Her smile wavered, but she planted it firmly back on her face before turning her attention to her meal. Wade had barely exchanged any words with her all day, she was beginning to think the night had not been nearly as special for him as it was for her.
“What do you mean? Are you and Elizabeth not planning on taking residence here?”
“Heavens no,” he laughed and shot Wade a look, before returning her attention. “Newlyweds such as yourselves need your privacy.”
Anna blushed and quickly dropped her chin against her chest.
“Besides, I have already decided to purchase the McMillan house at the west end of town. The restaurant and inn might be suitable for a widow such as Elizabeth, but are not proper living quarters for a family.”
“I see,” she stated, knowing which home he referred to. It was the biggest house in Lantern. The McMillan’s had been the wealthiest family in Lantern, up until Anna learned of Wade’s family history. Admittedly, Anna was going to miss Prescott. Though she dearly loved the times she had alone with Wade, Prescott brought an element to the relationship the trio shared.
The men retired to the great room where they had drinks and smoked cigars in lieu of Prescott’s announcement. Anna watched Wade closely when she knew he wouldn’t notice and thought she detected a slight look of sadness in his eyes when Prescott spoke of leaving. After all, they had lived together for so many years, it was no wonder he would miss his brother’s company.
It was getting late and since Anna felt sure her presence was not warranted, she stood up and excused herself to bed. She felt Wade’s eyes on her as she went into the kitchen. All day she had worried where their relationship would go from this point forward. Wade’s silence had told her all she needed to know.
She went into the cook’s room and took off her dress, slipped her nightgown on and then crawled into bed. After dousing the light she stared into the darkness and immediately saw images of Wade and herself making love in his bed. She squeezed her lids tight and tried unsuccessfully to erase them.
Tossing and turning for a long time after, she eventually gave up and lay flat on her back staring up at the ceiling. Somewhere up there, Wade was sleeping in the bed they had shared the night before.
She was startled out of her daydreams when the door to her room suddenly swung open. “Anna? What are you doing?”
Staring up at Wade, she pulled herself into a sitting position. “What do you mean?”
“I mean what are you doing back in the cook’s room?” He sounded annoyed.
Anna blinked and tried to make sense of his question. “Where else am I to sleep?”
He cursed and reached for her legs, throwing them over the side of her bed. “In my bed.”
Anna’s heart began beating fast. “You didn’t ask me.”
Wade paused, frowning down hard at her. “I didn’t think I had to. Besides, you’re my wife. You’re supposed to be in my bed.”
“I didn’t know if you still wanted me, after last night.” She told him in a whisper, her voice slightly cracking. It had been so wonderful for Anna, but for Wade she had almost forgotten it was nothing new to him.
He went still, simply stood there and stared down at Anna. She kept her gaze fixed to the floor. Then she heard him release a heavy sigh and move toward her. Dropping down on the floor in front of her he reached out and took her hands in his. “It shocks me to hear you even ask that, because of last night.”
She looked up, hope slowly rising.
“Hell, it’s probably my own damn fault.” He ran a weary hand through his hair before something caught his attention on her leg. Reaching out he touched her knee. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day.”
Startled, she watched as he bent down and placed a kiss on the scratch she received when she fell over the water trough. Warmth shot straight to her heart. She blinked and tried to act composed.
“And this,” he whispered and reached up to brush the strand of hair away from her forehead. Gently he pressed a kiss against the bruise she received when she had walked into the door.
“And this.” He paused, before closing the distance between them once more and covered her mouth with his own. Anna’s heart by that point, was radiating so brightly, she was certain he could read her feelings in her eyes but didn’t even attempt to douse it.
Breaking the kiss, he pulled slightly away from her to look deep into her eyes. “I told you once you were meant to come into my life. Without you, I would never had come alive. You’ve made me feel where I thought impossible.”
His face was cast in a shadow from the darkness of the room so Anna had a hard time seeing his expression. He seemed to sense her disbelief for he reached up and stroked the side of her face.
“You rescued me,” he whispered, then paused as if collecting the strength for his next words. “I’m not the most affectionate man and finding the words to tell you how I feel is probably the hardest thing I ever had to do.”
Her heart pounded hard against her chest and automatically she reached up to cover it. Turning so as the light from the kitchen cast its glow across his face, Wade seized her hand and brought it to his mouth then looked up to stare into Anna’s eyes. Something in their depths caught her breath. There was a warmth and tenderness she had never seen before.
Tears sprung to her eyes and Anna didn’t even attempt to stop them. She did not need to hear the words to know how he felt. They were clearly spoken in his eyes. Going to him she wrapped her arms about his neck, holding him close. He held her for a long time before pulling her away and tenderly wiping at a tear.
“The first time I saw you cry was at the river. I thought they were for me until I realized it was your memories haunting you once more.”
Anna felt her heart ache from the raw emotion she felt deep inside. “They were for the people I loved and lost. When I saw you standing on the river bank, I thought your spirit rose from the falls. I thought they had taken the only reason I had to live.”
His smile was gentle as he touched her face and softly spoke her name. Then in such hushed tones she nearly didn’t hear it, he whispered, “I love you, Anna.”
The joy in her heart became overflowing and came gushing out of her eyes. Anna went to him and squeezed him hard, kissing whatever body part that was closest to her mouth. She heard him chuckle and felt its vibrations tickle her body before he swung her up into his arms. “I want to hear it, Mrs. Haddock.”
Instinctively, her arms went around his neck. “Hear what?”
“I said it, hard as it was for me, though will probably be making a future habit of it. Now it is your turn.” He headed for the back staircase. “Tell me how you feel about me.”
“I did.” She felt suddenly shy and snuggled against his neck.
“Hah!” He sounded insulted. “Not nearly good enough. You’ve got to spit the words out girl.”
“You know how I feel.” Anna whispered against his ear.
“Almost, but not quite right.” He grinned. “Tell me woman.”
Anna felt her heart pound heavily. Reaching up she laid a hand against the side of his head and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I care very much for you.”
“Getting closer.”
Laying in his arms she looked into his face and saw once again the emotions clearly written in his eyes. Wade had once told her that if she took the time to stop and look she could read so much from a person’s eyes. Anna reached up to cup his face lovingly in her hands before bringing her mouth only inches to his.
“I love you Wade.” She kissed him in what she hoped was a passionate kiss. She must have succeeded for he stopped walking halfway up the stairs and pulled Anna’s body hard against his as the kiss intensified.
It was several moments later when he drew them apart and allowed her body to slide back down to the ground. Standing on one step higher than him, she was much closer to him in height than usual. Wade raised a tender hand and stroked the side of her face, one finger having come around to exp
lore her lips.
Then looking into her upturned face with love shining from his eyes, he whispered in a husky voice, “Much better.”
About the Author
Peggy Ann Craig is a writer of historical romances. She loves old fashion romances mingled with a touch of mystery. When she is not in front of her keyboard, she can be found behind her camera or hanging out with her barnyard critters. To learn more about her, please visit her website at http://www.peggyanncraig.com.
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Other books by this author
Please visit your favorite ebook retailer to discover other books by Peggy Ann Craig:
The Color of Ivy
The Princess and the Ox
On the Mountain Page 35