Read Online Orphan Train Romance 1 - 5 by Zoe Matthews - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Zoe Matthews
Ads: Link
kitten. “For my very own?” she asked as she could hardly believe her good fortune.
“Yes, she’s yours. The barn cat had kittens and they’re old enough to leave their mother and find new homes.”
“What’s her name?” Grace asked as she pulled the kitten out from the cloth. It was gray and white in color.
“You can choose, but choose a girl’s name.”
Grace scrunched her eyes closed for a few seconds in thought, and then announced, “I’m going to name her Emma.”
Amanda heard a gasp behind her. She turned around and saw Jeremy standing there.
“That was ma’s name,” he quietly explained.
Amanda looked at Craig and watched as he sat next to Grace giving her instructions on the kitten’s care. Amanda felt the stirrings of new love within her for her new husband. She more than just cared for him. She was falling in love with him.
Amanda also spent a few days a week at the dress shop. Craig had provided her with a buggy and horse and she always took Grace with her. Amanda had quickly found a young woman, Julie, to train, and she was now doing most of the work for the shop. Amanda was finding that she was losing her desire to own a dress shop. She had only started the shop to keep her busy and because there was a need for someone to make dresses in Maple Grove.
She now wanted to be busy at the farm taking care of her new family. Amanda hoped that she could someday in the near future transfer the store to Julie. She knew Craig would be happy with that decision since he expressed just that morning his worry that she was taking care of too many things. He wanted her to be able to take the time to enjoy her new family.
But not everything in Amanda’s new life had a silver lining. She was very concerned about Grace’s leg. She could tell it hurt and bothered Grace, although she did have better days where she could walk more. Craig refused to talk about it with Amanda, although he carried Grace around whenever he could and always showed caring and concern for her.
Amanda had tried to talk the situation out with Craig a few times, and he would turn away or leave the room. Amanda got the definite message he resented the idea she had the money and means to help Grace and he did not. Amanda started to feel that Craig was rejecting her and she wondered if he regretted his multiple proposals now that he was stuck with her and knew about her money.
****
Craig watched as Amanda drove away in the buggy with Grace at her side as they headed towards town to work in her dress shop. He had noticed that there was sadness in her eyes and he knew his reaction about her money was hurting her.
He did not know why it bothered him so much that she had more money than he did. Ever since he had been out on his own at the age of 15, he was proud that he was able to support himself. He had worked hard and long hours and saved every penny he could. He had went without needed clothing and other items and only ate simple foods. It took almost 15 years, but he was finally able to purchase the farm he now owned and he was proud of this accomplishment. He had succeeded further than his father ever had.
Did he resent that Amanda’s money was essentially given to her? That she hadn’t really worked for it or earned it? That it was inheritance money? He knew she was a hard worker. She had done well with her dress shop. She did her share helping Lily with meals and keeping the farmhouse clean. The children looked clean and well cared for. She was an excellent mother. He could tell she cared deeply for them and loved them.
He enjoyed watching her as she read to Grace or played checkers with Jeremy. She was different when the children were around her, more alive and less sad. She was constantly touching them and giving them hugs, letting them know in her own way that she loved them and was
“Yes, she’s yours. The barn cat had kittens and they’re old enough to leave their mother and find new homes.”
“What’s her name?” Grace asked as she pulled the kitten out from the cloth. It was gray and white in color.
“You can choose, but choose a girl’s name.”
Grace scrunched her eyes closed for a few seconds in thought, and then announced, “I’m going to name her Emma.”
Amanda heard a gasp behind her. She turned around and saw Jeremy standing there.
“That was ma’s name,” he quietly explained.
Amanda looked at Craig and watched as he sat next to Grace giving her instructions on the kitten’s care. Amanda felt the stirrings of new love within her for her new husband. She more than just cared for him. She was falling in love with him.
Amanda also spent a few days a week at the dress shop. Craig had provided her with a buggy and horse and she always took Grace with her. Amanda had quickly found a young woman, Julie, to train, and she was now doing most of the work for the shop. Amanda was finding that she was losing her desire to own a dress shop. She had only started the shop to keep her busy and because there was a need for someone to make dresses in Maple Grove.
She now wanted to be busy at the farm taking care of her new family. Amanda hoped that she could someday in the near future transfer the store to Julie. She knew Craig would be happy with that decision since he expressed just that morning his worry that she was taking care of too many things. He wanted her to be able to take the time to enjoy her new family.
But not everything in Amanda’s new life had a silver lining. She was very concerned about Grace’s leg. She could tell it hurt and bothered Grace, although she did have better days where she could walk more. Craig refused to talk about it with Amanda, although he carried Grace around whenever he could and always showed caring and concern for her.
Amanda had tried to talk the situation out with Craig a few times, and he would turn away or leave the room. Amanda got the definite message he resented the idea she had the money and means to help Grace and he did not. Amanda started to feel that Craig was rejecting her and she wondered if he regretted his multiple proposals now that he was stuck with her and knew about her money.
****
Craig watched as Amanda drove away in the buggy with Grace at her side as they headed towards town to work in her dress shop. He had noticed that there was sadness in her eyes and he knew his reaction about her money was hurting her.
He did not know why it bothered him so much that she had more money than he did. Ever since he had been out on his own at the age of 15, he was proud that he was able to support himself. He had worked hard and long hours and saved every penny he could. He had went without needed clothing and other items and only ate simple foods. It took almost 15 years, but he was finally able to purchase the farm he now owned and he was proud of this accomplishment. He had succeeded further than his father ever had.
Did he resent that Amanda’s money was essentially given to her? That she hadn’t really worked for it or earned it? That it was inheritance money? He knew she was a hard worker. She had done well with her dress shop. She did her share helping Lily with meals and keeping the farmhouse clean. The children looked clean and well cared for. She was an excellent mother. He could tell she cared deeply for them and loved them.
He enjoyed watching her as she read to Grace or played checkers with Jeremy. She was different when the children were around her, more alive and less sad. She was constantly touching them and giving them hugs, letting them know in her own way that she loved them and was
Similar Books
