Moments
MORNING
Her nose felt the morning chill before her eyes even opened, although her body reveled in the warmth under the covers—the heavy blankets, the heat radiating from Barney. As her eyes opened, she immediately looked out her window to catch the view that still startled her each morning. The bright snow covering Mistawis, hiding the frozen lake from view. Her attention shifted when a warm hand touched hers under the blankets. She smiled when their eyes met. "Good morning," his rich voice warmed her cheeks. "Are you ready to get up?" The smile on his lips made her feel like she belonged in this cabin on an island in the middle of the lake.
"I believe so. Shall I make you some breakfast?"
He chuckled. "Well now, you know how I love your cooking!"
She gave him a little shove as he blocked her exit from the warm bed. "Well, then, you'd best let me out and get a fire going!"
To her surprise, there was already a fire burning in the little sitting room grate. He laughed at her incredulity. "I came out and lit the fire, then ran back to bed, it being so cold out here and so cozy in there with you."
"I see…" she had to laugh at the image of him running back to get under the covers—then she blushed at how long he had stayed.
EVENING
His kiss on the dock earlier that day had taken her by surprise. While she knew they were married and that came with certain implications, she wasn't really sure what that meant for this strange, pity marriage. Now, sitting on the sofa while he added a log to the fire, she couldn't help but wonder—but couldn't imagine broaching the topic with him. Did people even talk about that sort of thing? She had certainly enjoyed the kiss. His lips had been warm and dry… she felt him sit down beside her and her eyes flew open (when had they closed?).
"Getting sleepy?" he asked.
"No, just thinking through the day." She hoped he wouldn't ask about her thoughts. One thing she liked about him was his comfort with companionable silence.
"Lots has happened today."
"It certainly has." His closeness on the sofa was making her heart race. He stared into the fire. Was Barney – uncomfortable?
"I hope it was alright- earlier. I realized later that you might have a problem with- that sort of thing. I guess I just figured, well, we're married…" was he talking about the kiss? He turned to look at her after this speech. Had he been watching, he would have seen her face shift from dreamy, to confused, to embarrassed. All he caught was her face tinged with heat. He was obviously waiting for a response.
"Oh, it's fine… we are married, that is…" he grinned and took her hand, sitting a little deeper in the sofa.
HONEYMOON
Valancy found her "honeymoon" to be exhilarating. She dearly missed the Blue Castle but found life with Barney to be even more exciting after his declaration in Mrs. Fredrick's sitting room. In fact, it seemed that everything they did was better now that she knew he loved her wholeheartedly. As they walked through European cities, it was plain to see that this Barney—the millionaire—was the same Barney that took her on snowshoe tromps through the woods and brought home cans of bean for supper.
