Their Secret Courtship by Emma Miller

Author:Emma Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-10-27T19:16:52+00:00

Chapter Eight

A few days later, David stood in the middle of the kitchen, frowning at his sister. She stood in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked tired. Her skin wasn’t the usual rosy color, and she had dark circles under her eyes. And she was angry with him for fussing over her.

“I’m not fussing,” he defended.

He was, but only because he was worried about her. The baby was due in five weeks. Wasn’t it time she started taking it easy? This little spat between them had begun when he’d innocently asked her what she thought about hiring someone to help her with the cleaning and gardening once the baby was born.

“You are fussing. It’s like you think you’re my grossmama,” Anne sputtered. “There’s nothing wrong with me. I’m not sick. I’m having a baby, which is the most natural thing in the world. I know what I’m doing.” She pointed a finger at him the way their mother used to. “I’ve done it before, you know.”

David eyed Matty, who was sitting quietly in the doorway between the kitchen and hall, playing with a new green tractor and wagon he’d bought for him. The boy didn’t seem to be paying any attention to them. Sadly, he was probably used to his mother and uncle’s squabbles. They were happening with increasing frequency and always over the same subject.

“I’m just trying to be helpful,” David told his sister, taking his voice down a notch.

“That’s nice, but don’t,” Anne snapped back, obviously frustrated with him. She raised her hand in a stop motion. “Just don’t.”

He watched her turn away and go to the kitchen counter where she took out a mixing bowl and measuring cups from the cabinet above. “And stop being cranky with me,” she tossed over her shoulder.

He opened his arms. “I’m not.”

“You are. You haven’t been yourself since you and Bay and Matty went to Byler’s at the beginning of the week. Did you and Bay have a disagreement?” She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of eggs and a stick of butter. “Is that why she hasn’t been here? Please don’t tell me you’ve argued with her because if you chased her off—”

“We didn’t argue,” he interrupted.

Anne was really trying his patience now. Maybe because somewhere in the back of his mind, he was beginning to wonder if he had chased her off with his insistence it was time she told her mother about him. And time he and Bay discussed their relationship and where it was going.

“Bay’s been busy,” David said. “Yesterday we were supposed to go get lunch at that food truck I was telling you about, but she had to cancel. Something about her mother needing her. They’re hosting church this summer and you remember what that’s like.”

Anne carried the eggs and butter to the counter. “Was it supposed to be a date?” Her tone had gone from one of irritation to concern.

David thought about it for a moment. “We were going to go for a ride, get something to eat, and talk.

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