Happy When Calls Day! I figured I'd upload another little snippet before the craziness that is sure to be the new episode!
With this one we're going to turn up the heat a little - literally. But I hope you'll all enjoy reading this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It had to be at least 140 degrees.
Or, at least, that's what it felt like. All Elizabeth knew was that she'd never experienced a summer so incredibly hot. Granted, when you're six and a half months pregnant, everything feels a little more unbearable, but this was something else entirely.
They'd taken to spending most of their time outside, in the shade of course, relishing in the slight breeze that would waft through the row houses. Rosemary had brought over some extra lemonade earlier, although at this point it was more lukewarm than the refreshing cold it had been when she first handed Elizabeth the glass.
Jack was playing nearby, now fully invested in the train set that Rosemary and Lee had gotten him. She could hear the whisper of his train noises from her perch, a "choo choo" echoing toward her every so often. He seemed at home in the hot weather though, much preferring the warmth to the cold of winter, which he'd endlessly complained about.
Winter. When everything had been cold and being warm simply meant warm and cozy in bed or by the fire, not melting away in the summer sun.
The sound of a spade digging into the earth interrupted her thoughts and Elizabeth's gaze focused back on her husband. He'd decided to plant a garden this year, despite her protests that she'd somehow kill any plant he put in the ground. Lucas was nothing if not determined and patient though, and even now he carefully tended to his plants.
Not that she was complaining.
It wasn't often that the world saw this version of Lucas Bouchard. She'd seen it only a time or two before their wedding, primarily when they were working on the library or that rare occasion she stumbled upon him chopping wood out behind the saloon. But now, and especially at home, he'd often ditch the three piece suit and replace it with more casual clothing, usually featuring a shirt rolled to his elbows and a set of suspenders.
And if he did it because he was well aware of the way his wife's gaze would travel in his direction, neither said anything about it.
But who could blame her? Especially now, when the heat caused his shirt to dampen with sweat, clinging to his body as he worked. His hair, usually perfectly in place, was disheveled, falling in waves across his forehead. She watched the muscles in his forearms as he worked his way through the soil, and suddenly Elizabeth was well aware that the summer heat wasn't the only thing making her hot and bothered.
After setting her drink down on the table next to her, Elizabeth carefully stood, heading straight for her husband. His back was turned slightly toward her, so he was unaware of her presence until her hands were already on him, turning him around and pulling his face toward her for a forceful kiss.
At first he was hesitant, shocked by the events that were unfolding, but he quickly responded with the same intensity. He let his spade fall to the ground so his hands were free to pull her as tight against him as he could, deepening the kiss until they both ran out of air.
They remained close after they'd pulled apart, Lucas leaning down to lightly kiss her lips once more. "I'm not complaining," he said roughly after he'd pulled back, "but what was that for?"
Elizabeth laughed, finally letting her hand run through his sweaty hair the way she'd wanted to for the last hour or so, "No reason. I just love you."
"Mmmhmm" he hummed, pressing his forehead against hers. "Is that all?"
"That's all" she whispered against his hot skin. She knew he wasn't buying it, but she also didn't care.
"Well then," he returned, his lips again hovering over hers, "maybe I should weed the garden more often."
And when he kissed her again, she couldn't disagree.