The Deceptive Bride by Everly West

Author:Everly West [West, Everly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-25T04:00:00+00:00

8

Arielle spent the rest of the afternoon in the main room of the ranch house searching through catalog of dress patterns. Caleb had told her she was welcome to use the sewing machine in the spare bedroom, and she thought using sewing to teach Melody about measurements was a brilliant idea. She had been teasing Caleb she mentioned the sewing machine to Caleb, but after thinking about practical things she could use to teach Melody measurements, she decided it was a brilliant idea.

She flipped the pages for something simple to sew all the while her head floated in the clouds as her finger-tips traced the path that Caleb's mouth had left on her lips. She had wanted to kiss him. That was her intent when she leaned in, but at the last moment her courage faltered and she kissed him on the cheek instead. She had been overjoyed when he pulled her against him and took her mouth against his.

"Arielle? Are we going to use your pastels again before supper?" Melody's voice penetrated her hazy daydreams. "Um, no sweetheart, I think today we shall spend an hour or so down by the river under the willow trees and practice your reading. Would you like that?" Arielle pulled Melody to her and took the brush from her hand. She turned her around and undid this morning's braids.

"I would rather use your pastels, but I like to read too," Melody answered over her shoulder. "What kind of book shall we read?"

"How about a fairy tale?" Arielle asked and pulled the brush through Melody's curly hair.

She watched the little girl ponder her question as she worked to re-braid her hair. Finished, Arielle turned her around and patted her bangs into place. "There. All set."

The little girl surprised Arielle by throwing herself into her arms and giving her a heartfelt hug. Surprised at the display of affection, she hugged Melody back. Tears stung her eyes as she thought of all the little girl had been through the last few months—perhaps even years after Caleb's admission about her selfish mother. She had guessed as much, but it was nice to have her suspicions verified.

"Melody, darling. Are you alright? Is there anything I might be able to help you with? I come from a long line of very good listeners, you know?"

"You do?" Melody stepped back and searched Arielle's face.

"I do. I have a twin sister and sometimes we can even talk without saying a word. And my mother has always been a very good listener as well." Arielle offered the little girl bits and pieces of her life in hopes of putting her at ease enough to confide in her.

"You and your sister talk to each other? Without words? How do you do that?" Arielle could see the confusion of Melody's face.

"Well, we are identical twins and people say that twins have a special connection that allows them to understand one another without speaking a single word. I know my sister and I did. We could convey messages by just looking at each other.

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