Hanchart Land by Becky Barker Read Free Book Online

pale.
    "Oh, well," she said, knowing there was no quick fix for the way she looked. It  seemed insignificant in the general scheme of things and silly to even care.
    Her gaze drifted upward in the mirror. Untidy strands of hair had escaped her ponytail and were curling around her face. It was a fine, pale blond that had grown well beyond shoulder length, and there were always a few tendrils that refused confinement. Susan tried to smooth them as she studied her face more critically.
    Even though she had a light tan, it didn’t disguise the unhealthy pallor of her skin or the dark circles under her eyes. Her cheek bones were far too prominent and her cheeks were thin to the point of gauntness, but there wasn't anything she could do about that, either.
    Maybe Doc Peters was right. Maybe a few days of rest would put some color in her face and fade the shadows beneath her eyes. She wanted to be strong and healthy again in mind, heart, and body. If she was going to marry Luke and start a family, she had to take better care of herself.
    If? Was there still a doubt in her mind? Luke had already put the wheels in motion, but did she really want to make that sort of commitment? Permanent? Forever? Till death? She'd repeated the marriage vows with Shane, but the ceremony had been a travesty. The words had been coerced from her, and she’d never felt them in her heart.
    Could she succeed with Luke? Could she gamble her future in hopes of winning the home and family she so desperately craved? Or would this be another dismal failure? Worse yet, if she grew to love Luke, would she lose him, too?
    Cornflower blue eyes, dulled somewhat from her exhaustion, were reflected in the mirror, their depths troubled with indecision.
    "Oh, Mother, how I wish you were here," she whispered. Sometimes she missed her mother so much she didn't think she could bear it. Tears welled instantly in her eyes, but she drew once again on her hard-won control to force them back.  There had been so many times over the past few years when she'd needed her mother's guidance and support. So many times when she mourned, all over again, the loss of her parents, their strength and stability.
    She was so alone. For a woman who'd been a vivacious, fun loving teenager and young adult, it was horribly painful to be so alone. She hated needing someone so much, yet she couldn't deny the truth. She needed Luke. She needed his home, his strength, his affection.
    It might be a long time before they could ever totally trust each other and even longer before they could learn to love each other, but Susan made herself a vow to try as hard as humanly possible. If he tried even half as much, they could do it.
    She had to try. She couldn't bear being alone any longer. Even if Luke wasn't wildly in love with her, she trusted him. He was a strong, honest, dependable man. They could learn to care for each other and create their own supportive family.  "Hey, did you fall in?" asked Rosa, interrupting her reverie. “Or do you need a different size?"
    Susan smiled. She liked Rosa, her musical Spanish accent and her sense of humor. Being a part of Luke's household was already making her feel better.  "This one will be fine," she said, returning to the pantry and the waiting housekeeper. "I think it's a size smaller than I usually wear, but I don't have much meat on me right now, anyway."
    "Pretty skinny," the older woman announced, giving her the once over. "You look like a half-starved fashion model, but at least you have some bosom and that suit makes your legs look longer. My home cooking will take care of the rest of the curves in no time at all."
    "I have weird tan lines," Susan complained about the faint marks on her arms and neck.
    "A little sun will change that, but go easy and use some sun screen." Rosa dug through a cupboard and came up with a bottle of lotion and a beach towel. "Now give me your clothes and go relax. I'll bring you something cold to drink in a little