Mail Order Mix-Up by Christine Johnson

Author:Christine Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-09-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“You promised,” Amanda cried out for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Pearl’s head throbbed. They’d missed Sunday dinner and sequestered themselves in their room. While Amanda sobbed and accused, Pearl attempted to fend off the indefensible. She had promised, and in the moment of testing had fallen far short.

“I failed. I let you down.”

“You stole him!”

Pearl squeezed the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “He outright told me he does not want to marry.”

“It didn’t look like he wasn’t interested.” Amanda’s protests had slowed, though her tears hadn’t. “He kissed you.”

“I might have appeared like that—”

“It was more than appearance.”

“It might have appeared like that,” Pearl said again, this time with emphasis, “but we were simply sharing a moment of excitement. He received funding to start his glassworks.”

“Glassworks?”

“A factory for making glass. Roland has great plans for Singapore.”

Amanda’s brow pinched. “What’s wrong with the store? It’s right below their lodgings and perfectly situated for looking after the children.”

“Sadie and Isaac are not Roland’s children. Perhaps he wants to begin life on his own.”

“With a wife!” That ushered in yet another round of sobs. “Just like Hugh.”

Pearl sat on the bed and wrapped an arm around Amanda’s shoulders. “No wife. I assure you. He was very clear about that.”

Amanda wiped her eyes. “Then why the kiss?”

“It was more like congratulations.” Yet, it hadn’t felt that way. Her lips still tingled from the brush of his. “I told him I could not marry. That’s when he insisted he was not looking for a wife.”

Amanda heaved a sigh. “Why do I always choose the wrong man?”

Pearl wondered the same. Amanda was drawn to the dashing gentleman rather than the steadfast type who would make the best husband. She kissed the top of her friend’s head. “I don’t know why we do that. Roland Decker would only break both our hearts.”

“Then you don’t want to marry him, either?”

What did she want? Pearl searched her jumbled feelings. For too long she’d kept them to herself. Amanda deserved the truth. “I’ll admit that I’m attracted to him. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is. I’ve tried everything to counter it, but somehow he always manages to find me alone. Then I’m lost.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I should have had better self-control.”

Amanda watched her solemnly. Then her shoulders dropped. “I think I always knew that you felt something for him. I’m the one who should be sorry. I tried to take him away from you, just like Lena took Hugh from me.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” She swiped her eyes with her sleeve. “You’re my dearest friend. How could I do that to you?”

Pearl hugged Amanda close. “You followed your heart with abandon. I could never fault you for that. In fact, I admire that about you.”

“You do?”

“Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so cautious.”

“And I wish I was more like you. If only I weighed the options more carefully, I wouldn’t get so disappointed.

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