Wanton in the West
Page 6
“Don’t be sorry. Not ever again.” Tenderly Clayton slipped the ribbon on her finger. Sweetly he tied it in place. Softly he kissed her hand. “I hope this will do for now.”
“For forever,” Adeline corrected him with a grin. “There’s nothing more I could ask for except you. I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” Giving her his most roguish smile yet, Clayton drew her near. His next kiss landed on her mouth, and it was—wonderfully and lovingly—quite magnificent. “Don’t worry,” he whispered as he pressed his forehead gently against hers. “I do have enough saved up for a proper ring, I promise.”
Adeline gave him a playful smile. “You’re just angling to keep this ring all to yourself, for your own scrapbook!” she teased. “I’ve seen the way you eyeball this pink ribbon, Mr. Davis. I do believe you’re a secret sentimentalist at heart.”
“If I’m not mistaken, Miss Wilson, I believe you like me that way.” Clayton grinned. He stroked back her hair, then gallantly helped her to her feet. Together on the farmhouse’s front porch, they stood arm in arm. “And if I didn’t know better, I’d swear we have ourselves some celebrating to do!”
“You do know better,” Adeline declared. “Because we do!”
Violet perked up. “You’re going to town? Hurray! Everyone will be absolutely thrilled to know about your engagement!”
Clayton paused. He looked at Adeline. She looked at him.
“Yes,” he mused. “Eventually we’ll go to town.”
“That’s right,” Adeline agreed, lacing his fingers with hers. Her new pink-ribbon ring tickled her palm. “But first we’ll stay here awhile, for a different sort of celebrating.”
“A more private sort of celebrating.” Clayton kissed her.
“But—” At a loss, Violet gaped at them. “But this is such exciting news! You’re not going to share it with everyone?”
“Soon,” Clayton said. “Right now, we’re going to share it with each other.” He opened the door. He tugged Adeline’s hand.
“Bye, Violet! I’ll see you soon!” Then, squealing with delight, Adeline let herself be led back inside her farmhouse.
With Clayton by her side, she truly did have all she needed. Even as she dimly heard Violet and the others leave—even as she felt Clayton sweep her up into his arms and carry her—she felt like the most contented woman in all the territory.
To her surprise, Clayton strode directly back to the front door. Perplexed, Adeline stared at him from her perch in his strong arms. “Clay? What are you doing?”
Without a word, Clayton shouldered open the door. He went outside. On the shadowy front porch, just beyond the threshold of the still-open door, he stopped. Then he gazed lovingly down at her…and maybe at her ankles, too, the rascally man.
“You didn’t think I’d forget to carry you over the threshold like a true bride, did you?” he asked with a grin.
Secretly thrilled, Adeline protested anyway. Propriety demanded it. “But that tradition’s for after we’re married!”
Clayton shrugged. “Then I’ll do it again.” Longingly, lingeringly, he kissed her. “For you, I’ll do anything.”
“For you, I’ll do exactly the same thing,” Adeline vowed.
Then, on the second hottest day in the memory of any Morrow Creek resident, Adeline Wilson got exactly what she’d been longing for, all along: the devotion of the man she would love forever—and a brief, bridal-style trip over the threshold, too…just to whet her appetite for everything that would come very soon!
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When she found herself living in modern-day Arizona Territory, Lisa Plumley decided to take advantage of it by immersing herself in the state’s fascinating history – visiting ghost towns and historical sites, and finding inspiration in the desert and mountains surrounding her. It didn’t take long before she got busy creating light-hearted romances like this one, featuring strong-willed women, ruggedly intelligent men, and the unexpected situations that bring them together.
When she’s not writing, Lisa loves to spend time with her husband and two children, travelling, hiking, watching classic movies, reading, and defending her trivia-game championship. She enjoys hearing from readers, and invites you to contact her via e-mail at lisa@lisaplumley.com, or visit her website at www.lisaplumley.com
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8014-8
Wanton in the West
Copyright © 2011 by Lisa Plumley
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