Scarlett

by Kathleen Ball

“I have two options for you today. You can either come to the smithy with me or I could find someone to come up here.”

  She didn’t have to think about it. “I’ll come with you. I hope it’s not a repeat of yesterday.” She frowned as she put the cup down on the bedside table.

  Dillon sat on the edge of the bed. “I promise to be nice to you. I know I ignored you yesterday and I was wrong. I’d really like it if you came to work with me.” He gave her a heart stopping grin.

  “I’ll need help dressing.” Warmth filled her whole body.

  “I’d be happy to help.” He gave her a wink.

  “No winking, no enjoying, got it?”

  He laughed hard. “I can promise no winking but as for the no enjoying, I think that will be impossible.”

  She crossed her arms in front of her. “Oh, bother. I fixed the blue dress over there on the chair. I could wear that.”

  He went and picked it up. “Wow you must be good with a needle.”

  “Thank you. Yes, that and I have an eye for style. I’ve made lots of clothes for people. My pride got in my way once, and the preacher made me go and make dresses for my sister-in-law. She’s nice and all, but she’d spent most of her life dressing like a boy. It was a challenge.” It was nice to talk to him about her life. Maybe, just maybe, they could find common ground.

  The whole time Dillon helped her to dress, she thought she’d die from embarrassment. He pretended he didn’t see anything, but there was no help for it. At least he was a real gentleman. Things were so different between them. They laughed and joked, and she found she liked him as a person. He was the first real friend she’d ever had.

  When they were ready to leave, Dillon went outside to hitch up the wagon. She clasped and unclasped her hands as her nerves began to fray. Yesterday had been bad, but it wasn’t just because Dillon wasn’t happy with her. Many people had contributed with their stares and whispers. Did she even have enough energy to hold her head up?

  Dillon walked in, swung her up into his powerful arms, and held her close. She could feel the strength and hardness of his chest muscles. Somehow, he made her feel so very safe and liked. She stared up at his face trying to read him.

  “What?”

  “No one ever liked me before. I’m just having a hard time believing someone like you would want me around.”

  He set her up onto the wagon bench and frowned. “I will just have to prove to you that you are indeed likable. As long as you and I get along, I really don’t care what anyone else has to say. There’s just a shortage of eligible men around here is all.”

  “They all seem to think you’re still eligible.” Her mood plummeted.

  He was silent as he drove until he pulled the lines to stop the horses and set the brake. Then he turned in his seat to face her. He kissed her on the mouth, and it wasn’t just a quick kiss either. He whistled when he jumped down off the wagon and came around her side to get her.

  “It’ll be just fine.” He held her close again as he carried her into the smithy. Homer’s list looked exceedingly long. “It looks like it’ll be a long day,” he whispered to her.

  He sat her down on the sofa and then picked her back up again. “Homer and Lou, could you two move the couch closer to where the others sit? I don’t want my wife sitting by herself.”

  Her face grew hot, but she couldn’t deny that the extra time in Dillon’s arms was welcome. It made her feel good inside that he didn’t want her sitting in the corner all alone. How it would work out, she didn’t know.

  After the sofa was moved, he set her down and fluffed the pillow behind her back. He arranged the blanket and handed her Ivanhoe. He only seemed to have eyes for her.

  “Ahem!” Melly folded her arms in front of her and tapped her foot.

  Dillon took his time turning around. “Was there something you needed? I’m going to be busy most of the day.”

  Melly smiled at Dillon and then she glared at Scarlett. “I made some cookies, and I wanted to know if I should bring some by.”

  Dillon shrugged. “I like cookies. Scarlett, are you partial to cookies?”

  Scarlett’s lips twitched. “It really depends on what kind they are.”

  “What kind are they, Melly? Sugar? Ginger snaps? Oatmeal?” Dillon asked.

  Melly’s jaw dropped for a moment. “You shouldn’t ask. The polite thing to do is say ‘yes, thank you, I’d love some cookies.’”

