Read Online Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hake - Free Book Online Page B

the old fellows – they’d done all the musical chairs because they teased Miss Rose. Blinded by their love, the old men probably didn’t even consider she might ever leave them. The minute he brought up the subject to Mr. Carver, the two of them would undoubtedly tangle. But Todd was determined to win this war.
    “Can’t thank you enough for all the help you’ve given,” Mr. Carver said as Todd opened the barn door.
    “I’m happy to be of help.” Todd followed him inside. “Though, tonight, it was a sacrifice to stay and finish that last section while the other men went ahead and ate supper.”
    “Nothing’s better’n one of my Magpie’s meals.” Mr. Carver set his toolbox down in the barn and looked up with glee at the roof they’d repaired a few days ago.
    “One thing sounds better to me.”
    Bocephus Carver looked at him, agog. “Something sounds better than Maggie’s food?”
    Todd nodded curtly. “The girl herself.” Seeing the old man suck in a deep breath, Todd paused for a second. Yep. He’d just dealt a big shock. But now was the time to make his points before Mr. Carver shouted out his refusal. “Miss Rose cooks well, but she is more. Kind. Healthy. Pretty. And she is good with Ma. I want your niece to become my wife.”
    The old man cupped one hand over his eyes for just one moment, then dropped back his head and exhaled loudly. Pain radiated from every line on his wrinkled face as he finally stared Todd in the eye. Slowly he extended his right hand. “Son, you don’t know how I’ve prayed for God to send the right man for my sweet Magpie.”
    Todd didn’t accept the old man’s hand. Omitting a truth was every bit as bad as lying. Honor forced him to lay out the facts. “I’ll protect her. Provide for her.”
    The lantern spat and sparked in the sudden silence. Withdrawing his hand, Miss Rose’s uncle glowered. “But you don’t love her.”

Five
    The old man cut to the heart of the issue – or the lack of heart, repeating the stark fact. “You don’t love her.”
    Unflinchingly, Todd stood his ground and met the man’s stormy eyes. “Miss Rose is a remarkable Christian woman. I admire her and like what I’ve seen so far, but that’s as much as I can admit.”
    “That ain’t much, son.”
    Raising his chin a notch, Todd clipped, “Any man who declared his undying love after a few days – he’s the one you ought to be wary of.”
    Shaking his head side to side, her uncle groused. He turned and walked off a few paces, wheeled around, and narrowed his eyes. Then waggled his finger as he came stomping back. “That child grew up reading happily-ever-after fairy tales. She saw her daddy and me doting over our wives with overflowing hearts. You expect her to settle for less? You haven’t even courted the lass.”
    “I’m honorable. I won’t pretend what I don’t feel, but a woman of her caliber is certain to fill a home will love. As for courting – that can happen on either side of the wedding ring.”
    “You’re wrong. A wise man knows courting never ends. A little effort on his part cultivates a garden in her heart. Him not bothering – what should have taken seed, sprouted, and flourished just blows away.” His eyes narrowed. The corners of his mouth went tight, as did his voice. “Supposing I put Maggie’s hand in yours . . . just supposing . . . would you give her the courtship she deserves?”
    “I could do that.” Was the old man softening?
    Mr. Carver leaned a little closer. “You sure you don’t love her maybe a little?”
    A slow smile slid across Todd’s face. “If your niece turns out to be half as sweet as her jams, falling in love with her will be easy.”
    Bocephus clamped his hand around Todd’s arm and plowed over toward a pair of hay bales. Once they both plopped down, Maggie’s uncle said, “What if I give my blessing for a courtship? Your ma could stay here with Maggie, and you could write letters for a spell.”
    “They both go with