His arm moved around her waist.
One moment later, her feet touched the ground.
No grunt.
No joke.
No theatrical effort.
He simply steadied her until she had balance.
Mabel realized she still had one palm against his chest.
Solid muscle beneath dark wool.
Her face warmed.
Elias looked down at her hand.
Then up.
Mabel pulled away.
“Sorry.”
“Why?”
“I—”
She stopped.
Elias lifted her trunk from the wagon.
He carried it inside.
Mabel followed.
The house smelled of wood smoke, leather, dried herbs, and something faintly sweet.
The front room contained a heavy table, chairs, fireplace, and shelves full of books.
Books surprised her.
So did the framed pencil drawings along one wall.
Mountains.
Horses.
A woman.
Mabel looked closer.
The woman in the drawing was perhaps fifty.
Sharp cheekbones.
Kind eyes.
Elias saw her looking.
“My mother.”
“You drew this?”
“Yes.”
Mabel turned.
“You draw?”
“Sometimes.”
Nobody in Red Ridge had mentioned that the butcher could draw.
Of course they had not.
Elias took her upstairs.
Two bedrooms.
He opened the larger.
“This is yours.”
Mabel stared.
A broad wooden bed stood beneath a window.
Quilt folded neatly.
Washstand.
Dresser.
Small iron stove.
Her trunk had been placed beside the bed.
She looked at Elias.
“Mine?”
“Yes.”
“Where do you sleep?”
“Other room.”
Mabel blinked.
“We’re married.”
“I was there.”
She almost smiled.
“Then why separate rooms?”
His face became serious.
“Because I don’t know you.”
“That matters?”
“To me.”
Mabel looked around.
Something inside her softened.
Then another thought came.
“Do you not want me?”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Her face burned.
Elias stared.
Mabel wished the floor would open.
“Forget I said that.”
“No.”
He stepped into the room.
Not close enough to crowd her.
Close enough to lower his voice.
“Do you want the truth?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
Elias’s eye moved over her face.
Then down briefly.
Not hiding it.
Not staring obscenely either.
Back to her eyes.
“I noticed you before the banker finished saying your name.”
Mabel forgot how to breathe.
Elias continued.
“I noticed you walking toward the justice’s office.”
“I noticed every man laughing.”
His jaw tightened.
“I noticed you kept walking anyway.”
Mabel swallowed.
“And my body?”
He looked almost annoyed.
“I have eyes.”
That made her laugh.
Elias’s mouth shifted.
Maybe a smile.
Then he said:
“I’m attracted to you.”
Simple.
No embarrassment.
No apology.
Mabel’s throat tightened.
“But?”
“But attraction is easy.”
His gaze became steady.