Her stomach churned as she ate, but pretending normalcy could get her through the day.“Is everything all right?” Michael wiped his mouth with a napkin and sat back.“Fine.” She barely got the word out with crumbs from the corn bread stuck in her throat. All the moisture in her mouth had dried up. ...
A door squeaked, and whispers caught her attention.“Ya think she’s dead?” “Don’t know. Should we poke her?”“No.” The whisper got louder. “Papa said let her rest, ‘cause she’s tired from her trip.”“She looks dead. If she’s dead, Papa would wanna know.”“No, see her top part? It’s goin’ up and down....
He ducked his head and doubled-checked the sign over the storefront. Tessa’s Treasures—Antiques. While the name conjured up an image of an ancient woman named Tessa shuffling around the store dusting relics on sooty shelves, in reality he hoped to find Tessa Jordan, Mason Jordan’s little sister. ...
Just after nine o’clock and the three children were finally asleep. She had a heck of a time explaining to Jace and Amelia why Daniel had left and would not be back again. It tore her up to see the look of disappointment on Amelia’s little face. She cried and asked over an...
Almost a week had passed since Jesse had left. She’d kept busy with the increasing demands of her students and the baking for the restaurant. The long days took a toll on her body. More than once, she’d snuck into the bedroom after returning from school to take a nap. Even with the extra rest, sh...
John Ridley poked his head in. “Can I talk to you, Miss Henderson?” One of her younger students, John was a quiet boy, who Ellie suspected came from an abusive home. He’d often showed results of whippings, and she’d heard in town Mrs. Ridley had sported black eyes on occasion and one time a broke...
To Liam’s amazement his mum actually did help quite a bit with the arrangements. While not actually being pleasant, nevertheless, she did what needed to be done to make sure all would run smoothly on his wedding day. His wedding day. It couldn’t come soon enough. True to h...
“I have no idea what your room looks like—obviously—but if you desire to change anything, redecorate in any way, please feel free to make it as comfortable as you would like.” “Tristan. I understand you wish to refrain from intimacy, but cannot we at least sleep in the sam...
Drake took in the dark circles under Penelope’s eyes as she rubbed her slightly rounded belly. “You appear quite fatigued.” “No. I’m fine. The doctor said light exercise is good for the baby and me.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and le...
She’d left an oil lamp burning, but had pulled the bed hangings closed, and was resting on her side, her back to Joseph’s share of the bed. She’d spent the hours since they’d arrived home going over their conversation that morning, trying to determine what it was that had ...
Jason touched her hand. He climbed down and turned to assist her. Smiling warmly, he tucked her arm in his and leaned over. “Clear your mind, love, I want you to enjoy this.” Pushing her fears aside, she smiled brightly. “I will. I’ve looked forward to this performance for...
Fletcher spun Julia around, almost knocking her off her feet. Anchoring his hands on her shoulders, he glared at her. He couldn’t believe it when Woody Pringle from the telegraph office told him Julia was working at the Full Bucket saloon. He stormed right over there and sure enough, here she was...
It had been a long morning of going over the accounts for his three estates. His stomach growled, reminding him it had been some hours since his early breakfast, which he was wont to do when he had estate business to deal with. It would do him well to get out of the house,...
They were headed to church, to be followed by a church picnic. He’d gone to a number of these when he’d been a child, and when he lived with his brother’s family for the past two years. This would be the first time he attended services and a picnic in Calliope’s church. He pushed away from the wa...
I haven’t been on a picnic in years.” Emily quickly tied her bonnet ribbons and grinned, feeling like a small child. “That makes two of us. I can’t remember my last picnic. I thought this was the best way to spend your one day a week off.” Hunter shifted the picnic basket—...
Her mouth felt as parched as a desert. Despite it being morning, the inside of the wagon was dark gray, with a chilling dampness. A quick glance between where the canvas and wagon met revealed a slow, steady rain. She eased her aching head toward her husband, who leaned on...