George shook his head. “No. We’re justvisiting.”
“I see.” Frederick’s lips fell into adisappointed line.
George held back a sigh. His brother couldn’thover over him forever. He picked up his dirty dishes. “It has beena long day. Please excuse me; I’m going to the barn.”
“The barn?” Allison asked.
“My room is in the loft. I like my privacy.”And space away from the children. “There is a bed for you inthe house.”
“Oh. I thought…” her voice faded. Her eyesdarted from Frederick back to George.
George’s brow furrowed. What did shethink?
Frederick would insist on them sleepingseparately, so he didn’t even try to push the issue. It would be along night without Allison near him, especially considering she wasin danger. What if she had nightmares? It would tear at him notbeing able to comfort her, but she was safe at the farm.
Awkwardsilence hung in the air. No one knew what to say.
“It will be cold in the barn,” Emma said.“Take the extra quilt off the chair in my room.”
“I will. Thank you. Was wondering if I neededto burrow under the hay.” He laughed and Allison shot him a frown.So much for being funny.
Emma began clearing off the table, carryingDavid on her hip.
“Let me help you,” Allison said, rising toher feet.
“Thank you. And then I’ll show you to yourroom.”
George walked toward the kitchen stopped andturned around. He rested his back against the wall, watching thetwo women chatting quietly while they picked up the remainingdishes.
Allison would fit into his family just fineif she would give it half a chance. His eyes widened as what he’djust thought sank in.
Could he really see himself settling downwith his first love?
He admired her backside as she walked aroundthe table. She was tender yet strong, her fiery spirit stirred himmuch more than Mary’s eagerness to lay with him.
He never did anything the easy way as hisbrother loved to point out. He was wooing a woman who made him workfor every inch. Each small victory, every time Allison openedherself a little more too him,made his pulse race, his body thrumming with warmth. God, he reallydid love her.
It would break his heart if she continued toelude him.
And what were her views on children? She hadlooked longingly at David during supper. Did that mean she wanted ason of her own? If she did want children … could he be a father?The crying, screaming, dirty diapers, sleepless nights and endlessworrying—he could endure that for her. He wanted Allison tobe happy, happy with him.
Chapter 15
AFTER ALLGEORGE had done for her, there was no way she would make himspend the night in the barn. Perhaps she could convince him tosneak back into the house and they’d share the bed. Or she couldspend the night in the barn with George. Still fired up from theintimate wagon ride, her body was eager. The steamy looks they shoteach other during supper only stirred her more, increasing herdesire. George had been as bold as she had, stealing glances at herthroughout supper. His whole family must think they were a couple.It was time she made thattrue.
They could have a literal roll in the hay.She laughed. Never before had she looked forward to making love toa man. George had been so patient with her, and she was finallyready. She wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him,delving her tongue between his lips, hoping he would sweep her intohis arms again, spirit her away where they would make love slow andsensual and passionate. The way she had always dreamed. The way aman was supposed to love a woman.
But giving into the wild abandon of herfantasy would have consequences.
With Coswell probably on his way to thefarm, those consequences no longerseemed important. It was now or never and she’d never forgiveherself if she passed up her chance to lay with George.
She sat on the bed, one ear to the wall,listening to Emma and Frederick putting David down for the night.Knowing she wasn’t going to stay, she hadn’t even turned down thecovers. The mattress sagged beneath her offering a soft place tolay as compared the hard wooden deck bed on the steamer. While shecould get a good night’s sleep in this room, she’d prefer sleepingin George’s arms. As soon as she knew they were asleep she’d slipout of the house.
The room grew darker, the sliver of moonlightthrough the window casting dancing shadows on the floor. The treesoutside swayed in the wind. Allison bit her fingernails. Emma andFrederick hadn’t said anything for several minutes.
Was it safe to leave?
No. She’d wait a little longer. If theycaught her, she didn’t know what they would do. Would they forceher to leave the farm in the middle of the night?
Another hour passed. The minutes ticked byslowly, the thumping of her heart the only sound in the room. Sherose, put on her coat, and tiptoed to the door. Hand on the knob,she opened it a fraction, wincing as it creaked. She hesitatedbefore venturing into the hallway.
Once out in the open she strode to the frontdoor, unlatched it, and walked out, shutting it softly behindher.
She exhaled. So far so good. Now for the trekto the barn.
Her shoes clipped on the loft ladder and whenshe poked her head into the loft she drew a sharp breath. Georgesat in a wooden chair, wide awake, watching her, a quilt wrappedaround his frame.
A soft smile spread across his face. “I wasfeeling kind of lonely. Were you?”
“Yes.” She climbed into the loft and froze.For some reason, she had expectedhim to be asleep. He had fixed the room up nicely. Besides thechair, there was a large pallet inthe corner and a trunk where she suspected he kept his clothes andother necessities. On top of the trunk sat a glowing lantern. Hadhe been expecting company or didhe have trouble going to sleep?
He motioned toward his bed. “You’re welcometo the pallet if you prefer that to the bed. I’m comfortable in thechair.”
Sleeping in a chair didn’t sound comfortable.There he was acting the gentleman again. Yes, she preferred thepallet but not alone. Tonight, with Coswell chasing
