Angel Creek by Linda Howard Read Free Book Online Page A

kept their two horses in the livery, so Olivia walked first to the Padgett house, which took only five minutes. But it was the truth that Beatrice Padgett liked to talk, and it was over an hour before Olivia was able to leave. Beatrice insisted that she come in for tea to the point that continued refusal would have been embarrassing, so Olivia found herself once again sitting and listening, with nothing more required of her than an occasional nod or comment.
    It was an enjoyable hour, though, because Beatrice was a genuinely likable woman, friendly and without malice. Olivia had often thought that Beatrice and Ezekiel Padgett were something of a mismatch. Beatrice, in her late forties, still retained enough beauty for one to see that she had once been quite something. She was a warm woman given to hugs and pats, freely affectionate and exuding a soft, rather voluptuous sensuality. Ezekiel, on the other hand, was tall and dour, seldom smiling, his face too rawboned for handsomeness. Olivia had wondered how they could live together in any sort of harmony, though she had once seen Ezekiel look down at his wife’s face when he thought them unobserved, and his expression had softened almost to tenderness.
    So love did grow even in unlikely marriages, perhaps had been there from the beginning, at least on Beatrice’s part, for why else would such an affectionate woman have married such a dour man? It was plain to anyone why Ezekiel would have marriedBeatrice, even without love, so Olivia didn’t consider that.
    Perhaps she was foolish to worry about marrying Lucas. Maybe they would grow to love each other as much as Beatrice and Ezekiel did, as much as her own parents did.
    But no matter how she tried, she simply couldn’t imagine such a look on Lucas’s face as she had seen on Ezekiel’s.
    Dee looked out the window when she heard someone riding up and smiled when she saw it was Olivia. It had been too long since they’d had a chance to chat, but now that the weather was better Olivia would come to visit more often. She poured two cups of coffee and walked out on the porch to greet her friend.
    Olivia dismounted and took the coffee with a smile of thanks as they sat down on the porch. “I thought winter was never going to end,” she sighed. “I’ve wanted to come out several times, but the weather never cooperated.”
    â€œFrom what I heard in Winches’s store, Lucas Cochran’s courting you.”
    That was Dee, going right to the point. Olivia’s tension eased a little. It was a relief to talk to Dee because there were no social inanities with her, no need for a polite social mask or worry that Dee might be shocked at anything she said. Not that she was likely to say anything shocking, Olivia admitted ruefully to herself. It was just that it was nice to know one
could.
    â€œIt seems so,” she said.
    â€œSeems? He either is or he isn’t.”
    â€œWell, he hasn’t actually said anything. It’s just that he’s paid attention to me.”
    â€œEnough attention for people to start talking about a wedding?”
    â€œYes,” Olivia admitted, unable to hide the misery in her eyes.
    â€œDo you love him?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen don’t marry him,” Dee said with a finality that suggested the matter was closed.
    â€œBut what if he’s my last chance?” Olivia asked softly.
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œTo get married.”
    Dee sipped her coffee. “Do you really think you’ll never meet anyone else?”
    â€œIt isn’t that. It’s just that no one has ever fallen in love with me, and maybe no one ever will. If I can’t have love, I’d still like to have a family. He truly may be my last chance.”
    â€œWell, I’m probably not the best person to come to for advice,” Dee said, and she chuckled. “After all, I’ve already turned down three men. He came out here the other