A Time to Love by Barbara Cameron Read Free Book Online Page A

lip from the pain.
    Taking it from him, she patted the handkerchief on her lip.
    He held out his arms. "Come, you're cold."
    She was shivering so hard he could probably hear her teeth chattering. "I'll be okay."
    Ignoring her, he bent to lift her into his arms before she could stop him.
    "Hey! Where are you taking me? Our house is the other way."
    "To my place, of course," he told her, showing no signs of exertion at carrying her on the snowy road.
    He looked down at her. "Don't worry. We'll have plenty of chaperones. The children are home."
    "I'm an adult. I don't need a chaperone," she muttered.
    But she was touched that his upbringing would make him think of such a thing. When was the last time she'd even heard the word chaperone?
    "Get the doorknob," he instructed, and she leaned down to do so.
    He carried her through the kitchen and into the living room. The room was comfortable, with a sofa and matching chairs arranged around a big brick fireplace. A fire burned merrily behind the grate. A tumble of books and toys showed children lived here.
    He lowered her carefully to the sofa. Pulling a quilt from the back of a chair, he tucked it around her shoulders. "You can take your coat off when you've warmed up."
    Taking off his own coat, hat, and gloves, he walked away, returning a few minutes later with a mug of hot chocolate for each of them.
    "Getting warm?"
    She nodded, taking a sip. "Mmm."
    "The kinner like it in the winter."
    Setting the cup on the scarred oak coffee table before her, she pulled off her coat and muffler.
    "I'll hang your coat over a chair in the kitchen so it can dry," he told her, reaching for it. "If your clothes are wet from the snow I can find something of Hannah's for you to put on."
    "I'm fine."
    She took another sip of the chocolate. She'd forgotten how delicious the drink was. Or maybe it was just because she was so cold.
    "I thought you said your children were home?"
    "Hannah left me a note while I was working in the barn. She's taken them to a friend's for a visit."
    "So no chaperones." She smiled into her cup.
    "That's funny?"
    She shook her head. "It was sweet of you to worry about my reputation."
    "It's a cold day to come visiting, Jenny."
    "I didn't intend to visit."
    Matthew grinned "No? Town is the other way."
    "I just wanted to get out of the house, take a little walk."
    "I thought so."
    "So you were teasing me." She looked around. "Nice room."
    "It's the kinner's favorite."
    She glanced at the clock hung on one wall. "I shouldn't keep you from your work."
    "I have time for a visit with a friend."
    They'd been more than friends that last summer, she thought, remembering. She'd realized she had a crush on him but she couldn't tell how he felt about her, he was so guarded with his feelings.
    And then he'd kissed her that warm summer day. One kiss. Such an innocent kiss.
    She wondered what would have happened if her father hadn't come early for her that summer. Would the crush have become more?

4
     
     
     
    W hat are you thinking, Jenny?"
    She felt a warm blush creep up her neck. To hide it, Jenny leaned forward to put her cup on the coffee table. "Thanks for not saying 'old friend.'"
    There was a commotion at the kitchen door.
    "Your children?"
    "Or an invasion," he told her, looking unfazed.
    A few moments later, three children pounced upon him, their cheeks ruddy from cold. Jenny recognized Annie. With her was another girl and a boy. She guessed they were all younger than ten years old.
    "This is Mary and Joshua. You've met Annie."
    All the children were tow-headed with big, inquisitive blue eyes. What beautiful children, thought Jenny. They were obviously curious about her, but were very polite, looking to their father for direction.
    "We don't often have Englisch visitors," Matthew told her.
    He turned his attention to them. "Jenny is staying with Phoebe. I told you, remember?"
    "Matthew?" a woman called from the kitchen.
    "In here, Hannah!" he called out.
    Glancing at Jenny, he