The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson Read Free Book Online Page A

opened his eyes and met his friend’s warm gaze. “Thank you.”
    Tucker gave him a knowing nod and stood. “We best get in there before they start without us.”
    Carter followed his friend up the center aisle as Morgan Cutshaw played the first bars of “It Is Well with My Soul.”
    Before he reached his seat, Carter caught sight of an especially fashionable young woman in the middle of the third row on the right. When her eyes widened at the sight of him, he couldn’t help but smile.

    Of course the deputy would attend this church.
    Vivian shifted her gaze to the pulpit where her brother-in-law stood, welcoming his parishioners. Carter Alwyn and Tucker were good friends. She didn’t have a problem with that, or at least she shouldn’t.
    Ida leaned toward her. “He’s an elder,” she whispered. “They pray together every Sunday before the service.”
    Vivian nodded. It’d be a waste of breath to try to convince her sister she hadn’t been wondering about the deputy. Ida had apparently observed Vivian watching Carter walk up the aisle.
    Vivian focused her gaze on Morgan’s piano prelude. Unfortunately, her mind wasn’t so easily redirected. She needed to be more careful in her attentions. Better yet, she needed to avoid giving any man undue notice. Even though she had no romantic intentions, those around her weren’t likely to let go of their fondness for matchmaking.
    Tucker had just uttered the last word of the benediction when Deputy Alwyn stepped out into the aisle and walked toward Vivian and her family. A wide smile on his face, he greeted her first.
    “Miss Sinclair, it was good to see you in the congregation this morning.”
    “It was good to see you here … to be seen here.” Vivian looked away. Nell’s crooked grin told her she needed to do a better job of pretending the man wasn’t a distraction.
    Morgan shook the deputy’s hand. “Supper’s at our house today. Can you join us?”
    Carter looked at Vivian, then back at Morgan. “I appreciate the invitation, but I need to decline.”
    “Another time, then,” Morgan said. He chucked Hope under the chin, causing the baby to giggle.
    “Yes, another time.” Deputy Alwyn waved his hat. “Miss Sinclair. Ladies.”
    Vivian didn’t watch him walk away. Instead, she tapped Hope on the nose.
    Avoidance was best. So why was she disappointed that he had other plans?
    An hour later, Vivian sat in Kat and Morgan’s parlor, staring at the checkerboard.
    “Just admit it.” Ida assumed a regal pose, her nose in the air. “I’m still the reigning champion.”
    Vivian raised her index finger without looking away from Ida’s neat row of kings. She was tired of settling for second best. Pressing her lips together, she studied every piece on the board.
    Why hadn’t she seen it before? Vivian moved her checker, capturing two of her sister’s recently crowned pieces and gaining a new king. She couldn’t contain her giggle.
    Ida was clearly not as amused and could only stare at the board in obvious disbelief.
    Morgan sauntered into the parlor. “Kat says supper is nearly ready.” He joined the crowd encircling the octagonal game table. “Who’s winning?”
    “I am.” Vivian’s assertion came out almost in perfect harmony with Ida’s reply.
    “You can’t both win.” Aunt Alma had been observing the match from an armchair near the window.
    “I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming.” Ida glanced at Tucker, who sat backward in a chair. “This is your fault.”
    “Of course it is.” A coy grin dimpled his chin. “Why is it my fault this time?”
    “Same humdrum reason—you’re such a charming distraction.”
    He snatched Ida’s hand, and she giggled like a schoolgirl.
    Vivian longed for such a house, where love and laughter filled the rooms.
    If only she were lovable.

O n her tiptoes in front of her open wardrobe, Vivian pulled her purple sateen hat from the top shelf.
    Monday. She’d been gone from Maine for nearly two weeks