The Captain's Challenge (The Wolf Deceivers Series Book 3) by Elaine Manders

Author:Elaine Manders [Manders, Elaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty, The Wolf Deceivers Series, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher: Elaine Manders
Published: 2018-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Thank you for helping me sort these clothes for the church charity box.” Purity pried the top off a large crate on a makeshift work table in her bedroom.

“I’m glad to do it.” Gillian tied her apron and peered inside the crate. The musty aroma of old clothes assaulted her nose. She sneezed and fanned the air. “With the rain continuing, what better time?” She could think of a lot better things to be doing. If she hadn’t jumped to conclusions, behaved like a petulant child and ran out of the Capitol— But Alex would have had to bring them back home when the storm hit. And if he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have told her about Will.

Or kissed her.

The kiss lingered on her lips. She’d never have imagined Alex would kiss her so tenderly. Of the few kisses she’d experienced in the past, none had been tender. Or memorable. She’d never forget the way he held her. His gentle touch. The compassion in his eyes.

Compassion motivated him. He felt sorry for her because of the bad news about Will. She couldn’t read more into it than that.

But Alex had surprised her before. She wished she knew his real feelings.

“These are the boys’ and young men’s clothing,” Purity said, oblivious of Gillian’s musings. “I think they belonged to Amanda’s sons.”

Gillian rummaged through the trunk, and tugged a familiar shirt from its depths. Her pulse quickened with the find. “This shirt belonged to Will. When he outgrew clothes, Mama sent them on to Aunt Mandy. If Mama was anything, she was thrifty, but I’m surprised Aunt Mandy let her boys wear hand-me-downs.”

“Doesn’t look like that shirt got much wear.”

Gillian sneezed again as she shook out the blue shirt and held it up to the light. No, it looked almost brand new, just like she’d last seen it. “This is the shirt Will wore that day they put me on the ship. I didn’t want to leave, and I begged him to come with me. Papa would have let him.” She hugged the shirt to her chest and gazed off to the window where dust motes danced. “Will said John and Matt were joining the army, and he couldn’t leave Mama and Papa.”

She bit her trembling lip. Even now she refused to accept that Will had died in the war. Would she be able to believe whatever Alex discovered? How could she when her connection to her brother remained so strong? If his spirit had left this world, she’d know it in her soul.

If only she could go talk to that ex-Confederate soldier in the mountains herself. She’d know what questions to ask to find out if the man indeed knew Will. Alex had police powers, why couldn’t he just bring the man in here for questioning?

He wouldn’t. The occupying force was trying a different tack—treating the ex-Confederates with respect, negotiating with them to leave a lasting peace. Give them back control of their government.

“Here’s the coat and trousers that went with the suit.

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