Amanda met his eyes, suddenly hoping he would kiss her again, and that is exactly what he did.
The kiss seemed to linger on Amanda’s lips long after Theo left to retrieve another trunk. His gentle touch and warm embrace had been welcome, and she found herself relaxing as she moved around the small house, becoming familiar with her new home.
“That’s the last one,” Teddy finally said as he stacked the smallest trunk on a larger one. “I’ll fetch your bags and then take the wagon up to the barn. We can return it tomorrow when we go to church.”
“We’ll go back to town tomorrow?” Amanda blushed, wondering what the reception would be.
“Sure, Dan gives us as much of the Sabbath off as is possible on a big place like this. A few punchers don’t attend, and they’re happy to look after things while the rest of us go to town.”
Teddy walked back outside, hefting the last few bags and setting them by the door. He couldn’t believe he was finally married, and it was all he could do to stop his giddy heart from making him kiss Amanda senseless. He could tell she was nervous, and having been raised in a very proper way, he wondered what their wedding night would be like.
“You’ll just have to be patient,” he reminded himself as he climbed into the buckboard and drove to the barn.
“You’re back late,” Dan grinned as Teddy started to unhitch the team. “What’d you need a wagon for.” The rancher’s eyes flickered toward Teddy’s house as a grin spread across his rugged face.
“To bring my new bride home,” Teddy said, puffing out his chest.
“Bride!” Dan’s eyes grew wide. “You got hitched?”
“Yes.” Teddy crossed his arms over his chest, meeting Dan’s gaze. “She was willing to have me, and I wanted to keep her from the minute I saw her.”
Dan reached out a hand. “Congratulations, Teddy,” he drawled. “You bring your new bride to the house tomorrow, but be prepared for an earful from Rosa. She will not be well pleased to have missed another Needful wedding.”
Teddy nodded, hearing the truth in his boss’s words. “Maybe you can smooth the way for me,” he suggested.
“I’ll do what I can,” Dan agreed, thumping Teddy on the shoulder. “I think the next few days around here are going to be interesting. You plan on going to church tomorrow?”
“Yes, Amanda and I can return the wagon tomorrow.”
“And how exactly will your blushing bride get home again once you turn the wagon over?” Dan’s blue eyes twinkled merrily as he teased his young friend.
“I hadn’t thought of that. Do you reckon I’ll need to buy a wagon of my own?”
Dan shook his head. “She can ride back with Rosa and Christina,” Dan said. “I’ll ride in on my own.”
Teddy let a breath he had been holding out with a grin. “Thanks, Dan. I guess I wasn’t thinking ahead past the wedding.”
“It takes some time to adjust to married life,” Dan mused. “Be patient.”
“Daniel,” Rosa’s voice called from the front porch. “Christina is asking for you.”
A bright smile flashed across Dan’s face as he turned toward his house that had finally become a home. “I’m coming darlin’,” he drawled, giving Teddy a wink.
***
Amanda paced the small house, looking at the simple furnishings and rustic appointments. There was a door at both ends of the little house and she walked to the back peering out at the necessary set beside a stunted tree.
Teddy had been gone for what seemed ages, and she was already starting to fret, a thousand worries flashing through her brain in seconds. What if Theo changed his mind? What if he decided she wasn’t good wife material? He would be sorely disappointed in her skills as a wife once he got to know her.
The sound of humming caught Amanda’s attention and she hurried to the door to see her new husband traipsing toward her in the last light of the day.
“I was starting to worry,” she admitted. “You were gone for a long time.”
“I had to put the horses up, and then Dan stopped to congratulate us on our marriage.” He smiled, taking her arm and walking her back into the house.
Amanda relaxed at Theo’s gentle touch. “I’ll build us a fire,” he said, pushing the door closed. “Nights out here can grow cool even after the heat of the day.”
Amanda gazed around the room once more. “Theo,” she started as Teddy moved to the fireplace, striking a match to the kindling laid in a neat pile. “Where am I to change?”
Teddy looked over his shoulder, his eyes running over the delicate dress his little wife wore. “Here, of course,” he replied.
“But there’s no privacy screen or room.”
Understanding hit Teddy and he nodded. “I’ll step outside if that will help,” he said. “Maybe in time…” he didn’t finish his sentence as the flame caught and he rose, catching the flash of embarrassment in her pale eyes.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
Teddy strode toward the door giving his blushing bride her privacy, closing the door behind him with a sigh.
Amanda sucked in a deep breath. She was surprised that Theo had been willing to step out while she changed. She would just slip into her nightdress and wrap.
Reaching behind her, Amanda started on the buttons at her back, but the tiny mother of pearl disks and simple loops that held her dress closed wouldn’t budge. Her arms burned as again and again, she tried to get out of the elegant dress and hot tears began to fall.
“Theo!” she finally called in embarrassed exasperation. “I need your help.”
Teddy dashed into the house. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking around.
“I can’t…” Amanda sniffed, pointing at the buttons down her back.
Teddy grinned. Perhaps his young wife would need to get over her shyness sooner rather than later, he thought as his fingers trembled on the first button of the beautiful dress.
Chapter 8
Teddy took Amanda’s hand, kissing it softly as they walked
