The highlight for him was waking every morning with Frances in his arms. She was never apologetic, saying she couldn’t help being a cuddler when she slept, that she’d always been one. But she’d also been quite emphatic Nick was not to do the same. So far, he’d been able to respect her wishes. He could only hope the casual day touching didn’t become sleep touching she didn’t approve of. Would she be furious with him if she were to wake one morning, and it was Nick’s head resting onhershoulder?
“Why does the car have that window on the top. See, it’s part of a raised section.” Frances leaned forward as they pulled into the station.
“Leave it to Marshall to know someone who has an observation lounge,” Luke said, already searching the crowd. “That little section will also provide a small single bedroom for Judith.”
“Where will you sleep?” Nick asked.
“In the parlor area. The car is extra-long and has accommodations for servants.” Luke shrugged. “Those are the beds she and I will use.” He and Judith had discussed getting married just for the trip and then holding another ceremony for after her family arrived but had decided against it. Someone in town was bound to say something, and she worried her mother would be crushed.
Marshall, Doris, and Judith appeared in one of the windows of the private car and motioned for them to enter.
“Good luck,” Mr. McDaniel said. “This is going to be quite a trip it seems.”
“I don’t know how Maude and Charles will bear riding in a regular car to San Francisco for their wedding trip,” Frances said as she stepped into the rich interior of the car.
Nick came up behind her and scanned the room’s mahogany paneling and green velvet curtains. He appreciated the comfort but found it all a bit ostentatious.
“Do you like this kind of fancy life?” he whispered.
“Not the decorations, but I won’t mind the privacy.” She pointed to the comfortably arranged sofas and chairs in the small parlor area. Beyond it were two tables with a leather-covered booth on each side to seat the eight of them. “Does this thing have its own kitchen?”
“It does,” Marshall said, “but we thought it would be more enjoyable to take our meals in the dining car.”
“This way,” Doris said, waving at Frances, “I’ll show you to your room.”
Beyond the parlor area and the stairs to the observation lounge was a long hallway which ran most of the length of the car. To the right were doors that opened into small bedrooms. Once again, the decor was tasteful and expensive. The built-in cabinets must be for their clothing, but there wasn’t a great deal of maneuverability in the room. It might be a little more difficult for them to give each other their privacy while dressing.
The corner of Doris’s mouth twitched, her expression turning expectant. Nick realized she was waiting for something, though he had no idea what. Fortunately, Frances must have understood. She turned and seemed to melt into him, her arms sliding up behind his neck as she pulled him down for a kiss. Dang, but she was getting good at this.
The door closed quietly behind them, but Frances didn’t break the kiss. Nick wrapped his arms around her and gave himself over to the sensation of holding her, tasting her. How did she not see how perfect they were together, how they were meant to do this for the rest of their lives?
He wanted desperately to tell her how he felt and was still mentally debating if he should do it now, when Frances broke the kiss. She turned from him, her breathing as erratic as his.
“This will be a little tight for changing,” she said as though they hadn’t just shared an earthshaking kiss. “I hope they have more than one bathroom. Let’s go check out the other rooms.”
Frances didn’t wait for a response but brushed past him and opened the door—not once looking at him. Maude stood in the hallway with her hand raised as though to knock on their door.
“Oh, good,” she said. “They’re about to attach our car to the train, and I wanted to run to the hotel to buy some of their snacks before we leave. Marshall should know better than to assume we would only want to eat in the dining car for everything. Want to come?”
“Yes.” Frances looked over her shoulder at him then, her cheeks still flushed. “Would you like to come?”
“I think I’d like to watch them buckle this thing to the rest of the train.”
“All right.”
Nick expected his wife to just go with her sister, but Frances leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek instead. Considering her response just prior to opening the door, he doubted she’d have done it if she hadn’t had an audience. It was all for show.
He waited until he couldn’t hear their voices down the hallway before slowly making his way outside again. Things between them would be less confusing if they didn’t have to put on these public demonstrations of affection.
And sometimes not so public.
Nick had no doubt their easy and friendly camaraderie would continue even if they had to stay married for the two-year maximum. Their alone time was normal and natural. It was only when the others expected kissing that things got complicated. At least for him. He went to stand beside the three men.
The workers had just finished connecting the cars, when Luke pointed to the hotel. The women were making their way across the snowy road carrying boxes. “It looks like our ladies have bought out the bakery.” He strode toward them, and the other men followed.
Nick went along too, though he knew better than to offer to carry anything for Frances unless she offered it to him. Fortunately, she was carrying a pair of awkward-sized boxes and needed some help.
“You can take this one, if you don’t mind.” She lifted her bundle, so he could take the top one.
