The truth was, nothing in this house did. Everywhere she looked there were reminders of his absent parents. The house was filled with their possessions. She was surrounded by a lifetime of accumulation, the result of thirty years of marriage. It made Rachel impatient to be in their own place with her own things.
Since she'd come to Sweetheart Falls she had bought some dresses and other essentials. But she didn't really own very much. Money had been tight and the mercantile had only a limited choice of things to buy. Maybe now that she was the wife of a town lawyer things would improve.
But, there was so much to think about and she didn't even know where to start.
First there had been Aaron's conversation with sheriff Ryan. Aaron had refused to discuss it, which had annoyed her.
Then there had been the surprise of the house and Aaron's uncertainty about when it would belong to them.
There were too many unanswered questions. They made her worry; they got in the way of her feeling comfortable around Aaron. She understood how hard it must be for him to return to a town where so much had happened during his absence. He was trying to fit back in to life in Sweetheart Falls. In that sense they were both in the same boat.
But it infuriated her that he couldn't, or wouldn't, talk with her as she felt a husband should. Sometimes she just felt like stamping her feet! People could be so ornery at times. There were so many unanswered questions!
Today he'd seemed a lot more relaxed. She truly appreciated that he'd tried so hard to please her.
Rachel watched Aaron hang up his jacket on the coatrack.
"You know what I'm going to do?" Rachel said.
Aaron smiled. "Should I be worried?"
"Not if you like home cooking," she said.
Aaron rolled his eyes. "Now I know I should be worried."
Rachel hammered his chest with a playful fist. "Aaron. Don't you go teasing me again. I'm a fine cook. Most of the time."
The corner of Aaron's mouth creased into a wry smile. "I'll just have to have faith I guess," he said.
"I'm going to cook you a delicious meal."
"I can help you," he offered.
"You will not! You go to the parlor and leave me to do the work."
"You sure know how to order a man around," he said pulling her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight. Aaron's lips descended onto Rachel and they kissed. Rachel's heart thudded loudly and she was sure he could hear the sound of it.
She pulled away. "Any more of this and I won't be able to concentrate in the kitchen," she said.
Aaron grinned. "You know where to find me if you change your mind," he said.
Rachel smiled at him and headed for the kitchen. Now, the only thing she had to worry about was making sure that the food she was about to cook was good enough for her wonderful new husband.
****
Aaron made his way upstairs and changed into drier clothes, feeling the relief of getting the dampness from the swim off his body. When he came back down he went into the parlor and sat down. There was a law book on a table. He took it up and opened it. Just reading it brought back vivid memories of his time at University; all the long nights by candlelight cramming obscure and difficult text into his tired, reluctant brain.
He sighed and put the book back down with a thud.
From the kitchen he could hear the pleasing and reassuring sounds of Rachel at work. The clatter of pots; the running of water; her sweet voice humming a little melody. For a moment Aaron could hardly believe his luck. Here he was seated in the parlor awaiting the results of his beautiful wife's labors in the kitchen.
He was married to her, and he felt it keenly, sitting here in this parlor and enjoying the simple pleasure of listening to his wife working hard at making him happy.
Aaron smiled and felt a wave of satisfaction surge over him. He settled back and closed his eyes.
Listening to the sounds from the kitchen Aaron felt himself relax and after a while he fell asleep. He awoke with a start and wondered how long he'd been sleeping. He heard the sounds from the kitchen that told him Rachel was still busy. He rubbed his eyes and stood up.
Making his way down the hallway he came to the door of his father's study.
He recalled how, as a younger man, the door to this sacred room had been a barrier he wasn't allowed to breach. Many times he'd tried. Every time his father had scolded him and warned Aaron never to cross the line.
When his father had realized that Aaron wanted to train in the law, he'd relented and shared the room with his son. But, even then, his father had always prevented Aaron from knowing too much about ongoing business matters.
Well, his father wasn't here. Aaron thought it wouldn't do any harm to have a look at the place from where his father conducted his business.
Aaron pushed the door open and stepped inside. It had changed since the last time he'd seen it. There were more reference books than before. And the room was more untidy than he'd ever remembered it being.
But the large, dark wooden desk still stood in the center of the room, with the familiar padded leather chair behind it, which was now showing cracked signs of age.
The room smelled of paper and dust. It was obvious Gabe hadn't spent much time in the room in recent weeks.
Aaron went to the bookshelves. All the most up to date textbooks on current law were lined along the wall. His father was nothing if not scrupulous about keeping current with his profession.
Files were stacked on the sofa. Some cabinets were half open revealing files jammed inside them. Aaron hadn't quite realized how much work his father had been involved in. It was certainly the case that he'd need the help of his son if he was to keep up with the demands of work.
Aaron sat down on the leather seat and leaned his elbows on the desk. There were a variety of papers arranged in neat little piles. Aaron cast his eye over them. He could see himself seated at the desk some time in the future, working hard, serving the community, earning the money for his family. But was that what he really wanted? He still wasn't sure.
