Finally His Bride by Jody Hedlund

Author:Jody Hedlund
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Seventeen

Caleb closed his eyes but couldn’t block out the span of Willow’s neck that he’d almost kissed a moment ago.

He needed to get out of her room, needed to put space between his raging desires and her beautiful body. But at her earnest voice behind him, he couldn’t make himself inch the window higher.

And the hurt in her expression. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—hurt her again. If it was the last thing he did, he was going to get himself under control and do what was best for her.

If only he’d lasted more than just a few minutes in her presence without turning into a lovesick fool. What had happened to the careful control that he’d cultivated for years?

He’d thought he’d had it back when he’d climbed up onto the roof and made his way to her bedroom. But clearly every ounce was gone.

“Please listen to my idea, Caleb.” Her soft voice remained near the bed, which was good. Because if she came up behind him, he would probably turn around and draw her into his arms.

“I’m listening.” Although he tried to sound calm, his voice came out clipped.

She hesitated.

He hated that he was confusing. Biting back curses at himself, he made himself turn around. Then he leaned against the window and gave her his fullest attention.

She stood at the center of the room wrapped in a blanket. And even in the dark, she was absolutely exquisite, with her hair unbound and hanging in disarray. “Let’s leave the Manns’. We don’t need to stay here.”

“I owe him the fights.”

“We don’t owe them anything. And you know I hate when you box.”

“If I box, at least he won’t hold me—or you—responsible for the key.”

“He shouldn’t hold anyone responsible but himself.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s a powerful man in the colony.”

She clutched the blanket closer, a determination emanating from her, one that was difficult to resist.

He knew the work at the Manns’ hadn’t been what she’d expected. Even after weeks, it was still demanding and endless, with Mrs. Mann and Lum both taking advantage of her and working her like a slave. She was hardly able to save anything since Mrs. Mann was still constantly docking her wages for mistakes.

If he could take her away from it all and give her a better life, maybe he should consider it.

She met his gaze levelly. “You said you wanted a place of your own on Salt Spring Island.”

“Someday.”

“Why not now?”

He shrugged. Did he really have an excuse? The land was available through pre-emption. He’d checked into the law the last time he was in Victoria, and sure enough Governor Douglas was allowing settlers to claim land for free on Salt Spring Island with the condition that the land be purchased later. In fact, if he went now, maybe he’d even be able to clear a portion of acreage before it was time for the spring planting.

He had four weeks of wages saved up, which would be enough for a few basics. Hopefully.

“We’ll go now,” she persisted. “We can build a cabin and farm the land.

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