Boaz's Wager Page 8

  “I got a name,” Leroy called out, nudging him in the side.

  Taking his eyes off the path in front of him, he saw Leroy holding up the frog. “You figured out a name for the frog?”

  “I did. Elroy. Eva said it’s just like my name,” he said.

  “You switch the ‘l’ and ‘e’,” Eva clarified.

  “See how good it is?”

  Boaz watched as his son petted the frog and chuckled. “It’s the perfect name.”

  Leroy held the frog out to Eva. “Want to touch him?”

  Though she tried to act brave as she reached out and patted its head, Boaz caught the slight shaking of her hand. She was such an endearing woman, doing her best to please the boy.

  And it worked. Leroy’s smile widened. “He likes you.”

  “Well for a frog, I suppose he’s not so bad,” she replied, “but you must keep him in a bowl. I won’t have him hopping all through the house.”

  “I’ll keep him in a bowl,” he promised.

  Boaz noted the relief on her face and hid the urge to chuckle.

  “I want a frog,” Hannah said and peered up at Eva, her eyebrows raised in expectation.

  “You want a frog, too?” Despite the unease in Eva’s expression, she put her arm around the girl’s shoulders and smiled. “I have a better idea. Why don’t we work on a pretty dress for you? Dresses are much more fun than frogs.”

  “No, they aren’t,” Leroy argued.

  “They are for girls,” Eva insisted. “Girls love looking pretty, and your sister is a very pretty girl.”

  He grimaced and glanced at Boaz. “Girls like dumb things.”

  Lowering his head to Leroy’s ear, he whispered, “Someday you’ll like it that they wear pretty dresses. They look nice in them.”

  “I don’t think so, Pa,” he replied with a shake of his head.

  Grinning, he sat back up and concentrated on leading the horses in the direction that would take them to town. He couldn’t blame his son for feeling that way. When he was his age, he didn’t think the day would ever come when he looked at girls as more than friends. But the day came soon enough and it would for Leroy, too. Fortunately, that day was still a ways off for him. Boaz wasn’t ready for him to grow up yet.

  He chanced another glance at Eva who was discussing the type of dress she could make for Hannah. She happened to look at him and, like a shy schoolboy, he quickly averted his gaze, his face growing warm. This was ridiculous. He was a grown man. He ought to handle himself better than this. He had to. And he would. Because there was no way he would ever let himself act on his feelings. Ever.

  Chapter Ten

  Over the next couple days, Eva fell into a routine around the house. She quickly learned what the children would and wouldn’t eat and when they needed naps during the day. It wasn’t as hard to adjust to being a mother as she feared it’d be when she learned Boaz was coming into the marriage with children.

  And adjusting to Boaz was just as easy. Though he sometimes worked on weekends, he made sure to come home at least an hour before the children went to bed. So when he didn’t come home at his usual time one evening, she kept going to the window in the parlor and checking to see if he was walking down the street.

  “What’s wrong?” Leroy asked.

  “Nothing,” she replied, lowering the curtain and turning to him. “I was just seeing if your father was coming home yet.”

  “You think he won’t come home tonight?”

  “No. He’ll be home.” She hesitated to tell him why she was worried but figured she should be honest with him. “I’m just hoping he isn’t hurt. Horses can be dangerous creatures. It wouldn’t take much for someone to fall off and get hurt.”

  “Pa’s hurt?” Hannah asked from where she was playing with her doll.

  “No, I didn’t say that,” Eva clarified.

  “But you said he could be hurt,” Leroy said.

  “Well,” she glanced from one child to the other, “it’s just that ever since I married your father, he’s been here no later than seven. Right now it’s almost eight.”

  “So you do think he’s hurt,” Leroy said.

  She didn’t know how to respond, but thankfully, the door opened and Boaz called out a greeting, saving her from having to answer Leroy.

  Leroy and Hannah ran over to welcome him. “We thought you were hurt,” Leroy told him.

