Hold On My Heart by JoAnn A. Grote

Author:JoAnn A. Grote
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2013-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

Amy looked over the edge of the walking bridge into the gully below, remembering the night her hat had sailed down among trees and bushes. Everything had still seemed possible and wonderful that night. The sweetness of walking home on Frank’s strong arm wrapped around her in memory.

“Amy, wait.”

She turned in surprise at Frank’s call and watched him jog down the path from Windom. She hadn’t seen him since Pearl had left her place the afternoon before. He must know the truth by now, all the terrible truths. She shuddered, dreading facing him, and dug her chin into the collar of her coat. Her glance darted over the institute grounds. There were no other students out, but that unusual condition wouldn’t last long.

When he reached her, his gloved hands went immediately to her arms. “Pearl told me.”

Amy cast her gaze to the ground. “I was afraid she would.”

“Afraid?” Frank bent over until she had to look into his face. “Don’t you know I wouldn’t let Walter Bay harm you and your father this way?”

She gasped slightly. It was the gentleness in his tone and touch as much as his words that brought tears to her eyes. “There’s nothing you can do. There’s nothing anyone can do. But it means the world to me that you want to help us, that you care.”

“Care? I’ll say I care. We’ll find a way out of this together. I promise we will.” His eyes were lit with a tender fire.

Her lips wobbled when she tried to smile. “It’s sweet of you to say that, but the only way you can help is to understand why I am marrying Walter.”

“Pearl said you don’t love him. You don’t, do you?”

“No, but it makes no difference.”

“It makes all the difference. It’s the only thing that makes any difference at all.”

Students were beginning to come down the path. “Frank, you must leave.”

“I’ll walk you home. We can try to figure something out along the way.”

Amy stepped back, pulling her arms gently from his hold. “Others are coming. I’m engaged to Walter. We can’t be seen this way, and you mustn’t walk me home.”

“We’re going to thrash this out, Amy.” He didn’t try to touch her again, but his tone left no doubt he meant what he said. “If you won’t let me talk with you out here, I’ll come to your home.”

“No! Father might overhear, or Walter might show up.”

“Then I’ll send Pearl in to pick you up. You can come out to the farm with her. She’ll be a perfect chaperon.”

The other students were getting closer. Amy took another step back, shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

“When do you want her to come? Tonight or tomorrow night?”

“Tonight, since you insist upon it.” If she waited any longer, she’d chicken out for sure. “Good-bye.” She turned about just as the other students reached the bridge.

❧

Amy arrived at the farm with Pearl and Jason, their spring wagon set on runners for winter. Frank came out of the house to greet them as soon as they drove into the farmyard.

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