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.Jonah stirred, and Abby sat up.Sleepily, she exchanged a puzzled glance with him.Frances's voice boomed through the door."It's after the noon hour.If you want to eat, food's on the table."Abby got out of bed and slipped into her robe."I didn't know she was going to be here.""Neither did I," he said, pulling the sheet over his naked body and following her to the door.Abby opened the door and came face-to-face with the housekeeper."Frances, what are you doing here?""I moved into the room next to the kitchen, 'cause I decided you're gonna need me.And if the two of you have a daughter-and lord help us all if she's anything like you-you'll be needing me to use a firm hand with her."Abby could hear Jonah's laughter behind her."Frances," he said smoothly, "you are right about that."Abby took the housekeeper's hand in hers."I would have been lost without you.I'm glad you are going to live with us."Jonah poked his head around the door."We need someone to run things around here.""Humph." Frances stalked off, but Abby saw the smile on her face.She closed the door and leaned against it."Do you mind her moving in?""Not if it makes you happy.Besides, I like Frances." He pulled Abby to him and pushed the robe off her shoulders."But she must learn to keep the food warm when I want you in my bed."She laughed and leaped into his arms."If you are able to handle Frances, you are better than I am.""Not me," he said."She scares the hell out of me." He was tantalized by the rosy nipple that drew his attention."I should have known the day you took that dog home with you that you attracted strays.It seems everyone wants to be where you are.Sergeant MacDougall indicated he would like to join us here when his stint is over." He covered her breast with his hand and smiled."Can you imagine what MacDougall and Frances will do to our lives?""I'm more interested in what you are going to do to me right now." "Sweet Abby, am I one of your strays, too?" "No." Her green gaze mesmerized him."You are my love."He eased down onto the bed with her in his lap and kissed her.They both sank backward into the softness of the mattress.Fort FanninThe sun was just going down when Jonah made his way across the compound to his quarters.His footsteps were hurried because he could not wait to get home to Abby.His life was so full and happy he sometimes wondered how he had survived before he met her.Abby had the kind of personality that drew people to her, and the ladies at the fort had readily taken her into their group, not altogether because she was the commander's wife, but because they liked to be with her.The children seemed to flock to her.They knew that if they found themselves at her door, they were likely to get a sweet treat and a hug.She often played games with them, and they jealously vied for a place at her side.He wanted the laughter of children in their home.He could not wait to become a father.He was welcomed home by the soft glow of lamplight and delicious smells coming from the kitchen.When Jonah appeared at the kitchen door, Abby was just taking a loaf of bread out of the oven.She wore a green gingham gown with her hair drawn back in a matching ribbon.She came readily into his arms, nestling her cheek against his shoulder.Abby still could not believe that this wonderful man loved her.He had changed her life in so many ways.With him she felt alive and happy; there were no longer any dark clouds hanging over her-he had swept them all away.She pulled back and looked at him.That afternoon the fort had been visited by dignitaries from Fort Worth, and Jonah was still dressed in his formal regalia, and looked so handsome.His arms tightened about her and he rested his chin against her forehead."Something smells good." He laughed softly, cupping her face in his hands."A wife who is beautiful, delightful, and can cook as well-I'm a most fortunate husband.""Frances was determined that if I ever did get married-which she doubted-I would know how to cook.It's lucky she taught me, since she insisted on remaining at Moon Racer Ranch.Someone has to feed you."He caressed her cheek with his thumb
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