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only makes it worse. Think of something happy and try to
sleep."
Serenity rose and headed for the door.
"Will we clean out Mama's closet tomorrow?"
The question made Serenity freeze with her hand on the
doorknob. She wasn't sure how to answer, since going into
the closet had upset Alisha so much.
"We'll talk about it in the morning."
What else could she say without starting a fight between
the two sisters?
Serenity waited for a reply, hoping her answer would
suffice, but none came. She hoped Cherise had blissful sleep.
Unfortunately, Serenity never did. What would Collin do when
she cried out in the night tonight? Would he demand the
explanations that he overlooked last night? She had no words
of comfort for herself.
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Chapter 7
When Serenity returned from reassuring Cherise, she
found Collin standing in their bedroom. Still as a statue, he
just stared at the ornately carved oak headboard and brightly
quilted star spread. His presence dominated the small room.
He had shed the dark coat and now stood in his white dress
shirt with the sleeves rolled up. It emphasized his broad
shoulders. Through the top buttons, dark curls peaked out.
His hair was damp combed. She realized that he had also just
shaved. Serenity forced back her panic. This man staring at
the bed with pain-ridden eyes won't hurt me, she told herself.
"I think I convinced Cherise to go to sleep. Something is
bothering her, but she won't tell me what. She almost acted
afraid to sleep in her own room."
He didn't respond, just stood there, leaning against the
footboard.
She wasn't sure if Collin even knew she was there since he
appeared so lost in thought. She reached out, placing a
comforting hand on his rock-hard arm. The muscles jumped
under her fingers. Without the barrier of shirtsleeves, his skin
felt warm. The hair tickled her fingertips.
He reached over to touch her cheek and winced. He was in
pain, she realized, but too proud to admit it.
"Is your shoulder bothering you?"
Collin nodded. "That and my back. I overdid today. Doc
Hogan wanted me to be careful. The bullet dislocated my
shoulder and, even though Doc put it back in, it takes time to
heal. Since I move slowly these days, I let my brother-in-law,
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Ethan, help me with chores. He and I share the horses and
cattle. We also farm together. His land borders mine to the
south.
"Anyway, I told him not to come tonight. He was invited to
dinner by this lady he is courting."
Serenity chuckled. "So you do have a little of Rose in you
after all. Is that why Mr. Holt came to take Ethan's place?"
"I never thought of that. I suppose I should have been
nicer to him, but he just knows how to yank my strings."
"I'm sorry my being here caused trouble for you."
"Nothing I can't handle. I should have expected he would
be hurt that he didn't know about our wedding before the
fact. He thinks of me as one of his children."
Serenity patted his arm. "You don't have to explain. I
understand. You have been a part of his family for fourteen
years. He is afraid I will come between him and his
granddaughters. I won't."
Collin studied her for a long moment. "This situation is
more complicated than I imagined. I had never thought about
remarrying, so I hadn't given much thought to what the Holts
would feel about my doing so."
"You are lucky to have family that cares about you."
He groaned, straightening up.
"Here, lean on me. I helped my father with his evening
rituals for eight years. Do you want to wash up?"
Collin shook his head. "I already took care of that. I just
need to sit down for a minute, then I'll be fine."
Of course what a goose I am.
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
His gaze met hers with a mixture of determination and
pain.
"I have some cream that will help with the stiffness. If you
remove your shirt, I can rub it in."
Collin regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. "I'm a wee
bit embarrassed about this. It is our wedding night..."
Serenity brushed off his comment with a wave of her hand.
She wasn't sure, but she thought she read relief in Collin's
eyes. "What should we do first? Do you have a bandage that
needs replacing?"
"I'm tempted to leave it off since it keeps coming loose
anyway."
"Then let's slide off your shirt. I will check your bandage
and rub your back."
Her hand trembled as each button revealed the broad,
muscular expanse of his chest. A thick pelt of dark hair made
a vee between his nipples and then arrowed down his flat
stomach, disappearing into his pants. She noticed there was
evidence of fading bruises. His ribs might have been cracked.
She cringed, feeling his pain.
She swallowed, fighting the urge to caress him. "The
bandage seems secure. I don't see any blood seeping out,"
she said in a tight voice. "I'll get my cream."
When she returned, Collin was gingerly lowering himself
onto the bed. She climbed on behind him, tangled skirt and
all. The cream felt cold against her fingers as she dipped into
the container. His skin was hot under her touch as she
smoothed it over his uninjured shoulder, neck, and carefully
over his bruised back.
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Sweet Serenity
by Catherine Stang
Collin groaned, his muscles relaxing under her tender
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