For Love

Chapter 8

JASON

Jason inspected his reflection in the round mirror nailed to the pole of his office tent. The tent itself was dry and clean enough, though mud caked the sides of the old white canvas. It had served him and his brothers for many years, and it was still good enough to use for transforming himself from a hard-working logger to a distinguished gentleman of the evening.

Following the last swipe with his razor, Jason toweled the last of the shaving foam off his face. Satisfied with his appearance, he washed the rest of his upper torso with a rag and threw the water out of the back of the tent. The flap fell behind him, and while his shirt and suit coat came on easily, the black silk ribbon around his neck had a mind of its own. His fingers were all thumbs, and he scowled at his reflection.

It's just a party, blast it.

Jason's conscience argued with him. It wasn't just a party; it was a wedding reception. His and Laurie's, to be exact. When Lottie sprung it on him just before he had left with Laurie the night before he had briefly debated if he should tell her off for meddling or kiss her for her ingenuity. He had settled for saying thank you and ducking out of the saloon as quickly as possible.

He had tried telling Laurie over breakfast, but every time he opened his mouth to say something, the words somehow died in his throat. Never in all his adult life had he ever had so much to say to a woman and not been able to use his voice. Every time he opened his mouth, his usual confidence around the fairer sex abandoned him. Jason had finally given up and like a jackass told Laurie they were going to Lottie's party and he would pick her up at six.

He bent the ribbon to finish tying a bow and grimaced at his reflection, thinking of the surprise that flashed through Laurie's features before she smoothed them down and demurely accepted his word. He'd almost hoped she'd tell him no, but she seemed the epitome of what some men thought women were supposed to be. Obedience was one thing. Normally the married women he knew did what they were told, but usually grumbling and sometimes a little payback accompanied their compliance. This was deference, something he'd only seen once in his lifetime, and had never hoped to dream he'd experience it himself.

After the tie succumbed to his iron will, he scooped up the wooden box he had meticulously packed under his arm and stepped outside to survey the nearly empty logging camp. Most of the men had already left, looking to spend extra time with their sweethearts. Jeremy and Joshua had gone with them, leaving Jason to clean up in the tent alone.

"Why didn't you change in the cabin?" Jeremy had asked. "It's not like you're still single like me and Josh. Laurie will probably want some help too, won't she?"

Jason clutched the box tighter as he strode down the mountain trail. He had used the excuse of needing time to think, but that was only partially true. It had more to do with needing time to pack his present for Laurie, something he wanted to do in private. He couldn't risk her seeing it, and besides, he was nervous.

He grinned at himself and quickened his pace. Yes, he was nervous! It wasn't the first gift he'd given a lady, but it was the most important one. At one time he had thought to give the gift as a wedding present to Candy, or whoever Joshua planned to marry. Now, all that would accomplish would be to hurt the woman he was trying to build a life with. True, his mother had told him to give it to someone he truly loved, but if he didn't give it to Laurie, he'd give it to no one.

Besides, he thought, finding himself quoting Richard's deputy again. Women need pretty things. He had noticed Laurie had made none of the changes he had expected her to make to the cabin. She cooked, she cleaned, she did whatever he asked of her, and slept. No arguments. No lace and frills. Her hard work meant something to him, and he wanted to show his appreciation. Maybe if she felt comfortable enough to spruce up her surroundings, he'd get to see the woman from the hotel again. So if Lottie and his brothers wanted to make a big deal out of the gift, so be it.