The Mail Order Bride's Deception by Ruth Ann Nordin Read Free Book Online Page B

front of him.  She cupped his face in her hands, her smile growing wider despite the tears forming in her eyes.  “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure you never discover how unkind this world can be.  I want you to keep laughing.”
    He babbled and touched her cheeks as if to wipe her tears away.
    She picked him up and held him.  After a while, she sat down and rocked in the chair, hoping he’d remain still and let her enjoy this moment.  She had no idea holding a baby was so wonderful, but it was quickly becoming her favorite thing to do.
    “You’re a lucky boy,” she told him as he settled against her breast.  “Your father’s a good man.  I didn’t think men like him existed.  He could have used me, like other men.  But he didn’t.  Hazel couldn’t have picked someone better.”
    And that only went to prove how smart Hazel had been.  Whatever she’d been running from, she had chosen the right place to go to.
    Resting her cheek against the top of Gilbert’s head, she whispered, “I’m sorry you didn’t make it, Hazel.  But I’m glad you gave me a second chance.”
    She closed her eyes, recalling the doctor’s bad news…
    “I’m afraid she’s not going to make it,” he said as he washed his hands in the basin by the bed where Hazel slept.
    “What’s wrong with her?” Sadie whispered, her veil still covering her face.
    The doctor turned to her and shrugged.  “She has pneumonia.  I’m surprised she managed to walk into the restaurant.”
    She watched as he placed a cool cloth on her forehead.  Hazel winced but didn’t wake up, which was good since she didn’t have to go through any pain when she was sleeping.  Sadie glanced at the bottles full of medicine lining the shelves and turned her attention back to the doctor.  “Are you sure there’s nothing here that can help her?  I know someone who had pneumonia and survived.”
    “Her fever’s too high.”
    “But that doesn’t mean anything.  People beat the odds all the time when someone says something is hopeless.”
    With a heavy sigh, he shook his head.  “I’m sorry, ma’am.  I know you don’t want to see your friend die , but the outcome isn’t always good for my patients.” He picked up Hazel’s purse and handed it to her.  “Whatever affairs you need to get in order, I suggest you do so quickly.  I don’t think she’ll make it through the night.” After a moment, he squeezed her hands.  “I’m sorry.  I wish I could give you better news.” He glanced at Hazel.  “I need to pay another patient a visit.  I won’t be longer than a half hour.”
    Sadie nodded as he left the small building.  Unsure of what else to do, she sat in the chair beside the bed and lifted her veil.  The doctor would recognize her if he saw her face.  But it wasn’t because he’d been at the brothel to enjoy the pleasures of the flesh.  It’d been because he had tended to her twice—both times after she miscarried.  She didn’t think he’d tell Madame Eleanor that she was there, but she didn’t dare take her chances.
    Her gaze lowered to the purse in her hands.  Biting her lower lip, she fought the urge to tug at the strings and find out about the woman resting in front of her.  It was hard to avoid temptation but she managed to do it.
    Focusing on the sick woman, she touched her hand.  “You’ll think it’s silly, but I heard that a kind touch and word can do wonders when someone isn’t feeling well.  So I thought I might as well talk to you.  I don’t know if you remember me, but I was the woman at the restaurant who sat at your table.  My name is Sadie.  Sadie Miller.  Um…  You know, you shouldn’t pay the doctor any mind.  He means well, of course, but miracles happen and you just might recover.  Don’t give up.  You just keep holding on.  As long as you got the will to live, you can do it.”
    Sadie blinked back her tears, her thoughts of the past drifting back to the corners