Trapper’s hand was resting on the small of her back, and he could feel her shaking.
“Thank you for seeing my daughters here safely. I hope we have time to talk over dinner. It isn’t often we have such a lovely lady among us.”
Martha took Emery away. Trapper couldn’t help but notice she hadn’t even said goodbye to him. But then, the little widow hadn’t said anything to anyone but the colonel, and that was “yes.”
Sam moved up behind Trapper. “I’ll see you to your room, sir. The doc will be here as soon as he sobers a bit. He always comes for Christmas, but he prefers to stay in the bunkhouse.
“We have two guest rooms through here.” Sam started down the same long hallway where Emery had disappeared.
Trapper followed, suddenly feeling the lack of sleep catching up with him.
“The old man was sure polite to the widow,” Trapper said to Sam.
Sam nodded. “He’s always nice to his wives and future wives.”
Trapper decided he’d better stay awake a bit longer.
Chapter 14
Emery loved soaking in the big tub. They’d made the trip in less than three weeks, but it seemed like a lifetime. Someday she’d write down all that had happened and save it for her grandchildren to read. And there would be grandchildren, because after knowing the girls, she wanted a dozen kids, all girls.
Martha brought her a warm dress made of the softest fabric she’d ever felt. Without a word, the housekeeper took all her dirty clothes to be washed.
Emery’s hair was clean and still wet. She combed it out and let it fall in curls down her back. When she stepped into the dining room an hour later, all the men stood.
Her gaze was drawn to Trapper. His wounds were all doctored and bandaged. His clothes looked new. His smile was the same as it always was when he looked at her.
Before she could take a seat at the table, the girls stepped in. They looked every bit the little ladies they were. Emery and Trapper remained silent as the girls entertained their father with stories of the trail.
She noticed none mentioned the trouble they’d faced in the snowy ravine. Maybe they didn’t think it was proper conversation over dinner.
The girls invited Emery to join them for dessert in the kitchen so the men could talk. This apparently was a ritual in the house. Martha and the kitchen help had raised the girls and they wanted their time to talk.
Emery excused herself after two pieces of pie and retired to her beautiful room. She slipped into a nightgown far fancier than the one she’d bought at the trading post and brushed her hair until it shined.
Then, she stepped into the hallway and tried the door across from hers. Martha had mentioned it was Trapper’s room. She wanted to check on him. He’d looked tired at dinner.
The room was dark except for the low light from the fireplace. She tiptoed to the bed and saw he was sound asleep. The man she thought was the bravest she’d ever known finally let down his guard and slept.
Without giving it much thought, she crawled into bed with him, rested her head on the one spot on his chest that wasn’t covered in bandages, and closed her eyes.
They’d never talked of the future. He’d never mentioned marriage. Neither had ever said they loved the other. But there was nowhere in the world she wanted to be but by his side.
Deep in the night, he moved and found her next to him. Without saying a word, he pulled her close and kissed her.
When he finally pulled free, he whispered, “Am I dreaming?”
“No, I’m here.”
He sounded half asleep when he asked, “Will you have kids with me?”
“No,” she answered. “We’re not married.”
“Then will you marry me?”
“No. You don’t know me.”
“Sure, I do.” He moved his hand over the soft cotton of her gown. “I know the way you kiss and the way you feel and how gentle and shy you are.”