Read Online Be My Texas Valentine by Jodi Thomas, DeWanna Pace, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda - Free Book Online

possible was changing, and he wasn’t sure he’d be man enough to handle her soon.
    All day, as he worked, he thought about her. She’d had so much sadness in her life, maybe she thought she had to ration feelings. She might never love him, but he believed he could make her want him, and if she wanted him, that would be enough. He was just the first man who came along she thought would risk stepping over the curse to be with her, and in truth, he wasn’t really living anyway before he sat down on that bench at the dance.
    He finished up work an hour before sunset. They ate supper and sat out on the porch as night came on. Their nearest neighbor rode past and yelled hello. To Brody’s surprise, he turned in and asked how they were doing. He said his wife had made a pie and told him to take it over to the newlyweds.
    Brody had seen the man several times, but had never spoken to him. Suddenly, the farmer was talkative. When Valerie went in to get plates and forks, the farmer asked how Brody was feeling.
    “Fine.”
    The farmer offered him a two-headed coin. “Keep this in your pocket at all times. It’ll bring you luck.”
    Brody didn’t want to go into the fact that he didn’t believe in luck or curses. He just thanked the man. When Valerie returned, they ate the pie on the steps; then she said good night to the gentlemen as if she thought they’d want to discuss important matters.
    All Brody wanted to do was go to bed with his wife.
    The farmer sat around talking about crops and tricks he used when planting for another half hour before climbing on his horse and heading back across the road.
    Brody knew Valerie would be in bed, probably already asleep by the time he cleaned up and joined her. It didn’t matter; as long as he could hold her, it would be a perfect ending to the day. All the years of having no one to hold drifted away at just the thought of her. He’d never known himself to miss such a thing, but now, he knew he’d miss her beside him the rest of his life if they separated.
    She rolled toward him as he stretched his arm out. “You asleep?” he whispered.
    “No,” she answered.
    “Mind if I kiss you good night?”
    “No.” She sounded sleepy.
    He rolled toward her, pressing her lightly into the pillows as his mouth found hers. He’d meant to kiss her softly, but when he tasted her, he couldn’t hold back. Her mouth opened, and he was lost in one wonderful kiss. The feel of her breathing beneath him almost drove him mad. He pressed just a little more, letting her take some of his weight.
    When he finally pulled an inch away, he whispered against her cheek, “You weren’t asleep at all.” She’d been fully awake and waiting for him. The knowledge made him proud.
    “I’d like another kiss, please,” she whispered. “If you’ve no objection to losing a few moments’ sleep. I find I rather enjoy the feel of your lips on mine.”
    “You can have the night, if you want it.” His hand slid along her throat as he kissed her tenderly. The collar of her gown fell away and he kissed down her neck, loving the softness of her skin and knowing the open buttons were her silent gift to him. He wanted more, much more. He wanted his wife, but reason told him to move slowly. After one more kiss, he lay on his back and settled her head on his chest.
    His finger moved down the vee of her gown. “Thank you but there are still far too many buttons. Unbutton another, love.”
    He felt her stop breathing for a moment, and then her hand slipped between his and the cotton of her dress. She pulled one more pearl free.
    She didn’t move as he tugged the material back and kissed the hollow of her throat. Then, with every ounce of effort he could muster, he leaned back as she rested on his chest.
    For a while they were both still, but he knew she wasn’t asleep.
    Finally, she put her chin on his chest and asked, “What do you want of me? If I can’t have children, will you still want me near?”
    “Yes,”