Bittersweet Bride by Denise Hunter

Author:Denise Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

The next morning Mara served breakfast without much trouble. The hired hands even complimented her on the biscuits and gravy. She knew they weren’t as good as Sadie’s, but the men were starting to appreciate food that was at least edible. She also noticed they didn’t ogle her anymore. Perhaps they had decided they preferred a more domestic woman. But she had seen Clay shoot darts with his eyes at Tanner and B.J. whenever they made insolent remarks. Her heart told her it was because he was jealous, but surely he knew she was interested in him alone.

Beth was disappointed when Clay didn’t have time to show Mara how to saddle a horse. They wouldn’t be going to the creek today, but he promised he would take time after supper to show her how.

Mara wondered if he was stalling. Lately he had avoided her and even looking at her. She searched for reasons why. Was he repelled by her lack of womanly skills? Maybe he was only attracted to her beauty. Maybe he was put off because she came from bad stock. But hadn’t he said at the barn raising that she had worth because God had made her and cared enough to die for her?

Maybe he plain didn’t like her. The thought made her stomach clench painfully. She hadn’t been very likable when he first met her. But she’d changed some, hadn’t she?

Oh, this changing business was painful! At times she wished she could go back to being sure of herself, to not caring what others thought of her. But it was too late now. Her eyes had been opened, and there was no going back.

Later that day Mara tried on the gown they had basted, and she was pleased it fit. It looked plain, devoid of adornments, but she would add those later. The beautiful blue fabric was almost as nice as the fabric in the dresses she used to order from France.

By the time she slipped out of the gown, she needed to start supper. Mara anticipated the time she would spend with Clay tonight. If Beth stayed behind, they would be alone in the barn. Would he kiss her then? She thought she would faint from disappointment if he didn’t. She had turned away many other men. She’d never wanted their kisses, and they had been eager to give them. And now that she’d finally found someone she cared for enough to kiss, he didn’t want to!

When they gathered around the table and joined hands for prayer, Mara could feel her palm growing damp. His hand felt so big and strong that it nearly swallowed her own.

Clay was quiet throughout supper, and Mara wondered if he would find an excuse not to teach her how to saddle a horse. When Beth finally asked about it, he did exactly that.

“I’m not sure about tonight,” he said. “By the time Mara finishes up in here, it’s dusk. I can’t let her ride home in the dark.”

Mara’s heart sank,

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