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bed.” He noticed the pink fill Julianne’s cheeks.
    “I can do it.”
    “I’m sure you can, but you need to eat, and I don’t mind.” Caleb gently took the baby from her. He carried him to his cradle and slowly rocked it back and forth until Jonathan fell asleep.
    When he returned to the kitchen, Julianne had already cleaned up. She stood by the window looking out into the darkness.
    Caleb stopped a few inches from her and looked over her head into the night. If Julianne felt his presence, she didn’t show it. The night was black; no light from the moon or the stars could be seen.
    “It’s late.” Her soft whisper surprised him.
    Now was the time to bring up the subject he knew both of them had avoided all day. Would she be pleased by his thoughts on the subject? He took a deep breath and blurted.
     “It’s time for bed, Julianne.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
    Julianne spun around and sputtered. “I beg your pardon?”
    “That didn’t come out right.” She watched Caleb’s face and neck turn beet red.
    “I should say not.” New fear enveloped her. Julianne pushed her back as close to the window as she could.
    They were married, and he had every right to expect her to sleep with him, but surely there was a better way of saying it. What kind of man had she married? Just when she thought he was kind and understanding, he blurts out ‘it’s time for bed’ as if he could demand it.
    Caleb took a step away from her. She flinched when he brought one hand up. She expected him to grab her at any moment and drag her to bed.
    He combed his fingers through his hair looking even more embarrassed. “Look, I only meant it is time for us to get some sleep. You can take the bed down here, and I’ll take the one upstairs.”
    Her gaze followed his finger that pointed upwards. “It was to be my room anyway until I could build on extra rooms.”
    He didn’t mean to sleep with her? To make her perform her wifely duties? She studied him for several long moments. Could he be believed?
    “Look, you and I don’t know each other well enough to share that kind of intimacy. I want my wife to be in love before we are man and wife in more than just name. I believe that is the way God would want it to be, also.” He dropped his hands. “I moved my stuff up there a few days ago.”
    Julianne wanted to believe him. Even as he climbed the stairs, she still wasn’t sure of his intentions.
    For several long minutes she heard him moving around above. The creak of a mattress told her he’d lain down. “Goodnight, Julianne.”
    She moved to her own bed and sat down. “Goodnight, Caleb.”
    A little later, his soft snores filled the house. Julianne checked on the baby, and then prepared for bed. She lay on the soft feather mattress listening to her new husband sleep above her.
    The baby woke her restless sleep several times during the night, needing to be changed and fed one more time. She took care of his needs and prayed he wouldn’t wake the man upstairs.
    When morning came, Julianne was exhausted. Long before the sun rose in the sky, she heard Caleb get up and move around. His soft footsteps came down the stairs and moved about the kitchen.
    She peaked from under the covers to see what he was doing. Julianne sighed, glad he’d found the pancakes she’d left out for his breakfast.
    Then, he turned in her direction. Julianne closed her eyes tightly and pretended to be asleep. She felt his warm lips on her forehead and heard his soft whisper.
    “Have a good day, Julianne. Be sure and bolt the door when I leave. Don’t go into the woods today, we have a lot to go over before you leave the yard.” He kissed her forehead once more and left.
    As soon as the door shut, Julianne bolted from the bed and locked the door. She heard his soft chuckle on the other side. Mortified he hadn’t left; she raced back to the bed and dived under the covers.
    Then, she giggled.
    He’d cared enough to make