  Dillon nodded. “Bring them and someone will want them. Thank you.”

  Melly looked as though she was gritting her teeth. She gave Scarlett another glare before she turned and left the shop.

  Dillon winked at Scarlett and then asked to see the list Homer had put together. “We might as well start.”

  As nervous as she was, Scarlett expected to make a fool of herself or embarrass Dillon, but when the other men saw how attentive Dillon was to her, they fell in line. They included her in the conversation and seemed to value her opinion.

  It was so different from having people crowd around her because they thought her the most fashionable or the prettiest. Her insides warmed, and she felt well regarded. People shuffled in and out all morning. It was a wonder that Dillon got as much work done as he did.

  When she spotted Lolly crossing the street toward them, she wanted to groan. Dillon thought her to be a nice woman, but she had quite a glare. She might be outwardly sweet to him but she had an agenda.

  Lolly smiled at Dillon but as soon as she saw Scarlett her smile disappeared. Scarlett kept a smile on her face. She didn’t need to sink to Lolly’s level.

  Dillon took the basket from Lolly and thanked her. He didn’t chat with her as he usually did. Instead, he put the basket on the shelf and fixed plates for both him and Scarlett.

  She tried to make more room for him as he sat on the edge of the couch, but he handed her a plate and then put her legs on his lap. All eyes were on them, but she didn’t care. Dillon gave a warm smile.

  “Might as well eat while it’s hot,” Dillon said.

  Lolly stood there, her face filled with outrage. After a last, long glare, she turned and left.

  “I think you just lost an admirer.” Scarlett said.

  “She’ll come around. She’s known that I wasn’t interested in a relationship with her.”

  Scarlett tilted her head. “Why?”

  “Let’s just say her husband was one of my best friends, and I know things I refuse to gossip about.”

  “I can respect that.” She took another bite of meat pie. “She sure is a good cook.”

  “Ain’t that the truth!” Lou said with his mouth full.

  Scarlett pretended she didn’t notice his lack of manners.

  “Do you think Miss Melly will be bringing those cookies by soon?” he asked.

  Homer laughed. “Don’t be dense. She only wanted Dillon to have the cookies. She has no boundaries. She never has. She’s still trying to win his favor.” He shook his head.

  Lou frowned. “Cookies would have been nice is all.”

  Dillon exchanged amused glances with her. “I guess we should get back to it.” He waited until the other two men had moved away from them. “Do you need to use the privy?”

  Her face warmed. “Not right yet, but thank you for asking.”

  Dillon put their plates back into the basket and set it on a shelf near the front. He walked back to Scarlett, fluffed her pillow again, and covered her with the blanket. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheek, before he returned to his work.

  A warm glow filled her for the rest of the day. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. He was so strong and enticing. No man had ever had her attention the way Dillon did. They could be friends she decided but as far as anything else, she had to draw the line. He could kiss her and hold her but just as she already told him she’d rather not.

  He’d adjust his expectations, she was sure of it. She’d learn to be a good friend and that should make him content. As soon as her ankle was healed, she’d cook and take ca
re of the house. Not because he expected it, but because she wanted to.

  His smiles were interfering with her reading. She almost laughed at her thoughts, but then Angel walked in and sidled up to Dillon.

  “Will you be by again tonight, lover?” she purred. She put her hand on his chest as she batted her eyelashes at him.

  Dillon showed no emotion. He just removed Angel’s hand from his chest. “I have work to do.”

  “After work. Shall I expect you?” She glanced at Scarlett. “How about the usual time?”

  Dillon laughed. “Honestly, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing at, but I plan to go home with my wife. You remember my wife, don’t you?”

  “You didn’t seem to mind—”

  “Angel, give it up. I have never talked to you alone, and we most certainly did not… I take my marriage vows seriously, and I’m sorry as can be that I didn’t make that clearer to you. I’ve done nothing to be ashamed of. I suppose my mistake was in allowing you to come and go as you pleased. Unless you have need of a blacksmith, I’d like it if you stayed away.”

