brides for brothers 15 - a randall hero by judy christenberry Read Free Book Online

room. I’m glad to have it filled again. Now, come with me to Emma’s little room.”
    She led Lucy next door to see the nursery.
    “Oh, how darling! Emma will love it. And it’s just next to mine so I will hear her easily.”
    “That’s what I thought. Though I think I should get up with Emma the first few nights, so you can catch up on your sleep.”
    “Oh, no, I’m fine. I can manage.”
    “We’ll see,” Camille said.
    “Or I could get up with her,” John offered.
    Both women turned to stare at him.
    He raised both hands in surrender at their outraged expressions. “Okay, I’ll leave it up to the two of you, unless you get too run-down and I happen to hear Emma.”
    His mother voiced her approval and Lucy nodded. John decided it was time to bring in the small amount of luggage Lucy had. “I’ll be right back with your bags,” he said.
    When he got outside, he discovered his father walking up from the barn. “Any problems while I was gone?”
    “Nope. I just thought I’d check on the mamas you had in the barn. Your mother was driving me crazy.”
    “I know. Lucy wasn’t any calmer. As a matter of fact, I decided to tell Lucy we needed some help for Mom. It made her not feel so ungrateful. Gave her a way to pay Mom back. I hope that’s okay.”
    “Sure, it’s great, as long as your mother doesn’t find out.” They were almost to the back door when his father asked, “So Lucy is too proud to accept help?”
    “No, I don’t think it’s that. She feels she’s not worthy of all our attention. She’s used to being ignored and unappreciated.”
    “Oh, yeah, that damn husband of hers. I’d almost forgotten about him.”
    “Believe me, Lucy hasn’t.”
    “No, I’d guess not.”
    “Mike says he’ll come after her.”
    “We’ll be ready. I’ll make sure there are some guns at hand, ready to be used.”
    “Yeah,” John agreed as his father opened the door for him. He went through to Lucy’s room and dropped off the larger of the two bags. Then he took the smaller one to Emma’s room. The baby was already sleeping in the crib. John had to listen carefully to hear the gentle breathing of the baby. He reached out and patted her back, and she stirred. He continued to pat until she settled down again.
    Then he stepped out of the baby’s room just as Lucy came down the hall.
    “Thank you, John, for bringing in our bags.”
    “Not a problem. Shouldn’t you be lying down, resting?”
    “That’s what your mother said, but I tried to convince her I could do some cleaning. She wouldn’t let me,” Lucy said, frowning. “I’ll try again later. I’ll get her to let me help.”
    John smiled. “I’m sure you will, but you’d better take it easy the first few days, until you get your strength back.”
    “But I’m causing her more work, not less. If I don’t help out, the strain on her might be too much!”
    “She’ll be okay for a few days. You go take a nap. I’ll wake you up for dinner.”
    “Okay, but if I wake up earlier, I’ll help prepare dinner. I can cook.”
    “I’m sure you can. Emma’s asleep, so go get in bed.”
    He stood and watched as Lucy entered the bedroom Camille had made up for her. He wished he could follow her in and hold her in his arms. But he knew he couldn’t, not when she was technically another man’s wife. He waited until she’d gotten in bed to close the door so she wouldn’t be disturbed…and he wouldn’t be tempted.
    Then he headed for the kitchen so he could have a talk with his mother.
    His mother saw him coming and poured coffee in a mug for him as he joined his father at the breakfast table.
    “I sent Lucy to take a nap,” Camille told him.
    “I know. Mom, you’re going to need to let Lucy gradually do some work around here. It will make her feel she’s contributing to her upkeep. Otherwise, she’ll feel like she’s a charity case.”
    “I know, dear, but not on the first day. She needs to get some rest.”
    “Yeah, she’s gone