“Why? Because you offered me comfort? Because I took what you offered?”
She nodded, those eyes of hers growing darker still.
“I’m not sorry, Tresia. You knew what I needed. What we both needed. What I think we both wanted.” His voice softened as he approached her, then caressed her cheek with his thumb. “Are you really sorry?”
She leaned into his caress and let out a sigh. “No. I just—” Her mouth opened and closed several times before she inhaled deeply. “I don’t normally…there hasn’t been anyone since Brett.”
“I didn’t think there had been.” He didn’t say that there had been no one since Hannah. Surely, she must know that. He wasn’t a man given to visiting bawdy houses unless it was for official purposes. The act of making love was to be revered and shared with someone special. Like she was. He tilted his head to the side. “Are you embarrassed by what we did?”
“A little.” The pink glow on her face deepened, and she hesitated before she spoke. “More so by what I did. I’m not a wanton woman, Devlin. I’m afraid my behavior was not appropriate.”
He laughed. Actually couldn’t help himself, before he cradled her face in both his hands and lowered his head to brush his lips against hers. “Appropriate or not, I don’t think you’re wanton, Tresia. I think you’re passionate and giving and much too generous.” And to prove his words, he settled his mouth on hers again, kissing her deeply this time. She didn’t resist at all. Indeed, her hands came up to rest against his chest as she leaned into him, the egg on the floor forgotten for the moment.
“Oooh! You’re kissing again!” A small voice, one filled with unbridled happiness and just a touch of wonder, interrupted the kiss.
Devlin released her immediately and backed up a step or two, his face now warm. He turned quickly to cover his embarrassment that he’d been caught, once again, kissing Tresia and eyed his daughter standing in the doorway. She looked adorable in her frilly cotton nightgown, her curls twisted up in rags, Cecily in her arms with rags in her hair, too, before he took a few steps in her direction. She didn’t seem upset in the least that he had been kissing Tresia. In fact, she was grinning.
“I’m gonna kiss you, too!” He laughed, and lifted Avery up high, smothering her face with little kisses, making her giggle.
“Stop it, Daddy!” she squealed.
“Are you sure?”
She giggled a little more and presented her face to him, upon which he promptly blew raspberries against her chubby cheek then eased her down to the chair. “I think we’re having flapjacks this morning.” He poured milk into her glass, then grabbed the syrup from the pantry.
Avery’s eyes lit up. “I love flapjacks!”
“They’ll be ready in a few minutes.” Tresia hummed as she worked, happy it seemed. She flipped the flapjacks like an expert after a few moments then placed two on a plate for Avery, four for him, and brought them to the table.
“Thank you.” He accepted both plates.
She smiled at him then went back to the stove and spooned more batter into the skillet.
When she finally took her seat, two flapjacks on her plate, he looked across the table at her. There was still a telltale blush on her cheeks, but she seemed to have gotten over her earlier embarrassment. There was nothing wrong with what she had given him when he needed it most and maybe she was beginning to realize that.
She caught him looking at her and smiled and a realization dawned. This is what he wanted to see, every day, for the rest of his life. It seeped into his head, not with a jolt but with a gentle, peaceful flow that filled his heart.
He should ask her to marry him.
The thought didn’t startle him despite the fact he’d never thought to marry again. Instead, it made his heart beat a little harder in his chest and happiness, that elusive emotion he never thought he’d experience again, rippled through him. Yes, he would ask her to marry him. He only hoped she would say yes.
He finished his flapjacks, swallowed the last of his coffee, and placed his napkin on the table then hesitated. Duty called though he’d much rather spend the day here with Avery…and his future wife, if she’d have him.
“As much as I don’t want to, I have to go to work,” he announced as he pushed his plate away and rose from his seat then strolled out of the kitchen.
He returned shortly, buckling his gun belt low around his hips. “What are your plans for today?”
Tresia stopped with her coffee cup halfway to her mouth. “I thought Avery and I would go over to the town hall and look at the rooms Mayor Tisdale said we could have for the lending library, then stop at Goldwater’s for some fresh vegetables, and Mr. Crandall’s to get a roast for dinner. Maybe we’ll pick up some apple tarts from Sweet Somethings.” She lowered her voice even as she lowered her coffee cup. “If you think it’s all right, I’d like to see Alfonso and Damita at Doctor Ben’s.”
“That would be very nice. I’m sure they would appreciate seeing you.” He shifted his weight from one leg to the other then broached a subject he’d been hesitant about. “People will have a lot of questions for you today, Tresia. They’ll assume—” He didn’t finish his sentence, seeing the color on her cheeks spread to encompass her entire face. Even the tips of her ears turned red and he assumed she thought he was referring to them sharing a bed. He quickly eased her mind. “No, Tresia. I’m not talking about that.” He smiled, hoping to ease her anxiety though his worries were just beginning. “I’m quite certain word of Ned Delany’s death has already spread. People, those you know well and those you don’t, including the publisher of the Serenity Times, will assume you know the details of what happened yesterday.” His words drifted off, remembering that Avery was still at the table, though she seemed more interested in pretending to feed her doll than what the adults were talking about.
Tresia nodded, though her face remained red. “Yes, of course. I understand.”
“I would prefer it if you didn’t talk to anyone, especially Mr. Wagner, or any other reporter who comes here, and they will come. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but eventually, they will. Don’t speak to them at all if you can help it. They’ll try everything to get you to say something you don’t want to.” He paused, his gaze roaming over her face. He wanted to protect her frominvasive questions. She’d never had to deal with that before, but he had.
“I hadn’t planned to. I would never betray a confidence, Devlin.”
“I know you wouldn’t, but some people won’t take no for an answer. They’ll be persistent.”
