Her body reacted before her pride could rescue her.
Heat rose through her chest.
“Jonah.”
It was the first time she used his name.
His expression changed.
“Say it again.”
She swallowed.
“Jonah.”
He lifted one hand.
Then stopped before touching her face.
“May I?”
That nearly undid her.
Ruth nodded.
His palm settled against her cheek.
Warm.
Rough.
Careful.
Ruth closed her eyes for one second.
Then opened them.
Jonah leaned closer.
Slowly enough to stop.
Ruth did not stop him.
Their first kiss was nothing like the dramatic kisses Ruth remembered from cheap novels Nell was absolutely forbidden to read.
It was quieter.
Almost cautious.
Jonah’s mouth touched hers once.
Then again.
Ruth’s hand gripped the front of his shirt.
That changed something.
The next kiss was deeper.
Warmer.
Months of restraint suddenly had somewhere to go.
Jonah’s free hand settled at Ruth’s waist.
Not pretending her size did not exist.
Not carefully avoiding it.
Holding her as though her body was exactly where he wanted his hands.
Ruth made a small sound against his mouth.
Jonah stopped immediately.
Her eyes opened.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You stopped.”
“You made a sound.”
Ruth stared at him.
Then laughed softly.
“You truly are terrible at this.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“Mrs. Alden.”
“Yes?”
“If you wish to criticize, I can go back to the bunkhouse.”
She pulled him closer by the shirt.
“Do not.”
He smiled.
Then kissed her again.
The kitchen fire burned low.
The house remained quiet upstairs.
When they eventually separated, Ruth’s forehead rested against his chest.
Jonah’s breathing was not nearly as steady as he probably wanted her to believe.
Ruth smiled.
“You're nervous.”
“No.”
“Liar.”
“Fine.”
He looked down.
“I haven't kissed a woman in eight years.”
Ruth touched his beard.
“I haven't kissed a man since Samuel.”
They stood together.
No promises.
Not yet.
Just honesty.
Roundup came in early November.
The ranch exploded with movement.
Cattle moved toward holding pasture.
Riders left before dawn.
Dust rose across the valley.
Ruth cooked from four in the morning until after sunset.
Nell kept supplies organized.
Tom carried messages and believed himself indispensable.
Jonah was barely inside the house.
When he was, he found reasons to pass through the kitchen.
Sometimes their hands touched.
Sometimes Ruth caught him looking.