Authors: Maya Stirling
Tags: #Romance, #historical 1800s
"Eva. Is it okay for me to come in?"
It was Aaron. Eva felt a panicked tumbling in her middle and she started back toward the bed. "Just a minute," she said.
Just as she was about to crawl back under the bedsheets she paused. No. She wouldn't do that. She wanted Aaron to see just how much she had improved these past two days. She'd take a stand on this one.
Glancing into the mirror she composed herself, fixing her hair and tying up the top button of her bedgown. Eva knew she didn't look her best. She even doubted that was she was doing was seemly or appropriate. But she knew that Aaron could be trusted. He'd shown that so many times in the way he'd tended to her every need with such care and attention. Satisfied that she looked vaguely acceptable but still struggling to control the tumbling sensations inside her, she called out to Aaron.
"Come in, Aaron," she said.
The door opened slowly. Aaron peered in from the hall. His eyes widened when he saw Eva standing by the side of the bed, dressed only in her nightgown. He immediately drew back and lowered his gaze. Eva smiled when she saw the change in the color of his face.
"Pardon me, Eva. I didn't realize you weren't decent yet," he said stepping back from the door.
Eva reached out a hand. "It's alright, Aaron. You can come in," she said.
Aaron's eyes lifted. They were fixed on Eva's face, locked in a determined gaze that refused to look at any part of Eva below the neck. It looked like he was having real trouble keeping his attention on her face.
"You sure you should be out of bed?" he asked.
Eva nodded. "I feel fine today," she responded. "I didn't mean to embarrass you, looking like this," she explained.
Aaron ran a hand across the back of his neck. "I'm not embarrassed at all, Eva. Although I don't know what a pair of friendly housekeepers might have to say about it," he said with a smile.
Aaron hesitated and looked back into the hallway. Eva presumed he must be checking to make sure Mrs. Lang wasn't around.
"There aren't many clothes that fit me in the wardrobe," she explained gesturing toward the open doors.
Aaron nodded. "It's funny you should mention that," he said with a knowing grin. "I took it upon myself to do a little bit of shopping."
Eva's face scrunched up into an expression of puzzled surprise. "You? Shopping?"
Aaron nodded. "I do know how to buy things, Eva," he said with a quirk of his brow.
"I'm sure you do," Eva admitted, still trying to figure him out.
Aaron bent over and for a moment all she could see was the length of his long legs and his hips. Eva turned quickly away, suddenly aware that the color of her face might betray her thoughts.
When Aaron twisted and stood upright again, Eva's hand went involuntarily to her neck, and she let out an uncontrollable gasp.
Aaron stepped into the room holding a pile of boxes in his arms. There were so many of them that his head had disappeared behind them. He peeked around the side of the boxes and looked at Eva. A smile of satisfaction had spread over his features at seeing her reaction.
"Where do you want me to put these?" he asked.
"What are they?" she answered.
A mischievous dimple appeared at the corner of Aaron's mouth. "They're for you, of course," he stated.
"Me?" Eva said.
For a moment Aaron shifted, and it looked like the boxes were about to tumble. "Tell you what. I'll put them on the table next to the window," he said.
"I asked Mrs. Bell about your size and the kinds of things you like," he said placing the boxes on the table.
"Are you telling me you went to buy clothes for me?" she asked.
Aaron turned and let out a relieved sigh. "Sure I did. I figured you and Mrs. Lang might not share the same dress size," he explained. His eyes flicked up and down briefly. "I can see I was right," he said with a cheeky grin.
Eva placed a hand over her middle and felt that the room had suddenly become very small and very quiet.
Aaron gestured with an open hand toward the boxes. "Go on. Tell me what you think," he said. Aaron looked at Eva looking pleased and expectant.
Eva hesitated and glanced at Aaron. She could tell he was enjoying every moment. She could hardly believe he'd gone all the way into Great Falls to buy her clothes. By the size of the boxes she could tell they were probably substantial outfits. She recognized the labels on the outside of the boxes. He'd gone to the main outfitter in town, one that she'd used a few times herself over the past few years.
"Couldn't Mrs. Bell have just brought my things over from the ranch?" Eva asked.
