WANTED

Chapter twelve

  This had to be the strangest wedding night anyone had ever had. Elizabeth readied herself for bed in the privacy of the bedroom. Nickolas' behavior baffled her.
  

       After a supper of cold ham and thick slices of cheese on biscuits, Nickolas served more coffee and asked her to sit outside with him. On the porch steps, he told her about his ranch, how he worked to get where he is today, and the men who lived and worked here. He spoke about horse training with passion and pride, and Elizabeth was mesmerized by his voice.
   When the night grew cold, he stood and offered her his hand. Inside, he stoked the fire and made a cot on the floor. Elizabeth stood by awkwardly. She knew what was expected of her, what he was sure to demand, and it looked like the time had come. She never wanted to feel that again, but she knew there was no denying a man.

Nickolas sat on the cot and looked up at her. "I suppose it's time to turn in. You can take the bedroom, should be plenty of blankets and whatnot. If there's anything else you need, let me know."
Elizabeth stared while he removed his boots and belt. He looked up halfway through unbuttoning his shirt. "You alright?" She realized she was staring at his half bare chest and looked away.
"Y-you're sleeping h-here?" Her voice quivered.
"I figured you'd want some privacy for a while."
"T-thank y-you." Was all she could say. Elizabeth hurried off to the bedroom before he could change his mind.

    Elizabeth curled up on the bed facing the door. It had been over an hour, and he hadn't come for her. Maybe he really did mean to sleep separately.