The Quaker Brides Collection by Lyn Cote

Author:Lyn Cote
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION / Amish & Mennonite, FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Published: 2019-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

NOVEMBER 1, 1848

Over a week later on a sunny, unusually balmy day, Gerard could no longer stay away from Mrs. Brightman. Curiosity over where Jewel had gone was eating him alive, and surely the most dangerous window of time had passed. He’d heard through Stoddard that Blessing had returned from visiting her parents three days after the intruders had broken into Mrs. Mather’s house. Gerard had expected her to make some overture to him, but she had not. More importantly, Smith and his cronies had also kept away.

Gerard stopped first at Blessing’s private residence and was directed to the orphanage. He’d intended to knock on the front door but heard the sound of children playing in the back garden. Recalling Scotty’s invitation to play, Gerard chuckled, suddenly coming up with a logical excuse for his call.

He entered by the same gate where he’d stared down a mob during the riots. But now, in contrast to that night, the garden was filled with about twelve children. The oldest ones looked to be playing a game of tag. Two young women of color were swinging the littler children in seats that hung from tree limbs.

One of them noticed Gerard’s arrival, but before she could make her way over, Scotty recognized him. “Mister, mister, you came!” The boy ran to him and wrapped his arms around Gerard’s knees as before.

Gerard patted his head again, unsure what else to do.

“Mr. Ramsay, sir.” The young nursemaid approached, greeting him with restraint. “What can we do for you?”

“I came to visit this young lad. He invited me to play ball with him.”

The woman very obviously sized him up and then nodded, as if savoring some private jest. “Why, how nice of you. You are Mr. Ramsay, and I am Joanna. Scotty, go get one of the balls.”

The game of tag ceased and the children all stared at him, gawking as if they’d never seen a man before.

Scotty quickly obeyed. “Mister, you stand there and I’ll stand here, and you throw me the ball, okay?”

Gerard shed his coat and hat, hanging them on the porch railing. He accepted the ball and went to stand where Scotty had indicated.

“Hey!” another boy yelled. “I want to play too.”

Soon Joanna had the children lined up so they could take turns catching and throwing the ball with Gerard. For the next several minutes, he was kept busy trying to toss the ball low and slowly enough for the children to catch, then chasing after their wild returns.

A loud chuckle caused him to look up. There she was, standing on the back steps. Blessing.

She grinned at him openly. He had rarely seen her in daylight without her head covered. Now her thick chestnut hair, braided and coiled, reigned like a crown. Her large green eyes danced with amusement and her smile dimmed the sunshine. He’d started their flirtation to entrap her, and here he was the one in danger of being snared. He grasped for control, tried to moderate his reaction to her.

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