An Unexpected Redemption by Davalynn Spencer

Author:Davalynn Spencer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: inspirational, clean romance, sweet romance, cowboy romance, strong female, romance books, cowboy hero, romance 1800s, western books, western 1880s

CHAPTER 15

Elizabeth lay awake in the dark, not trusting her senses. Torn between the past and present, she fought a queasy feeling of belonging to neither.

Her bedroom was exactly as she’d left it, aside from dust that lay heavy on the chest of drawers and dressing table. Its dry scent clung to the quilt she huddled beneath and scratched her nose each time she stirred. She’d not shaken it last night, hoping to avoid breathing in the falling particles.

If she were staying—which she wasn’t—she’d give the room a good scrubbing and wash the bedclothes.

If only regret could be purged as easily.

She threw back the covers. Her clothes had been just where Cade said they were, and she’d laid them on the foot of her bed the night before, a habit her mother had instilled in her when Elizabeth was toddling at her skirts.

Be ready for the day before the day gets here, Mama had said.

And so she was, shedding her nightgown and tugging into her riding skirt, shirt, and belt. Her boots showed extra wear and her hat was missing, but Cade probably had an old one lying around. After tending to her needs at the washbasin, she tied her hair back with a ribbon, paused at Cade and Mae Ann’s door for sounds of stirring, and then stopped at the landing.

The great room seemed smaller than she remembered, but nothing had been rearranged. Her father’s desk guarded long wall-hugging book shelves, scattered steer hides covered the smooth plank floor, and Mama’s piano stood against the inside wall. Protection for its strings, she’d always said, from the drastic temperature changes this part of the country was known for.

The aroma of dark, rich coffee drew her down the staircase. Deacon.

“I knew you were at the stove.” She hugged his waist from the side, and he clamped an arm around her, stirring sausage gravy with his other hand.

“Horned and barefoot. The aroma charged up the stairs to meet me.”

Deacon chuckled and gave her a quick once over. “Now that’s the Betsy I know. Ready to ride.”

“Your forgiveness means everything to me.”

His mustache pulled hard to one side. “Never you mind about that now. You’re back, and that’s what matters.”

She pulled away and opened the cupboard door, surprised to find new rose-bordered china, the remains of her mother’s ware set back to make room. Only a man in love would splurge on new dishes when old chipped plates and cups served most men just as well.

A tug of envy accompanied the cup she set in its saucer, and she filled it with dark Arbuckle’s, spooning in sugar from the old silver bowl centered on the cloth-covered table. Polished to a sheen, it brought Garrett Wilson to mind.

Conflict stirred within her. Exasperated yesterday by his scrutiny, she was excited about riding with him today. Why couldn’t he just settle into the same corner of her life as other men? Other than Edward and Braxton Hatchett. Why did he have to stake claim to his

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.