Genevieve: Bride of Nevada (American Mail-Order Bride 36) by Cynthia Woolf Page B

so she couldn’t get a good look at his eyes but she would have bet they were hungry. That seemed to be the only way he looked at her anymore.
    Genny wanted him, wanted his touch so much, she was tempted to give in and tell him she didn’t care if they had children, that she just wanted him to make love to her. But she realized that wasn’t the solution to their problem. If they gave in to the longings they would most likely have more children. A happy result in Genny’s mind but not yet in Stuart’s. And she wanted love. A commodity in short supply where her husband was concerned.
    Wrapped together, they walked the four blocks to the Hot Springs Hotel.
    As soon as they reached the hotel, Stuart dropped his arm back to his side and held the door open for her, which in that wind was no small feat.
    They entered the hotel, and while Genny was thankful to be out of the weather, she immediately missed the closeness they’d shared for the short walk.
    Stuart led the way through the lobby to the restaurant.
    They were quickly seated, but Genny was still too cold to take off her coat.
    “Aren’t you freezing?” she asked as Stuart doffed his coat, hat and scarf?
    “Yes, but I’ll warm up much better this way. You should try it.”
    Genny nodded and took off her coat and scarf. Her thin dress was totally inappropriate for the weather.
    Stuart frowned. “Don’t you have any clothes for cold weather?”
    “Just the coat and boots I’m wearing.” Stuart seemed impatient with her today.
    “No. I mean wool dresses, skirts and blouses. Even pants.”
    “Heavens no.” She shook her head. “Whatever would I do with pants?”
    Stuart looked heavenward and then pinched the skin on his nose between his brows before returning his gaze to her.
    The waitress came and took their orders. Both had steak with potatoes, carrots and apple pie for dessert. And all the hot coffee they could drink.
    “You have to look at Martha’s clothes. You appear to be about the same size, though Martha may have been a little taller. You’ve seen her parents, they’re both tall people.”
    “I will. I’ll go through everything in that storage room and see what we can use. I’ve got to have material for diapers for Lucy. The ones she has are nearly worn out and are too small. She won’t be able to wear them for much longer.”
    “You’ll find everything you need in the trunks in the room, including things Billy wore when he was a baby. Lucy can wear them now, including his little white shoes for walking.”
    Genny wanted to thank Stuart and reached across the table, placing her hand on top of his.
    He pulled away like she’d burned him.
    “Stuart? We’ve got to talk. You can’t keep ignoring me.”
    “I can try.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m your wife and you should start to treat me like I am. We can have a happy life if you’ll let us, but we can’t go on like this forever. We’ll both be miserable—”
    He straightened. “I’m not miserable.”
    “You’re the biggest grouch I’ve ever seen. You ignore me and berate the rest of the family, except for Billy who you choose to ignore, as well. He needs you. You’re his father.”
    “I know what I am,” he snapped.
    “Then start acting like it.” Genny whispered so as not to be heard by the nearby diners. She knew she shouldn’t have picked this place for her argument and she didn’t mean to, but here he couldn’t walk away like he normally did.
    The waitress returned with their meals. The steaks looked wonderful, the whole meal did. Of course, it’s always better to eat someone else’s cooking. Even though Genny only helped prepare the meals, she still enjoyed this dining out experience very much. She’d never actually had dinner in a restaurant like this before.
    Genevieve dug into her food. She cut the steak and juices ran from the meat it was so moist and tender.
    Stuart started eating as well and for the moment their discussion was forgotten.
    At last the