Shelter from the Storm by Patricia Davids

Author:Patricia Davids
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-05-29T20:23:33+00:00

* * *

Jesse stepped into Michael’s house and heard the chatter of women pouring out of the kitchen. Jesse was happy to see Gemma in the midst of them. It appeared that she was fitting back into the community. Her friends had rallied around her. He was happy for her. There would be people who avoided her or spoke unkindly, but that would pass with time. Then he noticed she was standing a little apart from the group with her eyes downcast. There was something in her demeanor that seemed wrong.

She caught sight of him and smiled. His heart gave a happy leap. He had missed her companionship since returning to New Covenant. Finding time alone with her might not be easy but he was willing to try. Had she missed him? The hope that she had died a quick death.

Why should she? She was back among friends and family.

When they had been alone together in the wilderness, it was clear that she needed him. He knew what to do. How to take care of her. He knew how to find food and make a snug shelter. She didn’t need any of that now.

He jumped when Michael patted him on the shoulder. “Hey, big guy. You’re one for keeping secrets.”

Jesse frowned. Did Michael know about Gemma’s pregnancy? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I see you making eyes at Gemma Lapp.”

“I wasn’t making eyes at her.”

“Looked that way to me. You used to say she was annoying.”

Jesse smiled. “She still can be.”

“So, what is the story?”

“We are friends, nothing more.”

“Friends?” Michael’s eyebrows shot up.

Jesse scowled at him. “Is there something wrong with being Gemma’s friend?”

Michael held up both hands. “Nee, not at all. I see my wife wants me.” Jesse thought he heard Michael chuckle under his breath as he walked away.

“What are you mad about?” Gemma asked as she crossed the room.

“Michael was giving me a hard time.”

“About what?”

“It’s not important. What can I do to help?”

“You can help me hang the curtains up. You won’t need a step stool.”

“Lead on.”

Gemma threaded the curtain rods through the pockets of the pale blue sheers and then gave them to Jesse. “How have you been?”

He hung them with ease. “Fine.”

She chuckled. “I thought we weren’t to use the word fine.”

“You can’t. I can.”

“How is that fair?”

“I’ll think of a reason in a minute.”

Shaking her head, she handed him the next set of curtains. “I’ve missed you, Jesse.”

He paused with the rod in his hands. “You have?”

“Is that so surprising?”

“Ja, it is.”

“I just feel like I can be myself with you.”

He hung the curtain and they moved to the next window in the living room. Everyone else was in the kitchen. “Who are you being the rest of the time?”

“The disappointing daughter. The confused mother-bride-to-be. The waffling woman.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a stern look. “Aren’t you being hard on yourself? You have some difficult decisions to make.”

“The bishop agrees that I should marry for the baby’s sake.

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