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

don’t.  You may have to suffer several heartbreaks to get to the right person.  Look at Ellen. Nine years of patience at the bedside of her injured fiancé. She sacrificed her younger years to be with him.  Do you think in those nine years her heart was not breaking every day?”
    “I understand, Aunt Dolly.” 
    “Good! Consider it food for thought.” She patted his hand. “Now, I’d better get my beauty sleep if I’m going shopping tomorrow.”
    Concern twisted Rand’s angular features.  “Are you sure about this? You haven’t been out and about in months.”
    “I haven’t wanted to be,” Dolly replied, flatly. “I’m looking forward to picking out a wardrobe for Ellen. I think we should do everything we can to make her happy while she grieves. Besides, I can’t let her go around the house wearing those rags she came in with.”
    Rand smiled to himself as he recalled the first moment he saw Ellen.  He’d not noticed the clothes, only her quiet beauty and humble spirit.
    “You’ve got that dreamy look in your eye again, Rand,” Dolly scolded. She turned soft.  “Be careful with Ellen.  If you don’t want your heart broken again, you’d be well off not chasing after her.  The kind of love she shared with Paul is not easily forgotten.”
    “I’m not going to chase after Ellen, Aunt Dolly, nor any other woman.” Rand stood with purpose and tucked his aunt back under her covers.  “I’m planning a trip to Europe next month. My thoughts and energy will be on scheduling important meetings.”
    “I’m glad you decided to travel again.  Just don’t stay gone too long.”
    Rand leaned down and kissed Dolly on the forehead.  “Goodnight, Aunt Dolly.”
    “Goodnight, Randolph.”
    Rand walked slowly downstairs, his mind on Ellen.  He couldn’t get her out of his thoughts, but his aunt was right.  The lady was grieving. He needed a diversion to keep his focus away from her.  It was a month before his trip to Europe.  A whole month seeing Ellen every day could be disastrous.
    As he strolled to the kitchen for some tea to have while he worked, Rand saw Ellen walking down the terrace toward the water.  Temptation to join her was too strong.  He headed outside with a prayer on his lips.
    Dear Lord, help me fight this feeling. Give me strength over this attraction.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Ellen heard the door open and close behind her. 
    Please Dear Lord, let me be strong around Rand.
    She was attracted to him, but she had no right to be.  His gaze earlier in the living room had set off a chain reaction inside her.  Tingling sensations had shot through her veins, her nerves had knotted, her heart had raced, and silly schoolgirl notions had collided with reason.  Rand Powers could be any woman’s man, but he could not be hers.  She was his employee.  An employee who happened to be a fraud.
    “Wait up, Ellen.”  Rand’s voice echoed across the darkness.
    Ellen cringed. He didn’t realize what he did to her. Only two days into her position as companion to his aunt and already she was tampering with problems.
    “Rand,” she turned toward him. “I thought you had work to do.  Don’t let me keep you from it.  I can entertain myself.”
    “Sounds like you’re trying to get rid of me.” Rand grinned as he reached her.  His heart catapulted to the heavens when he saw her under a cascade of moonlight. 
    “Why would I do that?” Ellen hid her true feelings behind a lighthearted chuckle. 
    Rand shrugged.  “Aunt Dolly thought I made you uncomfortable this evening. It wasn’t my intent. I guess I couldn’t get over your transformation.  You look so different.”
    Ellen blushed.  “I hadn’t been taking care of myself.”
    “You had Paul to think about.  I understand.  Actually, your appearance was fine. I hired you didn’t I?” His attempt at humor worked.  Ellen laughed.
    “Yes, you did!”
    “Come, I’ll