Amanda's Hope by Indiana Wake

Author:Indiana Wake [Wake, Indiana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Join my newsletter
Published: 2019-06-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

“Walk with me, Bess. I don’t want to risk being seen and having no explanation. As far as my folks are concerned, I’m with you all day.”

“It’s not a complete lie. You’re starting off here before you run away for your few minutes with Joe.” Bess chuckled wickedly. “Make your few minutes count.”

“Don’t! You’ll make me blush, for goodness sake!” Amanda’s voice was shrill and full of excitement.

“I am trying to,” Bess went on triumphantly before tucking a stray strand of shining chestnut hair behind Amanda’s ear. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you. I didn’t want to overdo it. My mama can be a bit curious sometimes. And anyway, it’s only a walk in the woods.”

“So romantic!” Bess was thoroughly enjoying herself.

“Bess, behave!” Amanda couldn’t stop smiling. “Goodness, I feel like a silly girl instead of a fully-grown woman.”

“Good, it’s about time you experienced that excitement,” Bess said firmly. “You really care for him, don’t you?” she went on in a gentler tone.

“I really do. I’ve never felt this way before, and I know I’ll never feel anything for Garth Walton.”

“Don’t ruin your day with any thoughts of that arrogant swine.” Ever since Amanda had told Bess about Garth’s behavior in the diner, her dear friend had denounced him entirely.

He was no longer on Bess’ list of the handsome young men of Oregon, for his crude behavior had apparently made him ugly in every way. Amanda had almost cried with emotion; nobody in the world stood in her corner like Bess Lawler did. Handsome men could be declared ugly in the blink of an eye, and all for loyalty and friendship.

“I just wish I had known Joe longer. Maybe I would know if he would ever want to…. Well….”

“Marry you?” Bess said in a whisper.

“Does that sound naïve?”

“No.”

“I only met him a few weeks ago and we’ve seen little enough of each other, but I can’t help the way I feel. I feel as if I have come to know him so quickly. Reading his work has made me feel so close to him.”

“Have you fallen in love with him?”

“Yes,” Amanda said, relieved somehow to have it known, if only to Bess. “At first I thought I was just looking for a savior; someone to take me away from the hell of having no choice. But now I know it’s so much more than that. Joe is a very special man and a very clever one. His work is beautiful, and I never thought I’d meet a man I could talk to the way we talk. He’s like a dream come true.”

“I expect he feels the same way.”

“Oh Bess, I do love you! But you’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

“That’s true, but I also mean it. Think about it, Amanda; who does he talk to about his book? About his old studies in Salem? His friends? His father? Any one of a hundred ranchers or farmers who have no interest in that kind of thing? No. I think he’s found his match as much as you’ve found yours.

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