Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
“I know they’re not exactly what you’re used to, but I think you’re going
to find these things suit you better than anything you’ve ever worn.”
“I’ll try and take your word for it.” She fingered the linsey-woolsey.
He smiled slightly. “In another week or two, you’ll be up to taking on a
few chores.”
Her head came up, but he was already on his way out the door. Chores?
What chores did he have in mind? Milking a cow? Cooking? Maybe he
would expect her to chop the firewood and tote it, along with the water
from the creek. And his clothes! He would want her to wash and iron. What
a laugh! She was good at one thing and nothing else. He was going to have a
real awakening when she started doing chores.
He came back in with an armload of firewood.
“Mister, I don’t know the first thing about what a farm wife does.”
He stacked the wood neatly. “I didn’t expect you would.”
“Then just what chores did you have in mind?”
“Cooking, washing, ironing, the garden.”
“I just told you—”
“You’re smart. You’ll learn.” He put another log on the fire. “You won’t be
doing anything really heavy until you’re able, which you won’t be for another
month at least.”
Really heavy? What did that mean? She decided to take another tack
instead. Her mouth curved in a well-practiced smile. “What about the other
wifely duties?”
Michael glanced back at her. “When it means something more to you
than work, we’ll consummate the marriage.”
She was taken aback by his frankness. Where was the farmer who
blushed and jumped when she touched him? Unnerved, she retreated in
anger. “Fine, mister. I’ll do whatever you’ve got in mind. I’ll match you hour
for hour, day for day since you started taking care of me.”
“And when you figure we’re square, you’ll leave. Is that it?”
“I’m going back to Pair-a-Dice and get what the Duchess owes me.”
“No, you’re not,” he said quietly.
“Yes, I am.” She would get her money from the Duchess even if she had
to take it out of the old crone’s hide. Then she would hire someone to build
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