Bonnie & Samuel from Widow’s Watch

Donna didn’t get a chance to blog yesterday since Thursday was her Wedding Anniversary! And since we’re both feeling under the weather, it took me a little time to get together today’s sneak peek. But this is from Widow’s Watch, and is an introduction to the two most important secondary characters…a man and woman who lived a over a century ago.

---

He’d left the lamps unlit, and filled the room with candles instead. Bonnie smiled and trailed her hand across the plastered wall as she stepped into the gentle glow.

“Do you like them?” Samuel asked, stepping up behind her, his arm sliding around her waist. “I bought them in Boston last trip.”

“They’re beautiful.” She leaned back against her husband’s strong chest, closing her eyes as she relaxed into the warm comfort of his embrace. “They must have cost good money, though. Can we afford such luxuries?”

He ignored the question and pressed his lips to her cheek. “Bayberry. Do you like the scent?”

“I do. It’s perfect, Samuel. Everything’s perfect.” Everything except for the fact that you’re leaving again, tomorrow….

“Then what’s wrong?”

Bonnie shivered and turned to press her face against Samuel’s shoulder. “It seems like you’ve only just come home, and you’ll have to leave again tomorrow.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “I don’t like it either, Bonnie. But the money–”

“I know,” she cut in quickly. “I know, Samuel. You’d be here if you could.” He would be here, with her. Keeping her company during the long days and longer nights, keeping her safe…. “We all do what we must.”

He kissed her temple and smoothed back the hair that had escaped from the knot at the back of her head. “It’s a hard life, Bonnie. I know. It isn’t the one I wanted to give you.”

She smiled up at him, lifting a hand to his face. His beard was soft and a little scratchy under her hand as she stroked her fingers over his cheek. “It’s a life with you, my love. That’s what I wanted.”

“But it isn’t what I wanted for you.” He sounded regretful. “I should be able to bring you something better than a handful of candles.”

“You do.” He was so tall that she could barely reach his lips, even standing on her toes. Her lips brushed across his chin first, then she kissed him softly. “You needn’t bring me candles at all. Just come home to me safely.”

“I’ll do that whenever I can, Bonnie. You can be sure of that.” He caught her mouth again. Warmth filled her body as she parted her lips beneath his, inviting him to in to her mouth. She loved being in bed with Samuel, adored how he made love to her with such passion and tenderness. Still, as wondrous as that was, there was nothing she enjoyed more than being kissed by him.

After a few leisurely minutes, he straightened and smiled down at her. “I have another surprise for you.”

Bonnie laughed in delight. “Another one? How many surprises do I need in one evening?”

He pulled a small paper box from his pocket and handed it to her. “I trust you’ll like this more than the candles.”

“Oh–” She held her breath as she opened the box carefully, pulling aside the tissue paper. Nestled inside was a delicate locket. “Oh, Samuel. It’s beautiful.”

“Open it.”

She set the box and the tissue paper aside and lifted the necklace up with trembling hands. Inside she found their initials, engraved together in stylized letters. Tears stung her eyes as she undid the clasp and held it out to him. “Help me put it on?”

He took the delicate chain from her and laid the locket, cool and smooth, in the hollow of her neck. His fingers deftly fastened the chain. “There. It’s perfect.”

Bonnie brushed her fingers over it, smiling. “It is. Thank you, Samuel.”

He stroked his thumbs over her cheeks. “Just another season, Bonnie. Then I’ll stay. Get a job down at the docks.”

Her eyes drifted shut as she leaned into the gentle caress. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too. I have since the day I met you.”

“Take me to bed, Samuel.” And, God willing, let me be pregnant with your child when you come back next time.

His smile was almost wicked. “Should I leave the candles burning?”

“Yes.”

---