To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

Author:Beverly Jenkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2022-08-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Raven awakened before dawn to the ringing of an ax. Bleary and disoriented, it took a moment for her to recognize her surroundings. Once she did, she sat up slowly and ran her hands over her sleepy eyes. Surprised to find herself fully dressed, she tried to recall why. The last thing she remembered from the night before was being on the porch with Steele. She supposed she’d fallen asleep and he’d put her to bed. In spite of his outrageously scandalous nature, he’d proven his gentlemanly side again, and she was grateful for that. She hadn’t brought many changes of clothing and what she had on now was wrinkled and damp from sleep, but he hadn’t taken advantage of her by undressing her while she’d had no say.

The ax rang out again, and because it sounded close by, she assumed it might be him splitting wood. Leaving the bedroom, she walked to the back door. It was still dark out and he was half lit by the flames of two torches as he worked. His shirtless state allowed her to view his lean sculpted torso, shoulders, and arms, and even half asleep, she approved.

He brought the ax down again and in the short break of silence when he stopped to free the blade, she called out quietly, “Good morning.”

He looked up, and the wavering flames illuminated his smile. “Morning.” He set the ax aside and picked up his shirt from the grass. Pulling it on, he walked to where she stood.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“I did. How about you?”

“Let’s just say the floor turned out to be a better choice.”

She felt guilty hearing the sofa had proven inadequate. They’d both been exhausted from the travel and he’d deserved a good night’s sleep, too. “I’ll take the sofa tonight. It will probably fit me better.”

“I don’t mind the floor.”

He said it with such sincerity, she didn’t know whether to believe him or not. “We can talk about it later.”

“Okay. I’m almost done here. There’s wood in the kitchen but I didn’t think there was enough to last the day, and it’ll be too hot to chop more later. Also pumped you some water. It’s in a bucket in the washroom.”

His kindness was moving. “You’ve been busy.”

“It’s what a faithful husband is supposed to do.”

She knew he was teasing but there was a thin thread of something else that touched her feelings in a way she found difficult to name.

“I’ll carry the wood to the kitchen. You go get washed up.”

She nodded and added, “Thanks for putting me to bed last night and for pumping the water.”

“You’re welcome. Just one of many husbandly services I offer.”

Amused, she shook her head and went back inside to begin her day.

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