Cole washed up and combed his hair, changed his clothes and knocked upon Beth’s door. He had gathered his courage and had taken the time to spread a blanket for them upon a soft patch of grass. It was getting late, he knew it and hoped to entice her to see the stars she admired so much a several days ago before he acted like a child.
He missed her company and wanted to see the awe and admiration on her expressive face…and just maybe, if she was admiring the stars, she would be receptive to his invitation to attend the picnic and his apology. He had made an ass out of himself and then rubbed salt in the wound by running and avoiding her.
Heart pounding, he let out a whoosh of air that he didn’t realize he had been holding upon seeing Beth open the door for him. He saw that she held the door between them as if it was a wall protecting her from him.
“Yes?” she said guardedly. “Is everything all right?”
It’s not for me!
she wanted to cry out.
Everything isn’t all right! I’m lonely and I miss you
, she wanted to scream aloud while pulling him in and running into his arms. She felt almost bitter that he looked so good.
Cole knew he deserved this. He deserved the wary look on her face. He really could be a shithead at times. “I thought you might like to look at the stars since I ended our night badly when you were looking at them last. I’m sorry, Beth,” he said sheepishly and held out his hand.
I hope she accepts
, he thought.
Beth looked at him and the outstretched hand. She wanted to accept, but was really put off by the waspish tone he had used towards her and the childish way he had run off. He had left her alone! Alone in his house … and hadn’t had the decency to even check on her!
She was tired, her body sore, hungry and downright cranky. It had been a long week and she was heartily sick of being alone with no conversation at all. Could she forgive him?
Sure
. Would she? That remained to be seen. It was uncalled for and downright disgraceful how he ran when he didn’t get his way.
Beth stopped, suddenly feeling ashamed. Had she not done the exact same thing to her family? The shoe was on the other foot and it didn’t feel so great any longer. Yes, she had her freedom, but at what price?
Was the damage too great and irreparable?
Was it that way between Cole and herself?
She owed her family more than just a quick telegram and she owed Cole the chance to talk about it and explain what was going on with him- just as she planned to do for her mother and father.
Karma could be an excellent teacher when given a harsh lesson.
Cole stood in silence and waited patiently for Beth. He could see her mind racing and, with what, he didn’t know but hoped it was for the better. Cole prayed he hadn’t blown things with Beth as of yet and wanted the chance to make amends.
“Beth, let me show you the stars,” he said again, encouragingly. His relief was palatable when she nodded, held the door open and stepped back.
“I will be right out,” she told him and he saw her step back from the doorway.
Beth grabbed a large, thin shawl she had found in one of the dresser drawers and assumed it belonged to Cole’s mother. It was beautiful, flowing material with a delicate tatting decorating the edge. Not something you would typically see used daily, but it was light enough to give her some mode of decorum since she had just donned her night rail. She should dress, but it had been hot all day and was so relieved to peel the layers from her body in preparation for bed. She had never expected Cole to knock, nor would she pass this opportunity up for the world. Her night dress came down to her ankles and would be decent in the cover of darkness. The shawl was just an added measure. Pulling it tightly around her shoulders, she stepped through the doorway bravely.
Cole said not a word and thought if he could swallow his tongue, he would have in that very instant. When Beth stepped through the door, the light from the lanterns behind her teased at her silhouette. It was heady to think of her trusting him enough to be in her night clothes near him, but terrified him all the same. He felt he was on thin ice with her due to the last few days and he knew his control was tested by her very nearness. Cole couldn’t help it, he dreamed of her shapely body, her scent, the taste of her lips. To know it was that close and nearly exposed might just destroy him tonight. He was going have to be on his very best behavior.
God knows he had already shown her his worst,
he thought wryly.
Smiling, he took her hand and led her, barefoot, over to the grassy patch where he had spread the blanket out behind the house. There was a small hill that overlooked the expanse that he had laid and watched her while hidden over the crest. Tonight, a clean blanket was spread nicely in the grass and she would have a clear view of the stars above.
He had Sam wrap up the gifts, but those where not with him at this time. He wanted to spread out the “courting” and win her over a bit at a time. Tonight would be all hers. Cole had picked her up a piece of rock candy, as well as a bouquet of flowers. The flowers he had set upon the blanket. The rock candy he had wrapped in paper awaiting her.
“What is this?” Beth exclaimed, surprised. She was touched by the tender gesture from Cole. Flowers were laid upon the blanket in the cover of darkness, as well as a small brown package.
Cole held her hands for a few moments, turning them over and inspecting her palms. He was glad to see they had healed well. He had worried about infection setting in and was part of the reason he had watched the house carefully looking for signs that she was up and moving about. He rubbed his thumb over the back of her smooth hand as he guided her to the blanket and looked away when she sat down, tucking her bare feet beneath her.
“It’s just a little something small for you. Go ahead,” Cole urged as he sprawled out a safe distance from her on the blanket. He hoped it was a safe distance!
Don’t think about her in her nightgown,
he thought wildly and stared at the stars above, listening to the paper crinkle loudly in the silence of the night.
“Cole, you shouldn’t have,” she said in a halfhearted protest, but her fingers were itching to open the tiny brown package to see what was inside.
“I haven’t had rock candy in ages, thank you,” she said politely.
Seeing Cole lying on the blanket staring upwards, Beth decided to mimic him and view the sights without straining her neck this time. She lay back, stared at the single stick of rock candy and bent it hard, straining to break it in half. She did not plan on being the only one to enjoy the sugary treat. And since she had not had the opportunity to give him the gumdrops as of yet, this would be shared as well as the gumdrops another time.
No sense in not enjoying this together
, she thought as she held up a piece directly in his line of sight.
Cole heard the snap and assumed it was a twig until the crystals appeared in front of his face as he was lost in thought. “Beth, that was for you. You didn’t have to do that,” he protested.
