Read Online The Fragrance of Her Name by Marcia Lynn McClure - Free Book Online Page B

for assistance. “You get Brant off the train and into the waitin’ arms of our family.”
    Lauryn was horrified at her grandmother’s suggestion. Surely Nana did not intend to leave her alone with Brant. She opened her mouth to argue but paused, looking to the injured man and realizing that it would only serve to further upset him if there were any indication she was uncomfortable with him. For, no doubt, he would incorrectly attribute her discomfort to his blindness and not the fact that he was simply an intimidating presence.
    So, inhaling deeply a breath of courage, Lauryn reached out and took his hand saying, “This way, Mr. Masterson. If you please.”
    Brant drew a long breath as well, attempting to gain calming humility, and stepped forward. Once he stood behind her in the isle of the passenger car however, Lauryn was startled at the goose bumps that broke over her when his hand released her own, traveled rather caressively up her arm and across her back finally resting at her shoulder. It would, indeed, be easier for her to lead him thus, but his touch was startling to her senses.
    “ Lead on, Florence,” he mumbled.
    “ Nana told you…none of that, Mr. Masterson,” Lauryn reminded him. Such sarcasm was going to be thick during the week to come. She had no doubt about it.
    “ Won’t your family be surprised to see me escorting you off the train,” he added in obvious disregard for her reprimand.
    “ Yes,” she agreed, not taking his pity-bait. “We’ve always wondered about the Captain’s family. They’ll be ecstatic to have you here.”
    “ Ecstatic?” he mocked.
    “ Ecstatic,” Lauryn assured him. “Especially Patrick.”
    A thought struck her then. She paused, turning to look at him, reflexively taking his hand in hers when he was forced to drop it from her shoulder. “I may as well warn you…Patrick, my little brother, will be quite tactless in his questionin’ you…especially about your service abroad.”
    “ How old is he?” came his unexpectedly interested response.
    “ Nine,” Lauryn answered.
    “ Don’t worry. I was nine once myself, believe it or not. He can ask me anything…I won’t take offense. I completely understand.”
    Lauryn was amazed by the sudden calmness about the man. It was certainly obvious that he didn’t know Patrick! Patrick Kensington could exasperate even the most patient of saints. But she was encouraged and in admiring awe that Brant would be so understanding of a young boy’s mind.
    Lauryn directed Brant’s hand to her shoulder once more as she turned and again began leading him out of the train. As she led him down the stairs from the train car, it was indeed Patrick that met her first.
    “ Lauryn!” the young boy greeted throwing his arms around his sister’s waist and hugging her brutally as she helped Brant down from the last step. “You’re home! Finally! Finally! Finally!”
    Lauryn couldn’t help but smile as she looked down at the tousled blonde hair of her baby brother.
    “ Sean is such an old grouch now that the baby is here!” he rattled on. “He doesn’t want to play with anythin’ but that danged baby!” Patrick ceased in his prattle suddenly and looked past Lauryn to Brant.
    His brown eyes widened with rude curiosity. “Hey, Lauryn…” he began. And even though Lauryn frowned at him and shook her head violently to indicate that he should not speak anything further, he did. “Y’all brought home a blind man with you?”
    “ Patrick!” Lauryn scolded immediately. But she was startled when she heard a low chuckle coming from Brant as he stood behind her.
    “ Are you surprised, boy?” Brant asked, smiling, “That your sister should come home dragging me along?”
    Patrick answered honestly, “Oh, no, sir. It’s just like her. She’s strange you know.”
    “ Patrick!” Lauryn scolded in a firm whisper.
    But Brant laughed and said, “I know she is.”
    Lauryn felt her face go crimson with embarrassment.