Southern Treasures by Coleman Lynn A

Author:Coleman, Lynn A.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2012-11-09T05:00:00+00:00

Eleven

The next week Matt found himself driven to see Peg Martin. Thoughts of her and her suffering were beginning to plague him. He knew the truth; she would no longer suffer once she knew. But then again, it was always possible she’d suffer even more knowing the last twenty years had been robbed from her. Unable to determine what was best, he decided that the only course of action was to befriend her, get a feel for how she really thought. Then he could determine whether it was best to keep the secret or to tell her. Micah would be arriving in a matter of weeks. Matt had to settle this issue before his son arrived.

“Good morning, Peg.” He smiled upon entering her store. “How are you?”

“Fine. Thought I’d seen the last of you. You know I keep men at a distance, but you’re something else. All I did was place my hand upon yours at a point in which you had shared your heart about your wife. I certainly wasn’t interested in something more, as you so obviously insinuated from the touch.”

What was she talking about? The moment in the restaurant flew back into his mind. “A simple touch was not the problem. Forgive me for giving you that impression.”

“Seems to me you’ve been avoiding me.”

“I reckon there might be some truth to that, but it wasn’t because you reached out and placed your hand upon my forearm.”

“The rumors?” Peg inquired.

“In part. Heard we were engaged and planning to have a handful of children. Personally, I’m not sure I’m young enough to have more children.” He smiled.

“Children? Just how many are we supposed to have?” Peg flowed right in with the gentle teasing.

“Last count, I think we were up to three.”

“Three’s not too bad. But a woman my age. . .and running around after young’uns. . .I don’t know. We might have to curb that rumor.”

“How?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Let’s adopt some pets or something. Children take a lot of time.”

She’s not too interested in having children, Matt mused. How would she have been as the mother of Micah?

“On second thought, let’s have a baker’s dozen. I mean, if were going to have them, we might as well go all out,” she teased.

“Thirteen? Woman, you’d bury me in an early grave.”

“Ah, but just think how many wonderful memories I’d have of you by looking into the delightful faces of your children.” She winked.

Matt’s stomach fluttered. He swallowed hard. Perhaps this game of one-upping the local gossips wasn’t really such a good idea. “Have mercy, dear lady. I have only fathered one. I’m ill prepared for a house full of little ones under foot.”

Peg chuckled. “You know, I don’t know if I could handle a pack of young’uns. I love children. Don’t get me wrong. But I’m old enough now where I like things quiet and simple.”

Matt smiled. “Trust me, I understand. When my younger sister brings her children over to the house for a visit, it takes all the patience I can muster.

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