The Valentine's Curse by Jodi Thomas

Author:Jodi Thomas [Thomas, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2019-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Just before dawn Valerie woke and cuddled against the warmth of a man’s body beside her. For a moment she didn’t want to wake; then she realized she was in bed with Brody Monroe. Yesterday the rain must have made her crazy. Somehow the heavens’ opening up washed out all the emotion she’d been banking for years and all she wanted was someone to be with, someone to count on, someone to trust.

Holding her breath, she climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the kitchen, carrying her robe and slippers with her. As she dressed and started the fire, she thought of how insane she’d been yesterday to offer him marriage. He would have come to work for her if she’d asked; maybe he would have even waited to be paid until fall. She had nothing against the man, he seemed polite and strong, but she couldn’t believe she’d married him.

Maybe she was just tired of being out here alone, or maybe she hated seeing every man in town cross the street when they saw her coming. When she’d seen him being treated pretty much the same way by everyone, she felt somehow kin to him. Or, she reconsidered, maybe she was just tired of talking to herself and the cows.

As she started breakfast, the realization that she’d slept with him settled into her mind. She’d slept with him and he hadn’t lifted her gown like the other two husbands had. Maybe there was something wrong with him.

As she pulled the biscuits out of the oven, she looked up and saw him standing, fully dressed, in the doorway. This new husband of hers wasn’t handsome, not with his sharp features and hauntingly dark eyes. There seemed nothing soft about him, nothing flexible. Yet he’d held her gently last night, almost as if he could protect her from the world.

“Morning.” He smiled slightly. “Did you sleep all right?”

“Fine.” She blushed, remembering the feel of his body next to hers. “Have a seat. Breakfast is almost ready.”

He sat watching her as she brought everything to the table, and then he stood halfway up as she took her seat. They ate in silence, neither seeming to feel any need to force conversation.

He stood and reached for his hat. “That was a grand breakfast. You’re a good cook, Valerie.”

“Thank you,” she said, following him to the door. She couldn’t help wondering how bad the cooks he knew in the past were if he considered her good.

He turned toward her as he took one step onto the porch. “There’s a few things you need to know. I’ll work until the sun’s straight up, then I’ll come in if I’ve time. I don’t expect a meal on the table, but would appreciate it if you’d leave bread where I can find it. That and buttermilk is more than I usually have at midday. Or I like coffee if it’s cold. I will come in by dark and I’ll be hungry. If I’m later than you like to eat, just leave the food on the stove.

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