Chapter 16
LAUREN
The next few weeks, we seem to fall into a routine of daily chores and preparations for the upcoming winter months, as summer is here with a vengeance. My bruises are all healed, and for the first time I can recall, my body is not damaged in any way.
Once I got the cabin arranged the way I wanted, I started on the outside. It took me several days to get the ground prepared, but the garden has become my pride and joy as I watch all the new sprouts pop up.
I often still see Grant stop at Eliza’s grave and I can tell he’s talking to her, but I always stay back, refusing to intrude on his time with her.
Because her grave is close to the garden, I’ve caught myself looking at her marker regularly, wondering how she ever left him, even for the love of another man.
Even though I told myself that his true colors would show themselves in time, Grant has not changed.
If anything, he has become even more dear to my heart.
He never misses a chance for a quick kiss and always seems to know when I need a hug.
Several times, he’s even attempted to cook on the new stove, only for us to giggle like kids because he’s convinced it’s a metal monster determined to sabotage all his efforts, burning everything.
But the one thing that has torn down all the walls I had built around my heart is his patience.
Every evening, when all the work is done, he will pull my rocking chair over to his, and we will pick up where we left off in the book he bought at the mercantile called ‘The American Woman’s Home’.
I never dreamed books could be so helpful and full of information, but this one only makes me want to know more.
I will read a page, then he does, making it easier for me to comprehend all the different words without being overwhelmed.
When I get stuck, instead of him screaming or throwing a fit, he makes me sound it out, helping me along when I need it.
I have found understanding numbers to be easier than reading, as there are not as many variables or words that sound the same but mean something different.
I’m just hanging up the last of Grant’s work shirts on the line he installed for the laundry when I hear the sound of his whistling coming my way.
Looking toward the knoll that separates the mine from the cabin, he comes strolling over the hill.
The moment he sees me, a huge smile graces his face and my heart hits my chest. It’s been hard sleeping next to him at night after long kisses, wanting more but not knowing how to achieve it.
“What are you doing back so early?”
“I had this sudden urge to spend time with my best girl. Thought we could take the rest of the day off since all we have done for the last few weeks is work. Run in the house and grab something for a quick lunch and a blanket. We are going to the pond.”
“There’s a pond?”
“Sure is, might wanna grab a towel or two as well. I’ll saddle Rebel up and meet you at the barn. Wait, you can swim, right?”
“Not the best in the world, but enough to tread water if I need to. Is it deep?”
For me it’s not, but I am a foot taller than you. But don’t worry, I won’t let the water sprites carry you off.”
Grant turns toward the barn before I can ask him what I need to wear.
Picking my laundry basket up, I make my way back in, wondering what I can pack for us to eat real quick.
Opening the warmer, I grab the rest of the biscuits and the hard-boiled eggs, then cut a few slices of ham before filling the water skin with the fresh lemonade I just made.
Looking around, I pick up the raspberries I gathered this morning that I had intended to use for a cobbler later.
I wrap it all up in a smaller basket I’d made last week out of some cattails.
I was in the process of folding the towels earlier, so I grab two off the table and the top blanket off the bed before heading out to the barn.
Bolt meets me at the door. “Hello, handsome.” I pull a sugar cube out of my pocket, and he stomps his massive hoof, whinnying playfully. Star is slightly less excited but still wants hers. Walking through the barn, I notice a sleigh in the back.
As Grant leads Rebel toward me, I grab a sugar cube out of my pocket. Rebel, being the proper gentleman, takes it gently out of my hand, and it hits me that Grant’s horse has the same personality he does.
“You ready?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve got everything. I never noticed the sleigh in the barn before.”
“I usually have hay stacked in front of it when I’m not using it.”
“Was it here already?”
“No, I bought it that first winter. The snow got so deep that the wagon just kept getting stuck. Bolt enjoys the snow no matter what, so him pulling something in it is like a game. I saw the sleigh on a list for a local estate sale and bought it midsummer for cheap because no one else wanted it.”
“Have you had to use it yet?”
“No, but I need to fix the main brace where the harness hooks on before winter, just in case.”
