Authors: Teresa Greene
“No, I’m just not use
d to…” Abby was going to say not used to someone so handsome, but shut her mouth before she finished her sentence. The man had her so tongue-tied she feared what she would say next. Not accustomed to someone looking at her boldly had her feeling a little shy.
Abby jumped when she heard her fat
her’s harsh voice from the doorway. “I’ll finish feeding him, Abby. You go to bed.”
Grateful for a reason to leave, Abby hurried from the room. She could feel his eyes boring into her back as she scurried for the door.
Before Jacob could lift the spoon to Cord’s lips, he replied softly, “I feel better. I’ll feed myself.”
Jacob put the spoon do
wn and answered, “Suit yourself, young man.” Moving to the chair, Jacob waited until Cord finished eating before speaking. “Do you know who shot you?”
“Yes.”
Jacob’s tone was brusque. “If you will give me the person’s name, I will give it to the sheriff in town.”
“No need. When I am on my feet again, I will take care of it. It is my business.”
With a dramatic sweep of his hand, Jacob admonished, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. You should leave the matter in God’s hands.”
“I appreciate you and your daughter putting me up for a few days, and I will pay you for the inconvenience. But I will not discuss my business with you.” Still weak, Cord had no intention of arguing with Jacob.
“It is none of my concern as long as you do not endanger Abby or my son Nick. I don’t want your evil deeds on my doorstep.”
“I promise the men who shot me are long gone. They think I am dead and
therefore will no longer be tracking them. They would not risk staying around and having to answer questions to the sheriff.” Jacob nodded his head and stood to leave. “Where are my guns?”
“They are in the bureau. Your rifle is in the barn with your saddle. I ask that you leave them there until you are healthy enough to leave.” Jacob turned when he opened the door and looked back over his shoulder at Cord. “Young man, I know not what you did before you were injured. But while you are in my home I ask that you conduct yourself in a Godly manner.”
****
Three days in bed had Cord in a rotten mood. It didn’t help his situation knowing Jacob did not want him there. Over and over in his head he kept hearing Jacob’s holier than thou voice, “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” Oh, how he wanted to do a little quoting from the Bible himself, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
The moment he recuperated he would be on his way. The room seemed to brighten when Abby appeared and sat the tray with his breakfast on the side table.
“I thought you might like something more substantial to eat.” Cord’s stomach rumbled when he smelled the bacon and eggs. Moving the tray to his lap, Abby asked, “Do you need me to feed you or do you think you are strong enough?” Abby placed her hand on his forehead. “Your color is much better today, and you’re not running a fever.”
He took a deep breath to calm his racing pulse. A tendril of hair had fallen from her much too tight bun and he wanted to touch it. It would feel wonderful to remove the pins and run his fingers through that glorious chestnut hair. She was much too beautiful and sweet to be the daughter of Jacob Henley. He knew he should control his lust. The girl and her father saved his life and he was thinking of ways to seduce the young woman. Apparently she was an innocent, which meant off limits in his book. A woman like her would expect marriage and he was definitely not looking to be tied down. He wasn’t thinking, well maybe only with his lower extremities. Even in her simple dress and bun she looked elegant. And that hair, he would love to see it cascading free and flowing down her back.
He shook his head trying to get the image from his mind. “I feel much stronger thanks to you. I think I can feed myself.” Abby swirled around intending to le
ave. Cord watched the gentle sway of her hips as she moved across the room. Before she disappeared through the door, he pleaded, “Please sit and keep me company. Lying in bed all day is getting pretty boring.”
Cord saw the irritation on her face. Of course she had chores, but his selfish side didn’t want her to leave. Slowly, she moved to the chair and sat down keeping her eyes downcast. “Have you always lived on this small farm?”
“Yes, I was born here.” Cord knew he made her nervous because her voice shook and she refused to lift her eyes.
“You are a great cook, Abby.” Cord scooped
some eggs onto his fork. “Whatever you put in these eggs to give them flavor is delicious.”
Her eyes lifted and he met her gaze. “Thank you. Now if you don’t mind I need to get back to my chores.”
When Abby stood to take the tray, he grabbed her hand. Calluses covered her hands causing him to feel sorry for her. Life on a farm was hard work and her hands proved it. It was evident she worked from morning until night.
Cord heard her gasp when she tried to pull away but he held her small hand tighter. Inhaling her scent, Cord thought of sugar cookies. She smelled of vanilla. “I know you are busy, but I would love a shave. Do you think you can oblige me by ridding me of these whiskers?” He ran his hand over the stiff hair on his jaw. “I’d be mighty appreciative.”
Abby paled. “I don’t think that would be proper. My brother Nick will shave you tonight after supper.” Abby jerked her hand out of his grasp.
