Circle Of Vengeance by M. J. Conner

Author:M. J. Conner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

The evening didn’t begin as Carrie had hoped. Billy helped Gretchen into their buggy, then, when John made no move to climb down and assist her, he handed Carrie into her buggy.

The sun was setting in a magnificent blaze of color when they followed Billy onto the main road.

“It was thoughtful of the Grange to wait until Jed and Lucille were settled in their new home before throwing this party for them. Don’t you think?”

He didn’t reply or give any indication he was aware of her presence, despite the fact that her arm brushed against his every time the buggy swayed.

“Gretchen looks really pretty tonight, doesn’t she?” Carrie paused long enough for him to answer. When he didn’t, she chattered on. “She’s wearing the dress she wore to Lucille’s wedding.” She smoothed down her light green dress. “So am I.”

When he still didn’t answer, she turned her head away from him.

He stole a furtive glance at her. The setting sun washed over her, transforming her into a red-gold vision. Her dangling earrings captured the light and released it in dazzling prisms of color. Her dress had a scooped neck that revealed just enough golden-touched skin to be intriguing. Her upswept hair was a glory of red-gold curls. The tendrils that escaped and curled on the back of her slender neck caught his attention. There was something about those wispy curls that moved him as nothing else had. He realized his thoughts were taking him to a place he couldn’t afford to go, and he forced his attention back to the road ahead.

When they pulled in next to Billy and Gretchen’s buggy at the hitching rail, John jumped down and walked around to the horse’s head. He expected Carrie to climb down as usual; when she didn’t, he started around to help her.

Before he reached her, a handsome young man walked up to the buggy. “Carrie, I thought this was your buggy.” He reached up and lifted her down. “I’ve been watching for you.”

“Jake, I’m so happy to see you.” Carrie wore a syrupy sweet smile as she spoke.

“You’re not with anyone, are you?”

“I am now.” John saw Carrie throw a quick glance his way. “Feel free to enjoy yourself, Mr. Thornton. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to go.”

When she took Jake’s arm, Billy, who had been standing to one side with Gretchen, gave John a puzzled look. Then, the two couples walked across the dirt street to the brightly lit Grange Hall.

Jealousy seared through John like a white-hot brand. For a moment, he considered going up the street to the saloon and waiting until she was ready to go. But he didn’t. He had never been a drinking man, and didn’t enjoy being around men who were. So he squared his shoulders and marched across to the Grange.

He hung his hat on the rack then stood inside the door for a moment scanning the crowd. He had no trouble spotting Carrie. She was talking to another couple—the guests of honor he presumed.

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.