Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble Read Free Book Online Page A

head.”
    “It’s where he hit me.” Jed became aware that he was still clutching the pitchfork. He loosened his grip and put the tines in the dirt. Suddenly dizzy, he leaned on it. “Don’t tell my sister. I don’t want to worry her.”
    “Who’s your sister?”
    “Mr. Nate’s wife. I’m Jed. Who are you?” Jed eyed him. What if this guy was in cahoots with the other one?
    The man’s eyes registered shock. “Nate’s married?”
    “Mr. Stanton arranged for the marriage by proxy.” The man still hadn’t said who he was. “Who are you?” Jed asked again.
    “Roger Stanton. I think I’d better see what Pa has done to my brother. I’ll be in as soon as I take care of my horse. Pa has some explaining to do.”
    Jed started to tell him that his father was sick, then decided to hold his tongue so he could get inside and tell Lucy there was another Stanton to deal with.

SIX  
 
    L ucy strained to hear past the closed door but heard only the murmur of the doctor’s voice and couldn’t make out any words.
    Her brother came into the kitchen with Eileen by the hand. “Lucy, I—”
    Nate interrupted her brother. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “You may have killed my father.”
    She wetted her lips and tried to think of a suitable response, but before she could respond, Jed stepped between her and Nate.
    His fists clenched, he thrust his face into Nate’s. “My sister is worth two of you, mister. Eileen and me would be in the orphanage if Lucy hadn’t found a job at the dress shop and kept us all together. She’s come home with her fingers bleeding from the pins. And she’s small ’cause when there’s not enough food, she makes sure me and Eileen eat first. Lucy may not be big, but she’s all heart. You don’t deserve her.”
    The man’s eyes widened and he glanced at her, then at Eileen, with an expression of puzzlement on his face. He studied her as if seeing her for the first time. Lucy refused to look away before he did.
    When his attention finally returned to Jed, Lucy put a hand on her brother’s arm. “Hush, Jed. This is God’s will.”
    Nate gave a bark of laughter. “I find it hard to believe the Almighty told you to agree to such a plan. I don’t need a wife.”
    She could take offense at his tone or she could do the right thing. The Bible said a soft answer turneth away wrath. If she’d been hit with something this huge and no warning, she’d be angry too.
    She chose to forgive his manner and forced a smile. “No, you don’t want a wife, and that’s a completely different situation. We must make the best of this situation. You should respect your father enough to do that much. I haven’t known Henry long, but he seems a wise man. Maybe he knows more about what you need than you do.”
    Nate ran a hand through his hair, and Lucy’s heart softened even more at the vulnerability on his face. This had taken him by complete surprise. She’d had time to get used to it, but Henry’s actions had left Nate reeling. She glanced at her brother and saw a trickle of blood on his forehead.
    “Jed, what’s happened to you?” She rushed to the sink for a rag and pumped cold water onto it, then hurried back to tend to him. “Sit down.” She pushed Jed into a chair.
    He winced. “There was a guy in the barn. He hit me.”
    “He hit you?” Nate half turned toward the door.
    Jed stared at him then at Lucy. “There’s another Stanton out there too,” he said in a rush. “A younger brother, Roger.”
    Nate whipped back toward them. “Roger is home?” A light lit his eyes. “He’s been gone a year.”
    Lucy tried to hold on to her composure. One more Stanton to deal with didn’t appeal. “Where has he been?”
    “Wandering out west. Last I heard he was fighting Indians with Custer.”
    Lucy put her hand to her mouth. “Custer?”
    “He left the cavalry before the Little Bighorn. I’m not sure what he’s doing now. I didn’t think he’d ever come home.