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the side of his face, stroking her fingers over his cheek and mouth.
He nuzzled her palm, mouthing the words I love you into her skin. It was what his
mother used to say to him before she hugged him. He understood the words had
something to do with a good, warm feeling inside. They meant you cared for a person.
And he was certainly feeling some powerful, warm emotions for Catherine.
There was so much he wanted to share with her, his thoughts about the world and
life, his ideas and plans for the future. They both needed to learn signing faster so they
could communicate about more than simple, everyday things. He leaned forward to pick
up the discarded book from the edge of the blanket and handed it to her.
Catherine opened the book, moved out of his embrace and turned to face him. She
made a sign they d learned the other day. I like& She touched her lips.
He smiled and signed back at her. I like kissing you too.
I like it too much. She signed and said the words, her cheeks turning pink.
Jim nodded.
No more touching below the waist. She marked across her waist with a slicing
motion.
Again he nodded. But she hadn t told him they couldn t kiss so he leaned toward her,
cupped her face and settled his mouth over hers, soft and searching.
After a moment, he sat back and resumed his lesson. He made the hand over heart
sign and added the one for eyes, indicating Catherine. I love your eyes. I love your
mouth. Love your neck. Your hands. Your hair. Your nose. Fixing her with a simmering
smile and a heavy-lidded stare, he signed all the anatomical parts he d learned. I love
your breasts. Your body. Your mind.
Catherine s face glowed brighter with every part he mentioned.
When he d listed every one he knew, Jim made an all-inclusive gesture, and without
a smile, so she d understand the depth of his sincerity, he shared what was in his heart. I
love you.
Chapter Thirteen
I love you. The words rang in her head even though he hadn t said them. The
message in his eyes was profound enough to make up for the lack of sound. That
powerful, breath-stealing moment played over and over in her mind while Mrs. Albright
continued the scolding she d been giving her ever since Catherine returned from her
afternoon ride.
I don t know what else to say, Miss Johnson. Rowena Albright reiterated her
much-repeated message. I believe you re essentially a respectable young woman and a
very good teacher and your intentions in educating Mr. Kinney are honorable, but this
continued association with the man is unsuitable. Your example means so much to
impressionable young minds. The young ladies of our community look up to you and
copy your behavior. Spending time alone and unchaperoned with that stable hand is
simply unacceptable.
I understand your concerns, Mrs. Albright. I ll certainly take them to heart.
Catherine spoke politely, but didn t promise to change her behavior.
Mrs. Albright lowered her voice, but although she sounded calmer, her face was still
a mottled pink. I would hate to have to bring this matter up to the school board. I believe
it can be handled privately, and I trust you to do the right thing.
Catherine nodded, taking refuge in silence. She knew the woman wanted her to give
up her lessons with Jim, even though she claimed to believe it was a good cause. Having
a chaperone present wouldn t be enough to appease her. The ticking of the grandfather
clock filled the quiet parlor as neither woman spoke for several moments.
I believe I ve made my position clear and I ll leave it at that. Mrs. Albright
straightened the doily on the back of the chair behind which she stood as if it was a
lecturer s podium.
Rising from her hard seat, Catherine took her leave. I understand your concerns are
well-intentioned, Mrs. Albright. Now, if you ll excuse me, I must prepare for tomorrow.
With a polite nod, she turned and left the stuffy parlor, escaping upstairs to her room.
Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and touched her fingers to her lips.
Only a couple of hours ago, he d kissed her, pressed his hard body into hers, pinning her
to the ground. Oh, the feel of his sinewy shoulders beneath her hands and the hard ridge
at his groin rubbing against her sex. He d touched a place that sent licks of fire blazing
through her body, and when his mouth had descended the column of her neck to the tops
of her breasts, the little flames became an inferno.
Good Lord! Mrs. Albright was right to worry about her being unsupervised with Jim.
She d not only let him kiss her cleavage, but had actually loosened her corset and
encouraged him to suckle her! What kind of a woman did that?
But it had felt so right, so good. The memory of his hot mouth tugging on her nipple,
his callused hand gently squeezing her breast, sent a renewed wave of desire coursing
through her. Her breasts ached and her nether lips tightened. Her drawers were damp
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