She knew it was dawn because of the racket made by the birds in the trees above the house, and because the hogs beneath it were moving again. She felt in the place where Daniel had lain beside her. It was cold, which meant he had left their bed a while ago. She lay for a moment and thought about how wonderful it had been to sleep in his arms, how warm and protected she’d felt. What would it be like to lie beside him naked, become one with him? A thrill tingled down her spine. Only her thin nightdress had been between her breast and his bare chest. He had worn his britches, but his feet had been bare, and in the night she had rested the bottoms of her feet on the tops of his. Had he kissed her during the night, or had she only dreamed it? Now she could hear the steady thuds of an ax hitting wood and smell fresh wood smoke. The younger Baxters would be coming down from the loft. She got up and dressed quickly, listening for sounds from overhead. After running the brush through her hair she twisted it and pinned it to the top of her head, repacked her carpetbag, and set it on the bed.
What do You think about Dorothy Garlock - [Wabash River]?
