Tessa McDermid - Family Stories by Tessa McDermid Read Free Book Online Page B

her cheek with his thumbs, wiping away the tears. "And who has he selected?" he asked quietly.
    "Martin Applethwaite."
    Frank frowned, trying to place the name. Was it one of the men who'd come into the feed store? After a moment, he shook his head. "I don't know him."
    "You wouldn't." She sniffled and he took out his handkerchief, waiting while she blew her nose. "Father met him when they both attended a special session at the seminary last year, and they've been writing to each other ever since. Mr. Applethwaite wrote that he's coming to visit next month. He's a widower and I don't know if they hatched this plan together or not, but Father's determined that I'll be his next wife."
    Her voice rose in a loud wail, and Frank gathered her close to muffle her words. "Marian, surely you can talk to your father. Who knows? Besides, maybe you'll like this Appleton guy."

    "Applethwaite," she corrected with another hiccup. "And I don't like him. He's old, Frank, almost forty, and he smel s, and he never stops talking. Anyway, I don't want to marry him. I want to marry you."
    Frank's heart pounded. Marian lifted her head. "What's the matter, Frank? Don't you want to marry me? Isn't that why you've stayed in town, so we could get to know each other better?"
    "Wel , it is. But marriage...Marian, I can't offer a wife very much."
    She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "That's al right, Frank, I don't need very much. But I refuse to marry someone my father chooses for me."
    "He wants you to be happy."
    "Why are you agreeing with Father?" Marian stared at him, her eyes almost black in the fading light. "Do you want me to marry another man? I thought you loved me."
    Her declaration echoed in his ears. Did he love her? He'd never said the words. But why was he staying in the area?
    She struggled to get out of his arms and his hold tightened. "Marian..."
    "No, let me go! I thought you'd help me because you cared about me. But I guess I was wrong." She pul ed free of his grasp and stepped away, her chest heaving with each angry breath. "I should've realized what was happening when you never came over to the house."
    "But, Marian, how could I? What would I say to your father?"
    "You could ask permission to court his daughter."
    One corner of Frank's mouth twisted into a lopsided grin. "And of course your father would've accepted me with open arms. I'm just the man the reverend Cooper would want for his only child—a salesman who appeared on his doorstep one day."
    She stamped her foot. "You're the man I love, Frank Robertson. Isn't that enough?"
    Oh, Marian, darling, he wanted to say, you're such a sweet child, with your dreams of romance, flowers, candlelight. At least your father understands marriage requires more than that.
    His lips tightened. Would this widower give her the romance she needed? Or was he just looking for a drudge to care for his house?
    "Marian, does Applethwaite have any children?"
    She nodded against his shirtfront. "Two boys. Father says they're absolute angels."
    Frank grimaced. Usual y when two boys were described as angels, they were either the exact opposite or dead bores. He couldn't see Marian mothering either of them. No doubt these boys were hel ions and the reason their father was going farther afield to find a wife.
    "Marian, when is he coming?"
    She must have sensed the change in him because when she spoke, her voice sounded stronger. "The end of August. His sister wil be visiting him and he's leaving the boys with her."

    A sure sign that the boys weren't angels. The man was smart; he didn't plan to ruin his prospects with his friend's daughter by bringing the future stepsons with him.
    "Al right." He bent down until his face was level with hers. "Dry your eyes and go home. Don't say anything to upset your father but don't agree to the marriage, either."
    She nodded and blinked several times. "What wil you do, Frank?"
    He wasn't sure. But he couldn't stand the idea of her with another man.
    Her hand