Love by the Letter (An Unexpected Brides Novella) by Jagears Melissa

Author:Jagears, Melissa [Jagears, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC042030, FIC042040, FIC027050
ISBN: 9781441263346
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2013-08-31T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The fragrance of cinnamon and cloves wafting out of Hollenback’s Bakery mingled with the unfortunate aroma of the street as Dex marched to the Olivers’, leaving Jedidiah to escort Fannie Pratt wherever she wanted to go. Though one good thing had come from Miss Pratt’s appearance—she’d dragged Dex to the edge of the matrimonial cliff, and it wasn’t that terrifying. He wanted to jump—with Rachel. No matter that he didn’t deserve her.

Now if only he could figure the woman out.

Why had she fled his kiss, then dolled herself up and come searching the fairground for him? Would she believe Fannie was insane enough to drive all the way here unasked?

And what would convince Rachel to marry him? No proposal he could dream up would be as flowery as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and he hadn’t the time to scour books of poetry again, even with Lily’s help.

Turning onto Rachel’s lane, he spotted Mrs. Oliver sitting on the porch bench, cradling a book in her lap. The sun wouldn’t be up long enough to read an entire chapter, but then she likely could read as fast as her daughter. Frogs chirped pleasantly in the surrounding trees while a pack of them jumped around in his gut.

Swallowing against the knot in his throat, he forced himself to walk like a man in charge of himself. He tugged off his hat and held it against his leg where his mother’s ring embossed his pocket. He’d run home for the slender band, but he was getting ahead of himself. He only hoped Rachel would accept letters from him while away at school.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Oliver. I’d expected you’d be at the fairground.”

She shut the book around her finger, holding her place. “I rarely attend. Mr. Oliver’s always more interested in gathering news than sitting with me. Can I do something for you?”

“I’ve come to see Rachel.”

“Sorry, but she isn’t feeling well.”

His doing. His stomach turned sour. The frogs hopping around his insides were likely poisonous. “I really need to talk to her.”

“Now is not the time for visitors.” Mrs. Oliver frowned like a bulldog. “You can talk to her tomorrow.”

Tomorrow would be too late. “Is she inside?”

Mrs. Oliver stood and jammed her hands on her hips. “I’m afraid you don’t understand, young man. Whatever you want to say will have to wait.”

Sure, he was being pesky, but why the vicious stare? Had Rachel told her mother he’d kissed her without permission? That a mail-order bride had made a scene in front of the whole town? Had Rachel asked her mother to turn him away if he came? He rubbed his wrist against the ring in his pocket.

Lord, can I ask that Rachel at least hear me out? I always figured my reading problem was Your way of telling me she was beyond my reach. I never thought to ask You to help Rachel see the good in me. But I want that chance.

“Did you hear me, Mr. Stanton? You’ll have to wait until after services.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.