“You’ll have the whole town talking.”
“You think I really care? Not about myself anyway. But, mark my words, if anyone has anything to say about you, Loris, I’ll hang him up to dry.”
“I didn’t know you were so tough,” she said, her smile appearing.
“Not usually,” he admitted. “But right now, I feel like you’ve been abandoned by too many people, and I need to stick close and let you know that someone cares.”
“You really care, Connor?” Her voice sounded dubious and she looked away from his gaze as if she could not believe his claim.
“You’re a human being, hurt and alone. And more than that, you’re a woman who’s been betrayed by a man. Maybe I just need to make amends for James. I don’t know. But I do know that I can’t walk away from you.”
She felt his arms tighten around her, knew for a moment the joy of being held in a man’s embrace. Even if he only felt sorry for her, she couldn’t help but rejoice in that fact. She’d been so alone, so close to the end of her rope. And now Connor was here.
“Will you have something to eat?” She motioned toward the cupboard where her store of food for tomorrow rested behind glass doors. “I can fix you some toast in the oven, and there’s jam.”
“Any coffee?” He looked searchingly at the stove, as though a coffeepot might miraculously appear there.
“I’ll heat it in a pan,” she offered. “I emptied the pot, so the leftovers wouldn’t taste burnt, but it’ll only take a minute to bring to a boil.”
He nodded. “Sounds good to me. And then we’ll talk about me staying here for the night.”
She’d meant to send him on his way, but Connor was not easily deterred, for he hauled in his bedroll and the leather pack carrying his personal effects and bedded down for the night at her backside.
Now she lay beside him, aware that he was awake, knowing he had put his reputation on the line by staying with her, and yet was unable to deny the peace his presence delivered to her aching heart.
“You awake?” His whisper was soft, but she smiled as she heard his familiar tones. “Are you warm enough, Loris?”
“I’m fine. Just thinking about my nice feather pillow from my bed at home.”
“You don’t need a pillow with me here, honey. Turn over and lie on my shoulder. I’ll keep you warm.”
It was tempting, but she shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine here.”
As if he allowed her the privacy she’d asked for, he merely shifted to curl around her, his wide chest against her back, his arm lifting to fit itself around her middle. Through the quilt, she felt the warmth of long legs against her own, and knew the heat of a warm body as it drove the night chill away.
“Thank you.” The words seemed but little thanks to express her appreciation, but they were all she knew to offer. And it seemed he didn’t expect any more from her, for his arm tightened a bit and then relaxed around the curve of her waist.
“Sleep, Loris.” Perhaps another time, she might have considered it a command, maybe even resented it, but tonight, he was here and she was needy of comfort.
The rooster awoke her early, just as dawn was tinging the sky with morning light, and the glow was edging the shuttered windows. The gloom of the room was giving way to dim daylight when she stirred, felt Connor’s hand tighten on her waist, and then remembered that she was not alone.
“Turn over here.” He left her no room for discussion, only commanded her obedience in a firm voice that seemed rough and raw to her ears.
She straightened her legs and rolled toward him, aware that his body was mere inches from hers, that his arm still enfolded her and his body heat warmed her. Even with the quilt thrown from her shoulder, she was not cold. No great amount of fire still burned behind her in the stove, the last of Connor’s forays to add wood having taken place in the middle of the night.
“Now just rest for a bit.” His arms enclosed her and she relaxed against him, too thankful for his presence to admit her doubts about the decency of the situation in which she found herself this morning.
She felt his mouth touch her forehead, felt his hands roam her back. Like two hot bricks they left their images wherever they touched, and she could barely contain the shivers that swept over her. His throat was so close, his skin held the aroma of soap and a male scent that tempted her closer, and she brought her lips to rest against whiskered skin. Her lips felt the tiny stubbles of his beard and she shifted to where his skin was softer, nearer his ear, feeling his quick reaction to her caresses.
“Loris?” She thought his voice trembled, and yet could barely place credence in the thought. And then he spoke her name again, more tenderly this time, it seemed, and she lifted her face to gaze deeply into his eyes.
“Don’t be giving me this sort of encouragement, sweetheart,” he said tenderly. “It wouldn’t take much for me to roll over on top of you and make you mine, even without marriage.”
“I haven’t told you not to, Connor. In fact, I’ve almost given you the right.”
“But I don’t have the right. Not now. Not without a wedding. I’m not sure you’re ready for that.”
“I’m just surprised you even want to be this close to me, after what I did to you,” she said quietly.
“That sorta takes a back seat when I’m with you. I’ve felt a deep hurt, Loris. I won’t deny that, but you’ve been betrayed by my brother, and I can’t let that go. And if being with you and helping you make a home here helps to fix the mess you’re in right now, then that’s what I want to do.”
He seemed to be searching for words, and she could only wish that his actions had nothing to do with James’s behavior…that Connor would care for her for his own reasons.
And as if he heard her thoughts and wanted to reassure her, he spoke again. “I’m not out for revenge on James, but I need to make reparation for what happened to you. If helping you is making me happy, then I hope you’ll allow me to have my way in this.”
“I won’t fight you, Connor. I care about you, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for helping me.”
He squeezed her tightly, and then released her. “Well, that’s settled then. Now let’s get up before I get any more…” he paused as if searching for a phrase to describe his condition “…any more randy than I am right now,” he finished.
“All right.” She would not argue his wisdom in bringing a halt to this scene. She’d gotten in trouble by being impetuous before. There was no sense in making a bad situation worse. And Connor was an honorable man. She respected him.
They ate breakfast together and Connor set off for town, his plans made. He would pay the back taxes, stop at the general store and order a new table from the Sears, Roebuck catalog. A table with long benches for either side, to put in the kitchen.
That done, he bought some warm bedding for the big bed upstairs, then searched out an assortment of warm clothing for Loris to wear. What he hadn’t planned on was the curious looks of the storekeeper as Connor’s bill was tallied.
“You plannin’ on settin’ up housekeeping, boy?” Nothing was kept a secret long in this town. That was a given, and Connor’s purchases were bound to be the subject of speculation before noon, given the speed of the local ladies’ gossip.
“No, just picking up a few things,” Connor told him.
“I understand the Petersons tossed their girl out in the snow the other night. You hear about that?”
“I heard,” Connor said dryly. “Everyone