His heart warmed at how easily she’d taken to the hand-holding. It took all of Nick’s restraint not to pull her into his arms again. Instead, he had to stand there and explain what he and his new brother-in-law had been discussing.
“Oh, we hope you and Doris will come with us in a couple of weeks,” Frances said. “I’ve invited Maude and Charles too. It’s a long trip though. I’m not keen on sleeping in those open cars again.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Marshall said, stifling a chuckle.
Frances scowled at him, her cheeks flushing. That didn’t happen very often, not from embarrassment anyway. She was going to have to get used to being teased, especially by the other cowhands. After all the months she’d worked with the men, she knew a little of how rowdy they could get—and bawdy, though they tended to keep the worst of those remarks for when she wasn’t around. Still, since she and her sisters had come to Lilac City, a couple of the men had gotten married. She knew the teasing that was to come.
“My wife and your brother would both kill me for having forgotten my manners,” Marshall said. “I do apologize.”
“Well, don’t. I’m no weak female needing to be protected.” Frances sniffed. “But I do wish you’d bring Doris on our trip to Indianapolis. I’ve about got Maude and Charles convinced to come too. There’s baby stuff in the attic of our house that I’m sure they’d like to use.”
“Doris has mentioned some baby clothes your mother made that she’d particularly like to use. I wonder ...” Marshall was rubbing his chin again, a sure indication he was warming to the idea.
Nick glanced at Frances and found her watching him. She grinned, seeming comfortable in this change in their relationship. He allowed the flicker of hope to grow. Their marriage contract did not give a date of when they’d have to annul the marriage. Edgar had said something about it having to be done within two years or it would have to be a divorce. Nick had that much time to convince her to stay married to him.
9
Frances’s feet hurt by the time they loaded the sleigh and drove back to the house. She’d gotten used to touching Nick and found she enjoyed it. Her father had never been a physically affectionate man, but she and her sisters had always been so, especially Doris. As a child, Frances had craved her older sisters’ touches because they’d been so like Mother’s.
As they pulled up, Frances lifted her head from Nick’s shoulder, surprised she’d dozed off.
“Sorry,” she said. “I hope I didn’t slobber on you.”
“It’s so cold, if you had, your face would have stuck to my coat.” He winked at her before jumping off and then surprised her by turning to offer his hand. “It can be harder in a dress, and you don’t want to make Judith mad by ruining that one.”
Since he was right, Frances reached out to accept his hand. Instead of taking it, Nick took her by the waist. She’d always known he was strong, but it struck her just how much when he effortlessly lifted her and set her on the hard-packed snow in front of him. She looked up into his blue eyes, glistening in the light from the moon behind her. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her chin lifted, her lips tingling, as though they wanted a repeat of the wedding kiss.
“Save it for later,” Luke called, as he drove up in the other sleigh. “We need to get these presents inside. Morning will come early for some of us.”
The corner of Nick’s mouth quirked up, and he released her, stepping back. The McDaniels helped to carry everything inside and then took the carriages to the barn.
“You hungry?” Luke asked with a yawn.
“No,” Frances and Nick said together. They grinned at each other.
Frances was so tired she was getting silly and everything struck her as funny. Or was it because she didn’t want to think that, as a married woman, she was going to have to give up her privacy?
“Good night, you two. Don’t worry about chores in the morning. I expect you’ll want to sleep in.” Her brother turned and strode up the hallway toward the kitchen.
Nick didn’t say anything but offered Frances his arm again. It was easier to climb the stairs when wearing a stupid long dress. She was just glad she hadn’t spilled anything on it.
The closer they got to their new bedroom, the harder Frances found it to breathe. The marriage hadn’t seemed real to her until Nick had shown up that morning with everything he owned.Of course, he’d move into the house. Into her room. Her new room. Since Maude and Charles had used it, the staff had taken to calling it the bridal suite. Maude and Mrs. McDaniel had even talked about advertising the Lucky L as a wedding venue.
Nick opened the door and then surprised Frances by turning back to her. Before she could do anything but squeal, he picked her up and carried her into the room. She wasn’t one for all the fuss associated with weddings, but there was something unexpectedly touching about his gesture. Her eyes prickled. She must be really tired.
He set her down and stepped back, looking very much like he expected her to yell at him.
“Thank you for doing this.” When his expression turned confused, Frances said, “This marriage. I couldn’t claim my inheritance without your help, and it’s a sacrifice for you. I want you to know I’m grateful.”
“I’d do anything for you, Frances.” Nick’s words came out rough. He turned so abruptly she wasn’t sure she’d imagined the flash of pain that crossed his face. He pointed to the small sofa near the window. “Only need to find some blankets for my bed.”
Ever since he’d brought his things that morning, Frances had been avoiding thinking about this. But here it was. They had to give the appearance of being married. Well, theyweremarried. But Nick was already making a big enough sacrifice for her. The poor man wasn’t going to sleep on a sofa for however long they were married.
“You’ll sleep in the bed, of course,” she said. “Where else would you sleep?”
Nick spun around and stared at her. He narrowed his eyes. “Is that a trick question?”
“Don’t be an idiot. It’s a big bed.” Frances’s cheeks went hot, and she knew she was blushing. How ridiculous. She thought she could talk to Nick about anything and everything. “Just because I kissed you… Let’s just say I trust you to keep your hands to yourself.” She gave him her hardest glare. “Icantrust you, can’t I?”
