Thankfully, none of those things had happened.
Yet, she also hadn’t expected to be so enraptured by the way he held himself or how sweetly nervous he seemed to be. And then when he’d kissed her at the wedding—
The door cracked open, and Izzy squeezed her eyes shut. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to Hale after what had just been running through her mind.
It was better to pretend to be asleep.
And then tomorrow, she’d learn more about this man she’d suddenly found herself married to.
Chapter Five
ISABELLA ARRIVED ATHale’s office immediately after breakfast in the same clothing she’d worn to their wedding. Hale only noticed because of the way the white blouse set off her vibrant hair. She looked like a fresh spring breeze, wafting into his office on what actually felt like the hottest morning of the year.
“Is now a good time to go for our stroll about town?” she asked as she settled a straw hat over her hair.
Hale looked at his pocket watch, as if he hadn’t been thinking about this since the second he awoke. “I believe it is.”
“I’m sorry I missed you this morning,” Isabella said as she walked beside him down the hallway toward the front door. “Tansy told me she starts preparing for breakfast early, and I wanted to be of help to her.”
Hale smiled at her. “I know she’s grateful you’re here. When the boardinghouse is full, the cooking is almost too much for one person. Sometimes we hire a woman to come in and help, but that’s an extra expense, of course.”
“I’m glad to have something to keep me occupied,” Isabella replied.
Hale extended an arm, and she took it. He tried to ignore the shot of warmth that seemed to ignite under his skin at the lightness of her arm wrapped around his. “I thought we’d start across the road.”
Isabella nodded, and he carefully led her across the dusty street and the railroad tracks that ran down the middle. He pointed out businesses of interest as they walked and introduced her to a few people they passed.
Isabella was beaming after meeting a third lady who invited her to tea or lunch. “Everyone here is so friendly.”
“It’s a small place, and we’re such a distance from any city that we have to get along or live in misery,” Hale said.
“I can’t imagine not getting along with anyone I’ve met so far.”
Hale laughed, not wanting to dim her impressions of Crest Stone by regaling her with a few guests he’d met. Including the one currently staying in Room Six.
He pointed out the general store. “Mrs. Drexel usually keeps a variety of fabrics, if you want to purchase anything to make.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.” Isabella’s cheeks went pink. “I don’t want to spend your money on clothing when I have two perfectly serviceable dresses.”
Hale’s brow knitted. He didn’t wish to embarrass her, but he also didn’t want her to go without. “Fabric for another dress will hardly put me into bankruptcy,” he finally said, smiling gently as he spoke.
She nodded but said nothing else. Hale decided to let the topic go as he gestured toward the church across the road where they’d married the day before. “Tansy and I usually attend services on Sundays. What was your church like in Wyoming Territory?”
He didn’t realize it was possible for her face to go even more pink, but it did.