Aaron sighed and picked up one of the papers.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw what was written on the plain piece of paper.
It was an ordinary looking letter which would normally have had no significance to Aaron. But this one was different.
The name at the top of the letter made his throat tighten.
Beatrice Wilson!
Aaron slowly put the paper back down on the desk. For a moment Aaron considered carefully whether he should read it. The curiosity was burning him up, but he held his eyes in check.
He had no right to read anything without the permission of his father. He looked at the date on the letter. It was dated over one month before.
But then he saw one word at the top of the sheet which gave him the right to read the rest of the letter.
Sweetheart Haven!
That was the name of the house he'd taken Rachel to see only hours before. What was Beatrice doing writing to Gabe about a property which his father had said would belong to Aaron and Rachel after all the details of purchase had been gone through?
Aaron had to know.
He started to read and his heart sank with each word.
It turned out that, before Gabe had taken sick, Beatrice Wilson and her new husband had decided they wanted to buy the house. But Gabe hadn't processed the legal papers quickly enough. In the letter, Beatrice was writing to Aaron's father to beg him to finalize the deal on the house, otherwise they risked losing it to another buyer.
Aaron sank back in the chair.
He couldn't believe it.
The house that Aaron's father had said would belong to Aaron and Rachel was the same house that Beatrice and her husband had been intending to purchase, long before Aaron and Rachel had even met.
Aaron leaned back and ran a hand through his hair. He felt a knot of anxiety in his middle.
How could this have happened?
What a me
ss!
His father had clearly said that the house would belong to Aaron and Rachel. But how could that be? What had his father done?
Aaron stood and began to pace nervously. He had to figure out what this meant.
His mind tried to make sense of how his father could have done such a thing. Had Gabe deliberately delayed the sale of the house to ensure that his own son and Rachel would have a place to live. If that was the case then Aaron had to consider the possibility that his own father had behaved without professional integrity. Gabe must have known how this would look. So why had he done it?
Aaron shook his head. It didn't make sense. He refused to believe that his own father would have bent the law so that Aaron would get to own a property.
"Come and get it!"
Rachel's voice cut into his thoughts. Aaron went to the door and looked down the hallway. Rachel was standing at the end of the hall wiping her hands on an apron. She had a proud grin on her face.
"Be right there," Aaron said, trying to smile back at her. He could sense that his smile wasn't as convincing as he would have liked.
Rachel's brows furrowed slightly. "Is everything alright?"
Aaron glanced back into the office and then pulled the door shut behind him. "Sure. How's that food coming along?"
Rachel nodded toward the kitchen. "Ready as it'll ever be."
Aaron made his way toward her. He could see a shadow of concern on her face.
"You sure everything's okay?" Rachel said fixing a stray hair on his forehead. She was gazing deep into his eyes trying to gauge his reaction. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she said.
Aaron wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close. "Everything's fine. That food I can smell will put some color back on my face," he said.
Rachel looked down. "Careful. My apron's going to mess up your shirt."
Aaron pulled her even closer. "I don't care about that. How can I, when I have someone like you in my arms."
Aaron leaned in and kissed Rachel gently. He felt her soften and lean in closer to him. He loved having her in his arms, even while his mind was in a whirl about what he had just found out.
He leaned back and looked into Rachel's eyes. There was a moist shine in her eyes that made his heart leap. He smiled at her and ran his thumb along her lower lip. "You're amazing. You know that, don't you," he whispered.
Rachel lowered her head slightly, overcome by an obvious shyness which Aaron instantly found appealing.
He lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes. "You know that I will do whatever I can to make you happy Rachel. Don't you? I won't let anything stand in the way of our happiness, now that we're together."
Rachel's smiled and nodded. He could see the barely hidden emotion in her eyes. She was trying really hard to contain her true feelings.
Aaron quickly kissed her again.
"Now. Where is that food?"
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
They settled down at the kitchen table. Rachel felt a rush of pleasure when she saw Aaron's eyebrows raise when he saw the food she'd laid out.
"That looks fantastic," he said.
Rachel served the food for her husband. It felt good to do such a simple thing. It made her feel so much more like the wife she wanted to be to Aaron.
Aaron smiled and said grace. As she sat listening to his voice speak the words of gratitude, Rachel realized that she herself was truly grateful for having such a wonderful man in her life.
Rachel served herself some of the vegetables and pork and pushed away the thoughts which tugged at her mind. Why had Aaron looked so worried when he had come out of his father's office?
Rachel looked at Aaron trying to see any trace of the worry on his face, but all she saw was a hungry man tucking into the food she had made for them both.
"You like it?" she asked.
Aaron's mouth was full, but it didn't stop him from mumbling a satisfied grunt which made Rachel laugh.
Aaron's eyes widened. "What?"
Rachel covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. "You look funny," she told him.
"How?" he asked, his eyes brightening.
"I dunno. You just look like a hamster with all of that food in your cheeks," she joked.
