true.
Though she knew it had to push his patience at times, Barth acquiesced to her present wish for secrecy. He could have ranted about her cowardly procrastination. But he didnât.
âOnly demand I make is having my wife in my bed.â Barthâs dark gaze pinned her and she felt the impact of his territorial declaration.
âThanks,â she whispered and reached over to take his hand.
âFor what?â His eyes swept over her in sweet ownership.
âFor loving and nurturing me. I havenât felt so  â treasured in many years.â
âYouâre very welcome.â His deep timbre rolled over her skin and she felt goose bumps rise. How she loved this man. How his very male protectiveness thrilled her.
How long it had been since sheâd felt that snuggly warm covering.
From his nearby roost in the sunshine, a vigilant Brutus gave a guttural WoRuff, then trotted over to Seana and nudged his snout into her hand, then burrowed his head there for her touch.
âOkay, boy,â Barth threw up his hands in surrender. âI know jealousy when I see it.â
Seana laughed and pulled Brutusâs head over her lap and gave his fur a thorough scruffing. âThereâs plenty of me to go around.â
⢠⢠â¢
âSeana, you look different,â Louann Melton, the pastorâs wife â an abbreviated, five-two, red-haired image of the moviesâs Nicole Kidman â hugged Seana in the church vestibule that Sunday morning as they left services. She leaned back and peered intently into Seanaâs blushing face. âKinda like the cookie jar bandit.â
At Seanaâs near startled response, Louann laughed. âNot that bad. But pretty close. You and Barth named the date yet?â
Just then, Seanaâs blond hairdresser buddy, Joanie, grabbed and pulled her in for a big hug, rescuing her from Louannâs curious probing.
âHey, darlinâ.â Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. âYou have fun on your trip to the mountains?â
Seanaâs mouth dropped open. She reared back to gape at her friend. âHow ââ
âSo itâs true?â Joanie giggled and whispered, âDonât know how she does it but Sadie Tate said she stopped by Fredâs Grocery Store the other day and Fred said when you lovebirds stopped by the Texaco station he spotted suitcases in the back of your car. Sadie added it together and came up with the idea that you and your man was aâ sneaking out for a tryst.â
Shock speared Seana. âWell I never.â She pushed back umbrage and opened her mouth to placate Joanieâs curiosity, at the same time wanting to throttle Sadie Tate for her nosiness. And tale-bearing.
âNever mind.â Joanie shook her head. âYou donât have to tell me anything you donât want to, honey. I know Sadieâs imaginationâs quite lively, doncha know? Well, Iâve gotta run âcause some of us are goinâ over to the Mater and Onion for their Sunday Buffet. You and Barth want to join us?â Her huge eyes, today a peculiar but lovely shade of lens-enhanced amber, appealed sweetly as the long, thick lashes blinked once, twice â¦.
âEr ⦠not this time. Iâve already prepared some chicken salad for lunch. Thanks anyway for the invite. Another time?â
âSure.â The open smile flashed as she squeezed Seanaâs hand.
âOops!â Joanie collided with brawny, strappy Scott Burns, Paradise Springs Highâs athletic coach. His big hands reached out to steady her, but his eyes were on Seana. ââScuse me?â
âSure, Scott.â Joanie pivoted to rush out to join her lunch party.
Seana watched Joanieâs classy red dress disappear from sight, feeling like sheâd been rammed in the middle by el Toro . Were she and Barth that transparent?
Did everyone suspect them of being