Irene (War Brides Book 3) by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford [Ford, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crocus Mountain Publishing
Published: 2017-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

7

“How are you getting on?” Dorothy Spinks perched on the edge of her chair, holding the teacup daintily.

“Fine, thank you.” Irene wondered if someone had told Dorothy extending the little finger as she drank proved her a refined person. She stuck it out with the doggedness of a stubborn argument.

“The boys must be quite a handful.”

Irene smiled. “Harry and Donald? No. They’re both dears.”

Dorothy gave her a narrow-eyed look. “I heard tell Donald doesn’t talk.”

Irene’s smile never faltered though her patience was growing thinner by the minute. “He’s a man of few words.” She wished Zach would come back, but Fred had asked to borrow a piece of leather to fix something or other.

Dorothy, not to be discouraged, plowed onward. “It’s a shame. It really is.”

Irene sipped her tea, determined not to take the bait.

“We all said so at the time.” Dorothy cast her a hopeful look, no doubt wanting to see a spark of interest in Irene’s eyes.

Irene’s smile felt starched. She knew Dorothy would continue whether or not she said a word. “Is that a fact?”

Dorothy nodded vigorously enough to rattle her cup and saucer. “A crying shame. I never did understand why Zach felt he had to join the war.” She sniffed. “In the end, they fought and won without his help.”

Irene pinched the handle of the cup so hard she feared it would snap. How dare this person sit as Zach’s judge and jury!

The woman across from her sniffed loudly. “She was never strong. He should have seen it. The rest of us did.” She was gathering up a head of steam. “But you know what men are like. They can’t see what’s right in front of them unless it jumps up and grabs them by the nose. And poor Esther wasn’t one to push herself forward. She was a sweet, gentle girl. Not strong, mind you. He should have never left her on her own. It was asking too much.”

Unable to take any more, Irene jumped to her feet. “More tea?” She shoved the plate of cookies toward the woman. “Have another cookie.”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

She caught the sound of men’s voices and rushed to the door, practically ready to throw herself into Zach’s arms, she was so grateful to see him.

He gave her a strange look then grinned. She knew he had read her desperation. “Fred brought the mail.” He handed her a bundle of letters and papers.

“Thank you so much.”

She looked behind the men. “Where are the boys?”

“I said they could stay and play with the kittens.”

She nodded and closed the door, turning to Fred. “Would you care for more tea?”

Fred shook his head. “No thanks. We need to be getting back home. Come along, Dorothy.”

The woman swallowed the last of her tea and rose. “I’m so glad for this chance to visit.” She took Irene’s hand. “Remember, we’re close by if you ever need anything.” She squeezed Irene’s hand.

Irene waited until the door closed behind them before she dropped into the closest chair.

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