Chance Of A Lifetime by Kelly Eileen Hake Read Free Book Online

Bryce beamed. “Besides, the cooking is done in here anyway. Just makes sense.”
    Daisy couldn’t stop smiling at that. It did make sense, and it made sure that everyone was included. A stove would mean a warmer winter for Miz Willow’s rheumatiz and less chance for stray sparks. She’d sleep better knowing her son wouldn’t face another fire.
    After breakfast—Daisy noticed with satisfaction how Bryce happily polished off the last few flapjacks—she and Bryce went to open up the crate. Miz Willow had taken Jamie to visit with a few young children in the area.
    “Shore is big,” Daisy observed.
    “I thought the same thing,” Bryce admitted. “I hope it has a lot of packing straw inside for shipping.”
    “We’ll see.” Daisy grabbed one of the hammers to start prying off some nails.
    “Wait a minute.” Bryce stopped her.
    “You want to start on the other side?” She craned her neck to get a better view.
    “No. I want to show you something.” Bryce handed her a flat package.
    “It’s for Hattie and Logan, but it was your idea.” His smiled seemed a little shy. “Open it.”
    Daisy unwound the brown paper to uncover a framed mirror a little bigger than the one on Miz Willow’s wall.
    “You remembered!” She traced the wooden oval that was decorated with vines similar to those Otis Nye had carved on the wedding chest. “It matches the chest so well. Hattie will love it.”
    Bryce’s grin filled her heart. He hadn’t agreed that a mirror was strictly necessary, but he trusted her and was thoughtful enough to follow through. He surprised her at every turn.
    “Let’s go hang it above the washstand,” he suggested.
    She nodded, following him into the cabin. He pounded in a nail at the right height, and she reached up to hang it.
    “Whoa.” Bryce’s hands covered hers as the frame slipped. The metal ring on the back of the frame hadn’t caught on the nail.
    He was so close, his arms reaching over her shoulders, his hands warm and rough on hers. Heat coursed through her. She hadn’t been this close to a man since Peter died, and she had forgotten how safe and cherished it made her feel.
    Why would she remember that now, with a man she already knew would leave soon? Bryce Chance was a good man, but surely he didn’t feel anything for the plump widow with a four-year-old son. When Jamie was born, she’d become a mother. Why did Bryce remind her she was still a woman?

    Daisy felt so soft against him, fresh and sweet like some kind of flower after the rain. Her hair brushed softly against his sleeve; her hands seemed so small and smooth beneath his.
    Her surprise was reflected in the mirror. Daisy’s golden locks and fair skin glowed next to his dark hair and sun-darkened skin. Her pink mouth opened in an
O
of surprise; her brown eyes looked deep and dreamy.
    She made him feel big and strong, powerful to protect her against the world, and all he wanted was to hold her safe. He didn’t realize he’d been holding his breath until Daisy slipped her hands from beneath his and moved away.
    He stood for a moment, bereft, before sliding the mirror into place and clearing his throat. He stared into her eyes.
    “Looks good to me.” He didn’t mean only the mirror, but Daisy didn’t acknowledge what had passed between them.
    “Jist right.” She patted her hair. “Now let’s go see about that stove.” She led the way out the door, but Bryce didn’t mind. Daisy was worth going after.

seven
    Bryce hitched the horses to the wagon and had them pull the stove as close to the door as possible before tying the stove directly to the harness. It was the only way to get the box out of the wagon. Then he tackled trying to open it.
    “There!” With a final heave of the crowbar, the front of the crate opened wide. Bryce stared at the stove, which took up almost the entire space inside the crate.
    Whoever boxed it hadn’t used a lot of packing straw; they hadn’t needed to. The crate itself made a tight