Surrendered on the Frontier by Jane Henry

Author:Jane Henry [Henry, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2016-09-16T22:00:00+00:00

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The first time I met Aaron, he’d come riding to my old house with Samuel. Matthew had gotten in trouble in school for licking a boy who’d taunted my Hannah. A few days after the school incident, my husband had been drinking all weekend, and was passed out in our bedroom, when a knock came on the door. I’d answered, and been introduced to both Aaron and Samuel. They were stern, yet kind.

When Aaron asked questions, he expected straight answers. I had no reason to hide the reality both Hannah and I faced, as long as the Stanley brothers were discreet. I had always liked Aaron. He was a good-natured man who loved his family, even if he tended to be quite sober.

Aaron had been a steady help to me over the past year, and he and I had always gotten along well. He was my friend’s husband, and a good man, taking care of Ma and his younger siblings. When the snow flew, he’d take care of his own wife and farm, then traipse through the cold to come and be sure Ma had what she needed as well. But though he was a good man, he was stern. Hannah and Matthew respected him, and everyone looked to him as leader of the family.

So it came as no surprise to me that Pearl wasn’t allowed to speak to me after I’d slapped her. I knew he was fiercely protective. What I didn’t know was how I could ever get back into Aaron’s good graces.

I would not wait for him to enter the cabin. I would go to him. I placed my cup of tea on the table, stood, and marched to the door of the cabin.

“Now, Ruth,” Ma began, and I shook my head.

“No,” I said. “I need to talk to Aaron.”

She clucked her tongue and shook her head, and I heard Geraldine fussing in the background behind me, but I ignored them both, opened the door, and marched outside.

Samuel was leaning up against a bale of hay outside the barn, and I had one brief, heart-fluttering moment. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his tanned, muscled forearms crossed on his chest. His jaw clenched as he chewed a piece of straw, and his hat shaded his face. He was all man, raw muscle and power and strength, and it hit me hard before I renewed my courage and plowed on.

When I came to them, Samuel’s eyes met mine and narrowed. He shook his head once, one curt side-to-side shake, and he pointed a stern finger back to the house, making a scooting motion with his fingertips. I knew he didn’t want me confronting Aaron now, but I had to do what I came for. Swallowing, I ignored Samuel, and walked straight up to Aaron.

He was adjusting the reins, smoothing one large hand over the rippling flank of his horse, as he walked her to the barn. His hat also kept his face in shadow, and his large form moved with grace and purpose.

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