Chapter Ten
The sun's warmth felt good on her back and Elizabeth stretched from where she kneeled in the flowerbed she tended. Her aunt would arrive soon and she wanted to surprise her with the new plantings.
It took only a couple days to realize needlepoint bored her to tears and reading was impossible, her mind constantly wandering to either Hank or Ashley. Being outdoors, working with her hands, was tiring work, perfect. Come night, she was tired enough to fall asleep right away.
"Why, dear, you have outdone yourself with all that work out front of the house." Later over a cup of tea, Aunt Betty gushed. "I could hardly believe my eyes. You've done so much around here in three short weeks. Once those plantings fill in, it's going to be beautiful."
"It keeps me busy which is what I need right now. I can't wait to see it in full bloom." Elizabeth's cheeks hurt at smiling once again.
Her aunt's sharp eyes flickered from her smile, to her eyes and a crinkle appeared between her brows. "You know, for that overly bright smile and nonsense chatter, I know you're not happy, sweetheart. What is the matter?"
She held the smile in place and waved her hand in the air dismissing her aunt's words. "It's nothing, Aunt Betty, just the settling in a new place. I'm sure once I get my routine and meet other women in town, I'll be more than fine."
"You miss Hank and Ashley don't you?" Leave it to Aunt Betty not to mince words, a trait she understood well.
"Yes I do, I hope to come visit and see Ashley soon. I adore that little boy. Please tell me of his latest antics."
The more Aunt Betty shared, the worse it pained her until she could barely keep tears from escaping. Elizabeth jumped to her feet and grabbed blindly for the teapot. "I'll get more." She practically ran to the kitchen.
"Elizabeth, you're in love." Her aunt followed her. "Lord child, does Hank know?"
"Don't you dare say a word to him, please." Elizabeth didn't bother denying it. "I'm sure I'll get over it."
"Goodness, dear, it's not like a cold, you can't just get over love." The warm hand on her shoulder soothed Elizabeth and she sighed.
"I'm being silly, please let's finish our tea and talk about something else."
Of course, her aunt was not dissuaded. "You know he's moping about the place much like you are," Aunt Betty said, shaking her head. "Asks me about you daily after I return from visiting."
"I'm sure he's just being polite." Elizabeth lifted the refilled teapot and strode back to the parlor. "Should we go to the mercantile? I would love to see if any new shipments have arrived."
"Oh yes, a great idea. I'll get my shawl." Her aunt rushed from the room, her teacup still rattling in the small dish after she'd all but dropped it on the table.
They strolled to the mercantile, her aunt's overly enthusiastic chatter keeping Elizabeth's attention.
As soon as they stepped foot in the building, her aunt introduced her to several women congregated around the new shipment of fabrics.
"I'll be back in a moment, I need to speak to Miles," Aunt Betty told Elizabeth, referring to her cousin. "Don't leave." The older woman practically flew from the store and Elizabeth could only marvel at her energy.
It took Elizabeth longer than expected to purchase her items in the mercantile. With her overfilled basket, she ambled outside and sat on a rustic bench under the entryway's overhang to wait for her aunt, who'd yet to return.
She spotted her aunt ambling towards the mercantile with Hank at her side. Her aunt waved and she returned the gesture.
Her first instinct was to jump to her feet and run to him. Instead, she stood and drank in the sight of him. His eyes on hers, he smiled when they neared and she lost her breath. She was in love.
"Hello, Elizabeth." His words melted over her and she swallowed before replying.
"How are you, Hank?"
"Oh, I see you've finished with your purchases," her aunt stated the obvious. "I need to gather some items myself." She turned to Hank and patted his arm. "Hank, be a dear and walk Elizabeth home. Miles is coming to fetch me in an hour or so."
Elizabeth felt her eyes widened at her aunt's words. "Hank, you don't have to, I'm sure you're in a hurry to get whatever it is done and return home."
"I'm returning the day after tomorrow," Hank replied. "I brought your aunt here and am staying with Miles. I am picking up staples and helping your cousin with the new roof on his place."
He took her basket and held his arm out for her, which she took, tucking her hand into the crook of it. She slid her gaze sideways to him, and committed once again every detail about him to memory.
"Are you settled in?" he asked not looking at her.
"Yes, it's a lovely town, I've yet to meet but a few of the ladies, but I'm sure it will get better."
He turned to her, his beautiful blue eyes scanning her face. "Ashley misses you."
"Oh and I miss him so," Elizabeth replied unable to keep from smiling. "I wish you had brought him."
"My sister is watching him. Missus Dawson needs a break now and again." He returned her smile and her body heated.
Once inside the house, an awkward air surrounded them, neither looking at the other. Elizabeth unpacked her basket for the sake of something to do.