“No, I know,” she replied. “But I wanted to share it with you and thought maybe we could both enjoy,” she said lightly and popped her half into her mouth for a sampling. The hard candy was overly sweet and tart, making her cheeks ache from the acidic cherry flavor.
That lucky candy
, Cole thought as he stared at her mouth and quickly put his inside of his mouth effectively silencing him for a moment before he shared his thoughts or attempted to taste the sweetness on her tongue. Turning away, he looked straight ahead at the inky sky and chewed.
This was peaceful,
Beth thought. The silence, the coolness, the twinkling stars occasionally broken by a misplaced crunch as they snacked together.
I missed him more than I realized
.
When had this man become such an impact in her life and how quickly had he slipped past her defenses? It was scary and comforting at the same time. “Thank you again, Cole,” she whispered, breaking the silence.
“It’s my pleasure, Beth. It’s kind of an ‘I’m sorry’ present. It doesn’t really make up for anything because I know I had no reason to bite your head off,” Cole started and then hesitated. He wasn’t quite sure what to tell her.
Do I tell her that I just wish she’d make a decision and stick with it? That I want to be the focus in her life?
“I saw Elias Barney today,” he blurted unceremoniously. Nope, that was NOT what he planned to say, actually.
“What?” Beth screeched.
“You saw him? How do you know? Where?” Almost choking, she quickly sat up and yanked the swizzle stick out of her mouth with a few crystals still holding tight to the wood. She had no idea what he looked like save a single newspaper article she had seen prior to leaving home. The black and white, small photo was fuzzy but the imagery was present all the same. He looked cold, almost calculating. Cole’s exact opposite, she realized. Where he was warm, relaxed and tender…that photo gave her a chill and made her feel uncomfortable.
“Does he know that I am here? Does he know my name?” she asked, panicked.
“Beth, relax,” Cole crooned and sat up. He put one arm around her frail shoulder and felt her trembling. “Beth, he doesn’t know you are here. He was at Sam’s store asking for Elizabeth Pierce. Did you send a telegram? Barney said he was tracing one back to the store and that was what led him here. Why would you send one?” he questioned as he rubbed her gently in an attempt to comfort her.
Letting out a ragged sigh, she explained, “I didn’t want my family to think I was hurt or dead. I sent them a quick note that said I was safe. That’s it.” At seeing his nod, Beth continued, “I didn’t tell them any details, nothing. I don’t want to be found, Cole, especially not by him, either,” she said, giving a shiver.
“You aren’t going home. You
are
home, Beth. This is your new home,” Cole proclaimed firmly. “Elizabeth Pierce is gone. Beth Hale lives here as my wife and no one is taking her back to Indianapolis,” he declared vehemently, pulling her against him.
She was so small and tiny in his arms, it made Cole feel so protective of her. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, tucking her head just under his chin.
“Beth, you are my wife if you want to be. You don’t ever have to do anything you don’t want to and you know I will never make you. I just want you happy,” he said softly against her hair into the night air.
Her protector
, she thought, amazed by his kindness and courtesy. Here she was in just her night rail and he wasn’t touching her, taking advantage of her and offering to take care of her. Cole was truly a good man and she could do so much worse.
How bad would it be accepting him as her husband? She had declared it already to the store owner and he had confirmed it. Would it truly be so bad?
“If you are my husband,” she started and felt him tense suddenly. “Would you be rejoining me in the house? Could we still keep separate rooms until I am ready for a physical relationship? I’m nervous, Cole,” she confessed. Having him there would make her feel safe.
Cole appealed to her and made her feel things that were most alarming. Her body would get flushed and hot. It was disturbing to feel such a swift, strong reaction to him. Even now, she could feel warmth and pressure in her abdomen.
Cole muffled a groan. This would be such torture being close to her and not being able to touch her. He would earn her love, earn her trust.
“Of course. I have always told you that it’s your decision, but I do have a request.” He would be damned if he was not going to negotiate their deal. At her nod, he continued, “I would be more than proud to be your husband, but if we aren’t to share a bed yet… I do want to be able to kiss my wife and introduce you as such. Sam invited us to a church social this Sunday. I thought maybe we could go and meet people in the area. Maybe have the pastor perform a small ceremony for us in the future, so it’s not just the words spoken with us. Common law is legal here, but if you are my wife- I want there to be no doubts. I am never giving you up, Mrs. Hale,” he said with conviction and with a steel to his tone. There would be no other options for him. She would be his, he needed to touch her and would settle for tender kisses until she was ready, but he would be damned if she, or anyone else, tried to separate them.
“Agreed,” Beth nodded against his chest. She could hear his heart pounding away in his chest and it made her feel secure. She was not afraid of him, but more of how she felt when she was with him. Like her body was not its own, this is what scared her.
“Good,” Cole said tamping down his exuberance. He wanted to jump up and whoop with joy but there was no way he was letting her out of his arms.
“I’m glad. Again, you have nothing to fear, your home is here with me.” Hearing Beth let out a sigh of relief, he decided to press his luck.
“Shall we seal the deal, Mrs. Hale?” he asked lightly “May I now kiss my bride?”
He was surprised to hear her giggle against his chest, expecting her to tense up or run from him. She had every other time in the past when they had gotten too close. Could she be warming up to him?
Beth couldn’t help but laugh at his outrageous statement.
Kiss the bride, huh?
She thought, feeling lighter than she had in some time. Pulling back boldly, she met his gaze in the darkness and waited patiently for a chaste peck on the lips like proper people did in public. She had seen her father kiss her mother a lot growing up and they were never kisses that swallowed you whole. Cole had kissed her as if he would devour her in the past, now that they were moving forward as husband and wife, surely the kisses would mimic her parents.