The Unexpected Bride by Debra Ullrick Read Free Book Online

want to answer, Rainee stood and forced one shaky leg in front of the other as she walked to the window.
    No one could find out she had a brother back in Little Rock. For she could not risk being sent back. Neither could she risk Ferrin finding her. The only thing that could save her now was to get married right away. And based on what she had just heard, there was not going to be a wedding here in Paradise Haven.
    Scenario after scenario about what she could do now ran through Rainee’s mind. With each one, the air thickened with fear. The idea of going back home to that monster tied her stomach into knots and breathing became difficult.
    With her back to them, the question she hated to ask but knew she must slid past her lips in a choppy rasp, “Where—where does that leave me?” Spots danced before her eyes, and her body swayed, then blackness pulled her into its embrace.

Chapter Four
    H aydon leapt to his feet but could not make it to the window fast enough to catch Rainee. Her small body slumped to the floor. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart. The anger and frustration he’d had toward Jesse came back full force.
    Willing himself to feel nothing, Haydon slipped his arms under her knees and back and hoisted her up. She didn’t budge but hung as limp as Abby’s rag doll. She looked helpless, alone and frail. He tucked her closer into his chest. Her vulnerability and the feel of her feminine frame and soft hair draping over his arm touched something deep inside him. Something he never wanted to feel again rose in him. He shoveled away the unwelcome feelings and buried them deep in an unmarked grave.
    “Oh, Haydon, that poor girl. Wait until I see Jesse. I am going to give that boy a piece of my mind. What was he thinking?”
    That’s what Haydon had been trying to figure out, too.
    “Take her up to Leah’s room and lay her on the extrabed. I’ll get a cool cloth and some water.” His mother scampered into the kitchen.
    On his way up the steps, he noticed the stains of tears on her cheeks. Protective feelings flooded through him like a massive gulley wash, but he refused to let them take possession. No! I don’t want to feel anything. However, when he lowered her onto the bed, rather than walking away, he gazed down at her, wondering what would become of her once they sorted the whole muddled issue out.
    The stairs creaked. He shook out of the thoughts and strode toward the door. He took the water basin from his mother.
    Thinking was dangerous. He held the bowl while his mother dipped a cloth into it and laid it on Rainee’s forehead.
    The young woman stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
    Haydon’s breath hitched at the sight of those beautiful fawn-colored eyes—eyes he had avoided the whole way home. Eyes a man could get lost in if he wasn’t careful.
    Dread and confusion emanated from her.
    He hated seeing her like that. His arms ached to wrap her in them and comfort her. To tell her everything would be okay. That he would take care of her and protect her.
    What was he thinking?
    Fear slugged into him like a fist. He jerked his gaze away and quickly set the basin on the nightstand, sloshing a small amount of water over the side. Without bothering to wipe it up, he spun on his heel and called over his shoulder, “If you need me for anything else, just holler.” Haydon skipped steps as he barreled downthem. Out the front door and into the fresh air he flew. He refused to give heed to the feelings Rainee aroused in him. Feelings that scared him to death. From now on, the farther he stayed away from her, the better.
     
    Rainee sat up. She would love nothing more than to bury herself with the yellow patchwork quilt underneath her, but that would solve nothing. All her well-laid plans were falling apart around her. She had no money and no place to go. And no future husband.
    “Rainee?”
    Her vision trailed toward Katherine, who smelled of baked bread and wood smoke.
    “I am truly sorry, Mrs. Bowen. I