She got up and went to the kitchen for a cold glass of water. It was too hot in here. That, or she was just plain miserable. She hadn’t shared a bed with Seth, but she missed her room nonetheless. She missed knowing that his door was slightly open, that if she called out, he’d answer.
Car lights flooded the room, and then it dimmed again. Tires crunched on the driveway. What on earth? She got up on her tippy-toes and pushed the curtains aside to see out the window over the sink.
Seth’s car idled, and then the engine cut.
Her heartbeat spiked, and she dropped the curtain.He’s here, her heart whispered. She racked her brain for a reason for him to show up besides coming after her, because she didn’t think she could take a letdown. She hadn’t taken anything of his. She hadn’t left anything behind. So …
Her breath caught as a spark of hope ignited. Maybe, just maybe, he loved her. She sucked in her cheeks.
The sound of a car door opening had her sprinting about the room. She hurriedly fixed her hair in the mirror by the front door. At the last second, she pulled a couple of tendrils out to frame her face. She blew into her hand and sniffed. Scrambling for a mint, she chewed ferociously. Her mouth lit on fire with the explosion of peppermint, and she alternately huffed and sucked in air as she scrambled to find her robe.
Just as she was tying it off, there was a small knock on the door. She ran for it, then came up short, not wanting to appear too desperate. Who was she kidding? She was so desperate for this man’s love. She lunged for the handle and yanked the door open, throwing herself at him.
He grunted on impact.
“You came,” she said into his collarbone.
His arms came around her, and he buried his face in her hair.
Tears gathered and fell faster than she could count them. She pulled him tighter and tighter still, relishing the feel of his warm body against hers and the protection she felt in his embrace. He smelled of soap and laundry detergent andhim.
He cleared his throat, and when she pulled back, his eyes were shiny—as if he was moved by her affection. She thought back to the times she’d tried to show him that she was a safe place for his heart. The only things she hadn’t done were holding him, touching him, and kissing him. Perhaps that was the key and she’d missed it all along. She ran her hand down the side of his face and paused, feeling his stubble against her palm. Closing her eyes, she leaned her forehead against his chin, breathing him in and vowing never to hold back her affection.
“Evie, sweet Evie,” he whispered as he pressed a kiss against her skin. His lips were warm and inviting, sending thrills up and down her whole body. He pushed her back and held her away, his hands on her shoulders. “I have something I have to say.”
She swallowed and nodded, her heart thudding so loudly she could barely make out his words.
“I’m in love with you.”
“Well, I hope so.”
Seth’s head jerked back.
She let out a giggle. It was not the time to laugh, Seth was being so serious, but the sound had burst out just like the smile that split her cheeks. “Sorry. Keep going.” There was more. Her husband was a man of words. As much as she wanted to get right to the kissing part of making up, she’d let him say all the beautiful things he’d planned. He really said the most wonderful things.
He shook his head slightly, as if he couldn’t quite believe the way this was turning out. “Jesus said that if you bring one soul into heaven, your joy shall be great. I want to be that one soul for you, and you for me. We can work together all our lives and then find our rest in God.”
She blinked back tears. “Like soul mates?”
“Exactly like soul mates.”
She could have burst with the feelings of flying that overcame her. If Seth hadn’t been holding on to her, she would have floated away.
“I love you, and I want to be husband and wife in every sense. I want you in my arms. I don’t want separate rooms anymore. And I think you should come to the board meetings.”
“Wait? You’re not fired?” Shereallywanted to talk about the bedroom situation, but she was too shocked at the good news. From what she’d overheard outside the room, Seth had been as good as gone.
“You thought I was fired? And you still—” He crushed her against him. “You still wanted me?”
She nodded against his shirt. “I know I married you to become a preacher’s wife, but Seth, I really wantyou. If we had to go corporate, I’d be happy just being your wife.”
“I told the board about the ad, about everything. They voted, though I don’t think Mr. White is happy about it—they want me to stay. Us to stay.”
She took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his. Pouring all her love and acceptance and feelings of joy into that kiss had her gasping for breath. Seth answered kiss for kiss, giving just as much as she gave, maybe more. His hands roamed her back, and she let out a soft moan, practically begging him to deepen the kiss. He did, and her knees gave out. She buckled against him, appreciating the hours of yard work and maintenance that built such a nice body.
“Is that a yes?” he teased before kissing her neck. His breath was hot and delicious on her skin.
“Yes.” She kissed him. “A hundred yesses and more.”
