Daughters of the Heart by Caryl Mcadoo Read Free Book Online Page A

California to build us a new steam engine for our sawmill. You can go help him and the cousins work to pay for your keep and one night in the bunkhouse, and you can stay until my husband returns tomorrow.”
    Clay jumped to his feet. “Yes, ma’am! Where are they?”
    She told him.
    He practically clicked his heels and skipped down the porch steps then swung into the saddle.
    “Thank you, ma’am. I really appreciate this.” He tipped his hat at Gwen and her sisters then grinned at their stepmother again. “I mean it. Thank you much.”
    She chuckled. “You’re welcome. Now I’m putting my trust in your honor, Clay. Don’t you disappoint me and get me in trouble with her daddy.”
    “Oh no, ma’am. I won’t.”
    And off he went, his heart so light and free it might fly right out of his chest. He got what he came after. Another chance. He’d not let his stupid pride get in the way this time. Or his temper either.
    The prize was too great, and the man had pegged him true. His soul needed a good dose of the Lord.
    Looking skyward, he put a hand on his chest over his heart. “Thank You, too. Help me.”
    After introductions and a solid handshake—Clay hated dead fish greetings—the Californian impressed him with his mechanical knowledge and easy manner with the men.
    By dinner time, he decided he liked this Elijah Eversole, provided he didn’t have eyes for Gwendolyn. Couldn’t think of a thing he’d hate more.
    But before he could discern if the man had any intentions other than building the engine and hightailing it back to the gold fields, his love and her two sisters came over the far ridge in a one-horse surrey.
    What a sight.
    Even baby girl was blooming into a beautiful young lady, but Gwendolyn and her sister were even better looking.
     

     
    Bonnie grabbed both her big sisters’ arms. “You two best behave. I gave Mama my word.”
    CeCe shot her a smirk. The one she hated the most. “We know, Bonnie Claire. You’ve already told us three times now.”
    “Hush, girls. They’ll hear.”
    Bonnie didn’t much like taking orders from either of them, but especially hated it when Gwen lorded it over her. She was only six years older.
    “Yes, Mother.” She enjoyed the ire her sarcasm brought and especially loved it that her sister couldn’t do anything about it, not with Clay and Elijah right in front of her.
    The oldest looked at her, smiled then whispered, “Be good, or we’ll both get you later.”
    She smiled right back. “You do, and you can forget me chaperoning again, no matter how much you pay.” She stood and waved. “Hey, Clay! You and Elijah hungry? We brought dinner.”
    Of course, they were. And not just for the fried chicken and potato salad. Those fellows drooled all over her big sisters. She didn’t get it. What was the hullabaloo all about? She hated it that neither paid her much attention.
    At least, it did give her an opportunity to study the men a bit. For her money, Clay was the better looking, but Elijah the nicer.
    If she got to choose, if she even wanted to, she’d take Clay. No, Elijah. No…maybe she’d be like Gwen and just say yes to the first one who asked, that already had Daddy’s blessing. But for sure it wouldn’t be Braxton Hightower. She wouldn’t take him, no matter what.
    As if those cousins hated the little picnic, they stayed to themselves then started back to work way before her sisters and their beaus even got to the apple pie. Yuh-uh-um. She loved Miss Jewel’s skillet apple pie!
    The minute she finished hers, Bonnie jumped to her feet. “Well, we’ve got to go. I promised Mama.”
    “Sit yourself right back down, Bonnie Claire.” Gwen glared. “We’ve got time. They aren’t even through with their chicken!”
    “Not to mention the apple pie we brought for them.” CeCe shot her the shut-your-mouth look.
    But Bonnie only put her hands on her hips and gave back better than she got. “I. Promised. Mama.”
    With a wink, Elijah came to her