*photo credit: funkyjunkinteriors.net
Chapter 29
Somewhere in Indiana on the OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD 4 days after Stu's wedding
Train travel was everything Summer feared it would be. Her muscles ached and even her bones hurt. If it weren't for her dear husband and his two friends...
Husband
With a soft sigh Summer turned from the window to gaze upon the sleeping form of her husband. Long legs stretched out into the narrow aisle, crossed at the ankle. She smiled that he wore gentleman's slippers now instead of the boots he'd worn before. But then, his work boots wouldn't have looked so dapper with his gentleman's suit of clothes.
Strong arms crossed over his chest and she barely resisted the urge to touch the muscles that strained the fabric of his sleeves. She resisted, because for a moment she closed her eyes (it was a really long blink, really) and remembered trailing her fingers from his broad shoulders to his thick wrist. She liked the way the fine hairs tickled her ...her eyes flew open and she blinked (rapidly this time) to clear her mind before she blushed again.
His bewhiskered chin was tucked into his chest like a sleeping bunny and he just looked so darn cute. He shifted in his sleep and she almost reached out to touch his cheek.
"Disgusting isn't it?"
"Beg your pardon?" Summer turned wide eyes on Freddie as a blush stained her cheeks.
Had she spoken aloud?
"That he can sleep anywhere." Freddie shook his head. "It's unnatural."
A smile tugged at her lips as she affectionately regarded her husband a moment as she formed her reply.
"I rather admire him for it." She admitted. "He's so very adaptable. No matter where life sets him, he comports himself with honor...and grace."
"You have to say nice things." Freddie teased. "You married him."
"Twice." Richard chimed with a cheeky grin and a knowing wink.
"Right." Freddie shook his head again. "Probably all those years at sea."
"Actually," Stu mumbled without moving otherwise, "I'm just a very accomplished sort of gentleman."
Summer laughed behind her hand.
Richard tipped his head back and laughed.
Freddie shook his head and kicked Stu's foot.
"We're getting near Mt. Pleasant." Freddie said looking out the window. "You need to roust yourself if you still want to have time to get off the train."
Not wanting to be caught staring at her husband, she watched from the corner of her eye as her husband unfolded like a flower in the morning sun.
A forced cough poorly disguised her laugh.
She was waxing poetic!
Stu would blush crimson if she voiced her thoughts comparing him to fluffy bunnies and flowers.
It was ludicrous really.
When one looked at Stuart Windes-when she looked at Stuart Windes-there was nothing flowery or fluffy about him. On the contrary he was all-
Sumer developed a sudden interest in the passing scenery while a blush stained her cheeks.
A thing she could not help when her thoughts were so...deliciously naughty.
YOU ARE READING
The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold
Historical FictionStuart Windes was an Englishman and a seasoned sailor; an old salt with 30 years at sea. When his mother passed on leaving his younger sister alone, duty called him home. But his sister, Emmaline, was *gone*! Ran away with a bloody Yankee! Summer M...
