Free Nordin, Ruth Ann - South Dakota Series 02 - Bid for a Bride by Frederique

weeks passed and the first thought that came to Lucy’s mind when she woke up was in a week, she would know if she was expecting Adam’s child or not. She didn’t want to think about it.
    Sometimes, during the day when things got busy, she was able to forget her worry and pretend the impending problem didn’t exist. Closing her eyes, she turned to Brian and snuggled up to him. His deep and even breathing notified her that he still slept, but that wasn’t anything new. More often than not, she woke before he did.

    She rested her head on his shoulder. Usually, she didn’t dare touch him anymore than that, but on this particular morning, she brought her arm around his waist. It was something she’d done with Adam during their brief time together. She couldn’t help but note the differences between the two men, and not just in the way they approached marriage.

    Adam’s chest was covered in dark hair, and his body had been thicker — not overweight but built stronger. Brian’s chest had hair, but it was finer and there was less of it. Brian was also leaner than Adam had been.

    Her fingers traced over Brian’s skin, slowly going from his side to the center of his chest, noting where the fine hairs began. He was softer than she expected. The mass of hairs formed a line that went to his belly button, and that’s where she stopped for it suddenly occurred to her that Brian was chuckling.

    "That tickles," he said.

    "Sorry."

    She pulled her hand away, but he caught it and brought it back around his waist. "I like it." He rubbed her back. "Are you happy here?" he softly asked.

    "Yes," she whispered. "It’s peaceful and quiet."

    "I notice you like those things the most."

    She swallowed. "Yes."

    "Was it that way where you grew up?"

    "Not exactly, but I had my secret spot."

    "Did you go there a lot?"

    "As often as I could." Eager to change the subject, she said, "I think the paint’s made the house brighter and more cheerful."

    He smiled. "I’ll take your word for it."

    Lightly stroking his chest, she continued, "I’m sure you’d like it if you could see it." It was only because his parents helped them paint the house that it got done as quickly as it did. "Your parents are nice. I think I’ll give your mother a break from cooking and invite them over here to eat."

    "She’ll be glad for the excuse to skip cooking a meal. She never cared much for it but with me and Pa, she didn’t have a choice."

    "The poor woman." She chuckled. After a couple minutes of silence, she sat up. "I should get breakfast started. What would you like to eat?"

    "Anything you feel like making will be greatly appreciated."

    She sighed but grinned as she stood and walked to the dress hanging in the closet. "You are a hard one to please, Mister Evans."

    He smiled, sat up, and reached for the comb on the small table by his bed.

    Pausing, she watched him as he combed his hair. She liked to stop and watch him from time to time.
    The fact that he couldn’t see her staring in his direction gave her enough courage to do so. He was a good looking man. He managed to keep himself better groomed than some men she’d seen, but he had a cowlick that would pop up despite the care he took in combing his hair.

    One such cowlick insisted on lying at an awkward angle today.

    She looked away and grabbed her dress before she laughed.

    She thought it was cute, but he’d probably misread her laughter and assume she was finding amusement at his expense.

    Once she had the dress off the hook, she brought it over to the bed and gathered her folded undergarments from the top of the dresser. "I think I’ll make muffins this morning," she said as she slipped out of her nightgown.

    "My mouth waters just thinking about it," he replied and set the comb back on the table. He stood and walked to the dresser to take out his clothes for the day. "You’re spoiling me."

    She chuckled and shrugged into her chemise. "I’m spoiling you by feeding you?"

    "I