Love's Daring Risk by Lauralee Bliss

Author:Lauralee Bliss
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin

Chapter 8

Several days passed before Madeline had the courage to rise out of bed. For a time she stalled the inevitable, complaining to Alice of a headache or some other malady. She wished she could remain there and never come out to face the day. Yesterday they had called in the doctor to whom she confided her need to rest. The doctor agreed, informing Alice and Eric she needed to recuperate but assuring them she would be well again soon.

Now Madeline was eager to get out, even if she had to face her cousins or the men at the lifesaving station. Eric had told her how Aaron felt after the rescue, that he wanted nothing more to do with her. He believed she was a selfish, conniving woman with only one purpose in mind, to do even foolish things to get a news story. She wondered how she could convince him that she did what she did only out of desperation. But even the act of desperation felt moot compared to the consequences. While her father’s paper was important, people were more important. Her cousins, who had put up with all this from the moment she’d arrived. And especially Aaron. She wanted no one else to rescue her but him. Now he hated her.

At least while convalescing in bed she could spend time pondering things. She thought of Aaron mostly. The shells he had carefully washed so she wouldn’t find sea creatures inside. His cheerful face when he came for dinner. And the walk afterward, when he had embraced her tenderly and kissed her. There was a natural simplicity to him, nurtured by his upbringing here by the shore, unfettered by life on the mainland. Yes, he faced challenges in a life by the sea, but they were nothing compared to the goings-on in Asheville, with competition, money and style, and people trying to outwit each other for a piece of the action. The people here were at peace with their existence and their way of life. If only she hadn’t disrupted that peace with her foolish actions.

Madeline found the drabbest dress in her wardrobe to outfit herself in for the day, a plain gray garb like the storm clouds. She drew her fine hair up in a tight bun. No stylish approach would do this day. She would look as she felt—a woman mourning for the pain she had caused others.

When she emerged from the bedroom, Alice was putting pancakes on the table. “Maddie!” she cried, using the affectionate title from their girlhood. “It’s so good to see you up and around. How are you feeling?”

“All right.” She drew out a chair and sat down. “I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking.”

“Haven’t we all?”

Madeline shook her head, accepting the cup of coffee Alice offered. “Not like me, I’m sure. I’ve been thinking about life here compared to back home in Asheville. I realize there’s a big difference. I thought I could change things. And people. But I can’t. And I had no right to interfere in everyone’s lives.

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