Matthias bent his head and touched his lips to hers. It was meant to be a chaste kiss. Abby’s body exploded with fierce desire. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He banded his arm around her waist and pulled her against his body. The kiss deepened and she was aware of the hoots and hollers of the crowd. Dear Lord, she was making a spectacle of herself. And she didn’t care.
Matthias broke the kiss, glancing toward the crowd as if he were willing them to vanish. “Later, Mrs. Barrington. Later.”
His rich husky voice was full of promise and Abby ached for what was to come.
The townspeople wouldn’t let them slip away. Weddings were too rare out here and the crowd intended to squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of it. The men toasted the couple. The women all had bits of advice for Abby.
Through it all, Abby waited with growing impatience for the time she and her husband could be alone. Her husband. She smiled each time she thought about the two words.
She looked up several times and found Matthias staring at her. The intensity of his gaze left her breathless and made her all the more impatient for the day to end.
Toward the end of the day, Abby slipped away to steal a quiet moment by a stand of cottonwoods near the creek. She knelt down and dabbed her handkerchief into the cool waters. Wringing it out, she pressed the cloth to her face as she heard people approach. Hating to give up her precious moments of privacy, she stayed hidden behind the cottonwoods, believing they’d soon leave.
“They look like a happy couple,” the woman said.
The man grunted. “She’s breathing. That’s all he cares about right now.”
“I’d say they are a love match,” answered the woman.
“Love.” Genuine laugher bubbled in the man’s chest. “Doreen, Barrington’s a smart man. He ain’t got no choice but to marry if he’s going to keep his ranch. A wife is as essential to a man out here as a plow.”
The woman snorted. “Well, Hyrum Winters, when you climb into bed tonight and are feeling lonely, don’t be asking me for comfort. Drag your hide out to the barn and nestle up to that fancy new plow of yours.” She flounced off.
“Now, Doreen…” Hyrum said, following her back to the party.
Abby’s gut clenched as the rancher’s stark words tumbled in her head. She rose slowly, tucking her damp handkerchief back into her cuff. Mr. Barrington…Matthias had married her because he cared about her and not out of economic necessity. Forcing herself not to dwell on the doubts that stalked her, she returned to the picnic.
Much later, when they’d accepted more advice than they’d ever need and tucked the boys into the wagon, they stood side by side under the night sky staring at the thousands of stars. They were so close, yet not touching.
Lord, how she loved this man.
She took his hand in hers. His fingers felt warm, so strong. He dropped his gaze to hers. His eyes gave no hint of his emotions.
“I promised myself that I would not do something but I have,” she said.
He rubbed his thumb against her palm, but still he said nothing. Finally, he asked, “What’s that?”
She pursed her lips. She had never been so afraid in her entire life. “I have fallen in love with you.”
He brushed his knuckle against her soft cheek. “You are a fine woman, Abby Barrington. And I will do right by you.”
Disappointment sliced through her. She’d wanted him to tell her that he loved her. She wanted him to banish the worries she’d harbored since the first. But Matthias wasn’t the kind of man who made false promises.
She drew in a deep breath. “I know you can never love again. And truthfully, I have made peace with that.”
He cupped her face in his rough hands. “Abby.”
Her mind was rambling. “And it’s not like we don’t have love in our marriage. I do love you and well, you have a certain respect for me. So I think it’s quite possible that our marriage will be successful.”
He tipped her chin up to face him. He stroked the underside of her jaw. “I think we’ll have a fine marriage.” He leaned forward and kissed her on her lips. He tasted of salt and a hint of whiskey.
She ran her tongue over her lips. Lord but she loved touching him. She nestled close to him, wrapping her arms around him. Being in his arms felt so natural, as if they’d been together a lifetime.
He tightened his hold around her and she could feel his arousal pressing against her. “I promised myself the last time I touched you that I’d never do it again. No matter how tempted I was. I didn’t want to take, when I couldn’t give back.”
She laid her cheek against his chest. His heart beat fast. “We are wed now.”