Chapter 5 Cora
five
Cora
We spend the day with Nash, showing me around his mountain farm.
I never thought a mountain man could also be a farmer, but with his heated barn, the animals seem content.
The chickens cluck at my feet the entire time I feed them, as Nash shows me around.
Ringo and Bingo, Nash’s horses, happily took the carrots I offered.
Milking Bossy was another matter. It will take her longer to warm up to me next time.
But there won’t be a next time after tonight.
I need to confess everything to Nash because I feel guilty enough as it is.
I’ve nearly told him twice already, but each time I see the happy glint in his eyes, I back down, like now.
“I was thinking, if you want, we can get married after we get to know each other better.
Or if you want, we can have a Christmas wedding next week.
" His boyish smile melts my heart. I wasn't expecting him to be so patient and take his time with me. I don’t know what I expected--maybe to be thrown over his shoulder and ravished. Not that that sounds bad.
“I think a Christmas wedding is a wonderful idea.” I steal a kiss from his lips.
We’ve been doing that all day—little stolen kisses here and quick caresses there.
I’m more than ready for tonight when I make him mine.
Well, mine for the night. I should feel guilty for lying to him about having a Christmas wedding, but I want to hold onto the dream a little longer.
“Tell me again what kind of snowmen you and your sister used to build.”
I laugh, recalling when we first went out into the snow today with me snuggled in his clothes and boots that clomp when I walk, telling him about our winters in Nebraska.
“Care Bears.” I giggle. “We made the whole lot of them: Grumpy, Cheer, Funshine, Tenderheart, Share, Wish, Good Luck, Bedtime, and Love-A-Lot. We used food coloring to dye the snow the right color. We even designed their bellies to match their names. We were the envy of the whole neighborhood.”
“Sounds like a wonderful childhood. You're lucky to have a sibling. I’m an only child. My parents were older when they had me. My mother was told she would never conceive, but she still calls me her miracle baby.” I smile, picturing anyone referring to my giant, sexy mountain man as a baby.
“How about your parents? What are they like?” His question is so innocent and sincere that it makes my heart break even more.
I hate talking about my parents after their death.
“My parents were killed by a drunk driver when I was eighteen, and my sister was eleven.” My voice hitches recalling that night.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says softly as he laces his fingers with mine, gently pressing my hand to his lips for a kiss. He's so sweet.
Damn you, Sara. How could you break his heart like this?
“It was a long time ago.” I look into his eyes, knowing I want to spend the night with this gentle giant. “Take me back to the cabin and make me forget.” I kiss his lips as he scoops me up in his arms with a growl--his big boots slipping off my feet.
I need one night with the man of my dreams to help me get through the rest of my long, lonely life.