“Please, Abby. I would feel much better without these whiskers. They are uncomfortable and making me itchy.” To prove his point, Cord scraped his knuckles over his cheek again.
Abby snapped, “I have enough to do around here without having to look after you. I don’t have time to shave you.” Abby stomped over to his saddle bag Nick had placed on the floor. She rummaged through until she found his razor and sat it on the table. Leaving the room, she returned in minutes with soap and a pan of hot water.
“If you can’t wait, shave yourself.” Cord sat staring at the razor realizing he was much too weak to shave himself. Abby let out a loud breath, snatched the soap, and began to lather it in her hands. The moment her hands touched his face, her cheeks flushed with warmth. His eyes never left her exquisite face as she stroked the razor along his cheek.
“I take it you’ve done this before?”
Her eyes softened. “Yes, my father was laid up with a back injury once and I shaved him.” Her hand trembled as she stroked the razor over his neck, trying to be careful not to cut him.
Most women with auburn hair had freckles, but her skin was perfection. Even though her dress was homemade and demure, it did little to hide her curvy figure. He closed his eyes and sniffed. Vanilla, there was that scent again. Cord realized she dabbed her neck with vanilla as if it were perfume. He fought the urge to lick her neck.
At that moment Abby peered into his eyes, and her
face went up in flames. By her expression, he felt she could read his thoughts. None too gently she wiped the excess soap from his face, gathered the soap, pan, and his razor. She scrambled for the door in her haste to get away from him.
When her hand touched the knob, Cord whispered in his sexiest voice, “Thank you, Abby. I feel much better.” Only hesitating a second, she bounded through the door without speaking.
****
It took almost an hour for Abby to calm down. What was wrong with her? Cord ha
d her tied in knots. She didn’t understand why the man affected her so. How was she to withstand those dark eyes and the feelings he was evoking? Pots and pans banged as she took her frustration out on the dirty breakfast dishes. She would have to stay away from him, that was all there was to it. He would be leaving as soon as he recuperated.
The image of what life would be like if she married him stole into her thoughts. She wanted a husband and children, a home of her own. It was absolutely ludicrous fantasizi
ng about marrying a man about whom she knew nothing. For all she knew, he could be a bank robber or a murderer. A man like him would not dream of settling down with a plain old farm girl. She might as well get that notion out of her head. No matter how much she tried to focus on her chores, Cord’s handsome face kept intruding.
Chapter Two
Entering Cord’s room with his supper, Abby found him and Nick playing a hand of cards. “Your supper is ready, Nick.”
Nick gathered the cards and stood. “I’m famished, Sissy.” Abby smiled at Nick as his eyes scanned Cord’s tray. “It looks delicious.”
“I’ll fix your plate, so don’t tarry long.”
Abby placed the tray with Cord’s supper in his lap. She turned to leave without even acknowledging him, slamming the door behind her. Cord’s brow rose. “Your sister is a shrew.”
Nick burst out laughing. “Abby’s sweet as sugar. You must have done something to put a bee in her bonnet.”
“I have been nothing but nice to your sister. I know she has lots to do and I have added to her list of chores. Maybe she resents the extra work.”
Nick told him bluntly, “Abby never resents anything. She faces life without ever complaining. Life ain’t been easy for her since our mother died. They were extremely close and her death has left a hole in Abby’s life. Father and I are so busy in the fields she spends most of her day alone. We rise at the crack of dawn and don’t return until late of an evening. Abby makes this little house a home. Try being her friend.”
Annoyed with himself, Cord thought about all the things Nick said about Abby. Maybe he was being a little hasty when he called her a shrew, especially when she had been looking after him. She was definitely a looker. Every time she walked into the room his loins tightened. Her hair was an unusual, rich, dark red. He desired her, there he admitted it. He wanted to make love to the little farm girl. That would be the biggest mistake of his life. He could just imagine her father holding a shot gun and forcing him to marry her. The moment he was recuperated he would have to leave. The longer he stayed, the harder it would be to fight the desire he was feeling for her.
****
Hearing the squawk of a chicken, Cord raised his head and peered through the open window in time to see Abby cut its head off with a hatchet. “I guess we are having fried chicken for supper tonight,” he whispered to himself. She held tightly to the legs as the chicken flopped around dripping blood onto her homespun dress. He watched as she dipped the dead chicken into the steaming hot water and began to pluck the feathers. In no time she had the chicken free of feathers as if she had done this chore many times.
She was an amazing woman. Rarely did he see her, except when she brought his meal to him. Once in a while he was able to talk her into giving him a few moments of her precious time. She was beginning to warm up to him and he enjoyed her company. She talked of her mother and he could tell she missed the woman. Her eyes looked so sad when she spoke of the terrible pneumonia that ravaged her of her strength a year ago.
