“You’re later than usual tonight,” she commented.
“I was talking to Everett about your cold house plans, and we’re getting it done this weekend,” he said, taking his seat and reaching for her hand, saying a quick prayer over the meal.“He said that you ladies need to collect rocks tomorrow if you can.”
Lula nodded.“Belle told me the same thing.She told me it’s fine if I want to hunt and sell the meat, and Katie seemed excited by the idea.She said she’d buy meat for her own suppers and happily sell the rest.It seems to solve a problem for her and generates new business.I hope there’s a way I can still hunt come winter.”
“I really don’t think there will be, but if anyone can find a way, it’s you.”He ate a bite of his stew.“You are a wonderful cook for someone who hates cooking.”
“Thanks.I apprenticed under the hotel's chef.I didn’t much like it, but I wasn’t really given a choice.”
“I’m sorry if that time was unpleasant for you, but I’m certainly happy with the results.”
She grinned.“I’m glad it worked out in our favor...or should I say flavor?”
After the dishes were done that evening, she sat at the table with him.“Everett said the best place to gather the rocks for the cold house would be along the river banks.Are you and Belle going to do that tomorrow instead of hunting?”
“That’s our plan,” she replied.“We may take Ella with us.Perhaps we can float the canoe along like we did yesterday, putting rocks into it.”
“That sounds like a good idea.Just make sure you keep it balanced, or you’ll lose your rocks to the river.”
She sighed.“I don’t want to pick up a bunch of rocks and lose them.I’ll talk to Belle about the best way to do it, and she’ll let me know.”
“You do know you’re not expected to find enough rocks for the building, right?We men will gather rocks on Saturday as well.We just want as many as you can get.”
“Oh, good!I don’t want to have to get all that done in one day.I’m not sure if I could.”
“It’s a lot of work.But the cold house will make it all worth it.”He put his hand over hers, his tone growing serious.“Do you think you’ll be happy here?With me?”
She looked up into his deep blue eyes.It was the only way she could see any Scandinavian in his blood.His dark hair fell across his forehead, and she had the sudden thought that it made the blue of his gaze look even brighter.Lula’s own brown eyes held his for a long moment, her long dark hair slipping loose over her shoulder as she leaned closer.“I do.”
“May I kiss you?”he asked.
He hadn’t expressed any interest in becoming more intimate until that moment, so she was a little surprised.She nodded.“Yes, of course.We’re married.”
Sebastian frowned.“I want to kiss you because we both desire it.Not because we’re married.”
Lula looked down at her hands.She did want him to kiss her, but she felt as if she was betraying Bill by allowing it.After a moment, she looked up at him.“I do want you to kiss me.”She knew she needed to move on with her life.She had chosen this man to spend the rest of her life with, and she needed to move forward with that.It wasn’t as if she were a fainting virgin.She’d been married before, and she believed Sebastian was a good man.There was no reason to keep him waiting.
She stood and walked around the table, plopping down onto his lap.He looked a bit startled, but after a moment, he grinned.“I guess you’re not afraid of me.”
“Not at all.You’re a good man.I can see that.”
He cupped her face in his hands, looking deeply into her eyes.“You’re beautiful.”
“You’re very handsome yourself.I don’t know why you had to send for a bride when you could have easily found a wife.”
“Because I live in Alaska, where there are very few unmarried women.That’s why.”He brushed his thumb over her lips.“Now be quiet while I kiss you.”
She leaned further toward him, offering her lips, and her long dark hair brushed his wrist as he held her face.His mouth met hers with surprising gentleness, as if he were afraid to startle her away.For a heartbeat, she went still, every memory of Bill and every fear of betrayal rising up like a wall—but Sebastian’s hands remained steady on her cheeks, his touch patient, asking rather than taking.When she finally opened her eyes again, the blue of his gaze was close enough to steal her breath.Lula let out a slow breath and melted into the kiss, allowing herself to feel the warmth of him and the quiet certainty that she was safe.
She tasted the spices she’d used in their stew on his lips.Something inside her—a tight, guarded knot she’d carried for years—loosened.It didn’t mean she loved Sebastian, and it didn’t erase what had been stolen from her.But it did mean her life was still moving forward, one careful step at a time.
When he pulled back, he didn’t look triumphant the way some men might have.He looked...relieved.“Is this all right?”he asked softly, his thumb still resting at the edge of her jaw.
Lula swallowed past the sudden thickness in her throat and nodded.“Yes.And if it stops being all right, I’ll tell you.”
“Good,” he said simply.“That’s what I want.”He kissed her again—slower this time—until her shoulders eased and she found herself smiling against his mouth despite everything she’d promised herself she would never feel again.She felt passion building inside her, and though she was a bit surprised, she was happy she could have that feeling for her new husband.It would be difficult to be married and not be attracted to him.
Later, when the fire had burned low and the cabin had grown quiet, Sebastian carried her to the bed as if she weighed nothing at all.Lula would have protested—she was perfectly capable of walking—but she didn’t.She climbed in beside him with a hesitance that faded when he only took her hand and laced his fingers with hers.
