Red Rose--A Western Romance by J.C. Hulsey

Author:J.C. Hulsey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J.C. Hulsey
Published: 2020-05-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

One afternoon I was sitting on the front porch with my eyes closed, warming myself. I lifted my head, squinting my eyes against the sunlight, and saw someone riding a big Chestnut gelding. He was dressed in a Union uniform, and had a lanky build, with sandy hair and a sculptured face. His face reminded me of the pictures I had seen in the books in the library. He rode up in front of the house, dismounted, and stepped through the little gate.

When he stopped in front of me, he bowed at the waist and said, “Good evening to you, young lady. And who might you be sitting on my mother’s front porch?” The corners of his blue eyes crinkled when he smiled. I liked his voice. It had a Texas twang to it.

“You must be Nathan? My name is Maggie Rose Brown, but my friends call me Rose.”

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Brown. It is Mrs., isn’t it?” His blue eyes had a green circle around the iris that seemed to look right through me. “Is my sweet mother home?”

“Oh, yes. She’s inside taking a nap, I believe. I’ll go get her. What am I thinking? You should go inside. After all, it is more your house than mine.”

“Let’s both go in. After you, my dear.”

We stepped through the door, just as Mildred was coming out of her bedroom. She stopped, looked, and pressed her hand to her chest as if to stop her racing heart. “Is it really you, Nathan?”

“Yes, Mother, it’s me.” He rushed across the room and enclosed her in his arms. Then he lifted her and swung her around like a rag doll.

“Let me down. You’re gonna make me dizzy. Step back so I can look at you? You’ve lost weight. I’ll fatten you up in no time. Did you meet Rose?”

“Yes. I met her when I arrived. What did I do to deserve two such beautiful women to look at?”

“Rose just lost her husband, so she needed a place to relax and contemplate what she’s going to do.”

“I am so sorry, Mrs. Brown. Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss.” He reached and took my hand.

There was a tingle as his hand grasped mine. “NO! It’s too soon. I don’t want these kind of feelings. Not yet.”

He let go of my hand and I felt an empty feeling.

“I hope you have something left over from supper? I haven’t eaten all day.”

“Wash up and sit down. I’ll get you a plate. Rose can keep you company while I do that.”

“Is that an eastern accent I detect in your voice, Mrs. Brown?”

“Please, call me Rose. Yes, I’m from Pennsylvania. A small borough called Lewiston. I came to Texas as a mail order bride. Oh my! Why am I telling you all this?”

“My friends call me Nate. You don’t have to be afraid to tell me anything, Rose.” He looked at me with those intense blue eyes.

I felt as though I wanted to tell him everything.

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