Mail Order Runaway by Julianna Blake

Author:Julianna Blake [Blake, Julianna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00HPYKR4S
Publisher: Timeless Hearts Press
Published: 2014-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

***

That day was the longest in her life. Gideon left not long after breakfast, and the first hour passed slowly, with one bout of sickness and a sour stomach making time drag by.

Then Constance stopped by, made her another cup of peppermint tea, rinsed out the chamber pot—much to Elinor’s embarrassment—and sat with her a while before returning to make dinner for her husband. She promised to come by as soon as Orville had his dinner, and bring some hard rolls and summer vegetable soup for Gideon, since she had more than enough simmering on the stove already.

Once Constance had left, the time really dragged. The peppermint tea kicked in, and Elinor’s stomach settled. Then she had all the time and attention in the world to fret over whether Gideon would be tempted enough to open the envelope and read her letters.

She knew it was more than eleven miles to town, and that at a brisk pace, he should be able to get back in about three hours or less, with the weather being so favorable, as long as the mercantile had what he needed.

Three hours came and went, and then four. She’d worked herself up into such a fret, that her sick stomach paled in comparison to the bitter taste of worry on her tongue. The only thing that kept her from utter panic was the realization that Gideon only knew the McGilvray’s address—where he’d sent letters to Addie. He didn’t know “Elinor’s” address, so he wouldn’t be able to address the second envelope.

As long as he realized that he didn’t know the second address before he broke the seal on the envelope, she would be in the clear.

Her stomach was in knots by the time she heard him ride up.

She vacillated between staying put or giving in to the urge to run outside and see if he seemed angry. In the end, she decided to do so would seem extremely odd, so she waited the interminable time it took for him to put the horse up and come inside.

Elinor paced the floor of the bedroom until she heard Gideon enter the house, then she scurried silently to the bed, and buried herself under the covers, waiting as she listened to his slow boot steps approach the bedroom.

“There she is!” A big grin spread across his handsome face. “You look much better.” He walked to the bed and sat on the edge.

“I feel better.” She managed a weak smile in return. “I thought you’d be back quicker than you were.”

“I apologize if I worried you. I made one extra stop, and that took some time. Then I ran into Mrs. Perkins. The woman is very nice, but land sakes, can she spin a yarn. She has a way about her—you can’t get away from her stories or her questions until she’s ready to let you go.” He sighed, shaking his head. Then he chucked Elinor under the chin with a finger. “I hope I didn’t worry you.”

“Not at all. Mrs.

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