Sean Donovan (The Californians, Book 3) by Lori Wick

Author:Lori Wick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2009-01-22T19:13:00+00:00

twenty-seven

The next morning Charlie spent over 40 minutes with her dress and hair, and for a woman who usually dressed in five minutes, this was quite a task.

Sean's back was to the hallway when she entered the kitchen. Already regretting her last-minute decision to leave her hat behind, Charlie had just decided to return for it when Sean turned.

Sean had not heard her come into the room. He had been flipping pancakes, and it had taken a moment for him to realize he wasn't alone. He turned unsuspectingly with a ready smile and a morning greeting for his wife, but the words died in his throat.

Charlie's hair was swept up on top of her head in a loose bun that allowed wispy little curls to fall around her neck and forehead. Sean's eyes traveled from her slender white neck to the hem of her flowered dress and then swung back to her face. In those seconds he took in her slim waist, small breasts, and gently rounded hips. She was so utterly feminine that Sean was speechless.

"The pancakes are burning," Charlie whispered softly, having stood silent for his inspection.

Sean spun back to the stove, relieved to have a diversion. She's darling, he said to himself, and she's my darling.

Charlie took a place at the table and waited for Sean to join her. Sean ate his meal without once looking at his plate. Charlie's face was flushed with embarrassment and something else she couldn't quite define.

"You look very beautiful," Sean said at the end of the meal, easily holding her gaze with his own.

"Thank you." Charlie was so pleased by his words that she felt tears sting her eyes and looked swiftly down at her coffee cup.

When it was time to leave for church, it seemed to Charlie the most natural thing in the world to have Sean hitch up the buggy and help her up to her seat, an act she had never before let him perform. She felt like a lady for the first time in her life as Sean held the reins loosely in his grip and drove the buggy from the livery.

"I haven't been in church since I was a child. I'm not sure I'm going to like this."

"What has you worried?" Sean asked her softly, always alert when she spoke of her life before they met.

"Churches are full of hypocrites."

"Give me an example."

"Well, you know, when you see a man in church on Sunday and then watch him stagger out of one of the town bars on Tuesday night."

"You've seen that happen?"

"No, I guess I haven't, but I hear things."

"Charlotte," Sean asked as he realized his wife's fears were causing her judgmental remarks. "Have you ever been to this church?"

"No," she said softly. She didn't have anything more to say, but fear was closing her throat and she couldn't have spoken had she tried.

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