The Dollmaker's Daughter by Izzy James

Author:Izzy James [James, Izzy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Fiction, inspirational fiction, Clean and Wholesome Novels, Religion and Spirituality
ISBN: 9781522303473
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2021-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

14

“You will miss riding today, I think.” Clementine didn’t look up from her stitches as the coach pulled away from the ordinary.

Mr. Grimes had no replacement for Ruby, who trotted back to Williamsburg behind the rider who came to fetch her last night. Amity found she didn’t mind a little time and space to put Simon Morgan back in the place she’d kept him in her mind for the past ten years.

“It is another glorious day,” Amity sat her travel desk on her lap. “But I shall try to put the time to good use.” She anchored a clean sheet of paper with one thumb turning her gaze out the window to order her thoughts.

Simon touched his hat in greeting.

Her belly got the jitters. She inclined her head. He made her feel like a grown woman and a schoolgirl all at once. Last night they laughed like she hadn’t laughed since they were pranking children. Last night. He would have kissed her if the rider had not arrived when he did. She was sure of it. Her first real kiss. Old dreams revived at the thought. He might try tonight if Clementine was absent again after dinner. “How are you feeling today, Aunt?”

She really must get these feelings in check. She decided her future with him years ago. She wasn’t about to change her mind on a bit of whimsy. Friends is what they decided. Just friends. It was for the best.

“I am very well. I pray our accommodations at Emerson’s this evening will be as clean as Mill’s was last night.”

“I am truly glad.”

“Me, too. I’m not one to lay about, but a good night’s sleep is not to be underestimated.”

Simon’s movement outside her window caught her eye once again.

Simon nodded ahead and sped out in front of them. He sat his horse as though Pilgrim was an extension of his own long limbs.

The coach dipped into a close wood. Shadow filled the conveyance with damp March cold. The last hint of warmth was gone from her brick. She placed the extra blanket over Clementine’s knees.

The ground beneath them got rougher as though they traveled across a road woven of tree limbs. Amity lurched from side to side. She gave up on anchoring the page and tossed it into her desk.

Aunt Clementine dropped her needles and braced herself against the coach walls.

The coach slowed.

“At this pace we won’t see Emerson’s tonight.”

“It’s bound to get better soon, Aunt.”

“William traveled up and down these parts. He knew all the good places to stay. I don’t remember him saying anything about a place between here and Tappahannock. Of course if it was rough he rode his horse and did not tumble around in a carriage.” Sadness deepened the gray in her hazel eyes.

“We’ll make it. Simon will make sure we get through.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“He’s like Field.”

“Is he?” A mischievous smile hung about her lips.

“It is a reasonable thing to recognize someone’s good qualities without needing to marry them.”

“Hmmph.”

The crack of the wheel reverberated through the woods.

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