Read Online Courting Holly by Lynn A. Coleman - Free Book Online Page A

time. You were still in school and, well, we had not expressed our feelings toward one another.”
    “So why only one date with each woman?”
    “If there was no friendship like the one I enjoyed with you, why pursue a relationship? And in your letters I found a peace, a connection with you.”
    Holly fought off the jumbled words playing across her mind. She wanted to know more. Today seemed inappropriate to have such an intimate conversation. “Bryce, I am unsettled by this line of discussion.”
    Bryce allowed a brief silence to hang between them. “I have a place where we can read those letters in private. However, before I take you there I want you to understand my reasoning.”
    “And the reasoning is?”
    Bryce watched the road in front of them for a moment then looked back at Holly. “I own my own house. It is a small place. I was hoping it would become our home. I have a lot of work to do on it still, but I am happy with how it is progressing.”
    “Your own house? But you are still living with your parents.”
    “My parents don’t know about the house. Father would have told me to invest the money. Mother would have... Well, I am not sure how Mother would have reacted. I just know I wanted to keep it private, for us. Holly, I am an honorable man. I have never, nor would I ever, dishonor a woman. I love you and want you to be my wife. I should not be telling you all of this at this point in time. You are the only person I am unable to keep my deepest and most intimate thoughts from.”
    Holly couldn’t believe her ears. “Didn’t you just a few hours ago refuse to enter my bedroom for fear of wagging tongues? Now you are suggesting I go to a house where no one else is and be alone with you, a house that you apparently plan on being our home? And you want me to go unchaperoned?”
    Bryce groaned. “What was I thinking? Forgive me, please.”
    Holly chuckled and placed her hand on his. “You know me too well. You know I am not overly concerned about social pretexts because I know God knows how I behave or don’t behave. I would love to see your house. But I know I am vulnerable right now, and being alone with you at this point in time could be a temptation I am not ready to handle.”
    “Ah. So does that mean there is hope for you and me?”
    Holly eased out a pent-up breath. “Yes, there is hope. And I really want to see this house. Where did you get the money?”
    “Grandfather left me an inheritance, which I invested, and I have also been saving as much as possible. Father paid for my college education so I had no expenses there, and you know I worked every semester, so I just kept saving and investing. I found the place last year. The original owners had neglected it for years. I managed to purchase it at quite a reasonable price. I can show it to you. I will stay outside and you can see the inside.”
    “I would like that.”
    “There is a garden in the side and backyard. I am hoping to plant lots of flowers. That will be a part of the finishing touches. For now, I am concentrating on the buildings themselves. It is a small two-story home with a detached carriage house. Above the carriage house is an additional room for guests or boarders. I am going to make a closed-in entryway from the carriage house to the main house in the event of bad weather. I think you will like it, Holly.”
    “I think I will.” Holly shifted in her seat.
    “Perhaps we can sit in the backyard and read the letters. It will be private but exposed.”
    “That will be fine.”
    “Wonderful. I shall run into the market and get us something to eat.”
    Holly agreed.
    While Bryce retreated into the store she opened the letter her father had given her mother for his little girl. That was fifteen years ago.

    My Sweet Pumpkin,
    I honestly don’t know where to begin this letter. So many thoughts are swimming in my brain, and yet I don’t know what to write. I love you, and I hope you will forgive me for stepping aside and