Promised to a Stranger by Kate Collins

Author:Kate Collins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: womens fiction, small town, heroine, nineteenth century, indiana, romance historical, stolen identity, kate collins, linda obrien
Publisher: Kate Collins

Maddie sat on the veranda in a rocking chair rocking restlessly, distractedly, while Jeremy fidgeted in silent misery beside her. Evelyn sat peacefully on his other side sipping her favorite mint tea. Maddie wished she could have gone to town with Blaine. If he had been taking anyone but Mrs. Harrington she would have asked to go along, but she couldn't risk the woman getting a clearer look at her. In the daylight Mrs. Harrington might begin to get suspicious.

She sighed dispiritedly, hoping Blaine would not see Penny Tadwell while he was there. Penny was definitely the wrong woman for him, whether Blaine knew it or not.

The crickets began to chirp, breaking the monotonous silence. It seemed to spur Jeremy into making another halfhearted attempt at conversation.

"The air is s-still tonight. R-rain must be on the way."

In her cheerful manner, Evelyn picked up the thread of conversation. Maddie ignored them. Her fists clenched in her lap as she imagined Blaine sitting with Penny on her veranda, his arm around her shoulders, her blond head leaning against his chest. She was startled when Jeremy stood suddenly, apologized for being such poor company, and hobbled slowly into the house on the crude crutches Earl had made.

With a sigh, Evelyn leaned her head against the high back of the rocker. "I hope Mrs. Harrington doesn't come back. Her visits always upset Jeremy."

Maddie looked down at her hands, feeling guilty because she had been so caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't even considered how Jeremy was feeling. But at least she understood his feelings. His mother seemed to have no inkling as to how important Jeremy's painting was to him. Maddie decided she would have to become more aware of Jeremy's feelings or she would make a very poor wife.

She sighed again, admitting to herself that she could not imagine being married to Jeremy. They were simply ill-suited. But if she didn't marry him there was no reason for her to continue to stay.

Evelyn rose to her feet and adjusted the black lace shawl around her shoulders. "I think I'll have Mrs. MacLeod make Jeremy some of her honey milk. Perhaps that will have a soothing effect on him. Excuse me, won't you, dear?"

Maddie was only too happy to oblige. She listened for the soft patter of Evelyn's slippers to fade away, then she dashed upstairs to change into her shirt and new split skirt and hurried to the barn to saddle Pepper. She trotted the little mare down the lane and felt her spirits lift once again.

They wandered the country roads surrounding the fields until Pepper tired, then Maddie took her to the stream and watered her. She led the little mare a short distance away to the picnic spot to nibble grass, while she lay on her back with her arms folded beneath her head. With a contented smile, she gazed up at the thick, billowing gray clouds and inhaled the heavy damp smell of the coming rain. She never ever wanted to leave the farm.

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