The Harvest by Gail Gaymer Martin

Author:Gail Gaymer Martin [Martin, Gail Gaymer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2003-10-19T20:00:00+00:00

“Must you leave?” Tess asked.

Ryan heard the sadness in her voice as he sat beside her in the service station parking lot. “I’d better get back to Rochester. I should go into the office today.”

“You have to?”

“I really should. I was out Wednesday, remember.”

She nodded. “Will you call the couple? The ones who looked at the cabin.”

“No, I want you to think about your decision.”

She averted his eyes. “I have, Ryan.”

He captured her chin and turned her face toward his, wondering if she had listened at all to what he’d said. In the past two days he told her everything but “I love you.” And he believed he did. No one, no other woman who’d come into his life, made him feel like Tess did.

But they needed time. She’d said it, and it was true. Right now, they could make no commitments, no promises, until they were positive that what they felt was real. He’d made the mistake once. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

“Hang on and let me make sure the car’s ready.” He slid out of her sedan and headed inside. With a glance over his shoulder, he fixed on Tess’s questioning eyes.

Inside the service station while Ryan waited for the mechanic, he glanced out the window. Tess sat with her head resting on the seat back. She was beautiful and lovable. He understood her concern. If he listened to his emotions, he’d have no question about where they were headed. But they had to use good sense. Their relationship was too fresh and new…and marriage was for a lifetime.

Turning, Ryan caught the mechanic’s eye and had his question answered. His car was ready. He paid the bill and secured his car keys, then headed back to Tess.

He dangled his key chain. “It’s ready.”

With a nod, she shifted in the seat and rolled down the window. “I noticed.”

“So when will I see you, Tess?”

She shrugged. “I guess that’s up to you.”

“No,” he said, resting his hands on the window frame and leaning into the car. “It’s up to us. You’re coming home on Sunday?”

She nodded. “Probably in the afternoon.”

“Then I’ll call you.”

She nodded, her eyes sadder than he’d ever seen. “It’s been wonderful.”

“It has.” He chucked her under the chin. “I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Sunday. Drive safely. Okay? No accidents.”

“I’ll be fine. Tess.” Her words pierced his thoughts. He kissed her lightly on the lips, then stepped back, allowing her to roll up the window. She lifted her hand in parting and pulled away.

Watching her leave, Ryan shook his head. If he’d lost his wife to another man in a fatal accident, he’d feel the same. Frightened, suspicious and unworthy. Tess needed time, and the best way he could prove his sincerity was by giving her lots of tender, loving care. He prayed he could help her see the truth.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.