Aaron shook his head. "She went over there yesterday. Said a lot of your things were smoke damaged. Even the things that can be salvaged need cleaning. I figure it was time you had some new outfits," he said.
"You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble," Eva said stepping over to the boxes.
Aaron looked down at Eva, but he didn't reach over and touch her. She figured he knew that her still being in her nightgown, that kind of action would definitely be off limits for now. But, now that she was so close to him, she could smell the freshness of the outdoors from him. It was the scent of the freedom that being outside afforded. One that she liked. Maybe, once she'd tried on the outfits, she could go outside with Aaron. Perhaps they could even talk. That thought prompted Eva to take the first box and lift off the lid.
Eva's lower lip dropped as she peered into the box. It was beautiful. A powder blue gown with delicate white ruffles was folded neatly inside the box. Eva lifted it up and, holding it by the shoulders, let it unfurl in front of her.
"Aaron!" she exclaimed. "It's lovely."
Eva held the gown against her body and glanced at Aaron. "You shouldn't have. This is so beautiful. It must have cost you too much," she said.
Aaron shook his head. "It looks real pretty on you, Eva. The color is just right," he answered avoiding the subject of money.
Eva held the gown tight against her and went to the mirror. She looked at herself and liked what she saw. The color of the dress made Eva look instantly healthier. She had to admit it was one of the prettiest gowns she'd ever held in her hands.
"I can't be wearing this around the ranch," she said, turning to Aaron.
He cocked his head. "Sometimes a lady needs more than boots and outdoor gown to be the head of a household," he said.
Eva's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Aaron rested himself back against the table. "Look, Eva. You and I have known each other for years. And I already know you are the prettiest woman in these parts," he said.
Eva's face flushed and she quickly turned back to gaze into the mirror.
"That goes without saying," Aaron continued. "But, for years I've been seeing you in outdoor gear. And that's fine. You're a woman that likes to get the job done. Nothing wrong with that. But, there have been times when I've wondered what you'd look like dressed as a proper lady."
Eva whirled. "What do you mean? A proper lady."
Aaron took a step toward Eva. His eyes narrowed and there was a sparkle in them that made Eva's gaze lock on them. "Just what I say," he continued. "A real, elegant, beautiful, strong minded woman," he said, his voice dropping to a slow, steady whisper. "The kind that any man in his right mind would be happy to have by his side."
Eva felt the breath slide out of her. Had he just said what she thought he had said?
Aaron was close now, and she could hear his soft breathing next to her. Eva didn't have a clue how she could respond to what Aaron had just said. The expression on his face was earnest and sincere. Eva felt the warmth of his body now that he was so close to her. But, still he hadn't even tried to touch her, reach out to her. His slight smile was warm and generous, his eyes filled with kindness. How could she resist this fine, gentle, strong man?
Eva held the gown tight and close to her. Her fingers felt slightly weakened and she grasped the edges of the outfit harder.
After a moment Aaron broke the silence between them. "That dress looks absolutely beautiful on you, Eva," he said quietly.
"Thank you," Eva said to him. She felt a sudden urge to reach up to him, shift away that loose lock of hair which had fallen over his forehead. But, she resisted the almost overwhelming impulse to do so.
Aaron took a step back and Eva felt something sink inside her. "I'll leave you to try the outfits on. They're not all evening wear. I got some outdoor things to. I hope you like them. Maybe, if you feel like it, we could go for a walk. Get you some fresh air," he said looking suddenly awkward.
Aaron started to make his way to the door. Eva hardened her resolve and reached out, placing a hand on his arm. Aaron stiffened and turned and Eva suddenly thought she'd made a mistake in reaching out to him. Perhaps he'd give her the answer she so badly needed. She only had to ask. Get rid of the uncertainty, the awful feeling of doubt that clutched at her.
But, when she saw the expression in Aaron's eyes, the questioning there, the hesitation, the obvious eagerness to be gone from the room now that he'd done his duty, Eva restrained the need to speak about those things.
"Thank you, Aaron. For the clothes. It was so kind of you," she said.
Eva saw Aaron swallow and it looked as if the mere act of doing so had cost him a great deal of effort. He nodded and gave her a wan, vaguely unsettling smile.
