“It’s just what I’ve been looking for—a place where Lorna and I can build a future,” Benteen stated, sending a brief glance at her. “I figure we can be married in March and leave with the herd I’m driving north in April.”
“Leave?” Lorna repeated. She had the feeling she had missed something. “Where are we going?”
“I just explained,” Benteen replied with a patient smile. “I’ve found a place in Montana for us. I even have the spot all picked out where we will build our new home.”
“Oh.” It was a small sound to mask her confusion. She pretended an interest in the food on her plate, hardly hearing any of the discussion between her father and Benteen.
Part of her couldn’t believe that he was really serious about living in Montana Territory. It was so far away. She couldn’t imagine leaving Texas. Benteen had never mentioned this to her before. The idea was more than a little frightening.
Benteen didn’t appear to notice her silence or her lack of enthusiasm for his plan for their future. Lorna was conscious of her mother’s gaze, but she wasn’t willing to meet it. Not yet. Not until she was clear in her own mind.
“That apple pie was delicious, Mrs. Pearce.” Benteen leaned back in his chair, his dessert plate empty.
“Lorna made it,” her mother appropriately gave her the credit, but this was one time when Lorna wasn’t proud of her cooking accomplishments. Her mind was too preoccupied with this Montana news. “Would you like more coffee, Benteen?”
“No. Thank you,” he refused, and Lorna felt his eyes on her.
“I’ll help clear the table tonight, Clara,” her father volunteered. “I’m sure Benteen and Lorna have a lot to talk about.”
“Yes, of course,” her mother agreed.
The others were already standing by the time Lorna pushed out of her chair. Almost immediately, Benteen was at her side, curving a hand under her elbow. “Shall we sit in the parlor?” He took her agreement for granted and escorted her into the adjoining room.
Once inside the room, Lorna turned to face him. “Are you really serious about going to Montana, Benteen?”
He seemed slightly taken aback, a dark brow arching. “Yes.”
“But …” Agitation and uncertainty twisted inside her. “Don’t you think we should talk about it?”
“What is there to talk about?” He frowned, his gaze narrowing on her. “We’ve already discussed that I was going to look for a place.”
“Yes, but you didn’t say anything about Montana,” Lorna protested. “I thought you were going to buy a place in Texas.”
“There’s nothing around here, Lorna,” he stated. “Up there, the sky’s the limit—and what a sky it is! Wait until you see it. It’s beautiful country.”
“I’m sure it is,” she murmured. “It’s just that it’s so far away.”
A smile touched his mouth. “You have to leave your parents sometime.” He was beginning to understand her hesitation. He’d forgotten she was so young. Her attachment to her parents was still very strong. That would change once they were married. Her loyalty would shift to him then.
He reached out to take her in his arms. She offered no resistance but she didn’t come to him as eagerly as she had in the past either. But Benteen took no notice of that. It had been too long since he’d seen her, and his body was hungry for the feel of a woman’s softness.
The numbness caused by his announcement didn’t last long under the demand of his kiss. His mouth moved hotly over her lips, a vague roughness in its possession. When his encircling arms pulled her body against him, she felt the burning heat of his hard flesh. Little tremors quivered through her, shaking her. The intimacy of the embrace alarmed her, because it was arousing desires that seemed sinful.
With an effort, she turned away from him, her heart thudding heavily against her ribs. “I don’t think you should kiss me like that.” She sounded out of breath.
He curled a finger under her chin and turned it so she faced him. “You’re going to be my wife,” he reminded her lazily. He seemed amused by the flush in her cheeks. “Aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Lorna whispered. Suddenly she was filled with all sorts of uncertainties about the intimacy marriage would bring.
Did it mean he would kiss her like that? How was she supposed to act when he did? She tried to calm her jittery nerves and regain control of the situation. After all, she was an adult—soon to be a married woman. She had to start behaving like one. It was perfectly natural for a future bride to be nervous about the wedding night. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know all about the birds and the bees.
But she didn’t know the answers to all her questions. Surely she could discuss this with her mother. Maybe she was supposed to feel the kinds of sensations she had when Benteen kissed her. Maybe it wasn’t wrong.
“Is something wrong, Lorna?” Benteen studied the changing expressions that crossed her face.
“Wrong?” She had the uncomfortable feeling that he was reading her mind. “No, of course not,” she lied. “We should decide on a wedding date.”
“You pick it. I’ll be there.”