The Rescue by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page B

for her and keep befriending her. Maybe the children and I should stop by Levens Crossing and pay a visit this week.”
    “She’s not at the manse?”
    “Not after today. Her father was staying in town, but he’s going home tomorrow and she’ll go and be with him.”
    “Did the Colonel remember?”
    “Not a thing.”
    Lydia shook her head, still a little amazed by Anne’s eccentric father.
    “We had a visitor this morning, a Mr Weston. He came in rather late and sat in the rear.”
    “You met him?”
    “Yes, he’s Alice Dixon’s grandson. He’s moved into Brown Manor.”
    Lydia was opening her mouth to ask another question but stopped. Palmer watched her.
    “What exactly do we know about the man Anne was forced to marry? Did any further information come out this morning?”
    “No.”
    Lydia looked at her husband.
    “Would a man who’d been through that sort of ordeal actually come to church in this community without a qualm?”
    “That all depends on the circumstances, and we don’t know those.”
    “But you wondered about it as well, didn’t you, Palmer?”
    “I admit I did, but only for Anne’s sake.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I mean that Anne has been very closemouthed about this, which leads me to believe she’s protecting someone. I’m not sure she would do that if the man in question was passing through. Now Mr Weston moves into the area just after the occurrence. You and I are doing our speculating behind closed doors; others will not be so discreet. They will think they’ve figured it out and be very vocal about it…”
    “And Anne’s reputation will suffer all the more,” Lydia finished for him.
    Palmer only nodded, his face grim. The couple was quiet for a few moments before Palmer suggested they pray. Before they had a chance, however, the children came to check on their mother.

    The Manse
    “Here, John,” Anne offered the youngest Hurst child. “Let me hold that bowl for you.”
    “Thank you,” the five-year-old answered politely while he scooped some potatoes onto his plate.
    “I understand you have some good news,” Anne prompted.
    The little boy nodded, a smile coming to his face.
    “Margaret is coming home on Wednesday. Jane too!”
    Anne smiled at his enthusiasm. Margaret was eight and Jane was 11, and clearly the little boy had missed his sisters terribly.
    “And what of Jeffrey?” Anne asked of the Hursts’ oldest, who was 13.
    “Next week, I think.”
    “That’s right,” Judith put in. “But the best part will come in the fall. All the children will remain home for their schooling.”
    Anne looked surprised, so Pastor explained.
    “Jennings wanted to give it a try with his children, and Palmer liked the idea too, so we’ve joined them. The children will go to Thornton Hall for history and geography with Jennings, to Tipton for mathematics with Palmer, and I’ll be tackling English studies here at the manse.”
    “That sounds marvelous. Will they be at each home each day?”
    “No. A day with each subject and then Friday mornings for study time. Friday afternoons will be for outings and individual learning sessions.”
    “Where do I sign up?” Anne asked, clearly impressed with the idea.
    “It does sound fun, doesn’t it?” Judith agreed.
    “Indeed. Will you be doing some schoolwork also, John?”
    “Some. So will Lizzy Palmer.”
    Anne smiled into his soft brown eyes, her heart melting a bit when he smiled back.
    “Are you going to stay with us until Margaret comes?” John asked.
    “No, John. I’m going home tomorrow.”
    “Are you about finished, John?” Pastor Hurst asked of his young son, seeing that his plate was nearly clean.
    “Almost,” John said, not having caught on to the fact that his father wanted some time for private conversation. The little boy calmly spooned the last bites into his mouth and reached for his glass of water as though he had all the time in the world.
    Anne put a napkin to her mouth to keep from laughing,