Her Safe Harbor: Prairie Romance (Crawford Family Book 4) by Holly Bush Read Free Book Online Page A

did not either. But you must feel as though we’ve left
you there,” Jolene said softly, breaking the silence.
    “Everyone is free to live their own life. You have moved on
and are happy, and I am glad for you.”
    “Except you, Jennifer. Are you free to live your own life?”
    Jennifer swallowed, feeling angry and tense but hardly
willing to upset this new balance between her and Jolene. She jumped up from
her chair and hurried to the window. “What a lovely view, Jolene. This house
compares to Landonmore in many ways. You must be very pleased.”
    Jolene came to stand beside her and pushed the curtain back
to look out herself. “I am very pleased and very fortunate. Now, I’m sure
you’re exhausted. I’ll send your maid to you.”
     
    * * *
     
    “She’s finally here, Melinda!” Max
said, and wrapped Jennifer in a bear hug and then kissed both of her cheeks. “I
am so glad you’re here. Jolene and Melinda have done nothing but complain that
you were not with us when we arrived.”
    Jennifer smiled and held Max’s hands in hers. “I’ve heard
that you are to be a papa again and I am thrilled for you!”
    Max nodded, and Jennifer was certain she saw his eyes
glisten with tears.
    “I am terrified something will go wrong and worry about her
and the baby constantly, but the doctor says that she is healthy and fit and he
foresees no problems.”
    “You must think good thoughts, Max. Jolene had no issues
when she delivered William, and my sister Julia has birthed three healthy
children.”
    “You are right,” he said and wrapped her arm around his to
lead her to the dining room. “But I can’t help worrying about her and Melinda
and this new child.”
    “Of course you can’t,” Jennifer said as she was seated. “You
are as smitten with my sister as I remember, and your daughter has you wrapped
around her finger.”
    Max laughed.
    “I heard from your sister today, Maximillian. She and Calvin
will be here for the ceremonies,” Jolene said.
    “Excellent. I haven’t seen Eugenia in ages and I want to
personally thank her for introducing Jolene and I,” Max said. “Do you remember
when your Aunt Eugenia and Uncle Calvin visited with us at the Hacienda,
Melinda?”
    “A little,” Melinda said. “Especially that hat that Aunt
Eugenia wore with the pink flowers and the printed ribbons.”
    “Your Aunt Eugenia is a bit eccentric in her clothing
choices, but your father is right. She introduced us and we will always be
eternally grateful,” Jolene said as she looked steadily at her husband. “I
shall have to tell the foreman that I need the green bedroom suite ready in
time for them.”
    “Are my parents coming?” Max asked.
    “No. Eugenia said they are disappointed but your father is
not feeling well and your mother is concerned about him making the trip.”
    “With this schedule they’ve got me on already, I doubt I’ll
have time to travel anywhere until the session closes, and Mother and Father
are getting up in years,” Max said as he filled his plate from the platters the
servants were presenting.
    “Then I shall go meet and visit with your parents this
spring and take Melinda with me. It is long past—” Jolene began.
    Max shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. You will not be
traveling.”
    Jolene laid down her silverware and arched her brows.
“Perhaps we should discuss this at another time when you are not so . . .
passionate about the subject.”
    Melinda giggled, and Jolene looked at her until she was
silent and took a fork full of food to her mouth.
    “Father has written that you have reopened the parlor lobby
at the bank,” Jolene said to Jennifer.
    “I have and have found your notes to be particularly useful
when we are entertaining a long-term client.”
    “The parlor lobby?” Max asked.
    Jolene nodded. “When I was married to Turner, I entertained
clients before they met with my father or other bank employees in a comfortable
room with a private entrance. It started out