Rocky Mountain Wife by Kate Darby

Author:Kate Darby
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2014-08-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

She could still feel Joshua’s kiss hot on her lips. Until tonight, Clay had been the only man who’d kissed her. Upset, she turned her wedding ring around on her finger, watching the pearl gleam.

“You look deep in thought.” Ma broke the stillness, her steps echoing as she entered the kitchen. “Surely steeping tea doesn’t take that much concentration.”

“What? Oh, sorry.” Realizing she’d been caught staring into thin air, she shook herself and leaped into action, grabbing two teacups from the cupboard. “I just have a lot on my mind. I’m just thankful no tornado passed by. Did you see that sky? For a while there, before I sent Ivy into the cellar with you, I was afraid we might get one.”

“Me, too. Good thing the storm blew out.” Ma came up to the counter. “No tea for me. It’s late, and I’d best be getting home.”

Claire sighed. Just how long had she been standing there mulling over what had happened in the barn? “Let me light a lantern for you.”

“No need. I know my way across the backyard by heart.” Ma kissed Claire’s cheek. “Whatever you’re fretting over, let it go, honey. You look so unhappy. Clay would understand.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” She put away the second cup. Should she tell Ma about the kiss? She wanted to confide in her, but it was one more thing she kept to herself. Just like Clay’s impotence. Except tonight she’d opened up and told Joshua. Why she’d done that, she didn’t know. Clay wouldn’t have wanted anyone to now about that. It felt as if she’d betrayed him.

“I can stay and talk.” Ma hesitated, her hand on her shawl. “It’s not that late.”

“No, you go home. It’s past my bedtime.”

“And mine. Sleep well, my dear, and don’t forget to lock up after me.” Ma gave a sad smile, for she understood grief well, slung her shawl over her shoulder and stepped outside. The door clicked, leaving Claire alone in the kitchen.

As she hurried over to turn the lock, she listened for any sound from upstairs. Ivy had been in bed for hours, but sometimes she had a way of hearing her grandmother leave even while asleep. But no sound came from overhead. Ivy stayed fast asleep. The worries over the storm had exhausted her.

How was she ever going to tell the child about the wedding? Ivy had been her papa’s girl. Claire frowned with frustration as she poured a cup of tea. Even after seven months of widowhood, it was still odd to be alone in the kitchen. She half expected Clay to step into the room any time now, wanting to know if she’d put a few cookies on a plate for him to go with his nightly tea. And smiling at her with his kind eyes, where his love for her had lived.

Oh, I miss you. She wrapped her arms around her middle and closed her eyes. It was Clay’s kiss she wanted, but it was Joshua’s she remembered.

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