Read Online Loving Liza Jane by Sharlene MacLaren - Free Book Online

just…well, perhaps I can drive you into town one day soon.” He knew just as soon as she batted those golden lashes and gave him that droopy look there’d be no letting up until she’d met the infamous Miss Merriwether.
    “Oh, thank you, Papa. Tomorrow?”
    “No promises.”
    He was an easy target, and he knew it. Her slender arms moved around his neck and tugged until she’d gotten his face down close enough to plop a wet kiss across his cheek. “I love you, Papa. You are the best Papa in the world.”
    “All right. I can see where this is heading. It’s time you hopped back into bed. Morning will be here before you know it.”
    “Can I have a drink of water first?”
    “Suppose you have to beat a path to the outhouse. Too much water will do that to you.”
    “Then I’ll wake you up to take me.”
    “That is just what I was afraid you’d say.” He tousled her hair and gently placed her on her bare feet. Her sleeping gown was getting shorter, indicating a growth spurt. “When did you grow those extra inches?” he asked, frowning.
    She stretched to her full height. “I am seven, going on eight.”
    “You just turned seven last month.”
    “I’m still going on eight,” she corrected.
    He smiled and stood to his feet, mulling about how proud Miranda would be of Lili. “Let’s get you that cup of water.”
    The next morning brought dark storm clouds. With no trace of a sunrise in sight, it appeared as if a storm was imminent. Ben tossed the bedcovers off him and rose with a start, distant thunder bringing him to full awareness. He pulled on the same pair of old work pants he’d worn yesterday, but grabbed a fresh shirt off the stack of halfway folded ones he’d laid on top of the chest of drawers.
    The concept of a mail-order bride struck him anew. At least the place would shine once more if he had a woman around. Not to mention there would be breakfast on the table when he came in from milking Bessie and Sarah and feeding the livestock. Washday would become her duty, and she could mend his shirts and darn his socks. Most important, she would love the Lord. The agency advertised only Christian brides.
    Lord, what am I thinking?
    The stench of last night’s burnt biscuits, pork gravy, and navy beans with brown sugar still lingered heavily, turning his stomach. He wrinkled up his nose as he passed the unscrubbed kettle still sitting on the cook stove. There was barely time to clean up the place what with all the chores awaiting him in the barn and out in the fields—and now over at the cabin. What had he even been thinking when he’d offered the broken-down place? At first, it’d seemed a generous move, even charitable, but now he questioned his sanity.
    “You goin’ out to the barn, Papa?” The familiar little voice forced him to turn.
    “Lili, go back to bed. It’s not even six o’clock yet. I’ll be in to rustle up some breakfast after I’ve tended to the animals. It’s going to rain and I want to finish as many of the outdoor chores as possible.”
    She dropped her lower lip. “I can help.”
    “I prefer you stay inside with Molly. She may wake up, and I’ll need you to keep watch.”
    “But I helped you gather eggs yesterday while she slept,” she argued.
    “This is different. I have a good deal more to do right now than gather eggs.”
    “But, Papa…”
    “Lili!”
    Brought up short by the unfamiliar harshness in her father’s tone, her eyes welled up. Without another word, she walked slowly back to bed.
    Another time he may have contemplated changing his mind, but not this morning. He hated that he’d hurt her feelings, of course, but it was high time she learned she couldn’t always have things her way.
    Playing the part of both parents wasn’t easy. Armed with fortitude, he closed the door behind him and headed for the barn.
    ***
    “Benjamin, what in blazes was ya thinkin’ by offerin’ up this place to that new schoolteacher?” Thom Hayes was standing at the top of