Page 65 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
She studied the structure. “Apart from the missing door, it looks like a nice tiny home.”
“I’ll build a door and bring it up.”
“Are you planning to spend time here?”
He admitted to himself his growing feelings for her had made him think how nice it would be to spend time together here. He pictured them as husband and wife. He could make the bed wide enough for two, adding a few homey touches—perhaps a picture she’d drawn, a colorful quilt for the bed…
He groaned. He would not go further down that dangerous trail.
* * *
Olivia wonderedat Riley’s grunt. Had he overworked his muscles fashioning a roof for this shelter? Perhaps she should have offered to help rather than spend the time drawing him at work. But it had been such a beautiful picture—the rustic little cabin, barely big enough for a bed, the look of satisfaction on Riley’s face. If Riley hadn’t suggested hanging the picture in their house, she would have put it in her room. Perhaps not in view where anyone who saw it would come to their own conclusions. But safe in her portfolio where she could look at it when she wanted and remember this sweet day. And the kiss he’d given her. She touched a fingertip to her mouth, feeling him still—not only in her lips but in each nerve ending, in the tingle of her skin, in every beat of her heart. She’d done her best to guard herself against falling in love, but it had been in vain.
She ached to hold him again, but she had to settle for crossing her arms and hugging herself.
They sat side by side, lingering over their food and making small talk. They ended up speaking about how they would improve the shelter. They’d adorn the walls with pictures, cover the bed with a bright quilt, and add a small table and little stools in case the visitors to the place wanted to eat indoors.
Shadows lengthened before Riley said they must leave. “I don’t want to be finding our way over the rocks in the dark.”
She held back the response that sprang to her mind that if they were married, they could spend the night. Instead, she clung to his hand as they made their way back to the wagon and began the journey homeward.
He drew to a halt before they reached the buildings. “Let’s watch the sunset.” He pulled her close.
The sun was brilliant with oranges, pinks, and purples but she enjoyed his arm around her more than the colorful sky and would have remained there until dark, but Riley sighed and with a flick of the reins, they continued onward. He helped her down at their house and drove away to take the horse and wagon to the barn.
Olivia went inside and leaned against the door. Her mind raced with memories, wishes, and dreams…she couldn’t even explain what her thoughts were. A kiss, a drawing, a little cabin…they all intertwined into one happy event. One she would always cherish.
If he felt the same way, would he be prepared to ask her to marry him?
He seemed to be taking longer to return than she expected. She tried to imagine what caused his delay. Chores to do if his brothers hadn’t done them. An injured animal. Or worse. Her heart jerked against her ribs. Someone hurt?
She went from window to window hoping to calm her concerns, but it had grown too dark to make out anything but the shape of Andy’s house where a light glowed from the window. No one hurried to the house or from it which she took to be a good sign.
Her insides grew increasingly taut with worry. She was about to go in search of answers when Riley strode into the house.
She hurried over to him. “Is everything all right?”
He nodded but didn’t meet her eyes. “Far as I know. Why?”
“You were gone a long time.”
His gaze came to her. She watched emotions chase across his face. Distance followed by tenderness—or so she let herself believe—and then he closed off anything more. “The horses in the pasture were restless and I went to see what was bothering them.”
“What did you find?”
“Nothing. Maybe a coyote had wandered too close. Who knows?” He shrugged. “I talked to them until they settled.” He looked past her to the kitchen. “I thought you’d have gone to bed.”
She withdrew a step and pulled her emotions into a knot. He sounded like he hoped she’d have retired. “I’m on my way.” She crossed to her room and closed the door firmly behind her.
What had happened to change Riley from the warm, enticing man of earlier in the day to this cold human being?
She reviewed everything she could remember. She’d sensed his withdrawal the first time while they sat outside the little cabin by the falls, discussing how to make it more hospitable. She’d sensed it again as they watched the sunset. He’d had his arm around her and suddenly removed it. Was it only because they needed to get back?
But now they were back, and she still felt a distance between them.
Slowly a smile creased her face. Was he beginning to see that she fit into his life and that frightened him? She chuckled softly hoping the sound didn’t carry out of the room as she thought of what Sylvia had said about a man falling in love with a mutual friend. He’d been a stubborn bachelor for years but when he saw Amelia, he became a gentle pet. Sylvia had said, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”
Olivia nodded, certain that Riley would soon be asking her to stay. She’d admit she loved him. Would he return the feelings or continue to deny them out of fear that she would be like Nina?
