Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 165476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 827(@200wpm)___ 662(@250wpm)___ 552(@300wpm)
“That’s kind of you to say, Judith, but loving’s reserved for my future wife,” he said, tapping her lips with the tip of his finger.
Sarah broke into laughter and invited Doc over with a wave of her hand without breaking eye contact with Judith. “He means you can’t have him between your legs but you may toss him off.”
“Hands don’t count.” Adam Wild showed both his palms to everyone gathered and wiggled his fingers. “I might be promised to another but I have ten reasons why a girl might do me a favor tonight.”
“Does she know how you’re making money for that farm you promised her?” Zeb asked, licking the wide gap at the front of his teeth as he grinned.
Adam shrugged, sliding his hand to Judith’s hip, as eager for the non-loving as she was. “She told me she won’t ask as long as I convince her pa to accept my proposal. And the share from tonight’s takings brings me closer to the day when I take her to church. Mock all you want, but you’ll be jealous once you see her.”
Warm fingers brushed the back of Ned’s neck as if they were a butterfly landing on his skin, but when they sank lower, holding his nape, he couldn’t help the flush blooming in his face.
Those weren’t the digits of a woman. Thick and rough. Most definitely male, yet Ned’s stomach flipped regardless. He knew who it was before Cole spoke.
“Hard work, right? Don’t worry, all the greens have to go through this.”
Ned rose. “Sorry, I’ll get back to it.”
But as he moved back to his feet, the sudden change in position threw him off balance and he tilted so close to Cole their chests almost touched.
Unlike Ned, Cole had changed into a fresh set of black clothes, and since it was so warm by the fire, he hadn’t bothered to wear a shirt over his union suit, so the top of the undergarment was visible from above his pants, which were held up with leather suspenders. His hair shone, as if he’d treated them with oil again, and the dust that had gathered on his face throughout the day was gone. He hadn’t shaved though, and Ned wondered whether the black bristles were as sharp as Ned’s own.
Cole sighed and tapped the backs of his fingers against Ned’s breast bone. “Relax. Bertha’s finishing the stew. You should clean up,” he said and dragged Ned by the elbow.
“I don’t wanna step on anyone’s toes my first night here, but I think there’s enough wood to last us until tomorrow.” Ned’s gaze drifted to the small peaks of stiff nipples pressing at the faded black fabric of Cole’s union suit. “Folk around here don’t dress too formal, do they?”
Cole shrugged and led him to a set of barrels gathered around a large tree on the outskirts of the camp. “Don’t worry about it too much, but if you want to befriend the cook, don’t come for the food with a dirty face and hands.” He opened one of the barrels, revealing clean water, and handed Ned a large enamel dipper. “There’s a pond nearby, so if you wanted a bit of a soak, let me know, but you can also tidy yourself up here. Go on,” he said and leaned against the tree, his eyes reflecting the fire as if they really were two scorching coals.
Ned hesitated, feeling queer about being assessed this way, but shook off the discomfort, because he’d have to get used to lack of privacy. He cleaned his face first, but then ended up plunging his whole head into the gloriously cool water. His hair could use freshening up anyway. He spoke to Cole again when he got to cleaning his chest and arms with a wet piece of cloth.
“Good that the snake bit me somewhere that stays covered, or I’d be walking around with a rip on show. I know we’re out in the backwoods, but I don’t want to look like a sow’s ass, you know? Maybe one of the girls could mend it for me if I asked real nice? My aunt told me I should get myself a wife last time she sewed on a button for me. You think there are men who get married because they’re too clumsy with a needle and thread? Ridiculous.”
Cole laughed and pushed his hands into the shiny black hair. “I’d believe it, though I suspect most men have other things in mind when they want to take a wife. But why bother the girls when you have me? Take it off. I can mend that hole for you.”
Ned’s lips parted. “You? You’ll be mending my underwear?” He got tears in his eyes and started laughing so hard they just kept coming, like a stampede of buffalo that wouldn’t stop despite approaching the cliff edge.