Lips That Touch Mine by Wendy Lindstrom

Author:Wendy Lindstrom
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: romance, historical fiction, kindle, love story, civil war, historical romance, romance novel, 19th century, award winner, kindle book, award winning, civil war fiction, backlist book, wendy lindstrom, romance historical romance, historical romance kindle new releases, kindle authors, relationship novel, award winning book, grayson brothers series, fredonia new york, temperance movement, womens christian temperance union
Publisher: Wendy Lindstrom

Chapter Twenty-two

Sub-zero temperatures made mid-January so brutal that the temperance marches were cancelled for the week. Claire spent much of her time near the stove and purposely avoided Boyd, but to her dismay, she thought about him constantly.

She and Anna kept busy with charity work, and spent their evenings with the Ormands and their precious daughter Emily.

They resumed their marches on Monday, and spent Monday evening in the parlor, watching Mrs. Ormand tease the baby into a bubbly smile. Claire's heart melted when the infant's pink lips pursed and her chubby arms flailed above her blond head.

Her own baby would have been just over a year old, had Claire not miscarried in her second month. When she lost the baby, Jack had gone into a rage and a four-day drunk. Claire had spiraled into a dark and angry depression.

The loud whack of her door knocker startled her so badly that she jumped from her chair with a gasp. She exchanged a glance with Anna, and they went to the foyer together.

When Claire peeked out the window, her heartache eased and gladness filled her. She opened the door. Boyd's cheeks were shiny from a recent scrubbing. His hair was combed back, showing the angles and contours of his handsome face—a face she missed far too much. As much as it shamed her to admit it, she missed his sense of humor, his playful teasing and flirting.

"I heard the news about Willard Lewis closing his saloon," he said. "You ladies must be thrilled with your success."

"We are," she said proudly. Willard Lewis had heeded their plea to close his saloon. Mr. Baldwin, the druggist, had followed suit and pledged in writing that he would no longer sell intoxicating beverages in his store. Both men agreed to help the women further their good work.

Boyd's saloon had remained open every night but Sunday.

"You ladies are becoming regular news in The Censor. They reported that Washington, Ohio shut down all liquor sales in just one week, which I find hard to believe."

"Dr. Lewis confirmed it," she said. "Liquor licenses will be voted on by the legislature soon."

"I'm impressed."

She was, too. They still had several saloons to close, but they were finally making real progress. "You're welcome to join us in the parlor," she said, wanting his company and the levity he usually brought to the evening.

"I was hoping you would invite me in before I froze to death."

"You're dressed too warmly to freeze." She waited while he shrugged off his heavy wool ulster, then took it from him and hung it in the closet.

He winked at Anna. "I think she's beginning to like me."

To Claire's shock, the woman slipped her hand into the crook of Boyd's elbow. "Stop baiting her and come help me with my chess game. Claire is annihilating me."

"I admire the concentration the game takes," he said, "but it's too tame for my blood."

Claire's heart warmed as she followed them to the parlor, understanding that this was Anna's way of working through her fear one small step at a time.

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.