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

screamed at him to get off of me.  He was so angry, and Lilah warned me if that happened again,  I’d be out on the street.

“But Hannah, the man was rude, he smelled, and he just grabbed me and started pushing up my dress.  I was so scared.

“Well, later, Lilah was understanding,  and she soothed me by promising to send me a gentle customer for my first time.”

“That man was Charles.  He saw how frightened I was.  He asked me if it was my first time,  and all I could do was nod.  He was soft-spoken, extremely gentle,  and he asked me to dance.  We danced to the music coming from downstairs, and he held me close and kissed my cheek.  Then,  he led me to the bed, and I thought that this time I might be able to go through with it since he was so sweet.  We kissed and got close to... but he pulled away.  He didn’t want ‘that.’ Instead, he got down on his knees and proposed to me.  I was a virgin on our wedding night.”

Hannah had tears in her eyes.  “So you were never really a... a  well, you know.  I’m so glad you found love before Lilah’s ruined you.”

“All the town’s people know is that I worked for Lilah.  They will have nothing to do with me except for my one neighbor who’s elderly, and she knows my story.”

 “And you and Charles love each other?” Hannah asked.

“So very much.”  Chloe touched her belly.  “We might be having a baby soon.  I’ve missed my monthly twice now.”

Hannah rose and hugged Chloe.  “I knew you were a kindred spirit.”

Chloe poured them more tea.  “That’s why Charles never doubted me.  He knew I wouldn’t cheat on him.”

Without thinking, Hannah murmured, “It must be nice to be loved.”

“I’m sure Mr. Hart loves you,” Chloe said,  “and your children.”

Hannah thought fast.  She wasn’t going to lie to her new friend.  “Our situation is more complicated,  for I was a mail-order bride.  We are fond of each other, but our story is not as romantic as yours.”  She moved toward the door.  “I have to get home, but I truly enjoyed our visit.”

“Will you come back?” Chloe asked.

“Of course.”  Hannah thought for a moment.  “How about we ride into town the next time I come and we’ll do some shopping.”

Chloe’s face took on a worried look.  “Are you sure you want to be seen with me?”

Hannah hugged her.  “Of course I do. We’re friends.”

As Hannah trotted toward home, a horse pulled up beside her.  It startled her as she’d been daydreaming.

The sight of Sheriff Stafford gave her a chill.  “Out visiting, Mrs. Hart?” he asked, trying to keep his horse at pace with hers.

“I might be.  Is that against the law?”

Stafford’s black beady eyes bore into hers.  “Of course not, but you seem quite the busybody lately.”

“I’m making friends, is all.”

“I hope you aren’t interfering with my crime investigation.”

“What crime investigation?  Wilson was found not guilty.” Hannah knew now why Chloe disliked the man.

“But his wife is still a suspect as is Mrs. Monroe.  I’m warning you to keep out of my way until I’ve solved the crime.”

“Chloe Wilson wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Hannah snapped.

The sheriff laughed.  “This is a murder investigation,  so now I have to interrogate you, as well.”

“Oh, this is ridiculous.”  She wanted to tell him she hadn’t even been in Hunter’s Grove at the time of the murder, but she couldn’t.

“I order you to follow me to my office immediately for questioning.”

“I can’t.  I have two children to look after, and I’m late getting home now.”

“Then be there first thing tomorrow morning.” He kicked his horse,  and he galloped away.

When Hannah arrived home,  she was surprised to see Cameron playing ball with Annabelle, while intermittingly pushing Georgie on the rope swing.  She never thought to see such a sight.

She sat on her horse quietly from a distance and watched. Hannah wondered if he were truly becoming fond of the children, or if it were a show for her eyes? But then,  she wasn’t there, so he couldn’t be doing that.

Annabelle caught sight of her and waved.  “Mama—come play with us.”

Hannah trotted over to the hitching post,  dismounted,  and Annabelle wrapped her arms quickly around her legs.

“I missed you, Mama.”

Hannah bent and hugged her. “Did you have a good afternoon?”

Cameron came up and took the reins of her horse.  “I’ll take care of Molly.  You run along with the children.”

Hannah looked across the yard to see Georgie frowning.  “Papa, Papa!  More push!”

Annabelle giggled when she saw her mama’s surprised face.  “He can’t say ‘father,’ I tried teaching him,  so Papa said we could call him Papa.  Georgie can say it perfectly.”

Hannah laughed. So,  now he was Papa…interesting.

Cameron called to Georgie.  “Papa has to take care of the horse.  Maybe Mama can give you a push.”  He looked at Hannah with raised eyebrows.

“Of course,  I can.”  Hannah walked quickly over to Georgie and gave his swing a push.

“Whee!” Georgie cried.

Annabelle took hold of Hannah’s hand.  “We had so much fun today.  Papa took us to Rainbow Falls for a picnic, then we came home and played ball.”

“Did you finish your arithmetic assignment?” Hannah asked.

“Umm, not yet,  Mama, but I’ll go and do it now.”

Hannah smiled at Annabelle. “It can wait until tomorrow.  You deserve a day off. You’ve been so diligent about your work.”

“Dili... what?”

“Diligent means hardworking.”

“Then why didn’t you say hardworking?”

“Because in the English language,  words have many meanings,  and some fit what you mean a little better.”

Cameron walked up and plucked Georgie from the swing.  “I bet Bessie has our supper waiting.  Let’s see what delicious meal she’s cooked tonight.”

“Come on, Georgie,