The Redemption of Jake Scully by Elaine Barbieri

Author:Elaine Barbieri
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin (UK) Limited
Published: 2008-08-16T22:00:00+00:00

“Oh, I see you’ve brought a friend.”

Lacey glanced between Rosie and Jewel as the youthful saloon girl entered the silent church anteroom. She took another backward step to allow Jewel to enter as Rosie responded, “I hope you don’t mind that Jewel came with me. We figured it would be just as easy to teach two of us as it was one.” Rosie added, “You don’t have to worry, you know. Jewel’s smart. She learns fast, and I’ll share my tablet with her.”

“Of course, I don’t mind.” She looked down at the broken pencil and damaged tablet Rosie clutched and asked with concern, “What happened? Did you have an accident?”

Lacey saw the tense breath Rosie took before she responded, “I fell. I told you, I’m clumsy—but I saved all the pages that got torn out of the tablet and I’ll still be able to use them.”

Lacey scrutinized Rosie’s flushed expression, then said, “I know there’s more to it than that.”

“It’s nothing you have to worry about,” Jewel responded in Rosie’s stead, her expression void of emotion. “We can handle it.”

We.

Meaning the two of them.

Saddened to be excluded, Lacey was silent for a few moments before she said, “I need to know, Rosie, does it have anything to do with your association with me?”

“Oh, no! He doesn’t know about you. I mean…he…”

Rosie halted abruptly, her face flaming. With a concerned glance at her friend, Jewel repeated, “We can handle it.”

Her expression unexpectedly softening, Jewel then said, “I’d like to stay if you don’t mind, Lacey.”

“Of course you may stay. I’m truly happy to welcome you.” Lacey offered, “You can use my pencil while we practice.”

“No.”

“Please. I have others.”

Jewel reluctantly nodded.

With those words meant to lessen Jewel’s discomfort fresh on her lips, Lacey picked up her slate and chalk. She’d replace the pencil at the mercantile after the lesson was over. She hoped the Lord would forgive her stretch of the truth meant to alleviate Jewel’s hesitation, then dismissed the thought from her mind.

Lacey glanced at the broken pencil Rosie clutched. She looked at the fading bruise on her cheek.

Despite Jewel’s protestations, she could ignore the obvious no longer.

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.