Leave it for the Rain: A Love She Couldn't Remember—A Woman He Couldn't Forget (Grayson Brothers Book 6) by Wendy Lindstrom Read Free Book Online Page A

Landing.”
    Adam’s gut tightened. He knew he needed to share his decision with his father. “I’d planned to tell you and Faith tonight, but... Rebecca and I decided not to wait until next month to marry. We’ll exchange our vows this evening and will head to Crane Landing on the morning train. We’ll return as soon as our furniture arrives.”
    Duke’s eyebrows lifted, but his long, sure stride never faltered. “Sounds like you did more than just take Scout for a walk last night.”
    Adam nodded, unwilling to lie. “We just talked for a few minutes, sir. I know this upsets our plans at the mill, and I’m truly sorry for the delay this will cause, but Rebecca and I want to marry—tonight.”
    His father’s slow whistle told Adam he was considering the ramifications of their decision. “I assume you haven’t had this conversation with Radford or Evelyn yet?”
    “No, sir. Rebecca and I will talk with them this evening. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself today.”
    Lifting his hands as if he wasn’t about to touch the subject, his father shook his head. “This is your business, Adam. I’ll be disappointed to have you leave again so soon, but I understand. Just know that Radford may not be as understanding. He’s not going to like having his daughter married so hastily, especially when the whole family has been planning a big celebration for the two of you. He’s going to feel that his daughter deserves better.”
    For the first time, Adam questioned his decision. Rebecca had waited a long time for him and she did deserve more than a two minute ceremony with only her parents and siblings present. The Grayson men had planned their workload at the mill around Adam’s return. For him to work one day and leave again for several weeks was inconsiderate, and not the kind of decision a partner would make. Of course Radford would be upset, and rightfully so. Still, the thought of not marrying Rebecca tonight made Adam sick to his stomach.
    “Before you commit to anything, why don’t you give this some thought today,” his father suggested as they approached the mill. “Maybe you and Rebecca should talk this over again before committing.”
    It’s all Adam would be able to think about, but he gave his father a nod to acknowledge that he’d heard his words and would heed his wise council. He would talk with Rebecca first.
    The site of the sprawling sawmill had always filled Adam with a sense of awe, and that hadn’t changed in all the years he’d been coming back to this place. Stacks of timber and cut lumber, high piles of sawdust, and the powerful Percherons moving drags of timber across the yard drew his thoughts to the work at hand. Men were already feeding slab wood into the massive boiler that powered the saw inside the mill building. In minutes he would hear the scream of the whirring saw blade and the rhythmic sound of the carriage table gigging back and forth as it shuttled the timber through the cutting process. He was part of this place, of this family, and both were as interwoven with his future as Rebecca was.
    “It’s about time you got here,” Boyd said, slinging an arm around Adam’s neck and mock wrestling him. “We need some young blood to liven things up.”
    Adam laughed and straightened his work shirt, twisting away from Boyd’s roughhousing. He could always count on his uncle Boyd to shake him out of his worries. “You keep things lively enough on your own, Uncle Boyd. You just want to make use of my strong back to do the heavy lifting.”
    Duke nudged Boyd’s shoulder with a closed fist. “Told you he was smarter than you.”
    “That wouldn’t take much,” Radford said, joining their small gathering. Radford clasped Adam’s hand in a firm handshake. “Welcome home, son. I’m sure glad to have you back at the mill.”
    For Adam the moment was dreamlike. At thirteen, he could have never imagined his life like this, being surrounded by men of deep integrity