Saving the Gunslinger

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Five

Timothy pulled his wife close and kissed her golden hair as she slept peacefully in his arms. His wife. Eleanor was his wife. They'd been married nearly two weeks and yet it still didn't feel real at times. Timothy had spent much of his life feeling as if he didn't completely belong—as if he didn't truly have his own place or anyone who would love and pick him over everyone else. He had found that in Eleanor.

"Good morning." Her sleepy voice greeted in the silence.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Timothy replied, running his finger down her smooth arm.

Eleanor yawned and stretched out beside him, drawing Timothy's attention to the curves and outline of her body beneath the sheet they were wrapped in. "What time is it?" she asked.

With a sigh, Timothy grabbed his watch from the bedside table and clicked it open. "Time for me to get up and get ready to head to the ranch and work on the house."

He saw the disappoint cross her delicate face. It caused his heart to ache a bit. He knew that she was tired of sitting in town alone every day while he worked. Most of the people in town still wouldn't have anything much to do with her. Doc Reynolds and his new lady love Catherine would be happy to spend time with her, but she insisted she did not want to intrude on their budding relationship. Caroline and the ladies at the brothel would also keep her company but they kept different hours than Eleanor did lately and Eleanor didn't seem eager to spend time at the saloon and brothel—She didn't like remembering the things she'd done there, or the things that had been done to her.

"Do you have time to come to breakfast with me before you leave?" she asked.

Tim smiled. "Of course." He put his finger under her chin and lifted her head so he could press a tender kiss to her soft lips. "I always have time for you, Ell. You know that." His lips turned down into a frown. "Do you want me to stay in town today? I could catch the workers before they leave and have them let Zach know I won't be there."

Her big blue eyes lit up a moment but then she shook her head. "No. No, you're needed out there, Tim."

Timothy kissed her long and slow. "But if I'm needed here then here's where I'll be," he countered.

Her long blond lashes rested on her cheeks as Eleanor's eyes remained closed and a tiny smile curled her lips. "I know you'd stay, Tim, and I'm tempted to tell you to, but I know that we need our home complete. I don't want to live in this hotel forever."

Tim sighed. "I know you're lonely here while I'm gone. Do you want to come with me? Sam should be home, she doesn't work at the post office today."

"I don't know.. I don't want to bother her."

"She'd probably punch you if she heard you say that. And Mrs. Judith Loud-mouth Channing could tell you, you don't want that to happen. Sam packs a mean punch." He smiled when she laughed. "Come with me, Ell."

Those blue eyes that had a way of making him feel ten feet tall and all types of heroic gazed up at him. "Okay. But breakfast first."

Timothy's stomach rumbled in response. "Of course. I don't work on an empty stomach."

Leaving the bed, Tim took Eleanor's hand and helped her up as well. She swooned a bit and he knew she'd been hit by another dizzy spell. Worry gnawed at him. Her pregnancy had not been easy for her. She'd been doing much better with proper food and rest but she still suffered from frequent dizzy spells and headaches. Doc Reynolds had insisted that she rest as much as possible and permanent bed rest might be called for the further she got into her pregnancy.