Page 17 of The Bride's Desire

The rest of the day, one question after another raced through her mind as she cleaned. She got the chicken ready for baking, but it took effort and thinking about anything besides what her hands were doing.

She heard the back door open and then close before turning to see Joe walk in.

“Dinner is about ready,” she said.

“Okay, I’ll clean up and be down.”

She had just finished the potatoes when he sat down.

“Here,” she said and leaned over his shoulder to place it on the table.

He jerked away from her so violently the bowl slipped out of her hand. Fortunately, Joe was able to catch it before it crashed.

She took a few steps back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you. I know you don’t like it.”

He turned toward her. “What does that mean?”

“It’s just you don’t seem to like it when anyone touches you.”

He wiped his hand down. “No, not everyone.”

The pain spread through her and made it hard for her to breathe. “You mean it’s just me you don’t like touching you?”

He turned away. “Can we talk about something else?”

She studied the back of his head. “Why don’t you go ahead and eat? Just leave everything on the table, and I’ll clean up later.”

He grabbed onto her arm as she passed. “Why aren’t you eating with me?”

She wanted to laugh but knew it would come out pathetic. “I lost my appetite.”

Joe released her. “I’m sorry if it’s something I said or did.”

She shook her head. “You can’t help the way you feel. I just feel bad that I make you uncomfortable.”

“I don’t think you realize why?”

“It doesn’t matter.” She turned to go.

“It does matter. We’ll talk about this later,” he said.

She nodded just to get away from him before she broke down.

She made it up to her bathroom, closed the door, grabbed a towel to press her face into, and slid to the floor. Waves of tears and agony went through her.

She had her answer. There was no way she’d tie him to her because of the baby. He’d end up hating her because he would feel he couldn’t find a woman he found attractive. But she didn’t have to stay on the ranch.

Where would she go? She didn’t want to take the baby from him, so she’d have to find a place in the area. She had plenty of money, so she never had to work and could buy whatever house she wanted.

Naomi tried not to think about how she’d feel to have another woman mother the child, but that’s what Joe’s wife would do. She pressed the back of her head against the wall and breathed. She needed to stop thinking that far ahead. The next few days were going to be hard on her, so she had to just get through them.

It was late when she finally made her way down to the kitchen to clean it up. She wanted to make sure he was asleep. Naomi saw that Joe had set all the dishes on the counter for her.

The thought of food made her nauseous, so she didn’t even try to eat anything.

“Hey,” Joe said behind her.

She jumped and steadied herself against the counter. She knew she must look horrible, so she tried to act busy so she didn’t have to face him.

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