Heart of Shadow by Cynthia Woolf

Author:Cynthia Woolf [Woolf, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781954996786
Publisher: Firehouse Publishing

Chapter Nine

Tonight, they were having dinner with the sheriff and his wife.

Maddie wore a pink silk dress. It was the nicest that Eddie had provided. She was putting up her hair into a chignon, which her mother taught her long ago, when Abe came up behind her and put his arms around her.

He bent and kissed her behind an ear.

“Oh! Abe.”

“You’re too pretty for having dinner at the sheriff’s.”

She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wore a white shirt with black string tie and a beautiful brocade vest and his ever-present side arm, which she now knew as a Colt pistol. “You just say that because you want to make love…right now. I can feel how much you want me.”

“I always want you, ever since I first saw you getting off the stage. I’d never seen a more beautiful woman and I hoped but didn’t really believe you would be my wife.”

She leaned back in his arms. “Why didn’t you greet me as soon as I got off?”

He shrugged. “I didn’t know if you or Destiny was my bride. I had to wait and see if any more women got off before I came forward.”

“Hmm, I guess that makes sense. I’d have waited, too.”

He leaned down and kissed her.

She closed her eyes and kissed him back, leaving them closed even after he ended the kiss.

“Penny for your thoughts, kitten.”

Her eyes opened halfway and she looked up through her lashes. “So, I’m kitten now am I?”

“Yes, because a kitten is feisty and has small claws but can still hurt you if you let it.”

She opened her eyes. “I won’t hurt you, Abe. Not intentionally. Never. I’ll be honest, though, I mean to have your love. I want our children to have your love, too.”

He stiffened and frowned. “Don’t wish for it, Maddie. I can guarantee it won’t happen.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t hope you’ll change your mind…someday.” I don’t have the luxury of this word. My time is limited and if I don’t succeed, I’ll never have children, with Abe or anyone else.

Abe released her. “Let’s go and get this done. Do you have a bag packed?”

“I do. I forgot to tell you, that you look awfully handsome. After meeting the sheriff, I know his wife will be jealous of me for being married to you.” That’s an awful thing for me to say. Just because Mark cheated on me doesn’t mean Abe will even if he finds someone like the sheriff’s wife attractive. Get ahold of yourself, Maddie.

He reddened. “Compliment me all you want, but it won’t change my mind.”

She huffed out a breath. “I’m not trying to change your mind. I’m stating a fact. If you take it as a compliment, all the better.” She pulled on her gloves and grabbed her purse. No, it’s a reticule. I know this. Why am I still thinking of it as a purse?

He shook his head and chuckled. “Are you ready, Mrs. Condon?”

“I am, Mr. Condon.”

He held out his arm once they got outside and then helped her onto the buckboard.

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