Free The Diamond of the Rockies [03] The Tender Vine by Kristen Heitzmann Page B

pose and that smile like a—”
    “Pirate.”
    Mae paused, then laughed. “Never thought in those terms, but that is what it is. Oh, you two will be flint and steel. But I’m not sure that doesn’t make for a better flame in the end.”
    “If only he’d come.” Carina spoke more to herself, looking once again toward the window. And then it seemed as though she’d wished him there, for she watched Quillan climb the step, Sam at his heels. With a cry, she rushed forward, jerked open the door, and threw herself into his arms. “I was so wishing for you!”
    Loaded down with his pack, he lost his balance, then recovered. “Carina, what are you doing out of bed?” His breath was white with every word.
    “Is that all you can say?” She caught his cold cheeks between her palms.
    Suddenly he crushed her into his embrace and buried his face in the crown of her hair. He groaned. “Oh, I missed you.” He half carried, half swung her inside and kicked the door shut with Sam jumping around them in eager jubilation. He cupped her head, raised her face, and kissed her. Carina forgot everything else. What else was there?
    When Mae left, she didn’t know, but when they at last parted, Carina was alone with the man she loved with aching force. “What took you so long? Every day I looked for you. Every day I prayed, ‘Signore, bring my husband home!’ ”
    Quillan laughed. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t hear from D.C. until two days ago. I tried to get back that very day, but the road was impassable. I had to dig through.”
    “Oh, Quillan.” She clutched his hands, thinking how hard his work had been. She knew well that treacherous strip of road. “I’m glad I didn’t know. I’d have been sick with worry.”
    He held her again, stroking her hair. “Are you well now?”
    “I’ve never been better.” She reached up and kissed his icy mustache.
    “I mean healed.” He pulled back. “Are you healed? What does Doc Felden say?”
    She waved a hand. “No riding horseback or even carriage. No over-excitement.” She laughed. “No doubt at this moment he’d be ordering me to bed.”
    Quillan reached out and stroked her face. “Don’t tempt me, Carina.” His mischievous eyes caught her breath. Then he turned away. “Wait till you see what I brought you.”
    “You brought me something?”
    “Something! My pack is twice as heavy.”
    “Oh.” She caught her hands beneath her chin. “Show me.”
    He paused. “Maybe I shouldn’t. If Dr. Felden said no excitement . . .”
    Carina pounded her fists into his chest.
    He caught them, laughing. “All right, all right. Sit down and compose yourself. You can compose yourself, can’t you?”
    Carina thought she had never seen him so genuinely happy. Instead of responding to his barb, she sat on the side of the bed and folded her hands in her lap.
    He cocked his head and stood a long moment, just looking. “Have I told you what a beautiful woman you are?”
    “Once.” On their wedding night.
    He swallowed, as though to speak again, then turned and tugged his pack up onto the bed.
    She didn’t care that it was frosty with snow and would get the quilt wet. She felt like a child on Christmas morning. What had he brought her? She watched him tug open the ties and tried not to squirm. She leaned close when he reached in, but he raised his brows and paused until she settled back. Then he drew out a tissue-wrapped parcel, small and light. How could that make his pack heavy?
    He held it out, and she took it from his hand. Carefully she opened the tissue to find an exquisite lace collar with a tiny pearl button fastening at the back. “Oh, Quillan, it’s beautiful.”
    “That was the first day.”
    “The first?”
    As an answer he reached in again, felt about, then brought out a flat box some six inches by eight wrapped in paper. “This was the third. Day two wouldn’t fit in the pack. It’s in my wagon.”
    “What are you talking about?” She reached for the box