Page 69 of The Formation of Us
o0o
Duke stood in the warm July night, staring in stunned appreciation. He’d known the hue of the dress would complement Faith’s whiskey-colored eyes and dark hair, and had imagined how beautiful she would look in it, but he hadn’t come close to the vision standing before him.
“It’s a perfect fit,” she said, stepping outside to show off the garment. She turned one full circle, then faced him, her skin glowing, her eyes shining. “I’ve never owned such a beautiful thing. Thank you, Duke.”
“It was made for you,” he said, truthfully. He’d paid a local seamstress a handsome fee to make the dress in five days. The woman had suggested green or yellow silk for the gown. He knew very little about female wardrobe, but he knew what he liked about Faith, and he was glad he’d chosen the brown silk.
Faith poked her shoe from beneath the hem of her dress. “How did you know my shoe size?”
“I measured the print you left in the sawdust at my mill.”
A slow, appreciative smile broke across her face. “How clever you are. No wonder you make such a good sheriff.”
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her lips. They were lush and shiny, as if she’d just moistened them with her tongue, and all he could think about was tasting her sweet mouth.
The evening was warm with a light breeze, and he’d been comfortable in his suit until now, until Faith’s sparkling eyes and inviting smile made him burn to make love to her. He tugged his collar away from his hot neck, and lifted the cloth sack in his hand. “I brought licorice sticks for Adam and Cora since I’m stealing you away for the evening.”
Her smile softened, making her more beautiful, more desirable. “For a man who carries a gun, you sure have a kind heart.”
The tender look she gave him shook his willpower. He touched his thumb to her bottom lip, so tempted. Her lips parted and her chin lifted, her willingness giving him deep pleasure, but he forced himself to step inside before he shocked her neighbors who were strolling by.
The licorice sticks thrilled Cora and commanded her attention, allowing him to quickly return to Faith. She held his arm as they started for the party, but he sensed she was nervous. “You’ll know some of the guests,” he said. “My brothers and sisters-in-law will be there.”
“It’ll be lovely to see them and your mother again,” she said, clinging to his arm.
“Mother is home with Rebecca watching all the grandchildren.” He wanted Faith’s closeness, but not her fear. “What are you nervous about?”
“I’m not nervous.” She huffed out a laugh. “Yes, I am. I’ve never been to a lawn party.”
“It’s the social event of the season for this village. The money profits the church society. It’s festive, but not as fancy or formal as a wedding.”
“I’ve never been to a wedding, either.”
Alarm bells went off in his head and he glanced at her, confused. “What about your own wedding?”
An odd, almost panicked expression crossed her face and she lowered her lashes. “Um . . . we married at home with just my family there. I meant I’d never been to anyone else’s wedding. My mother didn’t go to social events,” she admitted quietly. “I’m dreadfully inexperienced. I’ve read books on social etiquette, but if you think I’ll embarrass you, please take me back home.”
He squeezed her arm against his side, not knowing what to think of her odd life. All he knew was that he was damned proud to have her on his arm. “You’ll be the most beautiful woman there,” he said, knowing it was true. In his eyes, she would always be the most beautiful woman.
o0o
All Faith knew was she would be the most terrified woman at the lawn party. “I see someone bought the Colburn house,” she said, changing the subject and trying not to sound like her heart was breaking. She couldn’t afford the house, but she loved it, and as long as it remained empty, she could dream of owning it someday.
“I’m surprised it sat empty this long,” Duke replied. He stopped abruptly and faced her. “Faith, I talked to my brothers about having Adam work at the mill. If you’ll let him, he can work with me on Saturdays.”
Her stomach plummeted. She’d hoped the conversation would turn more personal, that he would ask if she cared for him, if she could love him, if she would marry him. He only wanted to talk about his business.
“I won’t let anything happen to him.”
Her first inclination was to say no, absolutely not, but Duke looked so pleased that she couldn’t refuse him outright. “It’s kind of you to offer, but I need him at the greenhouse—and he has a job at the store two days a week. That’s enough for a boy his age.”
“He would like working the mill—”
“No.” Her face burned for cutting him off, but the mill was too dangerous. They had too much peril in their lives already without adding that huge whirling blade to the mix. “I appreciate your kindness, but I need Adam at home.”
“All right. I understand.” Duke brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “Maybe when he gets a little older you won’t need his help in the greenhouse.”
She looked away from the disappointment in his eyes, feeling she’d failed both him and Adam. “I’m sorry.”
