The Long Road Home by J. A. Gallagher

Author:J. A. Gallagher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J. A. Gallagher
Published: 2024-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

To Wynn’s surprise, that afternoon Tom came in. She had expected the snow would keep him at home close to the fire like everyone else. She assumed he must have urgent need of something. But instead of telling her what it was, he took one look at Wynn’s face and said, “What’s wrong?”

Her cheeks flushed. Was she truly so easy to read? “Nothing.”

He raised an eyebrow and waited patiently.

Wynn let out a sigh. Why not tell him? She knew that talking to someone would make her feel better, and she didn’t have anyone else to confide in, since she didn’t feel comfortable complaining to Anna about her father. But would he understand? Or would he take George’s side, because Tom was a man, and men stick together?

There was only one way to find out. She quickly scanned the surroundings for potential eavesdroppers, then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I really wish George would tend more to his own business and interfere less with mine,” she whispered, keeping her voice low, just to be safe.

Tom let out a chuckle, causing Wynn to tense up momentarily. However, she quickly realized that his laughter wasn't directed at her. Instead, he nodded knowingly. “Parents can be overprotective. Especially with daughters.”

“But he’s not my father,” Wynn countered. “He admits as much, yet he still acts like he has a say in my personal life just because I work for him. I can see his point, I suppose, but it’s still damn annoying. It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong.”

“What exactly does he object to, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“The truth is, I’m not quite sure. Last evening I went to visit Elizabeth, the dressmaker. I stayed out late, but not that late. When I returned to the inn, George was waiting for me, as if he was checking up on me. I explained where I had been, assuring him that it was completely innocent, but he was still quite upset. Today he cautioned me against spending time with her, claiming she’s a ‘bad influence.’ I’m not sure what he means by that, since to me she appears to be a perfectly pleasant and respectable woman.”

Tom pursed his lips, appearing to consider his next words carefully. "You could say that George and Elizabeth have a complicated history."

“What kind of history?” Wynn could tell Tom was trying to be diplomatic, but her curiosity was piqued. She wanted—no, she needed—to know.

She watched him as he made up his mind whether or not to reveal more. “I guess it’s not really a secret,” he said finally. “After his wife died, George started courting Elizabeth. Or rather, he tried to. She made it clear that she wasn’t interested. George didn’t take it very well.”

“Just because she turned down his proposal, does that make her a bad person?”

“It’s more about why she turned him down,” he explained. “George assumed that once they were married, he would take over her dress shop and merge it with his store. Despite caring for him, Elizabeth didn’t want to give up everything she had worked so hard for.

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