Autumn's Angel by Robin Lee Hatcher Read Free Book Online Page A

natural. Would she mind?
    â€œMay I join you?” he asked.
    â€œOf course.”
    He turned and sat on the top step next to her. She moved slightly away—he assumed to give him more room—though he was sorry for it.
    â€œIt’s a beautiful evening,” she said.
    â€œAutumn’s in the air. It’ll be too cool to sit outside soon.”
    â€œWhat is winter like in these mountains?”
    â€œIt can be harsh. Most years there’s deep snow for several months.”
    â€œI like the snow.”
    Clay wished he could see her face and not just a shadowy form. He was certain she smiled. “I like it too. Except when it’s piled up to the roofline and I can’t get out for days at a time. Then I start to feel boxed in.” He shuddered at the thought. Close spaces had troubled him since he’d been locked in a closet as a boy. He shook his head to free himself of the bad memory.
    â€œDo you know what Merry said to me before I came outside?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThat God knew about the changes to the letters and brought us here anyway, so it must be what He wanted.”
    Now that was a different way to look at their current situation. He’d been so busy being angry with the turn of events in the past twenty-four hours, he hadn’t considered there might be a divine hand guiding them.
    Was it true?
    He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure what to say. Unsure what he felt or believed.
    â€œMr. Birch?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’m very grateful for the compromise you have made. Offering employment, I mean, when you weren’t obligated to help us in any way. I will do everything in my power not to disappoint you.”
    â€œI believe you . . .” Luvena .
    The desire to take her in his arms, to draw her close, to kiss those generous lips, enveloped him like a fire. If not for those kids—
    He stood before he could give in to temptation. “I’m going to turn in. Good night, Miss Abbott.”
    â€œGood night.”
    He was almost to the back door of the theater before he thought he heard something more. Before he thought he heard her say, “Clay.”

Chapter Seven
    Clay went alone on Saturday morning to meet with Reverend Adair. Why subject Luvena to any embarrassment that might result from discussing their situation with the pastor? Besides, if they weren’t to marry, they had no need to speak to the minister as a couple.
    â€œWell,” the reverend said when Clay had explained about the altered letters and Luvena’s nieces and nephew, “this is an odd turn of events, is it not?”
    â€œIt is.”
    â€œAnd you’re certain the children make the union between you and Miss Abbott impossible?”
    â€œI am.”
    â€œI ask because my son-in-law’s nephew, Todd, was nine when he came to live in Grand Coeur, and he’s turned into rather a fine young man, despite his surroundings these past six years. Wouldn’t you agree?”
    â€œThat’s quite a different situation.”
    â€œIs it?” The reverend steepled his fingertips and touched them to his lips.
    â€œYes. For one thing, Matthew’s job with Wells, Fargo was settled and secure from the start. He wasn’t embarking on a new venture that could well end in financial ruin. He could support his wife and nephew, and he had the time to dedicate himself to raising the boy well.”
    â€œYes, that is all true.”
    Clay leaned forward in his chair. “Reverend Adair, this isn’t Miss Abbott’s fault, but neither is it mine. I was up front about not wanting a woman with children for a wife. My new opera house is no place for young kids and, like it or not, neither is this town. And I’m sure not the right man to become a father to them. I wouldn’t be good at it. I’m too much like—” He broke off abruptly.
    Reverend Adair’s gaze was penetrating, and Clay began to fear