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They went to separate roo attire - probably the last tiht heat to her face Why hadn’t she thought about that before? How did a couple get used to undressing in front of each other? In her erotic thoughts about hi had never crossed her ht yellow sundress had buttons down the front It was an off-the-shoulder style with spaghetti straps to hold up the bodice and a full skirt that made her waist look small Satisfied that she looked proper as a new bride, she pushed her feet into yellow sandals and headed for the reception rooaze traveled over her body, co to rest on the buttons reflectively Warer to consue? In fact, at this point the idea was terrifying For what reason, she couldn’t say

Alex had insisted on driving his truck He didn’t want anyone ot around, because his truck was untouched As he opened the truck door for her, she glanced back at the ishers One face stood out, a shock of unruly red hair waving in the wind Gray eyes watched her fro Somehow it seemed that Josh knew her concern She waved at everyone and tried to look confident

Alex held her arm as she climbed into the truck, and then shut the door That was how her neorld started – with the closing of one door Others would open, but as behind them? Maybe it was the unknown that was so worrisoiven her no reason to be afraid - so far

The light conversation on the way ho the door handle as if she intended to ju?"

His deep voice broke into her thoughts She shook her head

"No I was just thinking"

"About what?" He turned into his – their drive

She sighed "Oh, about how "

"Nervous?"

She started to shake her head, but surely he was picking up on soetting married

She nodded "I suppose so"

He pulled the truck into the yard, shut off the engine and renition For a moment he was silent, and when she finally looked at hiain

"Is it the pain that troubles you?"

Heat flooded her face and she looked away "I don’t think so I guess mostly I just feel intiaze to his

"That’s kind of childish, isn’t it – for a woaze wandered over her face and then ca to do with it, Car to be asha to be proud of He atching her with a strange expression Where was the exciteo into the house, Mrs Barnett" Dropping to the ground, he headed for the house, leaving her behind

She opened her door and slid to the ground Was this where he changed? She stepped back and gave the truck door a hearty shove For anot to think of as ahead In the valley below, the old house see to avoid seeing so in the back yard A fish flopped in the pond, probably avoiding a snapping turtle, and water raced over rocks in the creek below It was so peaceful here

Boots crunched on gravel and she looked up to find Alex watching her

"Better now?" he asked

Had he known the soothing affect the country would have on her? She was back in her ele would fall into a pattern She would get used to it She lifted her hand to his arether they walked to the house In the time he had left her at the truck, he had unlocked and opened the door The instant she saw the open door, she knehy He was so ro down, he lifted her into his arms and crossed the threshold For aup at his handsome face Finally he set her down

"Welco what else to say

For aup at him mutely It was difficult to understand why she had been looking forward to this , but wasn’t ecstatic now that it had finally arrived In fact, her emotion at the moment would better be described as uncoht dread Noere they supposed to do?

A slow san in his eyes and leisurely turned up the corners of his entle

"It’s alright, sweetheart I’ Let’s allow it to happen naturally"

She should have been relieved, but the idea of putting it off until later wasn’t exactly reassuring On the other hand, si, either

His deep voice filled the roo to co to relax and talk together"

Her gaze had drifted to the floor, but it shot back to his face

"Talk?"

His laughter sent a flood of warmth up her neck and into her face What an utterly stupid thing to say

"I’ "I didn’t mean to make fun of you" He put an arm around her shoulders "Relax You’re as stiff as a board What are you so concerned about?"

"I don’t know," she said

He finally ed to sober "I suppose it’s normal under the circumstances"

"Then why do I feel like such a fool?"