Chapter Eleven
THE DAYS PASSED INa blur of cleaning, cooking, and shopping. Ruthann feared spending too much at the general store, but Nate seemed not to mind her endless requests for much-needed household items.
It was hard to remember that this was only temporary when she caught him gazing at her with something akin to longing in his eyes. And then, just before she could wonder at it, he would smile at her. Perhaps he was as happy as she was with this arrangement. Which meant there was a chance this could turn into something real.
Sunday morning dawned bright and cheerful, and Ruthann found herself almost skipping down the stairs to Nate’s studio. He waited for her near the door, hat in his hand. She might have imagined it, but Ruthann thought she saw his eyes widen just slightly.
But he immediately tugged on the edges of his jacket and said, “You look very nice,” in a perfectly even tone.
“Thank you.” His words warmed her, and she stepped forward with confidence.
Nate opened the door. Ruthann welcomed the sunshine. The morning chill had almost burned off for the day. She would likely need to shed her shawl before they arrived at the church.
The church. It would be the first time they’d be seen together in public. A shiver ran through Ruthann at the thought of all those eyes on them.
“Are you cold?” Nate asked as he shut the door to the studio.
“Oh, no.” Ruthann adjusted her shawl.
He held out an arm, and she wrapped her own arm around his. She couldn’t help but smile, but she looked away, embarrassed for him to see how happy such a simple gesture made her.
A few friends had stopped by to visit during the week to congratulate her on the marriage, but so many more people would see them together today. And considering their unconventional wedding, they were certain to attract attention.
Ruthann glanced up at Nate as they walked. He was so very careful—almost withdrawn at times. She was growing more used to this new Nate, and she feared the notice they’d most certainly draw at church might be too much for him.
“Nate?”
He looked down at her. It took her half a moment to remember what she wanted to say with the way he gazed at her.
“I have a feeling we’ll be more interesting than Pastor Findley’s sermon today. To the others at church, I mean,” she said.
He drew in a deep breath as they rounded a corner. “I believe you’re correct. If you’d like to leave at any time, all you have to do is say so.”
It took Ruthann a moment to comprehend that he was worried abouther. She pressed her free hand to her lips to contain a wild giggle that tried to escape. What she really wanted to do was throw her arms around him and bury her face in his neck, right here on the street on a Sunday morning.
Get a hold of yourself, a voice in her head demanded.
Ruthann dropped her hand and turned to Nate again. He was looking straight ahead now, his shoulders held back stiffly. She squeezed his arm with her hand. “Thank you. And I’m willing to leave early too, if you decide you’d like to.”
He looked down at her again, almost in surprise. Then his face softened, and he nodded once, quickly.
When they arrived at the church, Mama, Papa, and Stuart were waiting outside. Ruthann was so grateful to see them, she could have melted out here among the trampled spring grasses and little wildflowers. Walking into church with her family would afford Nate some protection from the curious stares.
