Chapter 7
Seven
Rebekah
I’m sitting in Adam’s enormous tub with water much higher than I’ve ever experienced in my life. My dad would have a coronary if I used this much water, but I don’t think Adam will mind. The hot water didn’t run out while I was filling it, and it feels so good.
I flinch when there’s a knock on the bathroom door. “You okay, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” I call out. What if he comes in? That seems silly since we’re getting married this afternoon. Why should I care if he comes in?
“I have a bag of stuff I think you’d like to have in the bathroom. I’m going to cover my eyes, bring it in, and set it next to the tub for you, okay?”
I giggle. “Okay.” He’s so chivalrous, and I can’t keep from smiling as he backs into the room, one hand over his eyes.
He has a large plastic bag in his hand, and he scoots all the way to me before setting it down. “Do you see the jets around the center of the tub?”
“These strange holes?”
He chuckles. “Yes, sweetheart. If you fill the water so it’s a few inches above them, you can turn them on. There’s a button near the faucet. See it?”
“Yes. What do you mean, turn them on?”
“Try it. You’ll love it. The water will circulate through those holes and whoosh out of them. I’ll warn you. It’s kind of loud, so don’t let it startle you. But it’s luxurious.”
“Um, okay.” I have no idea what he’s talking about, but now I’m curious. “But that’s a lot of water.”
“There’s plenty of water for you to take nice baths, sweetheart,” he says softly. “I’ll leave you to it.” He rushes out of the room.
When the door closes, I lean over the side of the tub and stare into the bag. Holy cow. I’ve never owned anything this luxurious in my life. Some of these things I’ve never had before. I pull out body soap, shampoo, conditioner, and bubble bath and set them in the corner of the tub.
I have to turn the water back on to get it as high as Adam suggested.
It feels so good. I’ve never gotten to relax in a tub of hot water.
This is a luxury in and of itself. I remember having bubbles a few times as a small child.
My mother got them. So, after reading the directions, I pour a few caps into the stream of water.
When it gets high enough, I turn it off and push the button.
Squealing, I nearly jump out of my skin. Adam said it would be loud, but I wasn’t expecting so much to happen, and the force of the water shooting out of the jets is bizarre. The bubbles grow as I lean back and close my eyes. I’ll never stop smiling.
Eventually, I slide under the water to get my hair wet and use all the products, including the razor that was in the bottom of the bag.
Mama taught me and Hannah to shave several years ago, but I haven’t done so in a long time because I didn’t have any more razors.
Taking my time so I don’t cut myself, I shave under my arms and up my legs. I suspect Adam will like it.
When the water gets chilly, I finally turn off the jets, pull the plug, and climb out. The towel Adam left on the vanity for me is nicer than anything I’ve ever owned. Huge and fluffy. It feels like a cloud around my body.
I slowly work through all the tangles in my hair. It’s softer than ever before. The conditioner did that. I’m so spoiled by this bathing experience that I never want it to end. And apparently, Adam isn’t going to let me leave.
Married… It seems so foreign to me. Am I really getting married today?
I figured there would eventually come a day when my dad married me off to some strange man, but I was never looking forward to it, so I did my best to keep him happy.
I thought if I made myself indispensable to him, he wouldn’t make me leave.
It probably worked, but I paid a high price because there was no way to please him. He was never happy, no matter what I did. He was always a grouchy man who complained about everything, but he’s been so much worse since Mama died.
Lately, his downhill spiral has been making me anxious.
Every time he comes home from wherever he goes, he yells at me.
Sometimes, he backhands me or drags me to the cellar to think about whatever I did to piss him off.
It never mattered what it was. It could be for anything.
I learned that fast. There was no pleasing him.
I set the brand-new comb I was using on the vanity and look at myself in the mirror. I don’t remember when I last stared at myself. I don’t even know who I am, except that I’m no longer my father’s slave.
Am I attractive? I have no idea. I’ve never worn makeup.
I don’t own any. My hair is wild. I suppose some people like the color and others don’t.
My mother always said it was stunning. She said the same about my sister’s nearly white-blond hair.
Mama had a combination of both of our hair, a strawberry-blond color that both Hannah and I envied.
All three of us have the same blue eyes.
My father never said either of us was pretty. I never heard him tell Mama she looked nice, either. Maybe he did so a long time ago and I just can’t remember. I hope so.