  Angel’s eyes grew wide. Then she turned to Scarlett. “This is your fault. You didn’t want him and I did. What’s so wrong with that?”

  Dillon stood between Angel and Scarlett. “Please leave, Angel.”

  “Fine!” She whirled around and hurried away but not before she looked at Scarlett with vengeance in her eyes.

  Scarlett was shocked. Dillon had gone way above what she expected. Happiness filled her. She finally had a friend. She watched him work. He was so very confident. His arms around her wouldn’t be unwelcome. Perhaps when they got home.

  As her face grew warmer thinking about Dillon, she pretended to read. She never was one to school her emotions. It got worse as the day went along. Each time she glanced up, he was staring at her. Did everyone else notice? Looking around, she realized they did and the men elbowed each other, smiling at her.

  Fred Younger came in and announced that they found what had caused Matilda’s rash. “Apparently, she was using poison ivy leaves in the privy. I guess no one told her those leaves weren’t to be used.”

  “I’m just glad she’s all right,” Scarlett remarked without looking up from her book.

  “Um, yes ma’am. I’m mighty glad too.”

  She wanted to meet this Matilda who was so popular with the men. It must be a horrid way to make a living, but sometimes a woman was left with few choices in life. She paused in the middle of turning a page. When had she started feeling bad for people less fortunate than her? She mulled it over. Dillon must have changed her in more ways than she’d thought.

  Dillon still hadn’t checked everything off his list, but he took off his leather apron and hung it on a peg. “Gentlemen, I’m taking my beautiful wife home. I don’t want her overtired. Homer and Lou can handle things here for a bit.”

  Dillon took the blanket off of her. “Ready?”

  She nodded as her skin tingled. She’d be in his arms again. There was no better place to be. “Yes, let’s go home.”

  He lifted her into his arms and tucked her head under his chin. Then he boosted her onto the wagon bench. He got on and turned toward her. “Did you mean it when you called the house home?”

  Shyly, she nodded.

  Dillon framed her face with his calloused hands and then swooped down for a kiss. It started out as a gentle kiss of thanks, but it turned into something she didn’t quite understand. The more he kissed her, the more she wanted to kiss him back. Her body felt as though it was on fire and though it was worrisome, she didn’t pull away. After a while, she came up for air.

  She was oddly breathless, and she wanted him to kiss her again, but when she glanced at him, he looked strange.

  “Did I do something wrong?” She worried her bottom lip waiting for his answer.

  Dillon caressed her cheek. “No, quite the opposite. I’ve never felt this way from a kiss before, and I like it.” He unwrapped the reins from the brake, and they set out.

  She placed both palms on her heated cheeks. “What did that mean?”

  He chuckled. “I find your innocence enchanting. It’s a good thing. I promise.”

  Nodding, she sat back. She wasn’t sure if it was a good thing. He made her feel desire, and she wasn’t ready for such a step. The kissing was very nice though.

  * * *

  Dillon stared down at his sleeping wife. It had been four weeks since he’d moved the sofa closer to the visitors in the smithy. At first, he’d thought they’d just clear out and meet elsewhere but they hadn’t. In fact, they all became fast friends with Scarlett. She was good at bantering with them. He could see an appreciation for her in their eyes.

  She was a fun woman who had a sense of humor. It had almost been like meeting a completely different person. They touched each other whenever possible, and at first, he’d gotten some comments from his friends about them being newlyweds. In the evening, they sat on the front porch swing and talked about their day.

  At night, he helped her undress and slip into her nightgown. It was growing harder to be patient. They slept in the same bed. She used his chest as a pillow, and he held her through the night. Then he’d help her dress the next day.

