The Lumberjack's Bride by Jean Kincaid Read Free Book Online

you like it?”
    Jonathan’s burp filled the room and Julianne praised him. “Good boy.”
    Caleb wondered if Julianne had the same love as he for sweets. “This is very good.” Her smile broadened at his words. Well this sure was a blessing. She could cook. It would be worth having a wife just to get a decent meal now and then.
    After a few minutes, Jonathan yawned. Caleb stood and reached for the baby. “Here, let me take him. I’ll put him to bed.” A blush like a shadow ran over her cheeks and she handed the baby to him, her bearing stiff and proud.
    â€œI can do it.”
    â€œI’m sure you can, but you need to eat, and I don’t mind.” Caleb gently took the baby from her. He carried the baby to his cradle and slowly rocked it back and forth until Jonathan fell asleep.
    When he returned to the kitchen, Julianne had already cleaned up. She stood by the window looking out into the darkness.
    Caleb stopped a few inches from her and looked over her head into the night. If Julianne felt his presence, she didn’t show it. The night was black; no light from the moon or the stars could be seen.
    â€œIt’s late.” Her soft whisper surprised him.
    Now was the time to bring up the subject he knew both of them had avoided all day. Would she be pleased by his thoughts on the subject? He took a deep breath and blurted.
    â€œIt’s time for bed, Julianne.”

Chapter 5
    J ulianne spun around and sputtered. “I beg your pardon?”
    â€œThat didn’t come out right.”
    She watched Caleb’s face and neck turn beet red. “I should say not.” New fear enveloped her. Julianne pushed her back as close to the window as she could.
    They were married, and he had every right to expect her to sleep with him, but surely there was a better way of saying it. What kind of man had she married? Just when she thought he was kind and understanding, he blurted out “it’s time for bed” as if he could demand it.
    Caleb took a step away from her. She flinched when he brought one hand up. She expected him to grab her at any moment and drag her to bed.
    He combed his fingers through his hair looking even more embarrassed. “Look, I only meant it is time for us to get some sleep. You can take the bed down here, and I’ll take the one upstairs.”
    Her gaze followed his pointing finger. “It was to be my room anyway until I could build a second set of rooms on the back.”
    He didn’t mean to sleep with her? To make her perform her wifely duties? She studied him for several long moments. Could he be believed?
    â€œLook, you and I don’t know each other well enough to share that kind of intimacy. I want my wife to be in love before we are man and wife in more than just name. I believe that is the way God would want it to be, also.” He dropped his hands. “I moved my stuff up there a few days ago, when I thought my sister would be living here with me.”
    Julianne wanted to believe him. Even as he climbed the stairs, she still wasn’t sure of his intentions.
    For several long minutes she heard him moving around above. The creak of a mattress told her he’d lain down. “Good night, Julianne.”
    She moved to her own bed and sat down. “Good night, Caleb.”
    A little later, his soft snores filled the house. Julianne checked on the baby and then prepared for bed. She lay on the soft feather mattress listening to her new husband sleep above her.
    The baby woke her from restless sleep several times during the night, needing to be changed and fed. Then he spent at least an hour grunting and whimpering as if his tummy hurt. Finally, nearing daybreak, Julianne snuggled him close to her in the bed and he fell asleep, his little body shuddering with sighs. She’d taken care of his needs all while praying he wouldn’t wake the man upstairs.
    When morning came, Julianne was exhausted. Long before