Courting Holly by Lynn A. Coleman Read Free Book Online Page A

cannot imagine giving up my family. I think I understand why but...”
    Bryce reached out and held her hand. A few red strands of hair fell forward into her face. He wanted to brush them behind her ear but resisted the urge.
    “I don’t understand why he would give me up. I mean, I understand not taking a child from her mother, but why didn’t he find work in Savannah, make a life here? At least be a part of my life.”
    “Perhaps his letter to you explains in more detail.”
    “Perhaps, but he wrote this letter to a five-year-old. I doubt he put much thought into the reasons for not staying in a letter he didn’t know when I would read.”
    “True, but he did know it would be when you were older.”
    “Are you certain you aren’t on his side?”
    “I am not taking sides, Holly. I am thinking he had his reasons for backing away. He gave a couple of those reasons in the letter to your mother. Or perhaps those were the entirety of his reasons. We do not know. But you do have the advantage of asking him while he is here.”
    Holly leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes. “A part of me would like to ask him all the questions popping up in my head. Another part of me is afraid.”
    “Afraid? How so?”
    “I don’t know if I can explain it, really. It is a fear, I suppose, but one that comes from this feeling of rejection I’ve been dealing with since I first learned the news. I can see from his letter his leaving us was a noble gesture, but I still feel slighted. I feel he didn’t really care about me, that if he really cared he would have stayed in Savannah.”
    “That wasn’t an option,” John Graham interrupted from the doorway.
    Startled, Holly turned toward the unexpected voice. “Why not?” she inquired.
    John walked into the den. Behind him stood Emmett Landers. “I suppose I should answer that question.” Emmett spoke just above a whisper.
    Holly simply nodded. Emmett’s large, taut frame consumed a surprising portion of the doorway, his head nearly touching the lintel. He held the wide brim of a rancher’s hat in a gentle grip between strong, heavily veined hands. Kind eyes set within a tanned face accustomed to long hours in the open air stared back at her, unflinching, beckoning....
    “Allie’s biggest concern was for you, Holly.” The warmth of his voice reached a deep place within her. “You had been told your daddy died in the war. She was concerned about how you would react. Your mother had recently married, and apparently it took you six months before you called John ‘Daddy.’ She didn’t want to confuse you. If I lived here, you would be quite confused for a while about who was your father. Granted, as you got older you would have managed but...” Emmett let his words trail off. “Suffice it to say, we felt it best at the time.”
    She looked to her stepfather to confirm her father’s words. John nodded.
    “I never wanted to leave you, Holly, but I made my peace with this decision fifteen years ago. I understand your confusion and your feelings of rejection. I am here now and will answer any question you have, no matter how difficult. I believe it is best for us not to keep any secrets and to be open and honest about the good and the bad regarding this decision. John and I have discussed it, as well. He is in agreement.”
    Holly turned to John Graham. “Are you, Father?”
    “Yes, but with hesitation. Bryce, would you please leave us?”
    Bryce stood. Holly grabbed hold of his wrist. “Wait. Father, I know you are a private man but Bryce is...”
    “Holly, I shall stay if you wish, but you are safe with your fathers.”
    “I know I am safe. I’m uncertain as to whether or not I can control my temper.”
    “Holly Elizabeth! For what purpose would your temper serve at this moment?” John chastised.
    Holly glared at him. Bryce wrapped her in his arms. He felt her relax. “Mr. Graham, I will not speak of anything that is said to anyone outside of this room. But I