Am I crazy to marry a man I basically met today? He doesn’t seem to think so.
A soft knock at the bathroom door is followed by Adam’s deep voice, the one that sends shivers up my spine every time he speaks. “Can I come in, sweetheart?”
“Yes.” It’s his cabin. It seems odd for him to ask permission, but it makes me feel good, knowing he respects my privacy.
As he steps inside, a vibrant grin spreads across his face. He doesn’t move farther. His chest rises and falls as he stares at me.
I have the giant bath towel wrapped around my body, so all he can see is my shoulders and my ankles. It practically reaches the floor. The silence is unnerving, so I clear my throat. “Thank you… For the toiletries and for letting me use the tub. It was as luxurious as you said it would be.”
“You may soak in there as often as you want, sweetheart. It’s yours now.”
Right. I can’t grasp that.
“You’re so gorgeous,” he whispers. It’s ironic that I was just wondering if that were true. “I’m a very lucky man.”
“I think I’m the lucky one,” I tell him. “This is like a dream come true.”
“I’m glad you feel that way.” He nods over his shoulder. “I thought you might like to trade places with me. I’ll take a shower. You can get dressed in the bedroom.”
“Oh, right. Good idea.” I glance at the glass enclosure. This cabin is so luxurious that the shower isn’t even part of the tub.
“Aaric bought you all kinds of things. I emptied the bags onto the bed. If there’s anything you don’t like, it’s no big deal. We can go to the city again in a few days and get you more clothes. We’ll return whatever doesn’t fit and replace them with items of your choosing.”
“I’m sure it’s fine, Adam.”
He shakes his head. “Fine isn’t what I was going for, sweetheart. I want you to be happy. I will make you happy. I promise.”
All I can do is swallow back the emotion bubbling up inside me. Finally, I manage to send a message to my legs and move toward the door. When I reach him, he lifts a hand and fingers a lock of my hair. “Stunning.”
“It’s usually a disaster, but you know that. Sometimes, I braid it to keep it from flying all over the place. Maybe you could tell me how you like it, and I’ll fix it that way.”
He shakes his head. “I’ll like it however you want to wear it, Rebekah. It’s beautiful. Down or braided or whatever other style makes you comfortable.”
“I’ve never even cut it,” I say for no particular reason. “My father said only slutty girls cut their hair.”
Adam winces. “Your father used horribly foul language in front of you. It was inappropriate. I can’t promise I won’t say words that shouldn’t be used in front of a lady because I’ve been living with my brothers, so my mouth can be filthy, but I would never direct that sort of language at you.
I don’t want you to use that word, Rebekah.
It’s ugly, and it’s totally untrue. Pardon me, but your father is an asshole for ever suggesting such a thing. ”
“Okay.”
He lifts another lock of my hair. “I will never tell you what to do with your hair. If you want to cut it, I’ll love you just the same.
” He bends forward and kisses the top of my head before turning me toward the bedroom and patting my butt.
“I will tell you that we need to get a move on because I told Judge Henderson we would be there soon.”
“Okay.” I scurry out of the bathroom.
For several minutes after he shuts the door, I simply stare at it. The shower is turned on, and I picture him getting in it naked. I’ve never seen a naked man. The idea scares me. I know what’s expected of me, and I wouldn’t want any other man on Earth to get between my legs, but I’m still nervous.
Snapping out of my trance, I spin to face the bed and gasp.
There’s a mountain of clothes piled on the mattress.
I rush forward, stunned. So many things.
Piles of pants and shirts and dresses. Underwear and…
oh god, bras. I would be mortified if Adam bought me bras and panties, but his twin brother did it. That’s even worse.
My face heats. I’m so embarrassed. I can’t catch my breath as I touch several items. He didn’t buy me ordinary cotton panties. He bought me lace and silk items. Matching sets. White and black and nude. Several different sizes, because how could he know what I would need?
Next to the clothes are several sizes of shoes. My fingers tremble as I move farther down the bed to explore what I realize is hair accessories. Clips, bows, bands, ribbons. Tears well in my eyes. Adam made this list.
I stop breathing when I see feminine products, pads, and a smaller box of tampons. I’ve never used tampons before. I haven’t had pads for years either. My father never thought to buy them for me, and I was too embarrassed to ask. I used cloth rags and washed them in the sink.