Searching for You by Jody Hedlund

Author:Jody Hedlund
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction;Christian fiction;Love stories;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493416103
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2018-10-03T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Reinhold examined Sophie, grateful for the bright moon that shone directly overhead, offering enough light to see every line in her pretty face and every flicker in her expressive eyes. Even with the earnestness mingled with desperation, he still wasn’t sure he’d heard her right.

Had she just asked him to marry her?

Her grip on his hands tightened. “If we’re married, then Reverend Poole won’t be able to say no to letting Olivia and Nicholas come live with us.”

Yes, she had suggested marriage.

He blew out a tight breath. This conversation with her was going from bad to worse. Her suggestion that he take care of the children had been bad enough. But now she wanted to add herself to the equation and live with him too?

“Now hold on, Sophie.” He attempted to keep his mounting frustration out of his voice. “We can’t get married. That’s taking this too far.”

“I know it’s a lot to ask of you,” she said hurriedly. “To take care of me and Olivia and Nicholas. But I promise I won’t be a bother. And I promise I’ll do all the work of taking care of them.”

“I don’t doubt your ability to care for them—”

“I’ll help you with your farm. I’ve learned a lot from Euphemia already, and I can do more than you think.”

“I’m sure you can, but that’s—”

“If we’re married, then we can send for Silke and Verina. I’ll be there to take care of them too.”

He released another exasperated breath. He needed to do something about Silke and Verina now that Elise had given birth to her baby. But marrying Sophie wasn’t the answer.

In fact, Elise and Marianne would be mad enough with him when they discovered he’d found Sophie and hadn’t informed them. But if he married their little sister without consulting them, they’d be furious.

“I won’t use you, Sophie.” He’d allowed himself to get caught up into an engagement with Marianne last summer because of wanting to provide for Silke and Verina. Thankfully he’d realized how selfish he was before it was too late. He wasn’t planning to make the same mistake now with Sophie.

“Of course you won’t use me.” She looked at him much too earnestly. “Marriage will be a way we can help each other. You’ll be a father to Olivia and Nicholas, and I’ll be a mother to Silke and Verina.”

“No. This is crazy. I can’t do it.” He extricated his hands from hers, took off his hat, and shoved his fingers through his hair. He wanted to tell her he had no intention of getting married, of subjecting a woman to his moods and anger. Yet the needs he’d experienced at the barn dance were still too keen, and she’d likely see right through his excuses.

“Then there’s someone else after all, isn’t there? Someone you’re in love with, and you just don’t want to tell me.”

“I meant what I said. There isn’t anyone. Still, that doesn’t mean you should be with me. You’ll find someone better and richer, like your sisters did.

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