A Lady for Luke by Donna K Weaver

Author:Donna K Weaver [Weaver, Donna K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781946152411
Publisher: Emerald Arch Publishing
Published: 2019-12-05T16:00:00+00:00

10

Judith kept telling herself Luke could be delayed in coming for her. He’d said he had to take care of business in town beforehand, something to do with the attack dog. She should not be so nervous, but her sleep had been troubled, full of dreams where Luke would come to her as Teddy had to say they would not suit.

She’d distracted herself by spending the morning working with Mrs. Hauser and Doris. The poor young woman had not been prepared to run a house, and there was much for her to learn. Judith only had a few months’ experience with it herself.

They’d inventoried the bedding. A successful summer of dude ranch guests had taken its toll. With Marshall already receiving reservation requests for the coming spring and summer, they needed to be prepared.

The ladies sat around the fire doing simple mending on some sheets that didn’t need replacing. It was the most pleasant morning Judith could recall spending with other women. She wasn’t a very good seamstress, doing better with fine needlework, something her mother had insisted upon.

Judith’s stomach growled in a most unladylike manner, and she was glad Luke hadn’t arrived yet.

“I suppose I should see how the soup is coming,” Mrs. Hauser said, setting aside the sheet she’d been stitching. She rose, but paused at the sound of bells, looking out the front window. The housekeeper smiled at Judith and said, “Ah, it looks like Mr. Luke has arrived. And he’s brought Mr. Edgar.”

Judith’s dreams from the night before came back. Would Luke have decided his offer to court her had been a mistake? Oblivious to her distress, Doris began to put away the work, so Judith helped to tidy the room.

Edgar strode in, Luke not far behind, bringing a bitter chill with them.

“I have returned, ladies. Judith.” He gave a sweeping bow. “Doris.” When he straightened, all the bravado was gone, and he said, “I’ve been given an assignment I’ll need your help with, but it will wait. Your brother has news for you that I will leave to him.” He gave Judith a quick kiss on the cheek and left the room.

“That sounds quite ominous,” Doris said, stepping up to Luke who’d entered the room. She gave his cheek a quick peck. “I’ll help Mrs. Hauser set up for lunch.”

Judith’s heart was thumping so hard it was giving her chest a thorough pounding. How could she bear it if Luke rejected her now?

When he took her hands, he frowned. “You’re so cold.” He brought first one and then the other to his lips.

Judith wanted to cry with relief. And to slide into his arms and kiss him. When she rose on her tiptoes and lightly brushed her lips with his, he froze, closing his eyes. What did it mean? He didn’t open his eyes again until she stepped back, but he smiled.

“As a man of my word and for the record, I didn’t initiate that. But I want you to know that I’d like very much to kiss you thoroughly.

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