Read Online His Forever Valentine by Kit Morgan - Free Book Online

laughing so hard they had to hold onto each other for support.
    “And then what happened?” Rose asked excitedly.
    Tom tried to stifle his laughter but didn’t quite manage it. He snorted instead. “He was so sick …the next day- snort - he not only lost the pies, but my pa’s horse- Mrs. Poppins- kicked him so hard she broke a couple of ribs!”
    “That’s awful!” Charlotte cried.
      “That ain’t the worst of it! That old draft horse shoved him into a wall with a nail sticking out of it, and it stabbed him in the chest!”
    Both women gasped.
    “By the time Miss Madeline found him, he was covered in blood and …”
    “ What sort of story is this?” Matthew bellowed. “Imagine, telling womenfolk such things!”
    “I th ink they’re exciting!” Rose chimed in, her eyes bright.
    Matthew’s jaw dropped. “You find a man being stabbed in the chest, exciting?”
    “You didn’t hear the whole story, and the way Mr. Turner tells it is wonderful!”
    Matthew fought against a moan.
    “I think they’re revolting,” Charlotte said with face full of shock. “That last part, anyway.”
    Matthew breathed a sigh of relief.  At least one of them retained her tender sensibilities. Miss Smith, on the other hand, looked about to bust a gut, she was so enthralled. She sat on the very edge of the love seat and leaned over the table toward him.  Enough of this!  “Deputy Turner, my father has returned and needs some assistance with the wagon.  As I am in no shape to help, would you mind?”
    “Of course not, love to lend a hand .” He stood, stretched, and tipped his hat to the women. “Ladies,” he said, with a dazzling smile, and left the room.
    Matthew sighed and took his seat. “More tea?”
    “Oh, I can’t think of tea now!” Rose exclaimed. “How long do you think it will take them to unload your father’s wagon?”
    Matthew stared at her , eyes wide. “Could take awhile,” he told her flatly.
    She sucked in a breath and stared starry eyed at the door.  Who would have thought a woman could be won over with blood and guts?  Well, two could play at that game! Tom Turner wasn’t the only one who could weave a tale of gore.
    Matthew looked into the teapot.  Cold.  Drat, he’d have to make some more. “I sawed a man’s leg off once,” he stated matter of fact.
    Rose gasped, her attention swung to him faster than a fly on a horse.  Charlotte looked about to faint.
    Uh oh … how to proceed? He wanted to win back his Miss Smith’s attention, yet, didn’t want to upset Charlotte.  “Ah, I assisted one of the doctors when he had to do a surgery. I learned a lot from him. I hope to work with Doc Brown soon.” He froze and waited for them to respond.
    They didn’t. Instead the two sat there and stared at him. The temptation to reach over and close Miss Smith’s mouth was over whelming.  Charlotte still looked like she was going to faint, her brow furrowed in concentration ( not to faint, was his guess) and began to pale.
    A knock sounded at the door.  All three jumped at the sound. “Mr. Quinn?  It’s Summer and Elle Riley. May we come in?”
    “Yes!” he called out.  Rose and Charlotte both gave him a questioning look. He smiled, cleared his throat, and said in a calm voice, “Come in.”  Not that he had to, Summer and Elle were already through the door.
    “We came by to gather up Rose. It’s time for us to get back to the farm.” Summer explained. “Did you have a nice visit?”
    Rose bounced on the settee as she turned. “Oh yes! You should have heard the stories Deputy Tom … I … mean Deputy Turner told us.”
    Summer and Elle exchanged a quick look. “He does love to tell stories,” Elle added.
    “All that blood …” Charlotte remarked as she stared straight ahead, her voice weak.
    “Charlotte,” Matthew began. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”
    Charlotte fanned herself with a gloved hand. “I’ll be fine, give me a moment. I never could stand