Never a Bride by Denise Hunter

Author:Denise Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2014-02-12T05:00:00+00:00

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The afternoon flowed by like a swelling river. Chores consumed every moment and, although Elizabeth offered her help, Jane refused. The little girl had been forced to grow up too quickly and deserved some playtime while she was still a youngster.

Jane’s mind was as active as her hands. She couldn’t help but replay this morning’s breakfast incident repeatedly. Luke had seemed almost as mesmerized as Jane had felt. She mentally scolded herself. If he seemed a bit struck, it was only because she’d shocked him. Looking at it from Luke’s point of view, she realized he must be confused. After all, Jane had never hid her annoyance with him. In fact, she’d been inexcusably obvious.

And now, she’d given Luke reason to believe she was attracted to him. Her stomach fluttered. What if it was true? She quickly dismissed the idea, uncomfortable with giving the matter even a moment’s consideration. Still, she was aware that something was happening within her.

On Saturday morning, Luke asked Jane if she’d like to have another riding lesson that night. Anxious, but not about to show it, Jane consented.

In the afternoon, she and Elizabeth took the wagon to town for supplies. While they were in the store, Jane spotted Elizabeth admiring a bolt of fabric in a lovely buttercup yellow. Spontaneously, Jane purchased enough of the material to make Elizabeth a new gown and watched Elizabeth hop up and down with excitement. Judging by the girl’s snug clothes, it had been a while since she’d worn a new dress. When they left the store, lengths of ribbons and lace were also tucked away in the brown wrapping paper.

Later, Jane measured Elizabeth and showed her how to start a garment. Before they realized, the supper hour approached, and they scurried through the preparations.

After the meal, Luke told her he’d saddle Brownie and wait for her by the stable. She informed him she would need to change her dress. After he left, Elizabeth addressed Jane with her eyes alight. “Can I watch this time? Please?”

Jane bit her lip. She was not ready for an audience yet, but how could she refuse? Then she had an idea. “Actually, I was thinking you might like to work on your dress.”

“Oh, can I?” she asked with wide eyes. “All by myself?”

“You can start basting it, and tomorrow I’ll check and see how you did.”

Jane helped Elizabeth begin the task, then rushed to the cottage, where she selected a serviceable dress of brown muslin. A quick glance in the mirror told her several wisps of hair had escaped their knot, but she had already kept Luke waiting too long, so she hurried out the door.

Luke was waiting by the stables as promised, his strong hands stroking Brownie’s taut neck. Beside him stood a mammoth black horse with a beautiful shiny coat, saddled and ready to go. Luke gave Brownie a final pat before turning to acknowledge Jane. “I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up.”

“I had to help Elizabeth with some sewing,” she said, staring anxiously at the second horse.

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