Read Online Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund - Free Book Online

sofa and tugging back a blanket to reveal the girl’s flushed face. “Whatever is the matter? Are you hurt?”
    Ingrid nodded and pointed to her neck. “I have a scratchy throat.”
    A scratchy throat?
    The girl peered up at Tessa and batted her eyelashes over her baby-blue eyes. Her expression was one of such innocence that Tessa could almost believe for a moment the girl really was suffering.
    But then Tessa glanced over her shoulder at Gunnar, who stood in the middle of the room staring down at his feet and shuffling them. The guilt she’d observed earlier was now plastered all over his face.
    Tessa turned her attention back to Ingrid, her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of the situation. Ingrid was clearly not hurt. And Tessa couldn’t be sure she had a sore throat either. But for some reason, the little girl had wanted her attention, apparently badly enough that she’d cajoled her brother into coming after her.
    Tessa lifted a hand to Ingrid’s cheek and brushed back stray strands of her hair. While the girl’s cheek was warmer than usual, Tessa guessed the overheating had come from covering herself with too many blankets rather than sustaining a fever.
    For an instant, Tessa debated scolding the child for playacting and deception. But when Ingrid sighed a contented breath and leaned her cheek further into Tessa’s hand, a sweet ribbon of pleasure wrapped around Tessa’s heart.
    She lifted her other hand to Ingrid’s forehead. “You do feel warm.”
    â€œYes, I think I’m running a fever,” Ingrid said hastily.
    â€œPerhaps if I sit here for a few minutes and hold your hand, you’ll feel better?” Tessa reached under the blankets and folded her hand around Ingrid’s.
    The little girl smiled and nodded. “I’m already feeling better, Miss Taylor.”
    â€œWhat if I tell you a little story?” Tessa asked. “That might cure you altogether.”
    Ingrid sat up straighter. “Oh yes. I’m sure that would work.”
    â€œAnd Gunnar, why don’t you join us . . .” Her voice trailed off as she turned to look at Gunnar and instead found herself gazing upon a bare-chested Alex standing in the opposite parlor door. One of the bedroom doors they’d passed on their way into the house now stood open behind him.
    With one hand he slipped a suspender over his bare shoulder, and with the other he rubbed his eyes as if he’d just awoken. When he gave a big yawn and stretched out his arms, Tessa couldn’t keep from staring at the muscles of his bronzed chest, everything perfectly chiseled. On the day of her near-drowning, she’d thought his thin undershirt had left very little to the imagination. Well, she’d been wrong.
    He was a beautiful specimen of manhood. She honestly had no desire to take her eyes off of him, even though she knew she was ogling inappropriately in front of the children.
    â€œWhy, Miss Taylor,” he said, his voice hinting at humor, “I wasn’t expecting you or I would have made sure to strap both of my suspenders.”
    She wasn’t sure if she could get her voice working, but somehow she managed, “Yes, if you could please cover yourself withthe other suspender, I would appreciate the modesty.” The moment she looked into his face, she regretted the move. His lopsided smile nearly took the breath from her lungs.
    â€œSo what brings you here?” he asked. “I’m guessing it wasn’t to get a peek at me half clad, although I wouldn’t be surprised if that was your ulterior motive.”
    She had to pull herself together and stop allowing him to fluster her. He was deriving too much satisfaction from her reaction. “I actually came to check on Ingrid—”
    â€œI wasn’t feeling good,” Ingrid interrupted, sitting up and throwing off the blankets. “But I’m doing better now.”
    Alex