A Bride for Cameron by Barbara Goss (read novels website .txt) 📗

Hannah was confused.  “So, who agreed with the sheriff that the lack of blood was due to the ax not being pulled out of the man’s head?”

“The undertaker, Horace White.  Your husband brought this all up in court. He’s a wonderful lawyer.”

“How many people know when Charles is out of town?” Hannah asked.

Chloe tapped her fingers on the table.  “Let’s see… Elsie Kepler, our nearest neighbor—  Charles makes sure she’s informed in case I need anything.  I guess anyone acquainted with Charles and what he does for a living would know.  He’s lived here going on five years.  Oh, and the sheriff is always informed so he can keep an eye out on the house.”

“Did your Charles know Mr. Monroe?”

 “Yes.  This is a small town, and both men have lived here for years.  They weren’t friends, and Charles said if they passed in the street they would merely nod.  He doesn’t think he’s ever spoken to the man.”

“I’ve really enjoyed your company, Chloe.  I don’t have many friends here in Hunter’s Grove.  I hope I can count you as one,” Hannah said as she stood.

“I’d be honored,” Chloe said.

“We usually go to church services—would you like us to pick you and Charles up on Sunday?” Hannah said as she moved to the front door.

“I think I’d like that, but I’ll have to talk to Charles about it and let you know.”

Chapter Eleven

Cameron had begun to look forward to coming home to a family.  He spent less time at the office than he ever had before.  He’d even begun to enjoy the bedtime ritual, as well as having the children at the table for meals.  He had to admit that they were well-behaved, and his wife was doing a wonderful job with them.  He’d been afraid that Bessie might not like having to take orders from his wife, but she didn’t mind at all.  He could tell that Bessie liked Hannah.

He listened in one morning while Hannah gave Bessie her weekly instructions.  She didn’t sound bossy or arrogant.  She even stopped several times to ask Bessie’s opinion, such as, “Do you think the silver needs polishing or can it wait until next week?”  His admiration for Hannah grew each day, and she made very few demands on him other than that he spend more time with the children and going to church.

Cameron remembered some of the letters he’d received from his ad in the Matrimonial News.  Several of the women had children, but their letters didn’t strike him as special.  Hannah’s letters were exceptional, and he knew that, children or not, she would be the one.  Her handwriting was beautiful, her grammar and spelling couldn’t have been more perfect, yet it was her sincerity that made her stand out the most.  Hannah's passion for life virtually jumped off the pages.

Strangely, when he first saw Hannah, he thought she was pretty but not beautiful.  She was slim, and he knew she had a shapely figure, even through all the petticoats, so he was more than pleased with her looks.  Lately, she’d begun to appear beautiful to him.  Maybe it was the country air or happiness.  She seemed happy—mostly with the children. He often wished she’d look at him the way she looked at them, or that she smiled at him the way she smiled at Annabelle and Georgie.  Perhaps he still needed to loosen up more and try to win his wife’s affection.  What had he done to win it so far?  Not a thing.  He’d think of something.

During their evening walk, Hannah told Cameron about her visit with Chloe Wilson.  “I like her, and I think we’ll become good friends.”

“Hannah, she was a...a—”

“The magic word is was, Cameron.  She’s a happily married woman now.  It’s God’s job to judge, and besides, she and I just sort of hit it off.”

Cameron stopped walking and took hold of her shoulders gently.  “You can’t be friends with a woman that can’t even walk in town without people crossing to the opposite side of the street.  She isn’t considered a decent woman.”

Hannah crossed her arms in front of her and frowned.  “Are you afraid my friendship with her will be bad for your election?”

“I am afraid of that, yes,  but I also worry about your reputation as my wife.”

“I’m going to visit her again next week.  I invited her and her husband to church services.”

Cameron rolled his eyes.  “You didn’t.  Tell me you didn’t do that.”

“I want to hear her story.  I read about a young woman who'd been sold to a brothel when she came out of an orphanage.  Not every woman is bad because she does what she’s forced to do.  I’m glad she ended up happily married.”

Cameron figured it wasn’t going to help his courting if he continued to argue with her.  She was a strong-minded woman and not the type a man could control.  She’d do what she wanted.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he removed his hands from her shoulders.  “I’m also afraid if you walk into church services with her, everyone will think badly of you.  I don’t want your feelings hurt.”

Hannah smiled up at him.  “I can handle it.”  She turned to walk back to the house.

Cameron caught her hand. “Wait—what about us, Hannah?”

She shrugged.  “What about us?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to court you, but you refuse to go to Parker’s for dinner or lunch.  You’ve been refusing rides in the country.  What can I do to make you see that I’m trying my best to... to... at least win some affection.”

Hannah squeezed his hand.  “I know you’ve been trying, but I’ve been so busy with my visits, the children, and running the household that I’m exhausted.”

Cameron could do no more than simply shake his head sadly.

“Why does courting have to be away from