Minding Benji (Sweethearts of Jubilee Springs Book 5) by Sandra E Sinclair & Sweethearts Jubilee Springs & Sweet Americana

Author:Sandra E Sinclair & Sweethearts Jubilee Springs & Sweet Americana [Sinclair, Sandra E]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-06-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Stunned by her conduct, and the events of the last hour or so, Prudence’s hand rose slowly to cup her cheek, to preserve the warmth left by his kiss. This man was remarkable. Her behavior had been abominable, and he’d rewarded her with a kiss.

She blinked back tears. Why had she allowed things to go so far with Steven Kelly when she wasn’t interested in him that way? Would she burn in hell for what she’d done? Austin was a good man, generous and kind, and she’d repaid him by being sinful and cruel. He’d done nothing to warrant such behavior from her.

The door opened, and Minna and Jeffrey came in. Jeffrey looked far from pleased, and she didn’t blame him. He’d been made a party to her wrongdoings, and although she told Austin his family had nothing to do with what she chose to do, she couldn’t be sure he believed her.

“We saw Austin leave,” Minna said, and put her arms around Prudence’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

“No, I don’t think I am.”

Minna’s kindness opened the floodgates to her tears and she wept into the other woman’s shoulder. Jeffrey came over and gave her his handkerchief.

“Let me apologize for my brother, he can be a bit short when angered. Though I must say, you gave him good reason to be angry with you.”

“That’s hardly helpful, Jeffrey. Can’t you see the poor girl is upset.”

“I can see that, but I still can’t understand why she did it. To be honest, I didn’t know what we’d find coming back in here. You know Austin as well as I do. I felt sure, not hearing any bellowing from the room, that he must have killed her. I was afraid to look.”

“Jeffrey, enough. The poor girl doesn’t need you saying those things now. We can talk about it later when tempers have cooled.”

“No, Pastor Jeffrey is right.” Prudence raised her tear-stained face from Minna’s shoulders. She had to tell them something. She needed to make sense of it herself. “I don’t know why I did it. I used Mr. Kelly to get to Austin, and I was wrong. I feel so ashamed.” She hiccupped, and sniffled back tears. “I hope he can forgive me, because it will be a long time before I can forgive myself. Regardless of how desperate I felt, I never should have acted the way I did. It was out of character and cruel. I wouldn’t blame Austin if he wants nothing more to do with me.”

“If he wanted that, you would know about it. My brother likes you. I’m sure of that. However, I would like to understand why you felt the need to treat him so poorly. I’d like to believe I’m a fair and pious man, but Austin is my baby brother. I’ve looked out for him his whole life. I will not have you or anyone else cause him harm. So, if you are to remain under my roof—I need to know why?”

“And you deserve to know.

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