Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel by Maggie Brendan Read Free Book Online

chillier now, and she was wishing she’d thrown on her coat instead of her knitted shawl, but it was too late now. She’d just have to walk briskly, although she didn’t know what she’d do when she reached Callie’s. She couldn’t just show up unannounced. She told herself she only wanted to see where Callie lived.
    The gas lights cast a myriad of patterns from the elm trees arching over the sidewalk as she walked past homes, looking for the names on each mailbox or fence. She savored the crisp, cool night and nodded to a couple who strolled along, wishing it was Edward and her. Finally, she spied the name H OLMES boldly written in white on a plaque across the gate of a wrought-iron fence.
    She paused and looked up at the lights glowing from thefront part of the house. Pushing open the gate, she wandered toward an open window, hearing voices from within. This must be the parlor, where they met to discuss different books they’d read. Moving closer, she heard Edward’s voice and Callie responding with light laughter. She couldn’t see inside from where she was standing since a hedge was between her and the window, so she slipped in front of it. A twig snapped loudly and she held her breath, but they went right on talking. Anna heard the tinkling of teacups.
    Even on tiptoes, she wasn’t able to see the group. She glanced around for something to stand on and saw an empty flowerpot sitting off to the side of the porch. Perfect! She dragged the tall pot over to the uneven ground and stepped atop it, holding her skirts, stretching up to the windowsill. Now she had a clear view of the small group in Callie’s lovely parlor—all looking relaxed and cheery. A pang pierced her heart that she wasn’t sitting right next to Edward, and she wondered why he really wanted a wife. Was it just to run his household?
    But she knew he’d felt something with that kiss earlier . . . hadn’t he? She knew she did. But now, glancing over at the pretty Callie, she felt envious. Callie wore a pale green dress that showed off her small form to advantage, and her hair was perfectly coiffed, with ringlets along the crisp white collar of her dress. Suddenly Anna felt very tall and unattractive. Callie had everyone’s full attention, and Anna couldn’t even concentrate on what was being said once she caught Edward’s gaze resting on Callie.
    She felt sorry for herself and decided she should leave—she wasn’t wanted here in the first place. As she moved to step off the pot, it teetered sideways . . .
    ———
    “I’m enjoying A Christmas Carol , but to tell you the truth, it rather makes me nervous to be in the dark now.” Callie giggled. “Ghostly figures . . .” She shivered.
    Pearl shifted in her seat on the settee next to Chris. “Exactly my feelings,” she said, placing her cup and saucer down on the coffee table.
    Edward laughed. “Well, ladies, it’ll soon be time to choose another—”
    “What’s that noise?” Callie sat up sharply, listening, but didn’t budge from her chair. “Is someone outside prowling around?”
    Pearl glanced to the window with an anxious look. “It’s pitch-dark now. Maybe it’s children.”
    “I can’t imagine—” Chris began to say when a crash sounded from beyond the window.
    “I’ll go take a look. You ladies stay here where you are. No need to face any Frankenstein,” Edward said. He moved toward the front door, pausing long enough to pick up a poker from the fireplace. “There’s nothing to fear, I’m sure.” He nodded at the ladies’ anxious faces. He was sure it was nothing—a dog or cat—but in this cow town one needed to be cautious, especially since Callie now lived alone following her father’s death last year.
    Edward slowly opened the front door and quietly stepped down the creaking steps into the darkness. Chris followed with a lantern, lifting it high so they both could see the intruder on Callie’s lawn.
    “Who’s there?” Edward said. No one