"It's an honor, Eva. It's the least you deserve," he said.
And, with that, Aaron turned and left the room. Eva felt her grasp loosen and the blue gown fell, making a heap on the floor. Looking over at the boxes she wondered if she would have the strength to go over to the table and open the boxes one by one and see just what Aaron had chosen for her. Lifting the blue dress up off the floor, she placed it on the bed and started toward the table determined to find an outfit suitable for stepping out of Aaron's ranch house, and walking out with the man who had just been so uncommonly kind to her.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Eva looked mighty fine, Aaron thought as he saw her emerge from the front door of the ranch house a half hour later. He felt a flutter of nervous excitement as he looked at her. She'd put on the plain dark green outfit he'd chosen for outdoor use. And she looked real pretty. So pretty, in fact, that Aaron had to take a deep breath and restrain the impulse to let out a loud satisfied whoop.
He felt like he'd been waiting all day, pacing back and forth on the porch. At one point he figured maybe he'd offended Eva by taking the things up to her room. Maybe she'd misunderstood his intentions in bringing her the clothes, even though it was clear that she needed them.
But, looking at her standing there, with that smile on her pale face, Aaron knew he'd done the right thing.
"Good afternoon, Eva," he said. "May I say, you look lovely in that there outfit," he said to her.
Eva pushed back a loose lock of hair and smiled hesitantly. She pressed a hand down the side of the skirt. "It fits okay, at least. Maybe the color isn't what I'd have chosen, though."
Aaron went to Eva and offered his arm to her. "Can I ask you to accompany me. Take my arm," he instructed her.
Eva's eyes widened and she hesitated. She glanced back into the house. "Where are Mrs. Lang and Mrs. Bell," she asked.
"I believe they are cooking up a lunch for you and I. If you're hungry enough, of course," he said.
Eva smiled. "I am kinda getting tired of chicken soup," she said.
Aaron smiled. "I don't blame you. But it sure has made you better, hasn't it?"
"That and sleeping so much, I guess," she said.
"How is your cough?" he asked, his eyes narrowing in concern.
Eva placed a hand over her chest. "Not as bad as the first few days. But there's still a bit of a tickle from time to time," she explained.
Aaron peered into Eva's eyes. He needed to be sure she was telling him the truth. This was the first time in a few days that she'd been out in the fresh air and he didn't want anything bad happening to her. "You sure about that. If you don't feel up to a little stroll with me, then you just say."
Eva frowned. "A "little stroll"?"
"Sounds kinds nice. Doesn't it?"
Eva smiled and Aaron felt his heart swell at the sight of Eva's smiling face. "You always did have a way with words, Aaron," she said.
"Must be all that reading of "Little Women", I guess," he said with a smile.
Eva started to laugh a little but it triggered a quiet cough. Aaron was glad to see that the cough wasn't nearly as bad as before. Eva managed to get it under control pretty quickly.
Eva hooked her arm into Aaron's. He gently guided Eva off the porch, watching her steps before starting slowly across the yard. At first Eva's steps were hesitant. Aaron didn't want to hurry her and he drew her hand close to his side. He felt her tighten her grip on him. That felt real good. Aaron had to work hard to disguise his pleasure at feeling Eva hold on tight to him. He glanced at her and saw her visibly concentrating, glancing down as she placed her booted feet one in front of the other.
Aaron saw Eva take in a deep breath and gaze up at the sky. "It sure is a beautiful day," she observed.
Aaron looked up. "It sure is. I guess the day's been waiting to welcome you out of that musty room. I don't know how you've put up with it so long," he said.
Eva smiled and drew in more soft, even breaths. Aaron loved the sound of her breathing, seeing her battle the impulse to cough, and winning each time.
"The air smells so nice," Eva said, her voice getting stronger.
"Must be the scent of ranch Stewart," he teased.
Eva smiled. "I think my ranch probably smells just as nice, right now," she said. "Even if it's in a mess." A shadow passed over her eyes.
"I don't think it's that bad. Not according to what I've heard. A few of my men have been over. They said it'll take a bit of time, but it can be put back together again."
Eva nodded. "That's good news. The sooner I get over there the better."
Aaron squeezed her hand. "One step at a time. When you're good and ready," he said.