AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It would be a large structure. Big enough to house several rows of fruit trees, flowers, whatever Selena wanted. It would be his gift to her. A way of saying, Forgive me for what transpired in the past. He knew it would not make up for how he treated her, but it might be a reminder that life could spring anew. A small seed could blossom into something beautiful.
Owen rubbed his chest. He had to stop thinking of his wife long enough to get work done. All morning, he’d replayed their kiss until he feared his erection would never go away.
The noon meal came and went, but there was still no sign of Selena. Was she avoiding him again? It hurt that she did not want to see him. Well, he thought, as he tossed his napkin on the table, he would find his wife, even if she didn’t want to be found. He knew most likely where she would be.
He was correct. As usual, Selena had secreted herself inside the garden shed. She was trimming the heads of some roses in a pot. From the looks of it, she had not heard him enter. Her mind must be elsewhere. Owen took the time to study her.
Again, she wore a simple frock, made to get dirty. How would she look with the dress off? He shook his head. Focus. His intent was to be courteous, not to be a lust-addled fiend with seduction on his mind. A pair of gardening gloves encased Selena’s delicate hands. She didn’t wear a hat, so he could see her soft tresses pulled back from her face. Her mouth was pursed as she snipped a bud.
At last, she stood and stretched her back. The motion thrust out her chest, giving him a better vantage of her ample bosom. She wiped her arm across her brow, then turned. When she saw Owen, she paused.
“I hope I did not startle you.”
“No.” Selena pulled her gloves off. “I was just taking a break.”
“Am I disturbing you?”
“Not at all.”
“Good.” He scratched his head. “I just wanted to see how you are today, since I have not seen you all day.” His gaze met hers. Had she thought about the kiss?
“I am well, thank you.” Selena turned away from him.
Was that a slight tremble in her voice? Owen walked up to her. “I received the design for the greenhouse.”
At the mention of her pride and joy, Selena whipped around. She gasped when she saw how close Owen was. It took her a moment to speak. “Do the plans meet your approval?”
“It is not my approval that matters, but yours.”
“Mine?”
“Yes. It is your greenhouse, so it should be to your liking.”
The corners of her mouth twitched, as if trying to form a smile, but afraid. Had he been so cruel in the past that Selena would not let herself be happy? He’d caught glimpses over the last week. A laugh here, a wayward smile there, but there were all brief. What would it take to see her smile each time she saw him?
He gently stroked his fingers over hers, like a feather, lightly. “Was I so uncaring in the past?”
Selena did not meet his stare. He hadn’t realized how affected she was. “That’s the problem. I don’t know if you cared or not. You were never here.” She finally turned to face him with an icy stare. “You left me here, alone.”
His heart twisted in agony. Dear God, how could he have ever abandoned this woman? Stupid, insensitive, selfish, the list of attributes to give himself went on. How could he believe Selena would ever want to be with him? That he could win her back after years of neglect?
Without thinking, he enveloped her in his arms. At first, Selena kept her arms at her side, her stance rigid. Owen didn’t move, didn’t speak. He just wanted his wife to know he was there for her. Then Owen felt Selena’s body relax. Her shoulder slumped, and she sunk deeper into his embrace. Finally, she wrapped her arms around him. Owen let out a breath as he held her tighter. They stood there, locked in each other’s arms.
“God as my witness, I will make this right, somehow.”
Selena pulled back.
“Whether it is with me or not, I swear you will be safe and happy. My sweet Selena, I never want to see you hurt again. Even now my heart breaks to see you like this.” He caressed her face. “Perhaps I should leave. I am a constant reminder of everything you despise.”
“No, please. I don’t want you to leave.” She blinked several times, then opened her mouth to say more but stopped.
“Why?” Owen’s voice was soft.
“This is your home. You belong here.”
His heart sank. Selena did not want him here for her sake. He hung his head in defeat and stepped away from her. No, he could not give up so easily. Hadn’t he sworn to try to win back his wife? This was not the way, running with his tail between his legs. He had to show her he had changed.
“Will you show me your plants?”
