Read Online An Angel in the Mail by Callie Hutton - Free Book Online Page A

Julia-Rose through the rest of her bath, managing to keep the child’s head above water by holding her loosely by her gathered up, wet hair. Once rinsed off, she picked up the wet, wiggling little body and looked around for a towel. Not seeing one, she pulled up the bottom of her dress and wrapped the baby in it. She hurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
    Angel laid the baby on the bed. She crawled away. Angel dragged her back by her feet. Julia-Rose flipped onto her back, giggling. She reached for a clean diaper, but no matter which way she tried to put it on the baby’s bottom, it fell off.
    Sweat beaded her forehead. This can’t be that difficult. You were top in your class at school.
    Eventually, the diaper stayed put, even though she doubted it was on correctly. Angel placed the sweet-smelling little girl in the crib across from Nate’s bed. Then sang four songs before the baby’s little chest rose and fell in sleep.
    Julia-Rose had slipped her fingers into her rosebud mouth, sucking gently. Angel leaned over and smoothed the blonde ringlets from her face. Her finger slid down her soft cheek. Something in her heart twisted as she gazed on the sleeping child. She kissed two fingers and laid them on Julia-Rose’s forehead.
    As she eased the door closed, she met Nate in the shadowed hallway.
    “Boys are all asleep,” he said. “I’ll go to the bathhouse in town tonight so you can have privacy for your bath. I’ll move the tub into the parlor near the fireplace where it will be warmer.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate that.” She gave him a small smile.
    “I put the water on to heat. It shouldn’t take too long.” He left her in the hall as he grabbed his shaving equipment and clean clothes from the bedroom, and whistling cheerfully, left the house.
    A half hour later, she sat at the table, drumming nervous fingers, waiting for the water to heat. Oh Lord, I know what he’ll expect when he returns.
    By the smile on his face, and the heat in his eyes, there wouldn’t be any time to allow her to adjust to her new role before her wifely duties began. She shivered, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. He seemed too kind to force himself on her, but they would be occupying the same bed. And from conversations overheard at boarding school, she knew what that meant.
    Nate eased into the large iron bathtub, and sighed as welcoming hot water washed over him. He fingered a small glass of brandy by his side, and clamped a cheroot between his teeth. Things may have been difficult last night, with Angel so worn out, but tonight he would have his wedding night. His bride was, at this moment, immersed in hot water up to her interesting parts, probably soaking in something sweet smelling.
    She looked a little out of place in that frilly yellow dress she’d worn today. And it was a sopping mess when she got through giving the baby her bath. It looked almost as if she had joined the little girl in the sink. Hopefully, she wasn’t as clumsy at everything else.
    He blew smoke rings in the air while he imagined her getting out of the tub, all pink and flushed, how she would look when he made love to her. The thought of her soft, smooth skin brought his manhood to full attention. She was certainly a sweet little thing. Soon he would run his fingers through her long, silky hair, and kiss his way down her body. He would start with the eyelids covering those beautiful blue eyes. Did the blue darken with passion? He couldn’t wait to find out.
    Being young, and untouched, it would be important for him to take it slow. The poor girl looked a little frightened when he’d left. He probably should give her time to adjust before he exercised his marital rights, but that would only increase her tension, with her watching his every move, waiting for him to jump her.
    He took a final sip of his brandy, doused the cheroot and started washing. Eager to finish his bath, he had better things to do.
    Never having prepared her own bath