  “You hurt, Pa?” Hannah asked in a quiet voice.

  “No, I’m not hurt. It just took me longer to work with one of the horses, that’s all,” Boaz told them as he hugged them.

  “She was worried.” Leroy motioned to Eva who paused on her way over to them. “She thought you fell off a horse.”

  “I didn’t say you fell off a horse,” Eva replied, not wanting Boaz to think she was needlessly worrying his children. “I just said I hoped you were alright.”

  “Because you could have gotten hurt,” Leroy added.

  With a sigh, she relented. “The thought did cross my mind. You’ve been home by seven all the other nights.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I’m glad you made it home.”

  He smiled at her in a way that made her heart skip a beat. He was a handsome man, especially when he was happy. No wonder his first wife picked him over Mitch. What woman could resist him?

  Heat rising to her cheeks, she quickly added, “I’ll take your supper out of the oven. I kept it in there so it’d stay warm.”

  Before he could reply, she hurried to the kitchen. If she wasn’t careful, she’d give her newfound feelings away. She was much safer in the kitchen where she could focus on taking his plate of mashed potatoes and pot roast out of the oven and setting it on the table. She set a cup of tea punch by the utensils just as he came into the room.

  “I’m sorry I’m late, Eva,” he apologized. “I wasn’t planning to be, but Conner’s horse didn’t want to mind and it took longer to get the bridle on than I expected.”

  “You couldn’t help that,” she assured him. “Come on and sit. Your meal won’t stay warm for long.”

  Though she fully expected him to sit, he didn’t. Instead, he stepped over to her. “I should have told Conner that I needed to get back around seven. There was no need to try the bridle. It could have waited.”

  Sensing his hesitation, she asked, “Is Conner the kind of person who wouldn’t accept that?”

  “No. He would have accepted it, but after all the times I didn’t do a job when I was supposed to, I feel like I owe it to the people who hire me to do what I’m paid for.” He ran his hand through his dark hair that had been matted down with sweat in the course of the day. “My past isn’t a pretty one. I told you I used to get drunk.”

  She nodded. “I remember.”

  “A couple months after my first wife died, I started drinking to drown out the pain. Only when the alcohol wore off, I felt worse. So I’d drink some more which then made me feel even worse. It was a cycle that I couldn’t seem to break. And while I was doing all that, Mitch and my mother took over caring for Leroy and Hannah. What ended up happening was that I went from one odd job to another when I was sober enough to do so, but I never stayed at any job. I wasn’t committed to anything except making sure I got the next drink.”

  He refused to make eye contact with her during the entire time he talked, but he still remained close to her, a sign that even as ashamed as he was of his past, he wanted to be honest with her. And that meant he trusted her, which was something she didn’t take for granted.

  “I don’t want to give anyone a reason to regret hiring me,” he continued, finally looking at her, silently asking her to understand. “I want to do things right this time. In the future, I’ll try to do a better job of making sure I’m home by seven.”

  “Boaz, you don’t have to be here by seven. If you end up working later, that’s fine. I’m just glad you’re alright.”

  “You really were worried about me?”

  Despite the increased beating of her heart, she smiled. “Isn’t t
hat what a wife is supposed to do?”

  “I don’t know if it’s something a wife is supposed to do, but it’s nice that you do.”

  She thought to ask him why he said that, but then he lowered his head in a way that indicated he was about to kiss her. She’d only seen men give women a kiss. Having not experienced such a thing, she wasn’t sure what to do except close her eyes and wait for his lips to touch hers. And when they did, the light brush excited her beyond her expectations.

  “Leroy’s mean!”

  Eva’s eyes flew open and she peered around Boaz who immediately took a step back. “What’s wrong?”

  “Leroy said the frog will eat me if I’m not good.”

  “Oh, that’s silly. Frogs don’t eat people.”

  “Your mother’s right,” Boaz added as he went to the table and sat down. “People are too big.”

