I almost tell her … ask if she wants to make this real, but I figure we’re both too tired for that conversation. So, I chicken out and take advantage of her changing behind the screen to get out of my own clothes. Grabbing the sleeping pants I’ve missed these last few weeks, I go over and turn down the bed. The crisp white sheets are a huge improvement over the dirty bedrolls we were forced to sleep in each night, even though Jess did her best to clean them.
I can’t stop the moan that escapes my lips when I slide in. My entire body feels sore and beat up. Jessica walks around the edge of the bed in a clean gown of her own. I stare at her as the lamp’s light glows through the thin material, leaving little to the imagination. She blows out the light, and I lift the blankets for her to slide in. Instantly, her cold feet hit my legs and I hiss as I roll over, pulling her into me.
“Woman, where are your stockings? Your feet are freezing! I can feel them through these pants.”
“I’ve been wrapped up so tight these last couple of weeks, I swear my skin is hurting, so I didn’t put any on.”
“Were you out in public in just your drawers?”
“Yup, didn’t figure anyone would notice.”
“I wish I’d known, and now I’ll wonder every time we are out if you are naked under all that.”
Tucking my head into her neck, I inhale the scent of lavender, and I know that must have been the soap she washed up with earlier. It seems like I no sooner close my eyes that the room is lightening up. My hand flexes only to find that I am grasping a soft, naked leg where Jess’ nightgown has ridden up through the night.
Of course, my shaft was awake before I was. I would wake her by sinking myself deep within her, but I have already taken too many choices from her, and I want her to be mine in every way. Maybe there will be a night soon when we don’t have so many responsibilities the next morning, where I can appreciate her the way she deserves. Dragging myself upright, I sit on the side of the bed, willing the rest of my body to wake, only for a small hand to rub down the middle of my back.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, just tired. I thought sleep was supposed to fix that problem?”
Her laughter lightens my heart, and I make myself move. “Come on, might as well get going. I sure hope the diner has magical coffee this morning, because I could sure use a boost.”
“What do you want me to wear?”
“Grant’s is about an hour’s ride from here, but with the recent rain, it shouldn’t be too dusty. The dress you had on yesterday would be fine, and I was thinking maybe you could ride with me.”
“On Bells?”
“Yeah, it’s only a couple of miles, she’ll do fine since we will just be walking with the wagons. I am going to leave Zeus and Coco in the livery until we find out if there is a barn on the new property.”
“I think I have some thicker stockings I can wear. Give me a few to get my things together and repacked, and I’ll be ready.”
CHAPTER 24
JESSICA
Reggie left a few minutes ago to tell the livery to prepare the wagons and have them saddle up Bells. We both decided it is probably smarter for me to stay away from the barn so that Zeus doesn’t throw a fit when he sees us leaving. I’ve just carried my bag out onto the main boardwalk when an older gentlemen comes out of the general store sweeping the main walkway.
“Good morning, Miss.”
Before I can say a word, the lady I’d met last night almost runs into me as she comes around the corner out of the alley. I grab her by the arm to keep her from falling over.
“Mercy, sorry about that child, I was in my own little world there it seems.”
“No harm done.” But I do smile when she seems to pull me along with her as she walks up to the older man.
“Harvey, do you know who this is?”
“No Beatrice, but I am sure you do.”
“You better bet your britches I do. …this, it’s Mr. Reggie’s wife.”
“Our Reggie … Grant’s cousin?”
“The one and only. He introduced us yesterday, ain’t she a beauty?”
This little fireball is a good head shorter than I am, and that’s tiny, but what she doesn’t have in stature she makes up for in personality. Several times, I try to stop her, but I can’t get a word in.
