Nephew's Wife, The

Nephew's Wife, The by Barbara Kaylor Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Nephew's Wife, The by Barbara Kaylor Read Free Book Online
Authors: Barbara Kaylor
her take to anyone this soon.”
    Ellen shrugged off the praise.  “We both need each other.” 
    “I didn’t get a chance to ask how your first night went.” Rand closed the space between them. “Did you sleep well?”
    “I never sleep well the first night in a strange place.” 
    Rand smiled. “Hopefully, it won’t be a strange place for long.”
    “I’m sure tonight will be much better.” Ellen dipped her head, shyly. “Thank you for having my things moved here so quickly.  My room feels homier now.”
    “Good. If there’s anything I can do to make you more comfortable, please let me know.” The ceiling fan, set on low, swirled Ellen’s fragrance in the air between them. Rand’s lungs welcomed the fresh, floral scent.  It dazzled him as much as Ellen’s pretty eyes, peeking under feathery bangs.  A compliment balanced on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t speak it. 
    “Thanks, Rand,” Ellen said before turning to go. “I think I’ll take a walk outside and enjoy the warm night.”
    Rand watched her petite frame and gentle curves move gracefully away from him.  Chills sprang up all over him. He was attracted to her, and it scared him.
    “Randolph, take your eyes off Ellen and come in here!” 
    Rand hurried in the direction of Dolly’s voice. “What are you talking about, Aunt Dolly?”
    “Don’t try to fool me, Randolph.” Dolly pulled herself up and leaned back on her pillows.  “I saw your goo-goo eyes tonight in the living room.  You’re falling for Ellen.”
    Rand sat down on her bed. “I thought you wanted me to be interested in someone,” he teased.
    “Not Ellen!” Dolly snapped.  “The poor girl’s grieving. She just lost her fiancé. She needs time to heal.”
    “I know that,” he agreed softly.  “Just because I appreciate her beauty doesn’t mean I’m falling for her.  I hardly know her, Aunt Dolly.”
    “I don’t want her leaving,” Dolly grumbled. 
    “You two connected fast.”
    Dolly nodded.  “Ellen’s like the daughter I always wanted, but couldn’t have.  I like having her around.”  She gave Rand a sour look. “She’s very vulnerable now.  If you get flirty, she may take off.  It’s too soon for her to get involved with anyone.  Please, promise me you want do anything to make her uncomfortable.”
    “You have nothing to worry about, Aunt Dolly.  I’m not interested in Ellen Todd.  I’m not interested in anyone.” Rand’s staunch tone said he meant it.  He wasn’t interested in anyone.  No more broken hearts for him. One was plenty.
    “Don’t do this, Randolph.” Dolly sighed with frustration.
    “Do what?”
    “Refuse to love again.” She grabbed his hand before he could get up and walk away.  “Look at me, Randolph,” Dolly ordered when he threw his glance to the oil portrait of his uncle, hanging on the wall across the room.
    Rand dragged his eyes back to her.  Dolly’s face was full of tenderness and emotion.
    “Please don’t give up on love, darling.  Loving the right person is the most wonderful thing in this world.”
    “I thought Lana was the right person.” Rand slumped under the memory.  “It was bad enough getting the cancer diagnosis.  Having Lana run out on me the way she did is not something I want to repeat. I can’t bear to go through that kind of hurt and humiliation again. I won’t.”
    “God didn’t promise a life without pain and suffering.  Remember what James teaches us in the Bible.”
    Rand nodded.  “When you have all kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy because troubles test your faith and give you patience.”
    “Life is a series of obstacles.  The secret of getting through them is trusting God.”
    “It’s not a matter of trusting God.” Rand hung his head in frustration.  He couldn’t find the right words to express his emotions. Glancing up, he continued, “I guess I just don’t know what’s right anymore.”
    “God knows what He’s doing even if we

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