  Resisting the urge to laugh at his joke, she walked over to the girl and put her arm around her shoulders. “Let’s talk to your brother.”

  She led Hannah out of the room and they found Leroy in the bedroom. He was talking to the frog which seemed content in its large bowl.

  “Leroy,” Eva began as she gently urged Hannah into the room. “Did you tell your sister that Elroy was going to eat her?”

  “She tried to grab him from the bowl,” he said. “I told her she can’t do that, but she did it anyway.”

  “I see. So by telling her the frog was going to eat her, you figured it’d make her stop?”

  He nodded.

  She turned her attention to the little girl whose cheeks had grown pink, probably from embarrassment at having been caught doing something she knew full well was wrong. “Hannah, Elroy needs to stay in his bowl. Now, if Leroy takes the bowl outside, then you two can take Elroy out and play with him. But as long as he’s in the house, he must stay in the bowl. Understand?”

  Hannah indicated her agreement.

  “Good. And Leroy, it’s wrong to scare your sister into thinking Elroy is going to eat her. Frogs don’t eat people. They eat insects like flies. Now, apologize for scaring her.”

  “Sorry,” he muttered.

  “Say it like you mean it.”

  Though he sighed, he said, “Sorry, Hannah,” in a more contrite tone.

  “Hannah, tell your brother you’re sorry for trying to take Elroy from his bowl,” Eva instructed.

  With her hands behind her back, the girl apologized.

  “Good.” She patted Hannah’s shoulder. “It’s time to get to sleep so let’s get you both ready for bed.”

  After she got them tucked into bed for the night, she returned to the kitchen with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Boaz had kissed her. He’d opened himself up to her, revealing something he probably hadn’t shared with anyone else, and then he kissed her. Even now her lips tingled. She had sensed something had been changing ever since they left Mitch and Heather’s home. She didn’t know when those changes were going to start manifesting, but now was as good a time as any.

  Despite the increased thumping of her heart, she forced her voice to remain steady as Boaz finished the last of his tea punch. “I hope the pot roast wasn’t dry,” she said while she collected the fork and empty plate.

  “Not at all,” he assured her. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble to keep it warm.”

  “No, it wasn’t. The oven stays warm for a while after I make supper. All I did was use that warmth to keep your food from getting cold.”

  He stood up and brought the glass over to the sink. “I know it’s later than the time I’ve been reading to you, but would you like to hear more Les Misérables tonight?”

  Acutely aware of the fact that he was right next to her, she picked up the glass and set it in the soapy water with the plate and fork. “That would be wonderful. It’s easier for me to sleep if I get to read first.” With a smile, she added, “Though technically you’re the one who’s reading.”

  “You should get your spectacles soon.”

  “The doctor says they should be in tomorrow.”

  “I bet you’re glad.”

  “It’ll be much easier to read.” As she washed the dishes, she added, “The mercantile owner said he’ll get a collection of children’s stories in, and I want to read to Leroy and Hannah. The sooner I expose them to reading, the better the chances are that they’ll grow up to enjoy books. I’d like to impart the love of reading to them.”

  “You really enjoyed teaching, didn’t you?”

  “I did.” She set the dishes on a rack to dry and turned to face him, noting the gentle strength in his dark eyes. “But it’s much more fulfilling to be a mother. Children admire and respect their teachers, but they love their parents. I know Leroy and Hannah don’t love me—”

  “They will. Give it time.”

  “I was going to add ‘yet’.”

  “Oh, sorry. I should have let you finish.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It was very thoughtful of you to say that. I hope they do. They’re such sweet children.” She wiped her hands on a dry towel and hung it on the back of one of the chairs. “Are you sure you want to read after you’ve had such a long day?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Besides, it’s not such a bad book.”

  “Not such a bad book?” It was on the tip of her tongue to remind him it was one of the best books ever written but she refrained when she caught the teasing spark in his eye.

