Brides of Texas by Cathy Marie Hake Read Free Book Online

looked at her. “Would you like to eat first?”
    Rage swept through her. “First? The decision is mine to make.”
    “Yes, ’tis.” He didn’t pause for a second to frame his reply. “But Freckle isna about to let me near her wee little pup unless you’re there.”
    He’d spoken the truth. Freckle didn’t mind anyone playing with the other puppies, but she’d become unaccountably protective of the runt. Heaving a sigh, Mercy walked toward the barn.
It’s only Monday. I’ll have a few days as long as I make sure Peter says nothing
.
    “
Schatze!
Did you have a nice trip to town?”
    Mercy evaded the question. “Grossvater, look at you! I didn’t know we had so many leather things.”
    A proud smile lit his face. “These are just the things that needed care. Most were still in working condition, but with a little attention, they’ll last much longer.”
    The doctor set down his satchel. “That saddle is a thing of beauty.”
    “It was my son’s.” Grossvater gently buffed an edge. “Mercy’s mama gave it to him the year they were married. Peter is about the age where he will treasure it.”
    “So you will give it to him for his birthday?” Mercy nodded. “He will be very pleased.”
    “If you’re done riding for the day, I’ll unsaddle your horse,” the doctor offered.
    “
Ja
, that is kind of you.” Grossvater smiled. “And then I will ask you to help me hide this saddle.”
    Mercy added, “Peter’s birthday is next month—on the fourth of July.”
    “There’s a fine date.” The doctor sauntered out to get her horse.
    Independence Day…but I’ll never be free again
. In the doctor’s absence, Mercy slipped away from Grossvater and leaned over Freckle’s box. She scratched between the mutt’s ears. The whole time the doctor unsaddled her horse, she lavished attention on Freckle and admired each pup. Finally, she lifted the runt. “I’ll bring her right back.”
    “Duncan tells me the wee one isna feelin’ so chipper.”
    Grossvater let out a deep sigh. “She crept out of the box today and followed Peter. While he was doing the milking, Evalina stepped on the runt’s tail.”
    “Let’s see.” The doctor stepped closer. Mercy tried to hand him Dot, but he made a dismissive gesture. “I’ll be better able to assess her tail if both hands are free.”
    His breath washed over her wrists, and Mercy longed to pull away. Deft and gentle, he examined the runt. The very last place he touched was its tail, and the pup whimpered.
    “Ooch, now, there’s a shame.” The doctor crooked his forefinger and rubbed the runt between her ears, just as Mercy had done to Freckle. “Puir wee pup. Tail’s broken.”
    “I feared that.” Grossvater sounded grim. “Freckle’s been licking it, but the skin’s broken, and the runt’ll get gangrene. We’ll put it down before Peter gets home.”
    “He’s blaming himself already,” Mercy murmured.
    “Now, that’s premature.” The doctor finally took Dot from her and cuddled the pup to the center of his broad chest.
    Half an hour later, Mercy put Dot back with Freckle. “She doesn’t have the part of her tail with the spot that we named her for.”
    “Stubby.” The doctor’s voice sounded vaguely humored.
    Grossvater chortled. “Stubby! Ja, it is a good name.”
    Mercy straightened up.
    “Mercy.” Grossvater’s voice suddenly sobered. “You do not laugh?
Was ist den loss
?”
    What is the matter
? Grossvater sometimes lapsed into German when he was emotional. He looked from her stricken expression to the doctor and back. Then he groaned and rubbed his hand down his face.
    Everything in her wanted to scream a denial, to run. But no sound would come out of her mouth, and her feet wouldn’t move.
    The doctor pressed something into her hand. Mercy stared down at the handkerchief for a moment before she realized she was crying. Finally, she rasped, “I will go away.”
    “
Nein!
” Grossvater got to his feet and limped with the