Harlequin Love Inspired December 2017--Box Set 1 of 2 by Deb Kastner

Author:Deb Kastner
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488078958
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Hannah never scrubbed the floors as thoroughly as she did when she was angry, and on Saturday afternoon she was so mad, the wood gleamed.

Why did her grandfather have to behave that way? It seemed as if he’d intentionally been trying to snuff out any flicker of happiness she experienced—especially in the company of young men—since she was a teenager, and he showed no signs of stopping now that she was an adult. But why? What had overtaken him, to make him act so hostile toward Sawyer? And how dare he say her affections could be bought—as if she had ever had her head turned by worldly riches! None of it made sense, and she refused to feel guilty for having accepted the rare luxury of a store-bought ice-cream cone—or a kind expression of support—from Sawyer.

For the next hour, her grandfather refused to come out of his bedroom. At first, Hannah was so incensed by his rude display in town that after she fixed supper, instead of telling him it was ready, she turned the pot to simmer and went to retrieve the mail. Among the items in her mailbox was a letter from Eve. She settled into the rocking chair on the porch and ran her finger under the flap of the envelope.

“Dearest Hannah,” the letter began.

I know such topics are usually left unsaid, but I must confide that the baby has been kicking and somersaulting constantly! I think it is from this hot weather. I cannot wait to become a mother. I thought no love could be deeper than the love I felt for my husband, but I already love this child with my whole being.

Here, Hannah paused. As happy as she was that her sister was married and with child, it pained her to be reminded of what she hadn’t ever experienced and probably never would, if her grandfather’s abrasive attitude didn’t change. She took a breath and kept reading.

I enjoyed hearing about the Plank children and their father, Sawyer. Is he really as tall as you described, or might he appear head and shoulders above the rest in your eyes for another reason?

Confused by her sister’s question, Hannah again stopped reading. Eve had always been closely attuned to Hannah’s feelings, and she wondered what she’d written that may have caused her sister to think she saw Sawyer as larger-than-life.

I am glad you and Grandfather have another source of income—as long as he doesn’t run Sawyer over with the buggy! How humiliating that must have been for you.

Hannah sighed. Her sister’s simple comment showed she remembered what it was like to live with her grandfather’s unpredictable behavior. But an uncharacteristic misgiving popped into Hannah’s mind: at least Eve had escaped.

Eve closed the letter by writing, “Please pray God provides continued health for the baby and for me.”

Again, a bitter thought flitted through Hannah’s heart. Why should she ask God for provision for Eve when her sister already had all she could ever need?

She lowered her eyelids and inhaled deeply, willing herself not to cry.

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