Lanterns and Lace by DiAnn Mills Read Free Book Online

boardinghouse until Monday. Many things lay unsettled about Grant, and the extra days would give her time to observe the good doctor—in hopes of finding a flaw.
    Suddenly, Jenny sat upright. Aubrey Turner. Why ever did the man insinuate that she and he were more than brief acquaintances? His knowledge of Jessica confused and upset her. Being the sister of a prostitute wasn’t the type of thing a decent woman claimed. She had originally planned to be a distant cousin, but she’d spoiled that concept at breakfast. She cringed. Surely Mr. Turner wasn’t Rebecca’s father or, worse yet, Jessica’s husband. If he claimed the child, she’d lose her chance of ever pleasing Mother and Father.
    Feeling decisively ill, Jenny chose to sleep away the disturbances threatening to destroy her journey to Texas. Once rested, she’d certainly have the answers.
    *****
    After seeing his last patient of the afternoon, Grant seized the opportunity to stop by the general store and purchase a few licorice sticks. The children enjoyed the sweet treats, and he did, too. When Mimi and Rebecca weren’t around, he swirled a good licorice stick in his coffee. If he was ever caught, Mimi would be horrified and Rebecca would want to try the same in her milk.
    The warm afternoon had gathered intense humidity, and the scent of rain filled his nostrils. He picked up his pace and acknowledged the increased droplets of perspiration underneath his shirt and jacket. The dusty streets could use a dip in a water trough.
    Inside the general store, Lester Hillman, the town banker, talked to Pete Kahler, the owner of Kahler’s General Store. Grant stepped around them and studied the assortment of candy in huge jars lining the front counter. The voices of the locals captured his attention. Couldn’t help but hear them when they stood so close.
    “What’s going on, Pete?” Lester said.
    “Our youngest boy, Frank, is getting married in a couple of weeks. I’m glad to be working and out of the womenfolks’ way. The missus is frettin’ over a family dinner tonight. Cookin’ everything in sight.” Pete patted his round stomach. “But it will be good.”
    “Who’s he marryin’?” Lester said. The banker puffed on a pipe, a rather unpleasant fragrance of tobacco.
    “Ellen Smythe.” Pete’s voice was a near whisper. “I’m sure you’ve seen her helping out here at the store.”
    “Didn’t she use to be one of Martha’s girls?” Lester snickered.
    “Yes, but she left Martha’s more than two years ago.”
    “I remember.” Lester shook his head and took another puff. “Her friend . . . what was her name? Well, anyway, she died in childbirth, and Ellen moved out of Martha’s and started living respectable.”
    “Seems like you know a lot about what goes on at Martha’s Place,” Pete said.
    “Just wondered how you felt about your son marrying a woman like that.”
    “Just fine, Lester. Just fine.”
    “How about the missus? How does she feel about her baby boy settlin’ down with a soiled dove?” Lester took another puff on his pipe.
    “I said just fine. She’s having a big dinner, isn’t she?” Pete’s hands rested on the opposite side of the counter. His fingers curled up in his palms.
    “Fancy doings doesn’t mean she’s welcome in your family. I wouldn’t want a boy of mine marrying one of Martha’s girls,” Lester said.
    “I’m not in the business of picking out my boys’ wives.”
    “Well, if you were, I’m sure you wouldn’t have picked her kind.” Lester teetered on his heels. “Do you suppose Doc Grant is the father of that baby he took in?”
    Pete inhaled deeply. “Frankly, I don’t care either way. It’s none of my business. Why don’t you ask him? He’s standing right beside you.”
    Lester startled.
    “Something you want to ask me, Lester?”
    Lester held up his hands. “I’m only repeating gospel truth.” He nodded at Grant. “What kind of God-fearin’ man adopts a prostitute’s child