The Widow's Suitor by Rose Ross Zediker

Author:Rose Ross Zediker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Cora watched Clement stalk away. The erratic beat of her heart started to slow.

“I’ll go with Bertha to get their supplies from the store.” Al offered Bertha his arm.

“Thank you.” Cora looked at Luke, who didn’t meet her eyes. He kept his disgust-filled gaze on Clement’s back.

“You need to have a talk with your mother-in-law.”

Instantly, Cora lowered her head. The powdery dirt kicked up by many boots on the makeshift street was a reminder of how Clement made her feel that spring day by the rocky crags of her property. She closed her eyes, but the shameful feeling remained.

She nodded, knowing that Luke was right. She needed to tell Bertha what Clement had tried the day she was gathering fertilizer for their garden.

Fear kindled a flame in the pit of her stomach and stoked the pace of her heart. Would Bertha think she encouraged Clement’s actions? Or, worse, insist the event sealed a marriage vow? Fiery heat licked up her neck and settled on her cheeks at the thought of such an appalling conversation.

“Cora, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Lifting her head and opening her eyes, Cora searched Luke’s face.

He reached out. His rough knuckles brushed against her burning cheek, his eyes reflected his concern. “She needs to know sooner rather than later.”

Managing a weak smile, Cora nodded. She’d muster the strength to broach the subject.

In minutes, Al and Bertha returned with a box of supplies and a sack of seed. Luke picked up the heaping basket of laundry and in silence he led the way out of town.

Cora followed, making sure to keep behind him even though she longed to walk by his side, not just today, but the rest of her life.

She gave her head a small shake, trying to remove such nonsense from her thoughts. Luke was a perfect match for her in almost in every way. Sadness saturated her like soapy, water-soaked cloth. Why wasn’t he a Christian?

“My arms ache.”

Cora turned.

Bertha had stopped walking and put down the box of supplies she carried.

“Let’s trade.” Cora turned and held Henry at arm’s length.

Every muscle in Cora’s body throbbed from the time spent behind the plow, but she’d ease Bertha’s burden if she could.

“Why, we should have thought of that in the first place.” Al stood beside Bertha with a sack of seed thrown over his shoulder. “The ladies should be carrying the lightest load.”

Luke turned and retraced his steps.

Cora pulled Henry back to her bosom when Bertha made no motion to take him.

“No, we should have been riding in the comfort of a buggy.” Bertha crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Cora. “And you men could be doing whatever you planned to do today.” She nodded her head so hard her hat slid forward then back and teetered for a few seconds.

A deep scowl formed on Luke’s handsome face. He set the basket on the ground, and his hands curled into fists. Cora recognized the gesture as a show of his anger.

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