Page 7 of Mail-Order Millie (A Mail-Order Mystery #1)

Seven

M illie’s eyes popped wide as soon as his lips touched hers. She thought her first kiss at the church was nice, but it was nothing like this.

Soon his arms came around her, and her eyes closed. She was enjoying this, perhaps too much. Yes, they were married, but the passion of his kiss was foreign, exciting, exhilarating! Who knew a kiss could do so much?

When he broke the kiss, she was pressed against his chest, trying to catch her breath. “Wh-what…”

“I’m sorry,” he said against her hair. “I… couldn’t help myself.” He drew back and gazed at her. “You’re a beautiful woman, Millie. What man wouldn’t want to kiss you in such a fashion?”

She took a deep breath, trying to get her brain to form words. “Y-you think I’m beautiful?”

He smiled, his eyes roaming her face. “I do.”

She caught the sincerity in his eyes and her heart skipped a beat. “Thank you.” Her cheeks heated with a blush, and she wasn’t sure what else to say.

He gave her a heartfelt look that made her belly do a flip, then let her go. “Wood. Fire. Let me take care of that.”

Millie nodded as he left for the woodshed. “Oh, my,” she whispered, her brain still not working. What were they talking about? No matter, she’d just experienced her first real kiss, and it was wonderful!

She stared at the stove, then took in the rest of the kitchen. The room needed a lot of work, and she also hadn’t gone through the hutch to see what sort of dishes there were or peeked in the pantry. Was there any food in the house?

Bram returned with an armful of wood and quickly built a fire in the cookstove. That done he gave her a guilty look. “I’m afraid we’ll need a few supplies.” He glanced around the room, then headed for a small door. He opened it. “Pantry,” he stated. He went inside. “Not much here.” He opened a jar and peeked inside. “Coffee?”

Millie smiled. “Yes, I’d love some.”

He sniffed the contents of the jar. “It’s even fresh.”

She laughed. “Is it usually not?”

Bram grinned and gave her a playful shrug. “Sometimes.”

“Well, best you leave the pantry supplies to me.”

“Gladly.” He handed her the jar then went to the hutch.

She watched him open both cupboards and pull out two cups and saucers. Millie joined him and noticed they were the only cups and saucers. “Oh dear. There’s only one plate and bowl.”

“Yes, um, I haven’t had a chance to do much shopping yet. There’s a place called The Emporium. I’m told they have a little of everything. Perhaps we can get a few things there.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” She took the cups and saucers from him and took them to the table. It was a simple thing. Make a pot of coffee, sit down and share some conversation. But she was about to do it with her new husband. A handsome man who seemed kind and attentive. So what if he was a little messy? He’d had a lot to deal with, and now that they were married, they’d have time to settle in.

Millie blushed. “I noticed the bed was stripped.” She turned to him. “Where’s the bedding?”

“I took it to a laundry service in town. I’ll pick it up this evening.”

Her blush deepened. “That’s good. We can’t very well sleep in a bed with no sheets or blankets.”

He nodded then blanched. “Uh, of course not.” He strode for the back door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“To get more wood. In case we want to build a fire tonight.” He slipped out the back door and was gone.

Millie sighed in contentment and pictured the two of them sitting near the fire, reading. Maybe they’d talk instead, who knew? And when they finally went to bed, would he kiss her again, or would there be more? She wasn’t completely ignorant when it came to such things. But she also didn’t know everything.

After Bram’s kiss, however, she was willing to learn.

Millie made the coffee while Bram busied himself in the backyard. Was he gathering more wood or seeing how much work there was to be done? Once they had the house and yards fixed up, the place would be charming. Millie had never had a place of her own, and she was excited to make the little house into something to be proud of.

When the coffee was done, she poured them each a cup and set everything on the table. She found some sugar in the pantry, but no cream. The ice box was empty and needed ice. She’d better start a list.

Millie went out the back door and watched Bram chop some kindling. After his kiss, she didn’t know what to think! Now she was beginning to look at her husband with new eyes. He was more than a little handsome and, she sensed, a little shy. She liked that.

“The coffee’s ready,” she called to him.

He looked up from his work, put the ax in the woodshed, and started for her. When he reached the porch, she noticed how hot and sweaty he looked. “Goodness, how much wood did you chop?”

“As much as I could find.” He went inside without another word, leaving her on the porch.

“My word,” she said to herself. “Is he cranky?” Maybe he was tired after all that work.

She shook the thought off and went inside. Bram was already at the kitchen table sipping his coffee.

Millie sat across the table from him. “I’d like to make a list of things we need. Is that all right?”

He looked at her over the rim of his cup. “Of course. I’ll leave some money.”

She blinked a few times in surprise. “But… aren’t you going with me? You mentioned The Emporium…”

“Oh, yes, I did…”

She tried not to gasp. Was that a hint of regret in his voice? Millie’s heart sank as she studied the worn red and white checkered tablecloth. There were several moth holes in it. “What will you be doing?” She looked at him, not regretting the disappointment in her voice.

Bram stilled in his chair. “I… must see to my office. There are things I need to… arrange.”

She cocked her head. “What things?”

He pressed his lips together and shook his head.

“It’s a simple question,” she pointed out.

“You’re a curious little thing, aren’t you?”

Millie shrugged. “I suppose.” Truth be told, she was extremely curious. It came from years of wondering what gambling haunt her father was frequenting. Sometimes she’d leave the comfort of home to find out, if only to put her mother’s mind at ease.

“When may I see your office?” she asked.

He almost spit out his coffee. “Wh-what?”

She watched him dab his mouth with a napkin. Was he nervous? “Your office,” she repeated. “I’d love to see where you’ll be working.”

“Oh, yes. It’s just past downtown near a tailor’s shop.” He looked at the front of his shirt and wiped at the coffee that spilled down his front.

Millie held her cup and tried not to smile. Was he ashamed to show her his office? Was it as ill kept as the house? Well, she’d find out with him or without him.