RNWMP: Bride for Theodore (Mail Order Mounties)(15)

“And I do appreciate it. I know Miss Hazel well. We just have to take everything she says with a grain of salt. At least I know she loves me.” Jess took a sip of her water, watching Theodore over the rim of it. She still couldn't believe he was interested in her as a woman.

After supper was done, Jess went to the basin to start washing the dishes. Miss Hazel walked up behind her. “You've been working all day. Go on your walk. I’ll wash up.”

Jess looked between Theodore and his mother for a moment, wondering if she should take Miss Hazel up on her offer. “I don’t know. I should help.”

Miss Hazel put her hands on her hips. “Teddy, tell Jess that since she worked all day with no help from me, it’s perfectly acceptable for her to let me do the dishes, so she can walk with you.”

Theodore looked at his mother with surprise. “You really didn’t help her at all today? Not even a little?”

“Not one bit. I figured she needed to learn what it would be like being a wife out here in the wilderness before she made any final decisions. So she’s seeing what it’s like.” Miss Hazel poured hot water into the basin and added the dishes. “I’ve got this. Have fun.”

Theodore didn’t need to be told again. He grabbed Jess’s hand and pulled her outside the cabin. “There’s a lake about a five-minute walk from here. Would you like to go there?”

Jess nodded, surprised that he was thinking the same way she was. She thought walking by the water would be very romantic. They strolled along slowly, not saying anything until they’d reached the water. “There’s a bench where we can sit and watch the water, or we can really walk for a while. It’s up to you.”

Jess shrugged. “I don’t mind either way.”

“With all the work you did today, are you too tired to walk?” he asked.

“Not at all. I’m used to hard work.”

“Then I’d like to walk if you don’t mind. I was sitting all day, and I’m used to hard work too.” As they walked along the shoreline, he looked down at her. “What do you think of my little town?”

She smiled. “I’ve always dreamed of living in a place just like this. It seems almost idyllic.”

“It is for the most part. It’s a quiet little town where little happens. I think it would be hard to be a woman living here with no other women for friends though.” That was his biggest concern about her staying. He would hate for her to marry and stay with him and hate it there.

“It might be. I had two friends who I did absolutely everything with back in Ottawa. One of them threw a shoe at me when she found out I was moving out here. She’ll be happy to see me, I’m sure.”

His eyes widened at that. “One of your closest friends threw a shoe at you? Is that how she shows her friendship?”

Jess laughed. “Lisa was upset with me for agreeing to move away, and it was her way of expressing herself. She deliberately missed if that helps.”

“Only a little.” He sighed, wondering why women were such odd creatures. “Do you think you could live out here without other women around?”

“I do think I could. I’m sure your friends will marry eventually though, so I wouldn’t be the only woman out here forever.”

“That’s true.” He led her to a log from a tree that had been knocked over by lightning. He sat down and invited her to sit beside him by patting the log. “I know things didn’t start out well between us when you arrived, but I’m glad you’re here now. Very glad.”

“Me too.” She was startled when he moved a bit closer to her on the log.

He cupped her cheek with one hand. “I know I probably shouldn’t kiss you yet, because we only decided today to try courting, but our time together is so limited. Everything has to go at a very fast pace. May I kiss you, Jessica?”

Jess nodded nervously. She’d never let a man kiss her before, though a few had tried. She’d never seen the point when there was no way they could ever have a serious relationship because her heart belonged to Theodore. “I guess so.”

He looked down into her eyes before slowly lowering his head and brushing his lips against hers.

Jess felt her heart jump into her throat. Her whole body felt alive. She put her arms around his neck, moving closer to him. She never wanted him to stop kissing her.

When he lifted his head, he smiled at her, one thumb tracing her bottom lip. “I think we can put kissing on the list of things we enjoy doing together.”

She giggled. “Are we making a list?”

“I think we should. We have to evaluate everything logically, don’t we? I mean…you have to decide if you can put up with me.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think you can be terribly logical about matters of the heart. If my heart wants to stay, then I’ll stay. If you want me to that is.” Please ask me to stay. Please ask me to stay.

“So if your heart told you to marry an outlaw who murdered people, you’d marry him?”

“Well, first of all, where would a sheltered young lady like me meet an outlaw to fall in love with? And secondly, I don’t see my heart wanting a man like that.” She shook her head. “It’s not who I am.”

“No, I know it’s not. Mom said you helped out a lot for all of her fundraisers and quilting parties. You were always one of the ladies who worked the hardest.” He ran his hands over her arms when he noticed she was chilly in the cool night air. “She mentioned you in every letter she sent me, telling me all the wonderful things you’ve done for the community. I was starting to think you were some sort of saint.”