Heat started in her stomach and traveled to her face. She wrapped the sheet snugly around her and climbed out of bed. That left her new husband with nothing covering him, his erection waving in the air.
She glanced down. “Oh my.”
“Indeed.” He held out his hand. “Come here, we have some unfinished business.”
Her brows twitched. He had gained her interest and soothed her panic. She climbed back into bed and, for the next hour, forgot about cookies and school. Or her clothes, for that matter.
Small flowers dotted the landscape like a wave from an ocean of color. Although a hot ninety-five degrees, the day remained bearable with the ever present Oklahoma wind. Tori and Jesse rode side by side in Jesse’s buggy. Between them sat a picnic basket, covered with a red and white checked napkin he’d picked up from The Café.
His new bride had spent the first several minutes after rising emptying her stomach. He hoped that part of her pregnancy would end soon. He hated seeing her sick. He smiled as she breathed in the fresh air, holding her face toward the sun.
It appeared she enjoyed the day off from the drudgery, although she’d never admit it. He intended to take full advantage of this day of fun, and make sure his wife did, too.
“Well, you look happy.”
She swayed toward him as he maneuvered the buggy around a fallen tree. “Yes, I am. It’s a beautiful day, and it’s been ages since I went on a picnic. I’m glad you suggested it.” She gave him a dazzling smile and hugged his arm.
The pleasure on her face knocked him to his knees. When had she become to mean so much to him? He’d always cared about her, and her carrying his child meant the world to him. But it was more than that. Even if she hadn’t been pregnant, he wanted nothing more than to have Tori by his side, in his bed, filling his life. The pregnancy had allowed him to skip a few steps. Now he needed to convince her he wasn’t the bad guy.
“Darlin’, if you keep this cheerful mood up, I’m going to have to believe you like being married.”
“Don’t push your luck.” She tapped him on his arm, but continued to smile as she gazed around. “Oh, isn’t it just beautiful out here?”
He pulled the buggy next to a creek. After alighting, he spread the blanket while Tori unpacked the food. Mrs. Bonner had provided a feast of fried chicken, hard cooked eggs, fresh bread, and sweet tea.
He stretched his long legs out on the blanket after they both did justice to the food. Apparently her stomach troubles were over for the day. “Can we talk again about your work schedule?”
“The baking for the restaurant is my business. Mrs. Bonner counts on me, and I need the money.” Avoiding his eyes, she looked down and brushed the crumbs off her dress.
“I make enough money. You don’t need the extra work before a long day at school.”
“You may make enough money, but I have four children to support.”
“I can. . .”
She stopped him with her finger over his mouth. “My nieces and nephews are my responsibility. But let’s not spoil the rest of the day arguing.” She stood and stretched, her chest expanding as she took in a deep breath. “Let’s take a walk
by the creek.”
He doubted he could walk comfortably, with his blood coursing to the wrong place. “I think I’d rather see how it feels to make love in the tall grass.”
“Is that all you think about?” She smiled down at him.
He reached his arm out. “Yes. Now come here.”
“Honey, you need to see Dr. Hendricks.”
Tori rested her head on Jesse’s shoulder as they made their way back from the creek, remnants of their picnic thrown into the back of the buggy.
Her brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because I want to make sure everything is okay, and ask him a few questions myself.”
Tori sat up and regarded him. “Won’t Dr. Hendricks know I got pregnant before our wedding?”
“Of course, we only got married yesterday. I know I’m good,”—he smirked at her—“but not that good.” He raised a questioning brow. “You’re not worried about gossip, are you?”
“Well, a little bit. I mean, what’s to stop him from telling his wife, who will tell her friend, who will tell someone else? You know, gossip spreads.”