The Counterfeit Bride: An Arranged Marriage Romance (Smoky Mountain Sweethearts Book 1) by Karen Kirst

Author:Karen Kirst [Kirst, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2024-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Hannah, wake up.”

A gentle nudge woke Josie. Lifting her head, she blinked in the predawn light and realized she’d fallen asleep slumped over onto Daria’s bed. She straightened in the cane chair and massaged her sore lower back.

“I’m hungry.” Daria propped herself up with a pillow and sniffed her dull, tangled hair. “I’m also in need of a bath.”

Josie lit a lamp and felt her forehead.

“No fever.” Tears springing to her eyes, she bent and hugged Daria. “Is anything paining you? Has your stomach settled?”

Daria smiled weakly up at her. “I feel like myself again. Finally.” She searched the room, her brow creasing. “Where’s Esme?”

Josie gestured to the door. “Cora spent the night in the parlor. She’s with her.”

Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she glanced around. “What day is it?”

“Wednesday.”

Daria grasped her hand. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done. You’re my guest, and here you’ve been playing nursemaid to me and caretaker for my daughter.”

“I wasn’t alone. Lucas and the Millers, Hazel and Augusta, and the pastor’s wife, Ada, have taken turns assisting me.” She squeezed Daria’s fingers. “I’m thankful you’re well.”

“You’ll finally have a chance to rest.” She eyed the chair. “In your own bed.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean-”

“I know what you meant. I’m glad the Lord brought you into my life, Hannah Bricker.” She gasped. “If today is Wednesday, there’s only three days left until the wedding! You’ll be Mrs. Lucas Harrison. No more fretting over me. You have a wedding to prepare for. Have you thought about your bouquet? We can go Friday afternoon and pick wildflowers.”

Josie listened with a sinking heart as Daria listed the tasks that needed completed.

There wouldn’t be a wedding. She was leaving this very evening. No more delays.

She held up her hand. “There’s plenty of time for that. Now, what would you like first? Breakfast or bath?”

Her nose wrinkled. “Definitely bath.”

Josie insisted Daria remain in bed while she collected water from the well and heated it. But first, she woke Cora.

“Daria’s on the mend,” she whispered. “Her appetite has returned, and she’s fever free!”

Cora beamed at her. “Praise Jesus.”

Josie leaned over and hugged her. “You’re an amazing woman, Cora Miller.”

She chuckled. “That’s not something I hear every morning.”

“I’m just being honest.” Honesty felt good. “You lightened my load and kept me company. Thank you.”

Cora shifted her quilt aside, stood and gripped Josie’s hands. “Have you had a chance to think over what we spoke about the other day? I kept meaning to bring up the subject, but we’ve been so busy.”

How could she not? Hope that peace could be hers, that her misdeeds could be wiped away, had taken root in her heart. Her ongoing deception and a lifetime of guilt and shame prevented her from fully believing.

Esme stirred in her basket, and Josie slipped her hands free. “We’ll talk later. I’m going to prepare that bath. Will you see to Esme?”

Cora’s brows tugged together. “Of course.”

The morning and afternoon flew by. While Daria bathed and breakfasted, Josie aired out her bedroom, washed her bed linens and swept and mopped the floors.

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