When she reached for a package, Hank's hand covered hers and she froze, unsure how she wanted to react to his touch.
"I miss you, Elizabeth." His words were husky, deep, sinking into her. "I can't stop thinking about you."
He placed his other hand under her chin and tilted her face up. "Come back to the ranch." When he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss gentle, so soft yet it took her breath away and she wanted to cry at the feel she'd hungered for since last seeing him.
When he pulled back, she stuttered. "I--I will come and visit. I want to see Ashley." She hesitated. "But it will only be a short visit. One day."
"What if I convince you to stay longer?"
"How do you plan to do that?" She let out a sigh and her brow crinkled. "It's best for us if I don't, you know as well as I do, it's hard to be around each other without touching, kissing."
He made his way closer and kissed her again this time wrapping his arms around her. The shelter of the strong man filled her with longing so great, she wanted nothing more than to lose herself in him. Elizabeth released a shaky breath and pushed away. "Would you like some tea?"
"No." Hank took her left hand and lifted it to his lips, and then his darkened eyes met hers. "Marry me, Elizabeth."
"What?" Her raised voice echoed in the small room.
Hank's lips curved at her reaction. "I'm in love with you Elizabeth Dawson, I can't deny it. Please marry me."
"Are you sure?" she asked, eyes misting.
"I don't have much to offer a woman like you, Elizabeth, but I offer you my home, my land, my son, my heart and myself. It's all I've got."
"Those are the greatest treasures I've ever known." Tears escaped down her face. "Yes. I will marry you, Hank Cole."
Hank smiled and she fell against him shaking with happiness and relief that she'd not lose him and Ashley.
He held her against him and kissed the top of her head. "Good then we'll get married as soon as possible so you can come and live with us."
Aunt Betty burst into the room. Elizabeth pushed away from Hank, her face heating. "We didn't hear you, Aunt Betty." She looked to Hank who winked at her aunt. "Hank...Hank just asked me to marry him and I agreed."
"It's about time, I'm ready to move back home. I miss my house and my quilting guild. It took you two long enough," she said her sharp gaze taking them in.
Elizabeth's eyes widened at her aunt. "Did you plan this all along, Aunt Betty?"
The old woman didn't bother to look guilty. "Of course I did, not only are you two perfect for each other, but no simpering Virginia society man would accept you with all your blunt talk and bossy ways." The woman walked away chuckling.
With lifted brows, Hank watched her aunt's departing figure, still
muttering about what things that needed to be done for the wedding. "She's a clever woman, your aunt."
"Hank?"
"Yes?"
"Kiss me."
And he did, the sound of her aunt's chatter fading away until there was only him.
The End
Read the Shades of Blue Trilogy
If you enjoyed this novella, you will love the rest of the series which feature Elizabeth and Cole's sons, including a very grown up and handsome Ashley!
Shades of Blue Trilogy
A Different Shade of Blue (Book 1 Shades of Blue Trilogy) ~ When Nora Banks hides in a hayloft to find a moment of peace, she doesn't expect the man she's loved from afar for years to climb up and join her, or that both their fathers find them in such a compromising situation.
The last thing Grayson Cole wants is to be attached to the only woman that's affected him since his late wife. Now that everyone expects him to marry her, can he risk that kind of pain again?
Neither Nora nor Grayson plan to go through with the forced marriage, not when their pasts are obstacles too great to overcome. But when the tides turn and those that demanded the wedding now try pull them apart, they decide to fight it.
The Darkest Blue (Book 2 Shades of Blue Trilogy) ~ Ashley Cole's life changed the day he failed to save a friend's life. When his cavalry captain comes to town bringing secrets from his past, he is forced to face his demons.
Not just her father, the town sheriff, but every instinct warns Aubrey Dawson to stay away from the darkest of the Cole brothers. But fate has other plans. Each time they come together a bond strengthens between them.
Unfortunately, the secrets that forge the connection between Ashley and Aubrey can also ruin any chance of happiness.
Every Blue Moon (Book 3 Shades of Blue Trilogy) ~ When Olivia Dougherty is trapped with a badly injured Bronson, she doesn't expect to fall in love with the quiet man who fights her every step of the way.
Bronson Cole knows better than to allow the beautiful physician near his heart, especially since she's set to marry another.
When they are imprisoned in a cabin during a heavy snowstorm, the strength of resolve melts faster than the snow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hildie McQueen is my pseudonym. Writing is my dream come true. There is nothing I love more than bringing my characters and stories to life and sharing them with you. I live in a small town in Georgia with my husband and two unruly Chihuahuas.
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If you enjoyed Every Blue Moon please recommend it to you friends and family. I would appreciate a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
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Big Sky Blue Page 10