Aaron's eyes rolled and he cocked his head. He swallowed a bit more food. "You just like watching me eat. Admit it," he said.
Rachel coughed and tried not to laugh. "I do not!" she replied.
Aaron quirked a wry smile. "You just find me so irresistible that even when my cheeks are puffed out like a hamster, you can't contain yourself. Admit it Rachel Caldigate," he said and reached a hand across the table.
Rachel let him take her hand. She liked the way he gently squeezed it. She was also discovering that she liked it when he teased her. He'd done it at the Falls. Aaron had a way of taking all her doubts and uncertainties away with the merest smile and sweetest words. But, wasn't that what it meant to be married? Your husband could make you feel different with a look or a compliment or a touch.
Rachel let Aaron hold her hand. She looked at him. His eyes were gazing deep into her own. It made something flutter inside and her heart skipped a beat.
Her mind flashed back to the disappointment of their first night together. She hoped tonight would be different. Just the thought of that made her cheeks warm.
Aaron saw the change. "What are you thinking about Rachel?"
She looked down at her food. "It's just so nice to be here with you, like this. It really feels like we're man and wife," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
Aaron smiled reassuringly. "I know. It's wonderful. Just you and I here. I'm so happy."
Rachel looked at him and felt a surge of emotion at his simple words. "Eat your food. You're gonna make me cry," she said, pointing at him with a fork.
They both continued eating and there were a few moments of silence during which Rachel tried to gather her thoughts.
The image of Aaron's face as he'd emerged from his father's office would not go away.
It was important to her that there was nothing standing in the way between them. It was a lesson she had learned from Cassie and Martha. They'd told her more than once that the basis of a good marriage was honesty between a man and a wife.
What she'd seen on Aaron's face when he'd come out of his father's office concerned her. She was acutely aware that the charm he'd been showing to her could be his way of avoiding talking about it. But, after their difficulties of the previous night, Rachel was determined that nothing would stand in the way of their marriage being a success.
She gently laid her fork down and straightened herself. "Can I ask you a question Aaron?"
He looked at her and smiled. "Sure you can?"
"What did you find in your father's office?"
Aaron's face darkened immediately. When she saw Aaron's reaction Rachel felt her throat tighten. She instantly regretted what she'd asked him, but something deep inside drove her on. She realized it was a determination for the truth.
Aaron sighed and put down his fork. "Why are you asking that, Rachel?"
"I'd just like to know."
Aaron swallowed and paused.
"My father used to forbid me from going in there. It was just emotional for me being back here and all."
Rachel frowned. "But you looked like you'd seen something real bad in there."
Aaron cleared his throat and seemed to be growing impatient. "Look. It's just that his office was like a special place for him. It was a boundary that he wouldn't let me cross. Being there just made me feel...kinda funny, I guess."
Rachel peered into Aaron's eyes. He didn't meet her gaze. "You would tell me if there was something I needed to know. Wouldn't you Aaron?"
"Of course I would Rachel. If it was something that would stand in the way of our happiness, of course I'd tell you."
"I don't want secrets between us, Aaron."
Rachel surprised herself with the firmness of her tone, but this was such an impo
rtant issue.
Aaron reached over and took her hand. "There won't be any secrets. You understand Rachel. I've been away for a long time. There's so much I need to catch up on. A lot has changed in this town."
Rachel nodded. "I understand Aaron. It must be difficult for you."
Aaron looked into her eyes. Rachel could see the anxiety in his eyes. "It's going to take us time to get to know each other," he said.
Rachel swallowed and nodded. He was right. It had been such a whirlwind these past few weeks. Her feet had hardly touched the ground. Those words did sound mighty sweet, though, she had to admit to herself. "Just married."
For a moment Rachel held her husband's gaze, feeling so grateful that she had such a handsome man by her side.
But then the quiet voice of doubt crept back into her mind. There was something not quite right about this.
Rachel nodded reluctantly and they both resumed eating.
Later, they sat outside on the porch in the warm evening air and gazed up at the wide starry sky. Aaron wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. Every so often he kissed her gently and whispered quiet words that made Rachel feel giddy. She leaned in close to him and felt the warmth of his body. It felt fine to be here, sharing this time with him. She was starting to feel such a strong connection with Aaron. All the cross words they spoken to each other at the kitchen table seemed to fade away the longer she sat by Aaron's side.
Time itself seemed to slow down. Rachel sat by her husband's side for what seemed like hours, and allowed herself to be overcome with feelings of intense peace and contentment.
Finally Aaron's voice broke the reverie.
"I'll need to go and see someone tomorrow," he said quietly, with an almost businesslike tone.
Rachel felt herself tighten. "What about?"
"Nothing special. Just something that my father asked me to look into."
Rachel glanced at Aaron. "You're not going to work already, are you?"
"No. It's not work. More like unfinished business."
Aaron's voice sounded hesitant. There was that feeling again, Rachel said to herself. It felt like he was holding something back. She didn't like it.
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