Harvest Moon (Borrowed Brides 2)

“Forget the bathwater.”

“Do you want it or not?”

I want you.

The thought popped into David’s head unbidden. But it was true. He wanted her. He wanted the Tessa he’d glimpsed when she talked about her family and her brother. When he took a bath in her water, he wanted it to be because she shared the tub with him. David studied her movements, the way the flannel gown clung to her body, swayed around her legs unencumbered by undergarments. The thick wave of desire struck him like a blow. It took all his concentration just to form a coherent sentence. “I don’t want it. I’ll go to the bathhouse later. Tessa,” David added softly, “what brought you to Peaceable?”

“I told you. My brother had a train ticket. I used it to come to Peaceable.” She looked at David. “He had a train ticket and a paid rent receipt in his pocket. For a room at the Satin Slipper.”

“How did you know what it was if you couldn’t read it?” David asked.

“The nurse at the hospital told me when she gave me Eamon’s things,” Tessa answered, studying the bathtub. “I think I’ll save the water for Coalie. Just in case…”

“Don’t.” David didn’t want Coalie sharing Tessa’s bathwater. That was an intimacy he’d reserved for himself. “I’ll take him to the bathhouse with me.” He left his desk, walked over to her, took the sheets out of her hands, and started folding them. “Tessa?”

She bent at the waist once again and began to drag the copper tub away from the stove across the wooden floor.

“Leave it,” David ordered. “What is it you aren’t telling me?”

“I left Chicago and all its memories,” Tessa admitted. She straightened and faced him, looking for some sign of what he was thinking.

“Where does Coalie fit into all of this?” He asked the question that had been bothering him. “He loves you, and you obviously love him. What is he to you?”

“He’s mine,” she replied fiercely, but something about the way she refused to meet his eyes made him wonder.

“Your son?”

Tessa avoided David’s direct gaze. She looked around, anywhere except at David’s face. “I do love him. That’s what matters.” She took a deep breath, aware once again that she’d said more than she intended. “When will Coalie be back?”

David pulled out his watch and looked at it. “Anytime now.”

“You didn’t send him to the Satin Slipper?” Panic edged her words.

“No,” he replied. Tessa was still afraid of someone at the Satin Slipper. Was it Lee? Myra? Charlotte?

Tessa relaxed. All her concern focused on Coalie. “He’ll be hungry.” She spoke her thoughts aloud. Coalie was always hungry. “What am I going to do about supper?” She turned to David, her blue eyes worried. “You didn’t get any food. It isn’t for me,” she assured him. “I can go without. It’s for Coalie. I promised he’d never go hungry again.”

“You don’t have to worry, Tessa. I sent a telegram out today; the supplies are coming Monday morning. And I’ve arranged for our meals to be provided for us until then.” He smiled. “Trust me.”

Tessa gazed at him, at his warm brown eyes, his smiling mouth, and the dark shadow on his firm jaw. His face had become very dear to her in the last two days, as dear as Coalie’s. David Alexander had stood up for her in front of the whole town, supported her. He wanted to help. He had helped. He’d taken her and Coalie in, given them shelter and clothing. Maybe she should try to trust him, if only for Coalie’s sake. He had earned a certain amount of loyalty, at least. If only she knew the nature of his relationship with Liam Kincaid.

She smiled at David. “I hope you remembered to order cat food for Greeley.”

“Are you telling me how to take care of my cat?” David teased.

Tessa began gathering barely dry unmentionables off the furniture. “I wouldn’t dream of telling you what to do.” Her eyes sparkled like sapphires as she leaned over to pick up a pair of lacy drawers.

David sat stunned.

Tessa Roarke was teasing him.

Chapter Ten

Tessa stepped out of her room on Sunday morning and crossed the hall to stand in front of David Alexander’s door. She knocked, but there was no answer. She waited a moment, then knocked again, harder and louder.

“What?” His voice was rough, sleepy.

“It’s time to get up.” Tessa’s voice reached him through the door.