Pieces of Dreams by Jennifer Blake Read Free Book Online Page A

there is, all you have to do is ask and he'll tell you all about it. He's a good man, the best.”
    “I know that,” she said simply.
    “Yes, well, I wouldn't want you to think I was suggesting otherwise.”
    She nodded her understanding for his loyalty. “On the other hand, I don't believe that you're exactly Satan's second in command.”
    His gaze touched her mouth and lingered there. “I wouldn't bet on it.”
    Looking away, he began to pick up their picnic and pack it back into the basket. Darkness had fallen while they ate, and it was time to be getting back to the others.
    They cleared everything quickly, working together with an economy of motion and little need for words. Melly tucked the tablecloth they had used over the last of the food. As she reached for the basket handle, Conrad beat her to it. Rising with the lithe flexing of taut muscles, he transferred his burden to his left hand. Then extending his right, he closed her fingers in his warm grasp and drew her up to stand beside.
    It was just then that they heard the soft scrape of footsteps on the sandy path. Caleb loomed out of the dark, square-shouldered, wearing his displeasure like a Greek mask.
    “How cozy,” he said. “And how incredibly dumb. I guess you know you'll have the whole town gabbling like a flock of geese.”
    “Not if you'll keep your voice down,” Conrad said in stringent censure.
    “Keep my voice down? Why, when most everybody else has gone home! Good God, Conrad, this isn't some free and easy heathen land. What were you thinking of when you led Melly way down here? Or need I ask?”
    Conrad stiffened. As Melly tried to pull her fingers free, he tightened his hold. His voice carried a warning note in its deep timbre. “I suggest that you think carefully before you say any more, brother. What I was thinking of was enjoying Melly's home cooking, since it didn't look as if you were going to show up to appreciate it. As for the rest of the fine citizens of this town, I doubt they'll have two words to say—unless you want to keep shouting until they realize I was the one who ate the pound cake she made for you.”
    Caleb jutted out his chin and put his hands on his hips. “You mean you let everybody think you were me.”
    “More or less. I had this notion your reputation could survive an hour alone with your bride-to-be.”
    “And just what did Melly think?”
    Caleb appeared to be speaking to his brother, but Melly thought his words were for her as well. She said tersely, “I knew exactly who he was.”
    “Good,” Caleb said on a hard-drawn breath. “That's good, since it means Conrad couldn't take advantage.”
    Melly glanced at the man who stood protectively at her side; she couldn't help it. Conrad not only could have taken advantage, but he had . And she had encouraged him, in a way. By the same token, she thought he had meant nothing harmful; it was just his way to be forward.
    In any event, she resented being forced to stand there while Caleb glowered in righteous indignation. It gave her a vivid idea of what it must have been like for Conrad all those years, accused with little to say in his defense, always facing someone so certain of moral superiority.
    Voice taut, she said, “I would remind you, Caleb, that this whole thing would not have come about if you had been here. Or if you had taken me with you on today's outing.”
    “I've already explained what I was about,” Caleb said brusquely.
    “So you have,” she took him up, “but if my reputation can survive tonight's small indiscretion, I'm sure it would have weathered the short time we'd have been alone together on the road.”
    “It isn't just that,” he said.
    “Oh? Are you saying you don't trust yourself to be alone with me any more than you do your brother?”
    “Melly,” Conrad said in soft warning beside her.
    “No, I want to know,” she insisted. “Because if that isn't it, then I can only assume that I'm the one Caleb expects to