What would it be like to kiss him? The only kisses she had shared with a man had been with that scoundrel, Hobbs, and they’d been anything but romantic. Harsh was a word that came to mind. But…with Dwight? She could almost imagine it would be wonderful…exciting…delightful… It wouldn’t be wrong…would it?
As before, his head began to move toward hers and she watched him draw near.
He was so near, when she drew in a breath, the fresh aroma of his hair from when he had taken a bath earlier, seemed to caress her face. Also, he wore a delicious smelling cologne and it was all Mary could do not to sway toward him for a deeper sampling.
Her eyes began to flutter shut. Her heart began to pound. This would be their first kiss…
But on the heels of that thought rang another one, loud and clear.
They weren’t a real couple! He was her husband, yes…but…should she let him kiss her? Despite the fact that he said he would be here for the duration, get a job, and play the dutiful husband…it was all a ruse. Right? She had to protect her heart, and she was the only one who could do that. Dwight was so handsome, kind, and gentle… he was everything a girl could want in a beau. Goodness gracious, she felt as if she were treading water and about to sink under strong waves of feeling for him!
If she did…if she allowed herself to be swept off her feet and fall in love with him and then he up and left after the baby was born—which was, after all, the agreement—it would rip her heart to shreds.
That thought snapped her out of the alluring, mind-numbing fog his presence had brought with it. A feeling akin to panic raced down her spine and she pushed against his chest with the pillow.
“H…here you go. Y…your sheets and cover are there, on the chair, along with your shaving kit,” she managed, her mouth dry as cotton.
Surprise showed in his eyes and he blinked in confusion for a second or two before accepting the pillow with a nod and turning to gather his bedclothes.
“Well…I guess this is goodnight, then. Um…” he began, glancing over his shoulder at her as she stood there with her arms wrapped tightly around her middle—definitely feeling exposed without the token protection of the pillow. “Pleasant dreams, Mary,” he finished.
And then, he was gone.
Dwight gently closed the door behind him and stood unmoving outside Mary’s door.
What just happened? Or rather…what almost happened…
His pulse was thumping as his whole body tingled with an acute awareness. Did Mary feel the sparks when they touched, too? From the luster in her eyes each time, he’d thought she had…
Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat! This marriage is becoming more and more like a real marriage with each moment he spent with his wife!
How is this happening so fast? If I didn’t know better…I’d think I was starting to fall in love with Mary, but—how is that possible this quickly? Love at first sight isn’t real, it’s just a pie in the sky concept that sells dime novels to make girls like Livvy get all moony eyed. Real, lasting love takes time…it takes getting to know someone, having the same likes and dislikes, the same beliefs. It’s not an instant attraction with the overwhelming power of an ocean tide sweeping a fellow helplessly along.
Suddenly, he remembered his words when he’d prayed while he had been sitting in Richard’s office, not knowing if he would end up shanghaied and married to the Haldeman brat. He had begged God that Penny would not be with child and that the situation would be resolved—and he’d pleaded with the Almighty that He work out every detail and create the outcome that He wanted.
Could this be what You want, Lord? Did you pick Mary for me? Is that why I felt such a strong urge to volunteer my name to help her out?
That realization set him back on his heels, followed by another thought…
But…what if she’s not entirely all right with this? She’s shied away from me each time we’ve gotten close. Maybe she doesn’t like my looks? Maybe she just isn’t attracted to me? What if she’s in love with the father of the baby—even though she says she can’t stand him. Or…another possibility surfaced…what if she’s emotionally damaged by what he did to her? I’ve got to find out what happened without upsetting her. This not knowing is about to drive me over the cliff!
With a heavy sigh, he readjusted the items in his arms and trudged down the steps to spend his first night on the settee in the library.
He hoped he’d manage to get some sleep.
Making his way into the library, he set about fashioning a comfortable place for himself. Then, immensely glad that the house had a washroom off the kitchen, he made his way there and quickly performed his nightly grooming as well as removing his boots, socks, vest, shirt, and belt.
Carrying his belongings, he headed back down the hall to the library, where he lay down and began to wrestle with the pillow and sheets, twisting this way and that. Try as he might, his wide shoulders refused to fit on the somewhat narrow surface of the settee. He then emptied his pockets onto the side table in an attempt to find some semblance of comfort.
There. Okay, that’s not too bad. Kind of stuffy in here, but at least it’s quiet. Now I just need to get some sleep.
With a bored sigh, he clasped his hands behind his head and stared, unblinking, up at the ceiling.
It just so happened that Mary’s room was directly above the library,
