Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire Page B

“This looks good, Gabrielle. You’ve sure gotten a lot done this afternoon. Do you want some help hanging them?”
    He walked over to her. She was bent over the sewing machine. “Where’d you find that?” he asked.
    “It was in one of the trunks I found while cleaning. Under a collection of newspapers, I think. I was so happy to see it!” She paused, suddenly fearful that he might not have wanted her using it. “Oh! I just assumed you wouldn’t mind if I used it. Was it Amanda’s?”
    Gabrielle stopped what she was doing as she became flustered, embarrassed that she’d helped herself to it without even asking him first.
    “Whoa—.” He stopped himself, seeming to remember how she’d responded to him the last time he’d used that word with her. “Wait. Don’t get upset. I’m happy that you’ve found something so useful to you. As I was saying, can I help you hang them?”
    She sat back down. “I’m sorry. I tend to overreact sometimes.”
    She cleared her throat, calming down. “Yes, I’d appreciate your help. I’m just now finishing with these. If you’ll just get a hammer and some nails, I’ve got some cord we can run through the tops and we’ll be all set to hang them. They’ll be just the right thing to brighten these rooms.”
    Boone returned momentarily with the needed tools.
    “I’ve got three hammers. What size?”
    They worked together to get the cords through the upper hems. She stood on a chair next to him as he reached up and handled the hammering
    Gabrielle had never lived in a home with such large glass windows. She’d seen them in many buildings in the city, but never in her own home. They’d saved the largest window for last, and she was standing on top of the chair, stretching out her arm to hand Boone the curtain. He’d finished pounding in the nail and turned to take the end of the curtain from her just as the chair tipped and Gabrielle began to fall toward him. Quickly, he leaned his tall body in her direction in time to catch her in his arms. Her momentum was fast though, and they both tumbled to the floor, Gabrielle landing fully on his chest.
    Startled and breathing hard, they laid there with their faces inches apart, gazing into each other’s surprised eyes for several seconds. Boone was on his back and let his arms fall open wide on the floor. He dared not touch her, lest he offend her.
    “Oh, my goodness,” she whispered. “Oh, my!” she then exclaimed loudly, scrambling to roll off of Boone.
    They both apologized at the same time, then began laughing at each other. Boone sat up first, then jumped to his feet. He reached down and offered her his hand.
    Gabrielle accepted and allowed him to pull her to a standing position. “Well, that was unexpected,” she said.
    Boone looked her up and down. “Are you hurt?”
    Shaking her head, Gabrielle brushed off her dress and then quickly reached for the curtain that had fallen to the ground. “I’m just fine, really. Let’s get this finished, okay?”
    She focused entirely on getting the last of the curtains hung and wasn’t interested in talking.
    Boone was uncomfortable in her presence. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m over my concussion, but I do feel pretty tired. If you don’t need my help any longer, I think I’ll get ready for bed.”
    “Well, you’ve been more active today than any other since your fall. I can see why you’d be exhausted. Thanks for all your help. Good night, Boone,” she said dismissively.
    After he left the room Gabrielle went back to work. She’d kept back a shirt she’d found in the laundry to use as a pattern for the one she planned to sew for him. Instinctively, she knew the red flannel she’d bought would look wonderful against his slightly olive-colored skin. His dark hair and brown eyes would have a striking effect with him in that color.
    Laboring intensely, she wasn’t aware of the time until her body began to ache. It was well after midnight, so she carefully