  He prayed many times for the strength to wait for his wedding night, but it was getting to him. The frustration he’d been keeping inside was getting ready to blow. Soon, he hoped for soon. He’d have to talk to her about it. Her ankle was healed up and today was going to be her first day staying home. It would be lonely without her at the smithy.

  Her eyes opened and she immediately smiled. “Good morning.”

  He leaned over and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and when he would have pulled away, she held on to him.

  “Scarlett, a man can only take so much before he feels the need to be intimate with his wife.”

  “I’m ready. I’ve been waiting, but you’ve been so sweet.” Her gaze met his and held.

  “I didn’t want to push you.”

  “I want us to be a properly wedded couple. Maybe a child will be the result.”

  Her face was aglow, and he couldn’t wait any longer. He groaned and took her mouth, kissing her deeper. “As long as you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Dillon ended up being late for work that day, but he whistled as he worked.

  Chapter Ten

  Scarlett exercised her leg and ankle every chance she got. She finally went up to the second floor of the house and found a massive room with a huge bed, decorated for a king. Dillon must have intended for this to be their room. She frowned. If they slept in such a big bed would they lose the intimacy they had now in the small bed?

  There were five other bedrooms, all unfurnished. She blushed. Dillon wanted to fill these rooms with children. Hopefully soon, but it was all in God’s time.

  The sound of the wagon caught her attention and she hurried to the front window in their bedroom. It was Dillon. Was something wrong? She took care going back down the stairs.

  The door opened and Dillon smiled at her.

  “How would my best girl like to go see a few waterfalls?”

  “Really? I’d love to. What about work?”

  He shrugged. “The list was unusually short today. Homer and Lou can handle it.” He had his hands behind his back, and when he brought them in front of him, he had a pair of women’s boots in his hands.

  “Oh! Thank you!” She took the boots and hurried to a chair. She sat and shucked her shoes and then put on the new boots. “Perfect fit! Why are you smiling like that?”

  “I guess I feel blessed to have found a wife that gets so excited to get boots for a gift.”

  “I agree, lucky you are! Let’s go!”

  They walked outside to the wagon, and Dillon helped her up. She missed him carrying her, but being healed was better. She smiled as they drove down the hill and straight through town. He turned and passed the first couple of falls, and he stopped at one that looked t
o be so tall it was as if the water was pouring from the sky.

  “It’s beautiful. Listen to the roar of the water. I swear I see colors of blue, green, and white in it.” She hurried down from the wagon and got a bit closer. “Look! One falls goes into another. Double falls, how exciting.”

  “It’s a bit narrower than the other falls. I like it because it seems calmer that the rest.”

  She nodded. “It’s a bit romantic surrounded by the trees. Can we hike down to the bottom?”

  “Not this time. When your ankle is much stronger we will. In fact we’ll make it our mission to see all ten falls. This one is the tallest; at least it looks that way.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close. “Not many people come to this one. Maybe we could stand under the falls next time.”

  “And get wet? You can. I’ll watch.”

  He laughed. “I wasn’t planning on wearing clothes, love.”

  Her eyes opened wide as her mouth formed an O.

  “Before you get embarrassed, just think how romantic it could be. Just you and me and nature.” He grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so red before.”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “As long as the answer is yes.”

  She laughed and turned to face him. She put her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a searing kiss. He seemed surprised at first, but soon enough he was deepening the kiss and rubbing her back.

  “What? Aren’t I allowed to initiate the kiss?”

  His grin was sexy as he gazed at her. “Love, you can kiss me anytime.”

  Her face burned. She was a married woman but she couldn’t help the fact that she seemed to be constantly blushing. She leaned her forehead against his chest hoping her face would return to its normal color.

  “I like that you blush. I find it endearing.” He kissed the top of her head. “We should probably get back since we have a big day tomorrow.”

  She lifted her head and stared into his eyes. “What’s going on tomorrow?”

  “Terry invited us over for lunch with his daughter Patty. He wants to get to know you better.”