Read Online Bittersweet by Cathy Marie Hake - Free Book Online

dear?”
    Josh groaned. “Galen, this is a true test of love and friendship.”
    Under other circumstances, Josh’s desperation would tickle Galen. He shoved aside a flash of amusement and summoned his resolve. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you failed to commit to eating a bite.”
    “My sister meant well.”
    Laney’s but a child, and a cosseted one at that .
    “Galen,” Josh repeated, “Laney meant well.”
    “I’ve heard the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Galen’s jaw jutted out stubbornly.
    “Can’t say as I’d know for certain.” Ma threaded her hand through the crook in his arm. “But this much I do know: Good intentions surely paved the road to indigestion this time.”
    Laney waited out on the porch so Mrs. O’Sullivan and the boys could enter first. Hilda tutted and pointed at Laney’s skirts. “Brush off that dirt. Kelly’s too busy to have to sweep up extra grime.”
    Josh stood there, still holding the door open for Hilda. All four boxes formed an ominous stack in his arms, and Hilda’s eyes narrowed. “Cowboy, there’s times for brawn and times for brain. You got ’em mixed up just now. Instead of holding the door open and balancing those boxes, a smart man woulda arranged an accident and dropped every last one of ’em.”
    “That wouldn’t be honorable.”
    Hilda gave Laney a baleful glare. “Someday maybe you can talk some sense into your brother. Sparing women and children from needless suffering is more important than anything else.”
    Once their housekeeper huffed into the house, Josh winked at Laney and whispered, “She’s still sore over me getting cherry pie on my shirt.”
    Laney flashed a smile at him, then rustled her skirts to dislodge a few tiny particles of dust. “There. Do I look passable now?”
    Josh didn’t bother to look at his sister’s clothing. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, and he shut the door. “Laney Lou,” he murmured, “forget it. Galen isn’t interested in you. Don’t make things harder on him. Life here is already tough enough.”
    Laney shook her head. “I understand, Josh. Propriety demands a full year of mourning. I can wait for his feelings to develop.”
    “They’re not going to.” Her brother tacked on in a lower voice, “Galen’s never done anything to encourage you. Stop coming here to pester the man.”
    She stepped closer and whispered, “Hilda refuses to allow Ruth and me to do anything at the Broken P, and you know it. Mrs. O’Sullivan, on the other hand, has patiently taken us under her wing. She’s teaching us all of the practical skills the finishing schools back East ignored. Galen’s little brothers are adorable, and I love each of them. I would come here regardless of my feelings for Galen.”
    “This isn’t the time or place, and Galen’s not the right person.” Josh stared at her intently. “Don’t set yourself up for heartache.” Laney didn’t want to respond to his assertion. Instead, she said, “I need to go in and help get the food on the table.” The sigh Josh heaved ought to have blown the door open. Since it didn’t, he obliged.
    Laney slipped inside, and her heart lurched when she realized Galen’s mother had gone straight to her husband’s side of the bed. She stood there with her head bowed.
    I’m so selfish, thinking of my future when they’re hardly able to make it through each day .
    Sean slid past Laney and clutched his mother’s hand. “Da’s-not-here-an-ny-more.”
    Laney started toward them, but Josh dumped the boxes of food onto the table and held her back.
    “He’s not.” Mrs. O’Sullivan pulled Sean closer, and Dale sidled up to her, as well.
    Laney closed her eyes to hold back her tears and fished up her sleeve to find a hankie. Rumbling voices and boots on the porch announced Galen, Colin, and another man. Laney opened her eyes and inched to the side.
    The trio entered the cabin and Galen took in the scene. He led Colin over to the bed, his arm