Just as they approached the mercantile, a pile of packages blocked the sidewalk. “Pardon me,” the woman standing next to them said. “My husband’s gone for the wagon.”
“It’s quite all right,” Matthew replied. He led Sophia off the sidewalk, onto the stretch of empty land that ran between the mercantile and the building they’d just passed. The ground was rougher than he’d expected, with the dips and rises hidden by long grasses.
“Careful,” he said—just as Sophia let out a little squeak.
Her toe caught against a low spot in the dirt as she tipped forward. In a split second, Matthew stepped in front of her as he gripped her arm tighter. His other hand caught her around the waist and instead of falling face first onto the ground, she fell straight against his chest.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
It took a second, but Sophia nodded. “I think so.” She looked up at him, her soft brown eyes framed with long, dark lashes. Freckles from the long days spent on the wagon train dotted her cheeks, and Matthew was seized with the desire to trace the distance between them with his finger. But that was impossible because . . . well, because he was essentially holding her to him.
He ought to set her upright. They were just off the public street, after all. Anyone who strode by on the sidewalk would be able to see them. If that lady waiting for her husband turned around—
“Thank you.” The breath from her sweet words caressed his face, and Matthew no longer cared who was standing on the sidewalk or what anyone from town might think. All he could think about was Sophia—Sophia’s lovely face, her breath coming quickly against his cheek, the feel of her against him, her pink lips.
He leaned his face just ever so slightly closer to hers. She didn’t pull away. Instead, her breath seemed to catch in her throat, and her eyes fluttered closed. Did she want him to kiss her? His heart beat wildly and his thoughts spun. Oh, how hewantedto kiss her.
He moved even closer, until he was but a fraction of an inch away. This was different from their wedding. That chaste little kiss had been wonderful, but awkward. He’d held back every thought or feeling he had then. But now . . .
He couldn’t have held them back if he wanted to.
He tightened his grip around her, and she sighed. His eyes closed, and the sounds of the town disappeared as he began to close the short distance between them.
She sighed again—a breath gracing his mouth—and just as he pressed against her, a raindrop splattered on his nose.
“Oh!” Sophia’s eyes flew open the same time as Matthew’s did. More raindrops fell, fat drops of water that splashed on their faces and against their clothing.
She lifted a hand to her hat, as if that would protect it from the rain, and Matthew looked up to the sky. There, one single dark cloud marred the blue expanse. He couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Sophia said as he helped her back onto the sidewalk.
He grinned at her as they darted into the mercantile. “I think God was trying to protect both our reputations.”
She smiled back at him. “In that case, I’m a little upset with God.” Then she turned to Caroline Drexel who was nearby arranging a shelf of merchandise, leaving Matthew to laugh again.
And he couldn’t wait for a more private opportunity to try that kiss again.
