Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

"What are you doing here?" She saw his serious expression turn to one of amusement as he pulled her close.

"What do you suppose?" He silenced any reply by kissing her.

Evic tried to push him away at first. Trayton, however, would have no part of that. He only tightened his hold and pressed kisses against her jaw and ear.

"I've missed you," he whispered.

"Stop this," she said, although she hardly sounded convincing.

You don't really want me to stop," he said matter-of-factly.

Evic knew he spoke the truth. The worst of it was that he knew how she felt. She didn't want him to stop. She thrilled to his touch, his attention.

You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes upon." He gently fingered a wisp of hair at her temple. "Beautiful and intelligent. Most women cannot boast of both. Some cannot even claim one or the other. How unique to find it all in you."

"Why are you here?" she said, her voice barely audible.

"I heard that you were going out this morning. I slipped into the carriage when the driver was otherwise occupied." He eased his hold and grinned. "Are you sorry that I did so?"

She didn't move from his embrace. For a moment, she considered lying, but then shook her head. "I regret only that I am not free to receive your attention." She looked away immediately, realizing she'd said too much. Embarrassed by her words, she hurried to change the subject but chose the wrong topic. "It's certainly cold today."

"I can make you feel warm," he said with a low chuckle. Trayton took up a lap blanket and spread it out slowly, leaning over to tuck it around her snugly

Evie trembled at his nearness. This was madness. She was a married woman, and despite the fact that her husband showed her no attention or affection, adultery was still frowned upon by those in society. Of course, it wasn't frowned upon for men just women. A woman could be lonely and as desperate for love as she was, and still an affair would be scandalous news. She would be ostracized-rejected completely-and her only guilt would be that she desired to feel loved. Well, maybe not her only guilt.

"I seem to have lost your attention. I must try harder to keep your thoughts on me," Trayton said, pulling her back against him.

A very small part of her wanted to fight him-to say no and demand he leave her alone. But one look into his dark eyes and Evie knew the situation was hopeless. She was being seduced, and she felt helpless to stop herself.

"I have a wonderful plan. Thomas is sending me to Chicago on business. Why don't you come with me? I can act as your chaperone, and we can be together without worrying about the ever watchful eye of busybodies."

Evie's mind whirled with a thousand thoughts. "How would I ever explain my going to Chicago?"

"You love to travel, and you're bored. It's winter, and you need to get away for something different. If we plan it right, you can ask him while in my presence, and I can suggest you travel with me.

"I don't know." Evie put her hand to her head. Things were moving too fast.

"Oh, Evie, you deserve better than what Thomas gives you. I see the way he ignores you. I see the hurt in your eyes when he passes you by without much more than a single glance."

"You do?" she said in disbelief.

His hand caressed her cheek. "I do. I see that and more. He truly has no regard for anyone or anything except his money and business affairs. He doesn't understand your needs."

"And you think you do?"

He grinned. "I suppose you could best answer that. For example, how does this meet your need?" He kissed her again.

Evie shivered from the intensity of his touch. She felt him pull her onto his lap, and she did nothing to stop him. Cradled in his arms, she lost all rational thought. There was only this moment and Trayton. Nothing else mattered.

Kjell wandered down Lincoln Street, desperately trying to figure out how he would tell Lydia about Dalton. She was still unconscious, but the doctor was seeing signs that she was starting to come hack to them. The army had found no other wreckage or sign of loann or the baby but remained confident that they were lost. Captain Briar saw no reason to send word to Kansas City authorities, as they had no proof that Marston Gray had been involved.

He made his way hack to the hospital as a gentle rain started to fall. The slate-colored skies meant it would most likely rain off and on all day. There was no sign of a break in the clouds for as far as Kjell could see, and the heaviness of the sky only served to deepen his sadness.

"There you are," Zerelda said as he entered the hospital's foyer. Were you able to manage things at the mill?"

Kjcll had told her that he was going to the mill in order to finish out several invoices, but in truth he'd never made it that far. "I lost track of time and never got there," he admitted. "What did the doctor say about your wound?"

"He told me I have a hard head and that I'm doingjust fine." She took hold of his arm. "I'm going to head home and make us a nice supper. When do you plan to be there?"

Glancing around the entryway, he shook his head. "I don't know, Zee. I hate to leave Lydia."

"I know you do. Just come home for supper and then you can come right hack."

Kjell looked past her to the stairs. "I suppose."

Zerclda reached out and took hold of his arm. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "I just don't know what to tell her about Dalton." Zerelda nodded and Kjell met her gaze. "I just don't think he's dead. The army has found no definitive proof. I have to believe that Gray was behind all of this."

"But what can you do to prove it one way or the other?" Zee asked. "How can we keep clinging to hope when there is no evidence that Dalton is still alive?"

"That's why we have to find out for sure."

"But how?"

Kjell squared his shoulders. "I'm not sure, but-"

"Kjell! Zerelda!" Dr. Ensign called to them from the top of the steps. "It's Lydia. She's waking up."

Kjell bounded up the stairs, taking the steps two at time. He completely forgot about Zerelda and rushed past the doctor and into the ward. He could see Lydia stirring and went to her side.

"Liddie? Darling, I'm here. Talk to me," he pleaded.

Slowly, Lydia opened her eyes and blinked hard several times. She looked at him oddly, obviously confused by her state. "Water." She croaked the word.

Kjell reached over to the pitcher and poured a glass of water. "Here, let me help you." He put his arm around her and lifted her just a bit to drink. She grimaced in pain but said nothing.

By now the doctor and Zerelda had joined them. As Kjell eased Lydia hack against the pillows, she looked from one person to the next. "Where… am I?"

"You're in the hospital," the doctor answered as he came to her side. "How do you feel?"

"I hurt," she said, reaching up to touch the place where her shoulder and neck connected. "What happened?"

Kjell and the doctor exchanged a glance. Everything in Kjell tensed. "What do you remember?" he asked.

Lydia shook her head. "I don't remember anything."

Her face seemed to contort, but whether from confusion or pain, Kjell couldn't he sure. He reached out and took hold of her hand. "It's all right, Liddie. You don't have to remember it all right now.

She looked at their entwined hands and then hack to Kjell's face. "Who are you?"

Looking at Zerelda and then to the doctor, Kjell felt his throat close up. "What do you mean you know who I am."

Lydia studied him for a moment, then looked at Zerelda, and finally Dr. Ensign. "I don't know any of you."

The doctor frowned. "You don't know your aunt your husband?"

"Husband?" Lydia stared at Kjell. "You're my husband?"