reached out to pin the brooch to her dress. His fingers grazed her chin ever-so-softly, and she froze in place.
“There,” he said. “Beautiful.”
She wasn’t certain if he was talking about the brooch orher. She pressed her hands into her skirts. “Thank you. I . . .” She cast about for something to say. Something to make him stop looking at her so intensely. It was almost more than she could take, that look. “I haven’t finished cleaning, but I accomplished enough to make it livable for the night.”
He drew his gaze from her to the rest of the kitchen, and suddenly Ruthann wished he’d look at her with those dark eyes again.
“It looks nice,” he said. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t anything.” She didn’t want him thinking she was afraid of hard work. “It will be no time at all until this is a comfortable home.”
At that last word—home—Nate stiffened, drawing his shoulders back. “It won’t be long before you can return to your own home. I promise I won’t keep you in this situation longer than is necessary.”
Ruthann pressed her lips together, hoping her face didn’t betray her emotions.
“I have some work to finish downstairs,” Nate said.
“All right.” Ruthann had to force the words out. “I’ll make supper.”
And then he was gone. Her fingers drifted to the pretty new brooch. When she’d opened it, it had taken her by surprise. And when he’d pinned it to her dress, she’d thought it might have meant something.
