Saving the Rifleman by Julie Rowe Read Free Book Online Page B

went to school with. I have no doubt that you’ll make a favourable impression.”
    “I’m a woman and I’m poor. He’s not going to want to talk to me.”
    “What does your gender or station have to do with having an intelligent conversation?”
    She finally looked at him, and the desolation on her face made the bottom of his stomach fall like a stone. “Everything.”

Chapter Five
    They came from opposite ends of society, with very little common ground in between.
    The thought drained the last of her energy.
    No matter what happened, Maria had to remember that. She had too much to lose otherwise.
    “How can you think my father a bigot when you don’t even know who he is?”
    “I don’t have to know his name to know his attitude toward people like me.”
    “People like you.” John continued to stare at her, his brows low over his eyes. “Perhaps you’re the one who’s the bigot.”
    “It’s not bigotry, it’s the way of the world. One’s station determines one’s lot in life. Those that are higher do not suffer those who are lower for long.”
    He regarded her with a solemn, thoughtful expression. “Who didn’t suffer you?”
    It didn’t matter that it happened years ago, the memory alone had the power to stab her in the chest. “Someone I should have been able to trust.”
    “He was a fool. I’m sorry he betrayed your trust. I will not .”
    She sighed. “If we weren’t in this situation, you wouldn’t even know I existed.”
    “True, I wouldn’t have come to Belgium had it not been for the war.”
    “That’s not what I mean.”
    “I know what you mean, and you’re wrong.” He leaned forward. “I would have noticed you.”
    “Why?”
    “You’re beautiful.”
    She snorted at that.
    “Shall I be more specific?”
    “Can you?”
    “My explanation may be somewhat…shocking.”
    She rolled her eyes. Men. “After being a nurse for nearly two years, it’s quite difficult to shock me.”
    “All right then, because of the way you walk.”
    “The way I walk?” It was her turn to frown. “I don’t understand.”
    “It’s…well…your hips…they…ah…” His face turned so red even the tips of his ears looked hot. He coughed and stared at the floor.
    “Oh.” Maria imagined what he was visualizing and her own face grew rather warm. “Oh, I didn’t realize men found that…attractive.”
    “You think it’s all about a woman’s face?”
    “Yes, well, that’s what most women think.”
    “Do you find the same things attractive about men as every other woman?”
    “Well, no, not entirely. I find…ah, I see what you’re saying now. Our definition of beauty changes as we get older.”
    “That’s part of it, I suppose. But there are some men who will only ever look at a woman’s face to decide if she’s beautiful or not. While others are smart enough to learn that true beauty lies in a woman’s heart.”
    Her heart raced at the expression in his face, the soft smile and wide eyes. His gaze snared hers in a trap she should be trying to escape.
    “What about intelligence and courage? Do you value those traits in a woman?”
    “Certainly, though I think there are some things no woman should be involved in, no matter how smart or brave they are.”
    “Such as?”
    “War for one. Even here, miles away from the front lines, there is great danger. Women aren’t suited for combat or its results. War is a man’s occupation.”
    “What do you think I’ve been doing since the war began if not dealing with the results of it?”
    “You should be home in England where it’s safe, not here under constant threat of discovery and at the mercy of—”
    Several sets of footsteps marched down the hall. Everything inside her stopped working. Froze solid.
    John lay down, and she closed the closet only moments before the room’s door opened.
    “What’s this?” a man’s voice barked out.
    The walls of the closet seemed to constrict and press against her. Her heartbeat thundered