Part 20 (2/2)
”No,” Luke replied. ”I wouldn't wander into the woods if I were you.”
”No, I'll stay close.” She hurried across the room and out the door, plainly giving them time alone.
Annie opened the cupboard doors, inspected the cast iron pump he'd installed.
”You won't have to go out to pump water,” he said.
”I see that.”
”Want to see the other room?”
She raised those heart-stopping eyes to his, and today, because of the deep-blue dress and matching jacket she wore, they were more gray than green. His heart thumped erratically. They both knew the only other room was the bedroom.
She nodded. ”Okay.”
He took her hand and led her back across the room to the closed door. He leaned forward and opened it. Annie walked in ahead of him.
The room seemed huge and hollow with no furniture. Guy had helped him place pegs along one wall and build a cabinet in one corner.
”We haven't discussed furnis.h.i.+ngs,” he said. ”I didn't want to buy anything we didn't need. What will you be bringing?”
She glanced away, and he realized her cheeks were tinged with color. Lord, he didn't want her uncomfortable with him or this room or anything they'd planned for their life together. With a step, he moved behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders and bending to nuzzle her sweetly scented hair and neck. The uniquely feminine scent of lilacs enfolded him. ”I love you, Annie.”
She turned her face to bring her warm cheek to his lips and raised her fingertips to his jaw. ”Sometimes it seems too good to be true,” she said softly.
”I know it's not like the house you live in now,” he began.
”No. There's nothing to compare. Don't even think it. I love this house. And I love that you made it with your own hands just for us. I see the caring and...and the love that went into it. It's beautiful, Luke. Thank you so much.”
Luke closed his eyes, inhaling the presence of this woman he loved and desired.
”I don't have much to bring.” He heard the regret that crept into her voice when she spoke those words. ”Not much at all. I don't want to ask them for anything.”
”It doesn't matter,” he replied to rea.s.sure her. ”I'll get a bed and a chest of drawers for you. I've been bartering carpentry work for shoeing horses and repairing wagons and plows. I can probably strike a bargain with someone for a few pieces of furniture.”
She turned in his arms, to face him and raise her hands to his shoulders. ”It's really going to happen, isn't it? We're going to stand before Preacher Davidson, say vows that bind us for eternity, and then live here together.”
”It's really going to happen.”
A silvery tear s.h.i.+mmered on her lashes. ”I can forget all the other hurts when I remember that.”
”What hurts so bad, Annie?”
”That I have nothing to bring. That my mother won't believe in me. That my family doesn't accept us.”
”I wish I could change that for you. If I could I would, you know that.”
She touched his lip at the place where he bore a scar. ”I know.”
Lowering his head, he covered her soft lips with his, testing, tasting, loving her with all his being, wis.h.i.+ng he could change the things that saddened her and vowing to give her joy and pleasure at every opportunity from this day on.
Her body curled against his so naturally, her breast pressed to his chest, her fingers kneading the flesh of his neck.
The next instant she pulled away, pressing her palms to her cheeks. ”I frighten myself.”
Luke breathed a calming breath, ignored the messages of his body, and studied her face. ”What do you mean?”
”I mean...” She dropped her hands to her sides, studying his face. ”I'm so bold with you, when I have no idea what this all means.” She turned her body and gazed at the bare window as if avoiding his eyes. ”It's natural for me to be a bit frightened, don't you think?”
She meant the physical aspect of marriage, and it tore at him to think she was afraid. ”It's a natural thing between a man and a woman,” he said. What had she heard? What did young women learn and who told them? He hadn't a clue. ”Natural and beautiful.”
”I'm sure it is. Do you know this firsthand?”
She turned her head then, d.a.m.n her, and looked him directly in the eye. Open and candid, his Annie. He doubted many fiancees had the balderdash to question their prospective husbands on the intimate partners in their pasts.
”Well...” Nothing to speak but the truth. ”The natural part I know about.”
One slender eyebrow went up. ”Not the beautiful part?” she asked.
”That must be for husbands and wives.”
”Oh.”
”I was young and-and-well, young men don't always use their heads.”
”Prost.i.tutes?” she asked. Straightforward. Honest.
”A couple.”
She turned her gaze back to the window. ”Any woman you ever loved?”
”You're the only woman I've ever loved.”
Her hand went up to her cheek and rapidly brushed beneath her eye. Lord, he'd hurt her. His stomach balled into a knot.
She turned back then. ”You will be the first. For me.”
He moved to hold her by her upper arms and stare into her eyes. ”That didn't have to be said. I knew that without you saying so.”
”Because no one ever wanted me before you, you mean.”
”No! Because I know you. I know your parents! G.o.d, Annie, be a little kinder to yourself.” He drew her against his chest and held her fast. ”I'm sorry my being with those others hurts you. You have to know that wasn't anything like what you and I have together. No comparison.”
She hugged him back and he sensed her trembling against his frame. ”At least one of us will know what to do,” she said.
He couldn't suppress a chuckle.
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