The Widow's Captive by Lucette Nell

Author:Lucette Nell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian Fiction
ISBN: 9781611169652
Publisher: Pelican Book Group
Published: 2016-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

8

Christmas Eve. Adeline sighed, brought the cup to her lips, and breathed in the strong coffee aroma. Relief pulsed through her. After spending two days resting, Jonah finally allowed her out of bed. On the cot, Ethan and Lily were locked in dreamland.

The door opened and Jonah entered with an armload of firewood. He cocked his eyebrow at her. “Are you all right?”

“I am, just getting frustrated with the storm.”

He filled the wood box. “I think the worst is over.”

“You do?”

He poured coffee into his mug and nodded. “I spotted stars.”

“Thank God.” Maybe they could reach Hollow Creek before the end of the week. Her excitement vanished. Then what? Ben’s aunt didn’t even know they were on their way. The woman might turn her back on them. Adeline had never met Ben’s aunt. Showing up on her doorstep with three children in tow had been a spur-of-the-moment decision after Ben’s death. One made out of sheer desperation. What had Adeline been thinking?

Her limbs turned mushy. As much as she tried to deny it, she’d miss Jonah. But she needed to stick to her plan. She’d never marry again. Even though difficulty and providing for her children would be her constant companion, she never again wanted to experience the hollowness that marriage brought. Ben had been kind and a good provider, but his plans and instructions had always taken precedence over her and their children. Never once had Ben bothered to ask how she felt about moving from Pueblo.

Her expectations had been too high. She let out a long sigh and shoved away thoughts of the past. The hurt and anger lingered a tad longer. Now was the worst time for her to indulge in self-pity.

“Maybe you should go rest again after you’ve finished your coffee?”

“I might. Thank you for taking care of me.”

“You’re an easy patient. I wanted to ask you sooner, but I guess it wasn’t the time.” Jonah put the cup back on the table. “How did your husband die?”

She tugged at her earlobe. “Shortly after leaving Pueblo, one of our pack horses got spooked. Ben went after it. After a few hours, I got worried and went looking for him.” She drew in a quivering breath. “I found him on the ground. His…” She closed her eyes. “There was so much blood. Ward was there. He said Ben’s horse threw him and that Ben knocked his head against a rock.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Spencer.” He squeezed her hand and heat coursed through her. How had she ever suspected him of working for a man like Ward?

“Adeline. Please, call me Adeline.”

“Only if you’ll call me Jonah.”

“Agreed.” She smiled. It took all her willpower to look away from him.

“Did you believe Ward?”

“About the accident? I don’t know.” Adeline took another sip of coffee. “I want to. Then I remember all the things he’s done. Things I never thought he was capable of doing.”

Silence.

Adeline glanced at her sleeping children.

“Were you happy?”

“Happy?”

“Your marriage, did you have a happy marriage?”

“Ben was a wonderful father.

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