Before I can say another word, he takes the basket out of my hand, putting it down before grabbing me by the waist, placing me in the saddle.
I move my legs out of the way of the stirrups, and he swings his legs over, settling in the saddle before pulling me back against him.
Handing me the basket, he moves the reins, and Rebel calmly walks toward the gate, unbothered by our combined weight.
Grant leans down, unlocking the corral and Rebel twitches, like he’s ready for a good run.
“Hold on boy, let me get this latch hooked, then you can enjoy your freedom.”
“Do you think Star would follow us?”
“No, but Bolt sure would. I am convinced he’s a big damn dog.
I was throwing the last of the hay down out of the loft yesterday, and I swear more landed on him than it did on the ground.
No matter how many times I moved him out of the way, he would come right back because he wanted to see what I was doing.
He even reared up on his hind legs so he could look into the loft. Never seen a horse that curious.”
“He just wants to be included, like you said, he’s a big, gentle giant. Where is this pond?”
“Over the ridge; I found it hunting the first year here.”
We ride for about thirty minutes through the thick forest, Rebel effortlessly picking his way through the trees and their roots on the ground. We’ve just started down a rather steep hill when I notice water sparkling ahead.
“My goodness, look how beautiful the water is … it’s so clear.”
“I believe it’s fed by a natural spring. It has a slight dirt taste if you get it in your mouth.”
Grant stops Rebel a few feet from the edge of the water before swinging his legs over. I lean down slightly so that he can lift me down. “Give me the blanket, I’ll spread it out over here in the shade while you look around.”
“Oh, my Grant, I feel like we are the only people in the world. I thought the cabin was remote, but this is … this is just magical. The trees are so tall they look like sentinels guarding this little paradise from the world.”
“That’s crazy, I thought the same thing when I first saw it.”
Because I’m distracted looking around, a splash in the water startles me, and I turn, only to find Grant gone. Before I can say his name, he resurfaces in the water, playfully splashing me in the process.
“Strip!”
“What?”
“Little Mouse, you heard me, don’t make me come out there and do it for you.”
“Grant, we are outside.”
“And your point is?”
“You want me to just get naked and walk in the water?”
“Yep, that’s the plan. What were you planning on wearing, your dress?”
“I was going to ask you what to wear and then just got caught up in the things we needed and forgot.” I know my cheeks are blood red as I can’t believe what he wants me to do.
“I would have told you what you had on was fine, because it was all coming off one way or another. Lauren?”
“Yes, yes … I know, will you at least turn away until I’m all the way in?”
“If it gets you in the water, yes, I will, but don’t expect me to stay that way; you’ve been warned.”
My fingers fumble with the buttons on my clothing, suddenly clumsy and slow, knowing he can turn anytime. I shed each layer slowly, half expecting him to grow impatient. I no longer think that when he says…
“Little Mouse, don’t make me come after you. One, two … I get to five, I’m turning. I’d better hear some splashing soon.”
“I’m coming, keep your pants on!”
“Too late.”
I know my eyes are about to bug out of my head when he stands up and I can see the tops of his butt cheeks.
“Lord help me,” I whisper as I know trying to resist him is futile.
Days of unspent desire and want have simply been leading to this.
Naked as the day I was born, I step into the cool water, which feels so pleasant on my hot skin, only for him to turn the second he hears me, and I am barely knee deep.
Grant looks at me with a burning focus, tracking every inch of my skin with his unsettling, dark eyes.
I fight the urge to cover myself, as instead I walk quickly in until all that’s showing is my head as I stand on my tiptoes.
The water is calm and refreshing, even if I can still feel the fire of his eyes upon my skin.
Before I can say a word, he ducks under the water only to pop up inches away, and I swear I can feel the water warm up around me due to his heat, or maybe I’m just overly flushed.
I take a step back, only for him to follow, his large, bare chest pushing against my breasts.
Just a few steps later, I glance down, seeing Grant in all his glory for the world to see.
When he starts lowering himself onto his knees, I panic.
“What are you doing?” I whisper.