A Builder for Bronwyn by Jo-Ann Roberts

Author:Jo-Ann Roberts [Roberts, Jo-Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Bronwyn accepted Ian’s outstretched and got to her feet. She felt a momentary panic as her mind processed her brother’s statement. With Graeme Stewart’s passing, the threat to their safety, as far as she knew, no longer existed.

“Denita.” Knowing she didn’t respond to shouts and accusations, Bronwyn schooled her voice to reflect concern. “Why didn’t you have a choice? Was someone here who frightened you?”

Wrapping her arms around herself as if it was the only thing tethering her to the ground, Deni nodded. “I was getting breakfast for Daniel and Maisie like you asked. When I heard the chicken squawking, I went to the window. That’s when I saw him. At first, I thought it was some fella that he—” she jutted her head toward Ian— “hired on. I kept watching, When Wiley Haines finally showed his face, and pulled his gun, shooting off the lock on the shed, I bolted the door.”

“Wiley Haines?” Though he wasn’t much more than a nuisance—one her father obviously deemed suitable for marriage—an unexpected shiver tickled her nerve endings. “I thought we saw the last of him after I ran him off with my shotgun.”

“Obviously not,” Ian countered, then he turned to Deni. “If you’re sure you saw him shoot off the lock, then I’d say we’d be better tell Boone.”

Deni’s posture stiffened and she pinned Ian in place with a narrow gaze. “I’m sure.”

“It was my idea to hide in the larder,” Daniel quickly asserted. “At first, Maisie didn’t want to go down, but we told her we were playing a trick on you and Mr. Ian.”

Looking down, Deni scuffed her shoe against the stone porch. “I know you were saving last night’s gingerbread for another meal, but I figured if Maisie had something in her belly then she wouldn’t cry. I-I used up the last of the milk, too.”

“The cake was good,” Maisie added. She leaned against Ian’s leg, her curly head barely reaching his knees, and looked up at him. “But it was too dark down there. I didn’t like it.”

Bronwyn lifted Deni’s chin with a gentle finger. “We’ve weathered some tough patches, Deni, and every time I’ve witnessed how protective you were of Daniel and Maisie. It was as if each clash made you stronger and more fiercely loyal. I couldn’t be prouder of you, Denita.”

Deni jerked her head back. “Y-You’re not angry?”

Her soft, halting voice nearly broke Bronwyn’s heart. Despite what she endured—what they all endured—Deni possessed a spirited resilience.

“Oh, lovey, how could you ever think I’d be angry with you? Not only did you keep your brother and sister safe, but you kept your wits about you.”

Deni turned accusing eyes in Ian’s direction. “I suppose you’re going to haul me out to the shed and give me a whuppin’?”

“No, Deni. I’d never lay a hand on you. From what I’ve seen, hitting a child never did much good. Has your sister ever hit you before?”

There was a long pause. “No, never. And she isn’t my true sister!” she added for emphasis.

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