Chapter Seven #3
“Just give Lars time to grow accustomed to the idea that you are all grown up and capable of taking care of yourself.” Gunder thought about wiping off his damp hands and holding Risa to comfort her, but concluded that probably wasn’t the best idea.
If he held her like that, close to his heart, he wasn’t completely convinced he could let her go.
She took a step back, drew in a deep breath, then turned to dry another bowl. “Did your parents get the box you sent with their gifts?” she asked, changing the subject.
“I don’t know. I picked up a letter from Mama today, and she didn’t mention it. I hope they like what I sent.”
“I know they will. The gloves are something your father will find useful. The lace you bought from Mrs. Franklin’s friend is exquisite, and your mother will cherish it. And your sisters will love the ribbons you sent.”
“Thank you, again, for helping me choose the ribbons and wrap the gifts.”
Risa bumped her elbow against his arm and grinned. “You were all thumbs with the paper and twine.”
He wondered if that innocent contact sent spirals of heat swirling up her arm like it did his.
Although both of them acted as though they didn’t notice, Gunder could almost see the sparks of attraction dancing between them as they worked so close together at the sink.
Gunder rinsed the last dish and handed it to Risa, then dried his hands and looked at the clock. “It’s getting late. I should go.”
“It is late. I don’t know where the time went this evening.”
“Your fine company must have made the time fly quickly.” Gunder made a silly face and struck a ridiculous pose that caused Risa to laugh.
“Fine company, indeed.”
Before he gave in to the urge to hug her, or kiss her, Gunder rammed his arms in the sleeves of his coat and wrapped his scarf around his neck. Risa yanked on her coat and opened the back door.
“Where are you going?” he asked as she stepped outside and he followed.
“I just want to check and make sure the barn door is shut tight. I don’t want something sneaking in and bothering the cow or horses.”
“I’ll go with you,” he said, not liking the idea of her out alone in the dark, but she’d be alone in the morning when she did the chores before she headed off to work. He would have come over and helped her then, but he had to get an early start in the morning.
The only noise as they walked to the barn was the sound of their boots crunching on the snow. Risa checked the door and found it firmly latched, then turned and gasped.
Gunder moved beside her, ready to do battle and defend her if needed, but saw what had caught her by surprise. A big moon had risen over the top of the hill and immersed the world around them in silver beams and velvety shadows.
“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Risa whispered, glancing back at Gunder with her face bathed in the soft light.
“Beautiful,” he repeated, taking a step closer to her. In that moment, he couldn’t have resisted the pull to her if his life had depended on it.
He shifted so he faced her, awed by the vision of her awash in the moonlight. Risa was magnificent, and the sight of her was one he’d never forget as long as he had a breath left in his body.
Gently, he cupped her chin, surprised when she leaned ever so slightly into his touch. His rough fingers glided across the smooth skin of her cheek before tracing the rim of her ear, then settled at the back of her neck.
No words were spoken. None were needed. She rose on her toes, meeting him halfway as he lowered his head, and his lips touched hers.
Although he’d expected her lips to be chilled from the cold, they were warm and so incredibly soft. Softer than he’d dreamed, with the hint of peaches lingering on them.
Gunder slid his other arm around her waist and pulled Risa so close he was sure he could feel the reckless pounding of her heart keeping time to his through the wool of their coats.
How long they kissed, he had no idea. For him, the second their lips had touched, the rest of the world had ceased to exist. In that moment, there was only them. Only his love for her. Only his need for her love.
Rapture was the only way to describe the wonder of kissing her.
He felt energized and languid, hot and cold, ecstatic and desperate all at the same time.
The contradictions barely registered in his mind as he realized Risa was every bit involved in the kiss as he was.
The connection deepened, and the question of whether one could die of bliss flew through his mind.
Finally, he lifted his head and smiled. “Thank you, Risa. That was a wonderful and unexpected gift.”
He was sure she was blushing, but she held his gaze. “It was unexpected, yet entirely welcome. However, before someone walks by and jumps to improper assumptions, you need to go home, Gunder Birke.”
“I’ll go, just as soon as I walk you back to the house,” he said, taking her hand in his and moving with slow, plodding steps.
Risa shook her head and purposely bumped against him. “I don’t think the walk to the door should take the rest of the night. We’ll freeze to death.”
“I can keep us warm,” he said in a husky voice and waggled an eyebrow at her, making her laugh.
Playfully, she swatted his shoulder, then tugged on his hand until they stood at her back door.
“Good night, beautiful Ree.” Gunder dipped his head toward hers and kissed her again with reverence and tenderness.
When she pulled back, she patted his cheek and smiled. “Good night, Gunder. Sweet dreams.”
He took her hand in his and kissed the tips of her fingers. “I know they’ll be sweet because they’ll be of you.”
Before the temptation that was Risa became too great for him to resist, he turned and hurried back to his cold, lonely tent, wondering how much longer he’d have to wait before he could make her his beloved bride.