Roses in the Dark by Freda Paula

Author:Freda, Paula
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, adventure, mystery, love story, love holding hands oneness, love stories, travel stories, love triangle, romance and love, contemporary romance, clean romance and love, sensual clean romance
Publisher: Paula Freda

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The Aubreys invited Seth and Leatrice to attend Midnight Service with them in the small country church that had served the ranchers in this area for over a hundred and fifty years. Under the beamed ceiling, the meetinghouse resounded with melodious hymns. A hundred candles lit the room and a score of pine needle wreaths and poinsettia blooms scented it.

Leatrice and Seth worshipped beside the ruddy-faced Aubreys and their four young boys.

A year ago Leatrice would have judged the Aubreys, poor land folk, but of late she’d learned to think differently, and it was plain to her from the earnest expressions on their jovial faces that their wealth lay in their willingness to extend without reserve their affection and trust.

After the Service they returned to the Triple R and in the morning after breakfast Leatrice asked Seth to join her in the parlor for a few minutes. "Please sit down, Seth," she urged, avoiding his inquiring gaze.

From under the Christmas tree she took a small gaily-wrapped package and handed it to him. "It’s not what I’m used to giving, but I know that flaunting my wealth is the last thing you’d appreciate. I hope you like it. I hope I chose right."

Seth opened the gift. It was a tan leather wallet. Pleased, he said, "It’s practical and attractive. And I do need a new one. Mine’s about worn out."

It was a poor gift, Leatrice felt. But anything more lavish might appear to him as though she was attempting to buy his affection. "Thanks for being kind," she said in earnest.

"There was nothing in our agreement requiring I be kind to you."

"No there wasn’t," Leatrice said.

Those blue eyes that could rivet and mesmerize lowered humbly. Seth had to catch his breath. Humility was a trait he did not expect of his spoiled heiress. "You haven’t asked about your present," he said.

"My present?"

For the first time since their unorthodox agreement, Seth accepted her reaction as authentic; not something rehearsed and planned. The surprise on her face was genuine. "Yes, your present. Thought I wouldn’t bother getting you one, didn’t you?"

He was right; she had not expected a gift from him. She was not here by his choice. Neglect and indifference were what she expected. His love and dedication were what she longed for. What she daily experienced was his unpredictable behavior, mental detachment and moments when he reached out to her, as he had during their visit to his parent’s grave.

Seth rose and went into his bedroom. He came out a moment later holding a large foil wrapped box. He handed it to Leatrice. "Merry Christmas," he said with a broad grin.

Excitement flooded Leatrice’s features. All through her years as a rich man’s daughter, she had received hundreds of gifts ‒ costly, extravagant gifts. She had experienced pleasure, a mild sort of eagerness, but never the sense of yearning and wild expectancy she felt now, holding Seth’s gift.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" he asked.

During the past few weeks she had

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