Chapter 102
"What are you reading?" as Heath came in for the day.
Grete blushed, "the Bible."
Heath took off his vest and sat down on the bed. He took off his boots, "I gotta get cleaned up for supper. Where's Kai and Henry?"
"Over at the Wheelers with Audra and Mother.. New pony was born. They will be in later.
He looked at her face strangely; she looked glowing. The small pooch at her stomach seemed bigger and her cheeks were flushed.
"You feeling ok?"
"Yes. Let me draw you a bath."
"I can do it."
"Let me." and she sauntered into the water closet with her robe around her undergarments.
He picked up her Bible on the chair and realized she was reading Song of Solomon. She had a ribbon on the page and it was marked.
My lover is mine and I am his. He browses among the lilies. Before the dawn breezes blow and the night shadows flee…return to me like a young stag on the rugged mountains.
He immediately lost all the exhaustion of the day and continued to read. He smiled and took the Bible into the water closet.
He fully undressed and got into the tub. She filled bath salts in the water and began to scrub his back. He sighed in delight, "Don't know what I did to deserve you but I ain't questioning the Good Lord."
After she washed his hair and back, he opened his eyes and looked at his wife approvingly. Her large breasts had seemed to double carrying his child and they spilled out of her bodice as she leaned over.
"Hand me that Bible, Grete."
She looked at him in surprise; he scanned down to the spot he had read a few minutes earlier.
Behold, you are beautiful, my love,
behold, you are beautiful!
Your eyes are doves
behind your veil"
"Now I am skipping some parts Grete. Don't think of your hair like goats or teeth like sheep."
She giggled.
He cleared his throat and continued. She massaged his shoulders and rinsed the soap away.
"Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle,
that graze among the lilies.
You are altogether beautiful, my love;
there is no flaw.
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes,with one jewel of your necklace.
How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
Your lips drip nectar, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon—uh the ranch—-no how about the kitchen."
She laughed then her eyes darkened.
She kissed him deeply and he groaned. She took the Bible from him
"If you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love." Quoting the scripture.
That was all Heath could take. He stood up in the tub sopping wet and picked her up. He kicked the door lightly and lay her on the bed. She was deeply breathing as he went over and locked the door.
"Grete," was all he said before he covered her body in their big bed.
—&—
Anna had ridden out for their first big work day back on the ranch. She packed her braiding materials, embroidery and book along with lunch on her new horse. She couldn't decide what to name her horse until she got back from her honeymoon. She decided to call her Blue Braid when she soothed her and braided the hued mane to cool her. The horse picked up her ownership immediately when they got home from their week in Sacramento.
She had asked Nick if she could ride out with him for the day as he checked on the ranch.
"I won't do this often but I want a picture in my mind of what you are doing all day while we are parted."
"I am thinking of you and that durn waterfall and that fancy hotel in the city and in our very own room last night—But shore honey, be glad for ya to ride out. And maybe a little lunch dessert."
"Nicholas," she swatted him, "In broad daylight?"
He grinned ear to ear, "Nah in the shade of a tree. Wouldn't want our arses sunburned."
She burst out laughing. He kissed her soundly and they headed out for the day. Nick took some good natured ribbing from the men out of her earshot. She kept out of the way; she read and braided quietly on their stops to check on the crews.
They finally rode home late in the day and Nick asked Silas to bring a tray up.
"The missus," he said with pride, "wants to clean up. Been a long day but she is gonna make a fine rancher's wife. Mighty fine."
"Yes she is," Silas widely grinned, "Mista Nick, it's good to see you so happy."
Nick swallowed, "Thank ya Silas. Anna is just what I needed."
"Yes sir, she is."
His silver spurs rattled on the back kitchen steps as he headed to his room, smiling thinking of Anna taking him up on his jest after lunch.
"Never look at that grove without a smile again."
—&—
Victoria ate supper with Silas in the kitchen, "Well, it is just us tonight Silas. Audra and the young'ns over at the Wheelers, the boys upstairs with their wives. This is going to be the first of many nights I bet."
"Yes Ma'am Miz Barkley. But when them grandchildren start to come, it's all worth it."
Victoria raised her eyebrows and laughed heartily, "Why Silas, yes it is."
They finished up supper companionably and washed the dishes together.
"Silas, say an extra prayer for Jarrod."
"Been praying for days."
She impulsively leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you."
"You's welcome."
"Good night, Silas."
"Good night, Missus."
She walked up the stairs wondering if Nate had used that blasted necklace of Tom's. She had gone two weeks hardly speaking to her husband after that debacle. They made up of course and Tom kept the necklace that she adamantly refused to wear.
"Think before you leap, Tom Barkley" as she took him back into her arms.
"I will and I will keep it as a reminder, Victoria of my foolishness."
She smiled thinking Tom would be pleased with what she did with his folly.