Read Online And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley - Free Book Online

throat of his. “Yes, you were wondering?”
    â€œI was wondering if you’d marry me?” He said it so quickly that at first she thought she’d misunderstood.
    Realizing he was serious, her mouth dropped open. Had he suddenly sprouted two heads she wouldn’t have been more surprised. “I—I . . . don’t know what to say. We don’t even know each other.”
    â€œYes, I realize it’s sudden, but you didn’t know Dan either.”
    â€œYes, but we wrote for several months.” For all the good it did, since that no-good, lying catalogue owner took it upon himself to edit their letters.
    â€œI don’t expect you to marry me right away. We can take our time getting to know each other.”
    â€œYou mean you want us to write to each other?”
    He grimaced as if the very thought was distasteful. “I thought it would be easier . . . if you stay here.” When she made no response, he continued, “I’ll be a good husband to you, and I know you’ll make a great mother.”
    Mother! “Bless my soul, that’s what this is about. You want me to take care of Eddie.”
    He put his hat on and adjusted the brim as if biding for time. “I admit my first consideration is Eddie, but if I wanted just a nursemaid I would hire someone. The boy needs a real home. With a ma and a pa.”
    â€œAren’t you forgetting something? My pa’s a gambler and I don’t have much learning.”
    â€œYou have what the boy needs.”
    She was still puzzling over what he meant by that when he continued, “All I’m asking is that you consider it. We’ll know in a couple of weeks if it’ll work out.” He paused for a moment. “A month at the most.”
    She chewed on a nail. It wasn’t like she had a lot of options. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”
    â€œSay you’ll stay. If by the end of a month you decide the thought of marriage appeals to you, we’ll have a proper courting.”
    What he offered was tempting. On the other hand . . . “What if it doesn’t work out?”
    â€œThen you can go home as planned.”
    It was a startling offer, no question, and if the plan failed, she’d be in a heap of trouble, money-wise. She had a train ticket, nothing more.
    â€œI don’t know—” It wasn’t just mothering someone else’s child that worried her; she couldn’t imagine herself a lawman’s wife.
    â€œMiss Parker, all I’m asking is that we get to know each other . . . see if there’s anything we can build on.”
    â€œWell, I—”
    â€œOne month,” he persisted. “Thirty days. Please. I’ll pay your expenses. What could it hurt? If nothing else, it will allow me time to figure out how best to care for the boy.”
    She might have been able to withstand those blue eyes, but his crooked smile—she didn’t have the heart to resist that.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    On Sunday, Garrett and Eddie picked her up for church. Eddie looked as bright as a shiny new penny with his pressed clothes, neatly combed hair, and polished boots.
    The whispers started even before the three of them took their places on the hard wooden pews. Though she couldn’t make out the words, Mary-Jo could well guess what was being said: Daniel Garrett isn’t even cold in his grave and already his fiancée has taken up with his brother .
    For shame .
    She glanced at Garrett but he seemed oblivious to the stares and whispers around them. Eddie sat between them and was as restless as a litter of playful kittens. He wiggled and squirmed and twice dropped his Bible. She took his hand in hers and it seemed to have a calming effect on him, at least until the sermon was over.
    They stood to sing the closing hymn. Seeming to sense her gaze on him, Garrett’s eyes met hers. The searching blue depths