Page 82 of The Formation of Us

Adam’s cheeks flushed, but Faith could see how pleased he was by Agatha’s praise, and how manly he was becoming as he escorted Agatha to a chair on the porch.

She felt Duke’s arms slip around her waist, and she leaned into his embrace. “What a lovely group of friends and family you have.”

“Got everyone’s names memorized?” he teased.

“Ask me that on our twentieth anniversary.”

He laughed and nuzzled her neck. “Speaking of friends, looks like Aster and the doctor are getting friendly over there.”

Faith’s heart jolted, then shuddered with relief when she saw them standing near the porch, a proper distance apart. They were squabbling over something, but Faith noticed a softer and warmer side to Aster, and the doctor seemed less arrogant than usual.

Throughout the evening, Faith kept an eye on her aunts, but they were too busy serving food and cake to misbehave. Faith’s body hummed with an intense awareness of Duke. Each touch of his hand against her back thrilled her. Every private glance from his dark eyes was filled with heat and longing. Despite her nerves, she yearned to be skin-to-skin with him and consummate their vows.

In the early evening, he slipped his arms around her and pulled her against his muscled body. “Let’s sneak away right now,” he said, his voice husky.

“To your brother’s hayloft?”

His low chuckle poured over her like warm rain after a long dry summer, and she basked in his hug. “Don’t tempt me.” His lips and teeth nibbled her ear. “I have a place you’ll like better.”

“Then let’s say good-bye.”

“Let’s sneak away. Your aunts will see the children home and keep them entertained for the night.” He linked fingers with her. “It’s time for us to celebrate alone.”

Her thudding heart made it difficult to act casual as she strolled across the yard on Duke’s arm. But when he ducked behind the house and pulled her out of sight, she was breathless and giggling. “I like this business of sneaking away together.”

He had the most pleased smile on his face she’d ever seen. “Gather your skirt,” he said. She clutched the silk fabric in her fists, and he lifted her over the fence. A second later, he braced his hands on the pile of fieldstones and swung his feet over like a young boy. “We’ve escaped,” he said, his eyes alight. “Onward.”

She laughed and took his arm. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

He had been teasing her for three weeks, but she suspected they would stay at the Taylor Hotel by the Common.

“I need to stop home to get my bag,” she said, but when they turned down Mill Street, he surprised her by stopping in front of the greenhouse. “My bag is at the—”

He put his finger over her lips. “Close your eyes.”

“What?”

“I’m going to give you your surprise.”

She shut her eyes. “What are you up to?”

“No peeking.”

She gasped as he lifted her in his arms. “You’re going to hurt your shoulder and ruin all our progress.”

He started walking. “We aren’t going far. Just keep your eyes closed.”

“You could make this more fun by kissing me.”

He laughed and gave her a light kiss on the lips. Seconds later he stopped. “You can open your eyes now.” The instant her lashes lifted, he turned her to face the Colburn house she had wanted to buy. “I hope you like our new home.”

She stared in disbelief.

“It’s ours.”

It couldn’t be. She looked at her husband. “You bought the house?”