The Reluctant Widow by Marie Higgins

Author:Marie Higgins [Higgins, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marie Higgins
Published: 2018-08-20T05:00:00+00:00

NINE

THE VERY FIRST DINNER with her new overseer had gone terribly wrong. They’d gotten too familiar while sitting on the settee, and during the meal, they didn’t talk much. However, she’d exchanged a lot of sultry gazes with him.

She wasn’t innocent to mating rituals. All three of her husbands had desired her, or at least they looked at her similar to the way Jesse had been during the meal. And yet, something deep within her had awakened since she’d kissed Jesse, stirring to life feelings she never knew she had.

Actually, if she was honest with herself, these feelings became stronger as she’d witnessed him holding up the broken roof of the stable as he helped the other men out. Inwardly, she sighed. Jesse was so very vigorous. She couldn’t help but admire him in a different way.

Once they were finished eating, they returned to the parlor. Her servant had added more wood to the fire, making the room much warmer than she wanted, because now she was tired. The rain pelted the roof, sounding like stones hitting the house. There was no way she could send Jesse back to his cabin in this storm. Yet, she couldn’t keep him company, either. The sparks of awareness between them were hotter than the fire in the hearth.

Jesse sauntered to the window and peered outside. She wasn’t sure how much he could see since dark clouds covered the moon.

He shook his head. “I’m goin’ to need a rowboat to get back to the cabin.”

She chuckled and moved to the window. “The rain does sound horrible outside, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. I hope this hard rain doesn’t destroy our cotton stalks.”

“That’s been on my mind, too,” she lied. How could she think of anything but the extremely handsome man who makes her quiver with excitement and makes her legs weak whenever he is near?

He looked at her for the longest time as if he was studying every inch of her face. Instead of making her uncomfortable, it made her breathing quicken.

“I should leave. You look tired.”

He cupped her face with his large hand, and she struggled not to cuddle against his palm. “I’m sure my day hasn’t been as busy as yours.”

“I’m used to hard labor, remember?”

“Yes, but I’m sure you have a difficult day tomorrow, especially if the stalks are ruined by the rain.”

“You’re correct.” He dropped his hand from her face and walked toward the liquor bar. “Do you mind if I have a drink before leavin’?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’m in the mood for an after-dinner drink, myself.”

He poured them each a glass. She drank hers slowly, as did he. Their gazes were locked together the whole time.

Summer really needed to find a way to stop feeling like this. After all, he was her overseer. They would have dinners together quite a bit. Perhaps she’d hire a companion or someone who would dine with them every night just so she and Jesse were not alone.

She set her drink down and walked to the settee.

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