Pursued (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 1) by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Western & Frontier Intrigue, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, Intrigue under Western Skies Series, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Elaine Manders
Published: 2016-01-16T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Carianne saw little of Rhyan the next two days. Had she pushed him too far in finagling a promise to build Sollano a chapel? Or had she offended him by refusing to kiss him under the walnut tree? She recounted and sifted through every minute of their time together until uncertainty had her ready to hunt him down and demand to know if he was avoiding her.

One thing was certain. She dared not let him kiss her. That would change their relationship, destroy their friendship. But the temptation was there, taunting her imagination. What would it be like to feel his lips on hers? The possibilities kept her up at night—haunted her dreams.

Resisting Rhyan’s charms was the hardest thing she’d ever encountered. She didn’t know where she’d found the fortitude to refuse his kiss when every fiber of her body craved his touch. Dorcas and the other ladies would say she shouldn’t tempt fate, but avoiding temptation didn’t earn you any favor with God—only resisting that temptation did.

Why couldn’t she put him out of her mind? Every good and evil deed began with a thought. For the first time in her life she couldn’t control her thoughts.

On the third day after their outing, she caught a glimpse of Rhyan out the window. Dressed as he was in blue jeans that fit him so well, and with a gun riding low on his hip, she assumed he was going out to ride the range, scouting for trouble. But despite those typewritten notes, nothing else had happened. With Smitty armed to the teeth, escorting her to and from home, she believed nothing would.

To break up the monotony of cataloging, she helped Maria with the housework. Maria was in a dither because the maids hadn’t arrived yet, and she had to get the whole house clean before the spring festival and ball. Those events might be announced any time now because Rhyan’s racehorse was fit to race.

She arrived home feeling hot and grimy from helping Maria dust and scrub all day. Hurriedly, she filled a pitcher and made her way to the bedroom to wash and change clothes. She’d asked Dorcas Wagner to stop by this afternoon on a matter of interest to the whole town. Presenting her idea to Dorcas took gumption. No one in town would welcome her plan, least of all Dorcas. But when the Spirit urged, she had to throw her bread out on the waters, no matter how stormy those waters were.

A horse’s whiney snagged her attention, and she went to the door, throwing it open before Dorcas got to the porch steps. “Thank you for coming, Dorcas. Please come in.”

Dorcas entered the house, puffing. “Can’t stay long, Carianne.”

“Please sit down. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No thank you. We had an early dinner.” Dorcas sat on the corner of the sofa. “What’s all this about?”

Carianne took her seat at the other end. “You know that prohibition is coming to Nebraska in July.”

“Not a minute too soon,” Dorcas said.

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