Where the Wild Rose Blooms by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page A

He felt as though someone had thrown cold water over him; indeed, he nearly gasped. It was startlingly clear to him at that moment that his teasing had gone too far. He never dreamed she was taking him seriously. At last, his voice came softly, soberly, from the shadows.
    "Contrary to what you obviously believe, Jackie, I'm not a monster." With that, Clayton turned to join Sammy. They talked about the horses and then visited the kittens again before Clayton hung the lantern back in place and blew it out. He did so without thought until he heard a small gasp and a voice of panic.
    "Sammy? Where are you, Sammy?"
    "I'm right here. The door's this way."
    "What's the matter?" Clayton asked but was ignored.
    "I can't see!" Jackie finally cried, and Clayton, hearing that she was on the verge of panic, moved back to the lantern. It flared into life a moment later, and Clayton found Jackie gripping Sammy's small arm frantically.
    "It's okay now, Jackie. The light's on." Sammy's soft voice floated through the barn, but it took a moment for Jackie to relax her hold. When the older girl found Clayton's eyes on her, her chin went into the air. Her look dared him to laugh, but she need not have worried. Clayton was not cold or aloof to Jackie, nor did he dare show any pity, but where she was concerned, all teasing was gone.
----

6
    Early the next morning Kevin and Clayton said goodbye to Elaine and Milly and rode out together. Though they were not going to the same mine, they were headed in the same direction for several miles. They left town in silence, but it wasn't long before they started to share. Clayton spoke of the way Jackie had responded in the barn, and his father was sympathetic.
    "She really thought I would enjoy seeing her hurt, Dad. I can't tell you how much that bothered me."
    "She seems rather sensitive," Kevin commented. "She hides behind a lovely face and a nonchalant manner, but I sense that she could be hurt quite easily."
    "I wouldn't have agreed with you before last night, but I think you must be right. Do you suppose people have used her?"
    "What do you mean?"
    "I mean, gotten to know her just because she's pretty and then hurt her in some way?"
    "It's hard to say."
    "It's strange," Clayton went on. "She acts so spoiled, but I don't think Morgan spoils any of his girls."
    Kevin had to think on this for a moment. Finally he replied, "I know what you're saying, Clay, but Morgan does something worse—he's led Jackie to believe that she should look out for herself and no one else. I know Morgan is a good family man, and I can see that he cares, but his main concern seems to be himself."
    Clayton nodded. His father had put his finger on the very thing that had eluded him. Morgan gave the appearance of being a righteous man, but Clayton could see that something was missing. He prayed for Morgan Fontaine right then, asking God to show him the way of true righteousness found in Christ alone.
    "How long will you be out?" Kevin suddenly asked.
    "I really should be gone for about a month, but I'll be coming back next weekend to meet a friend of Eddies."
    "A man friend?"
    Clayton smiled. "Yes. Someone she's quite taken with."
    Kevin frowned.
    "What did I say?"
    "Nothing, except watching the two of you over dinner last night, I thought maybe..."
    Clayton was already shaking his head. "Eddie is just a friend, and besides, she was in love with Robert Langley before we even met."
    "Well, he's a blessed man. She's a very special young lady."
    "That she is."
    "Of course, maybe you were thinking she would make a nice sister-in-law."
    The younger man didn't feign ignorance. "Jackie is still very young. '
    "But young ladies grow up."
    "Be that as it may, I've got a teaching career to pursue."
    "Oh, speaking of which," Kevin now reached into his breast pocket, "I've a letter here from your grandmother."
    "How is she doing?"
    "Well."
    "Does she speak of Denver?"
    "Yes. She says its hot, but she still managed to gather the information I