In His Thoughts by Peggy L Henderson

Author:Peggy L Henderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peggy Henderson

Chapter 9

Clara held out her hand, praying it wouldn’t tremble too badly, and shook Sally Mallory’s hand. The woman smiled at her after a quick glance at Ben, who’d made the introductions. From the way Ben had talked about the Mallorys, Clara had pictured someone much older, but it turned out they were a young couple. Sally probably had no more than a half-dozen years on her, and Ethan was perhaps a few years older than Ben.

“What a most unexpected surprise, Ben.” Sally embraced him without hesitation. “It’s so good to see you again. Ethan mentioned you were too busy getting your farm spiffed and polished to do much socializing. We were quite surprised to see you at Ellie and Lance’s wedding.”

“I didn’t say he was so busy that he doesn’t have time for a little socializing.”

Ethan Mallory stepped up beside his wife and held his hand out to Clara. He shot Sally an indulgent smile. “Any friend of Ben’s is a friend of ours. Why don’t you both come inside?”

He stepped aside and waved his hand in a motion that invited Clara into the house. She hesitated, swallowed back her growing apprehension, and took a step forward. She glanced at her feet where Scamp sat patiently, thumping his tail on the wooden boards of the porch. His tongue hung out the side of his mouth, and he stared up at her expectantly with his brown eyes that conveyed undying devotion.

“Stay,” she said, holding out her hand to the dog. Scamp’s watchful eyes were on her, but he made no move to follow. Clara gave the dog a pat on the head. What would she ever do without her faithful companion? He’d seen her through so many dark and trying times. What if the Mallorys wouldn’t allow him to stay? She couldn’t simply abandon her dog. What would she do then, and where would she go? She might have to return to Uncle Eli. At least he’d allowed her to keep her dog, and she’d always protected him from Max, no matter what it took.

Clara’s gaze raised to Ben, who nodded in encouragement. He placed his palm against her lower back, encouraging her to step forward. Her reaction to the simple touch was instant. Ben’s warm hand seeped through the fabric of her dress and straight up her spine. There was nothing threatening about his touch. It was gentle and reassuring, just like his embrace had been earlier, when he’d held her in his arms after chasing Max away.

She stiffened for a split-second. What if he noticed her reaction? Would he think any less of her for being drawn to him? He’d been nothing but helpful and kind to her, and he didn’t have any ulterior motives. Why would he? Eli had always told her that no man would ever want her.

Being plain and unattractive, and with her affliction, she would never be anyone’s wife. She’d come to terms with that a long time ago. She’d never sought out a man’s attention or noticed a man in that way.

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