The Texan's Touch by Jodi Thomas

Author:Jodi Thomas [Thomas, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Texas, United States, Westerns, Physicians
ISBN: 9780515122992
Google: jO7-u0gXfkcC
Publisher: Jove
Published: 1997-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

N ICHOLE SLEPT THROUGH Dancing’s funeral. Only Adam, Rose, and Sister Cel attended. Bergette refused to even discuss the possibility of going, and Mrs. Jamison wouldn’t let Nance out of the house. Nichole knew she couldn’t attend, so after they left, she curled into the little bed in Adam’s old study and fell into a deep sleep. The night’s adventure had eased her sorrow and made her feel alive again.

When the sun was high, she came awake with a jerk at the sound of Bergette’s voice close by, too close.

“What do you mean I shouldn’t be in here?” Bergette shouted loud enough for the entire house to hear.

Adam’s low voice reached Nichole as she slipped from the covers and moved behind the open door. Through the crack, she could see Bergette standing over Adam who lay atop his covers fully dressed.

“I’m trying to take a nap, Bergette,” he said in a voice that left considerable doubt that he’d been asleep when she barged into his room. “I didn’t go to bed last night and I’d like to sleep an hour before I start seeing patients.”

“Oh, forgive me.” She pouted. “I forgot you were up all hours, first with the whores and then the undertaker. It seems you have time to talk to everyone in this town but your fiancée. Well, I’ve had enough. I don’t care how tired you are, it’s time we had a few words.”

“You talk,” he mumbled. “You seem a lot better at talking than listening. But can’t we move somewhere else besides my bedroom? Bergette, it isn’t proper.”

She laughed. “Are you suggesting that I wouldn’t be safe in here alone with you? What a joke. You haven’t made any effort to so much as touch my hand since I’ve been here. I find it very unlikely you’d attack me in passion’s fever now.”

“I played that game when I returned from the war. Remember, you pushed me away.” He leaned on one elbow and resigned himself to having to talk to her. “I’d wasted years thinking of coming home to you and all you thought about was that my clothes were dusty.”

“Well, a girl should never make it easy. I’m not some old maid who would jump in your arms despite what people would say. That doesn’t mean I planned for you to stop trying.”

“What people? We were alone in your house when you ran down the stairs and stopped just short of my arms.”

“There were the servants,” Bergette defended. “I hoped you’d try again when we were alone and in more proper surroundings.”

“Did you?” he asked. “Do you want me to keep trying, now? A bedroom seems the right surroundings.” He made no move toward her. “Or do you simply enjoy the control as you enjoy controlling everything around you? The day I came home it seemed we were never alone, nor did you make any plans to be. Tell me, Bergette, what is it you wish me to do? Crawl at your feet and beg for a touch, a kiss, any scrap of feeling you have inside?”

“Nothing.

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