Cord decided to sit in front of the window so he could get a better view of Abby at work. After five days in bed, surely he was strong enough to make it the short distance. Still weak, he inched to the side of the bed and slowly dropped his feet to the floor. Cautiously, he pushed himself from the bed. The moment he stood, everything went black. He put his hand out to grab the chair by the bed, but only knocked it over with his weight. He struggled to get back to his feet but to no avail. Limbs weak, his skin soaked with sweat he began gasping for breath. Being this hel
pless infuriated him. He didn’t have enough strength to even stand. Suddenly, he felt two strong arms trying to lift him.
“Are you crazy? You probably opened your wound!” It took all the strength Abby could summon, but she finally wrestled Cord back into the bed. Breathless she snapped, “What were you thinking? You are much too weak to get out of bed!”
White as a sheet, Cord’s head fell back onto the pillow. His breathing was so erratic he thought his heart was going to explode. Abby began to unbutton his shirt so she could check his wound. She had changed his bandage that morning after she gave him his bath and Cord was relieved when he saw it was still pristine white.
“It’s okay, Cord. You didn’t
tear open your stitches. You scared me. I heard the chair crash to the floor and feared you injured yourself.”
Cord took Abby’s hand and held it to his face and whispered, “I’m sorry. I am so sick of being in bed. I was going to sit in the chair and watch you work. These four walls are beginning to close in on me.” Still breathing heavily, it was difficult for him to talk.
“Shhh, Cord, don’t talk. You need to rest.” Abby pulled her hand away from his face, and wiped away the beads of sweat from his forehead with her apron. When his breathing returned to normal, she stated, “I need to get back to preparing supper. You know how Nick gets when he does not get to eat on time.”
“The man does love his meals.”
Abby giggled, “I don’t think Nick ever gets full. He has such a robust appetite. He is lucky all that food turns to muscle and not fat.”
“Hard labor makes a difference.”
Tucking the sheet under Cord, Abby replied, “I guess so.” Her hands on her hips, she ordered, “Don’t get out of bed again. I don’t have time to keep rescuing you.”
Cord smiled. “Stay just a few more minutes.”
Their eyes met and he wanted to kiss her. He looked at her face. She wasn’t just pretty, she was exquisite. A tendril of hair had come loose from her bun and he rubbed it between his fingers. “You have the most beautiful hair, Abby. It is the first thing I noticed about you.” Abby’s cheeks became heated and flushed. Feeling mischievous he asked, “What was the first thing you noticed about me, Abby?”
An expression of shock on her face, she jumped off the bed, and snapped as she raced for the door. “That you remind me of the devil with your dark eyes and black hair!”
Cord’s husky laughter echoed off the walls. Then his face grew hard. Despite the fact he was attracted to Abby, he did not have time for seduction. He had obligations and a woman like her didn’t fit into his life. Only one thing mattered now. To get his strength back so he could finish what he started.
****
The next morning Abby walked into the room to find Cord sitting in the chair. “Do you not remember what happened yesterday when you got up?”
“I feel so much stronger today. Must be that fried chicken and gravy you fixed last night.” Cord licked his lips. “And I can still taste that wonderful apple pie. That was the best meal I ever had. Do you have any pie left?”
Abby giggled, “Are you kidding? You know Nick ate the last piece. If you want seconds of something around here, you had better take it before Nick gets his hands on it.” Pulling the table in front of the chair, Abby sat Cord’s breakfast tray down and he immediately began to eat.
His mouth full, he pointed the fork at Abby. “One thing is for sure, Abby. You know how to cook.”
She smiled warmly enjoying his compliments. As she moved about tidying up the room, she began to imagine what life would be like if she married him. Seemed the thought of spending her life with him was on her mind a lot lately. Every morning would be wonderful because she would wake up in bed with him. Pleasant thoughts ran through her mind as she pictured all the children they would have, children with dark hair and eyes.
The spell was broken when Cord announced, “I’m ready for my bath.”
Abby took the tray and returned with a pan of warm water and soap. “I think you are strong enough to give yourself a bath.” Abby turned to leave so she could carry on with her chores.
She stopped at the door when Cord pleaded, “It took all my strength to feed myself. Please, Abby. I promise if you bathe me this last time, I’ll bathe myself from now on.”
She knew better. If he was able to make it to the chair, he had enough strength to bathe himself. Well, one last time couldn’t hurt. After a brief hesitation, she looped her arm into his and helped him stand. All those feelings he stirred in her came to the surface and she blushed. By the time she got him back into bed, her heart beat so fast she took several deep breaths to calm her frayed nerves. With shaky hands, she took the cloth and lathered it with soap. He removed his shirt and leaned his head against the headboard with his eyes closed. As she stroked the cloth over his skin, he basked in the warmth. She felt him tremble. It puzzled her how he could convince her to bathe him when she knew he was capable of doing it himself. He had too much control over her and that worried her.
