Forever Safe (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund Read Free Book Online Page B

now pulled out of the water and rested in the thick sand. Even though Mr. Cushman had kept his distance, she knew he was well aware of every move she made. What would he think if she accepted another one of Nathaniel’s gifts?
    It shouldn’t matter what her bodyguard thought. But after their discussion about Nathaniel, she’d realized that Mr. Cushman was not only exceptionally skilled at seeing exterior details, but he saw much deeper than that too. Despite the short time he’d been her bodyguard, he seemed to know her better than anyone else, including herself.
    Her fingers brushed against the velvet. By taking the gift, would she only be fooling herself and Nathaniel into thinking that everything was satisfactory?
    But it was satisfactory, wasn’t it? She did love Nathaniel. And she would marry him next week. Maybe she’d had doubts with the other two engagements, but she was more mature now. She’d come to understand that she couldn’t base a relationship on feelings alone because feelings of infatuation and adoration would come and go.
    Instead, she’d realized that love was a choice she had to make, regardless of the feelings. She was choosing to love Nathaniel, be his helpmate, and encourage him as best she could. All the rest would fall into place eventually.
    She took the box and gingerly opened it. Against the black velvet backdrop, a diamond bracelet glittered in the evening sunshine. She sucked in a breath. “Oh, Nathaniel, it’s gorgeous.”
    “Not as gorgeous as you.” He carefully lifted out the jewels. The diamonds were in the shape of dewdrops and wrapped all the way around either side to the clasp. “May I?” He motioned toward her wrist.
    She offered her hand to him. As he gently draped the bracelet around her wrist, his fingers brushed her skin. Desire flamed to life in his eyes. She willed herself to feel the same attraction at the brief contact, but instead her stomach growled, reminding her how hungry she was.
    Nathaniel closed the clasp and reluctantly released her wrist.
    She held it up, letting the sunlight reflect against the brilliant prisms. “Thank you, Nathaniel. I’ll treasure it always.”
    Before she could protest or stop him, he reached for her hand again, brought it to his lips, and pressed a kiss against her fingertips. His mustache tickled her skin and made her want to giggle. But from the serious longing that tightened Nathaniel’s face, she guessed she’d only hurt him if she showed her mirth.
    He straightened and released her hand, and she said the words he liked to hear from her. “I love you.”
    At his ensuing grin, she knew she’d done the right thing. She’d made him happy.
    “I see how you’re able to keep Victoria’s affection,” came a nearby voice.
    She and Nathaniel turned to find Samuel Hildebrandt ambling with a friend. Her former fiancé’s eyes were hidden beneath the shadows cast by the brim of his silk top hat. But Victoria was sure they were shooting bullets.
    She squirmed uncomfortably, her shoes sinking deeper into the sand. As Nathaniel’s third cousin, Samuel’s presence at family parties was inevitable from time to time. Nevertheless, things were always awkward between them, and she did her best to prevent confrontations.
    “Maybe if I’d bought Victoria’s love,” Samuel said, “then I’d be married to her by now.”
    Nathaniel let go of her, puffed out his chest, and took a step toward Samuel. “That’s an insult to Victoria. You know as well as I do that she has enough money of her own and doesn’t need me to buy her love.”
    Victoria caught sight of Mr. Cushman pushing away from the bathing machine. She motioned to him not to worry about her, hoping he’d realize that she was perfectly fine. Samuel might resent their breakup, but he was the last person who would ever hurt her.
    “Then admit it,” Samuel said, stepping away from his companion and starting toward Nathaniel. “You stole her away from me.”
    “Maybe you