  “I told you I don’t care much for reading, but I have to admit I want to find out what happens next. I’ll retrieve it from the bedroom.”

  He left the kitchen and she released her breath. Would they be together tonight? She was used to him changing in the bedroom and bringing out his blanket and pillow. He’d then read to her while they sipped on warm milk. Would he bring out his blanket and pillow tonight? Just how much did the kiss mean to him? She knew it was a progression forward, but just how ‘forward’ was it? And did she want to be with him that way so soon?

  As she warmed the milk, she thought through whether or not she wanted to share her bed with him tonight. He was a good man. He’d been through a lot of heartache and pain, but he’d pressed through it and was doing his best to do the right thing. It was so much like Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Maybe he liked the book for that reason. Maybe he could relate to Jean’s desire to better himself.

  She collected the pot from the cookstove and poured the milk into the cups. Not sure what to expect, she carried the cups to the parlor and slowed her steps when she saw his blanket and pillow on the couch. It took her a moment to realize she was disappointed. And in that instant she knew she had wanted to be with him tonight. She hadn’t been sure before, but she was now.

  When she heard footsteps behind her, she quickly set the cups on the table and took her spot at the chair she usually sat in. He probably brought his blanket and pillow out here because she hadn’t given him permission to come to the bedroom. He wasn’t able to read her mind, and if she was confused about what the kiss meant, he must be as well.

  With a glance in his direction, she smiled. “I appreciate you taking the time to read to me even though you don’t care much for it.”

  He settled on the couch and turned the book to the last page he’d been reading. “I’m happy to do it.”

  She got comfortable in the chair and listened to him as he read. But on this particular night, she couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying. She kept debating how she could extend the invitation to her bed. And though she thought of different ways she could bring the subject up, by the time he was finished reading, she still didn’t know what to say.

  “Did you want me to read more?” Boaz asked after he’d closed the book.

  She cleared her throat. “No. I’ve heard enough for the night, thank you.”

  With a nod, he held the book out to her.

  She took it but didn’t leave like she’d done every other night.

  He stopped fluffing his pillow and looked at her. “Is something wrong?”

>   “No. I-I just…” She took a deep breath. If she was going to extend the invitation, she’d be better off doing it now before she lost her nerve. “I just wanted to let you know you don’t have to keep sleeping out here. You can sleep in the bedroom, if you’d like.”

  “Oh.” He lowered his gaze to his pillow, and after a long, awkward silence, he said, “I need to stay out here.” She waited to see if he’d explain what he meant or if he’d tell her when he’d join her in the bedroom, but he only added, “It’s for the best.”

  Realizing that was the only answer she’d get, she swallowed and rose to her feet. Somehow she managed to leave the parlor despite her shaky knees. She’d faced rejection in the past, of course, but she hadn’t faced anything like this. And quite frankly, she didn’t know what to do. Did she go out there and ask him why or did she keep quiet about it? Maybe he didn’t want to do it that night. Maybe he’d wait until tomorrow. Or another day.

  She reached the bedroom and set the book on the table. Releasing her breath, she sat down. Well, there was nothing else she could do right now. What she needed was a good night’s sleep. Maybe tomorrow she’d have a better idea of what to do.

  After a moment to regain her composure, she got ready for bed and slipped under the blanket, the slight breeze drifting in from the window cooling the room off. She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to come, but it didn’t until well past midnight.

  ***

  Boaz should have known not to kiss her. And it wasn’t like he intended to. But she was standing right in front of him and she looked so incredibly pretty. With a sigh, he rolled onto his side. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t get comfortable.

  His body had absolutely no problem letting him know that it wanted him to take Eva up on her invitation and go to her bed. But he couldn’t go there, no matter how tempting it was.

  He should never have kissed her. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be in this predicament right now. She never would have known he desired her, and she wouldn’t have assumed that they were going to enjoy an intimate relationship. He didn’t blame her. He would have thought the same thing if he was her.