She frowned. “They hayed the rest of the acreage last month. It shouldn’t need to be mowed again, but I can always check with the others. With four siblings in town, someone’s going to let us use their mower.”
What an odd thought. She had a network of people who’d help at the drop of a hat. “I can always buy a push mower.”
She waved off the suggestion. “No need. Procuring mowing equipment is the least I can do to repay you for using your furniture for the next three months.” Her smile was tight. “T minus eighty-nine days.”
A few seconds ticked by before I realized she was counting down to the end of us. Something sharp plucked at my chest wall. “I can make a calendar, and we’ll rip off the days.”
She laughed, and goddamn, I liked that sound. “No need. But I won’t blame you if you need one. When Thanksgiving comes, this house will be empty again.”
Did I want that day to arrive sooner or later? The answer should be immediate. She grabbed a blanket off the floor, and that only brought my attention back to the bed. I’d be crawling in with her.
As friends.
Were we even that?
No. We were just husband and wife.
Clover
* * *
I dug through my clothing. I had all my shorts-and-nightshirt sets, but they seemed skimpy in the newlywed light being shone on them. “I have to have something else.”
I yanked out a lacy negligee. Crumpling it in my hands, I looked furtively around. Van was still in his office. He’d been shut in there since we talked. I had eaten a sandwich for dinner, but I had no idea what Van had eaten.
Huffing out a breath, I shoved my clothes into a drawer and picked out the least see-through night shorts and shirt. I’d be under the covers when Van came to bed anyway.
A shiver danced down my spine. Van and I were going to be in the same bed tonight. The bedroom wasn’t large, but he’d gotten a king. He was a tall guy, and he likely wanted a mattress big enough to hold him. He probably also wanted maximum distance between us.
Staying in what I wore today, I crept to the bathroom and got ready for bed. I wasn’t going to shower, but I changed my mind at the last minute. I’d go to bed with wet hair, but I’d be fresh for my first night with a new guy. With my husband.
My shorts and shirt clung to me, and my hair was wrapped in a towel, but it was a short distance to the bedroom. I swung the bathroom door open just as the office door flung wide, and Van veered out with his brow creased. He stopped when he spotted me, and his expression went blank. His intense gaze traveled down to my bare feet, then back up, lingering on my bare legs.
I had my clothing hugged to my chest. Please let my nipples be covered. The AC wafted over my skin, and goose bumps dotted my arms from the chill.
“Excuse me,” he mumbled and continued down the hall to the kitchen.
The hallway brightened when he turned into the kitchen as if his wide shoulders had blocked out the light. I looked down at my pale-green-tipped toenails. I had wanted them to match the lighter green leaves of my wedding dress. A nod to my name. I’d admire them if no one else did.
In the bedroom, I put my clothes in the laundry basket, draped my damp towel on top, and crawled between the covers. The door was closed, and I wouldn’t wonder what Van was doing. Fresh sheets, a new bed, my clean body—I should sink right into sleep.
For several long minutes, I tossed and turned. Nerves made it too hot. Then too cold. Then too…small. Van would be coming to bed soon, and then what?
Oh! The pillow fort.
I had my body pillow, and I lined my two extra pillows down the middle. There. Now I’d be able to sleep.
No luck.
Eventually, I dozed off only to be awakened when the door cracked open. I stayed still and listened as he quietly moved around the room. He hadn’t unpacked his clothing yet, but the zipper of his luggage was loud in the quiet. Then he crept to the bathroom.
I remained frozen until he returned. I sensed him moving around until he approached his side of the bed. My heart rate increased, the thuds hitting harder, and he paused.
What was he waiting for? Was he going to go to the living room?
The bedding shifted when he pulled back his corner, and the mattress dipped under his weight.
He slid in next to me. I squeezed my eyes shut and willed my breathing to stay steady. I was in bed with a guy I barely knew, but I wasn’t scared. My stomach fluttered wildly, like I was walking through one of the many pastures around the house, disturbing all the butterflies and cabbage moths, watching more take flight with each step.