Abby removed his bandage and began to wash his chest. Muscles rippled under the cloth and she was a
mazed at his well-built body. When she heard a moan escape his lips, she looked up and saw the most pleasant expression on his face. He was enjoying his bath immensely. As she did every morning, she washed to where the sheet covered his private parts and legs. She put the cloth back into the pan and stood to leave so Cord could finish his bath. He never moved. His eyes still closed, he had the most content look on his face.
“Are you sure you would not like to bathe me all over, Abby?”
Cord opened one eye to find Abby standing over him with her mouth wide open in shock, hands on her hips. “God should punish you for making such an outlandish suggestion.”
“You can’t blame a man for trying, sweetheart.”
Irritated, Abby began to quickly bandage his wound. “Cord, I do not know how you treat other women, but I will not have you act like such a scoundrel in my presence. Do I make myself clear?” Usually gentle with Cord, she pulled the bandage a bit too tight causing him to wince.
“Calm down, Abby. I was just funning with you. It is so easy to rile you.”
Still angry, Abby put pressure on his wound. “If my father overheard you speak to me in that manner, he would kick you out of this house in an instant. He would not care if you were recuperated or not. Behave yourself.”
Cord pulled Abby’s hand away from his chest. “You are hurting me, Abby.”
Peering into his face, she saw the pain. “I’m sorry, Cord. It’s just that sometimes you get me so flustered with your boldness. You should not speak to me in that manner again.” Abby snatched her hand from his grasp and stormed from the room.
Cord took a deep breath to calm his breathing. The room seemed so bereft without her. She was right. He
needed to control his desire for her. A woman like her was not accustomed to such advances. What was wrong with him? He had never acted so boldly with an innocent before, always preferring women who were a little more sophisticated. Women that didn’t expect marriage just because he had sex with them.
He doubted Abby had even been kissed, and he was acting like some love sick youngster who could not control his passions. If he did not want to get kicked out on his ass, he had better learn to curb his desire for her.
****
Nick kissed Abby on the cheek. “What’s for supper, Sissy?”
“The last of the winter’s ham, greens, and cornbread. I also prepared a peach cobbler from our last jar of peaches. I can’t wait until we have some fresh fruit.”
Nick licked his lips. “Sounds scrumptious.”
Abby ladled some food onto Cord’s plate and handed it to Nick. “Will you please take this in to Cord?”
A grin split his face as, Nick asked, “What did he do to make you angry this time?”
With an innocent look, Abby asked, “What makes you think I’m angry?”
Abby thought about Cord. When she carried him his lunch, he tried to apologize for his improper behavior. No matter how much he begged, she ignored
him. Apparently, the man didn’t know how to treat women. Worry of his behavior had her wondering what kind of life he had lead before he was shot. Probably the same life he would return to after he recuperated. It had been a hard life. She had seen it in his eyes, heard it in his voice.
“The only time you ask me to take his plate to him is when he has made you angry. Do you want to talk about it?”
Abby let out a long sigh. “No, he has been in a terrible mood because he is not accustomed to the inactivity. I’m sure he’ll be in a better mood tomorrow.”
Not convinced, Nick asked, “Are you sure I don’t need to have a talk with him?”
“No, I don’t want you to talk to Cord Sutton.” Abby was only making Nick more curious. She needed to keep her feelings hidden better. The last thing she wanted was for him to start asking questions about Cord, especially when she did not understand her own feelings for him.
****
Every night after supper Abby accompanied Nick to the barn while he fed the livestock. While Nick fed the two Belgians, Jack and Jess, then Lou, she stroked the curry comb over Pepper’s shiny, dark coat. She thought he was such an impressive animal. Lack of money kept them from owning anything but work horses. Many times Cord had asked about Pepper and Abby promised she was looking after him. She jumped when Nick took her hand.
“What’s wrong, Sissy?”
Peering up into Nick’s concerned face, Abby whispered, “Nothing.”
“I know something is bothering you. Since Cord has been here, you have been distant. Has he done something to upset you? When I took his plate into him, he would not tell me what he did to upset you.”
Abby pondered the question. Of course she couldn’t tell Nick she had feelings for Cord. He wasn’t the type of man her brother or father would want her to associate with. Only a God fearing man would suffice and she didn’t think Cord was that kind of man. If Nick knew he had asked her to bathe him, he would be livid. She didn’t want to be responsible if Nick found him another place to stay. For some strange reason, she didn’t want him to leave. Cord had her so confused she didn’t know what she really wanted.