Yesterday's Bride by Susan Tracy Read Free Book Online Page A

tailored green dress for jeans and a yellow T-shirt. The jeans were old and tight, left over from Leigh's school days, but they were the only ones she had with her so they would have to do. Coming to Raleigh at a moment's notice to attend the funeral, Leigh hadn't brought much in the way of clothes with her. She unpacked the meager wardrobe, hanging the dresses in the closet and putting the small supply of underclothes in a dresser drawer. Maybe she would be able to buy a few necessities in the nearest town.
    Peering into the mirror atop the dresser, Leigh pulled her blond hair tightly back into a high ponytail and grimaced at the reflection that looked back at her. What she did not realize was that the severity of the style suited her, emphasizing her high cheekbones and revealing what her softly swinging shoulder-length tresses often hid, a rounded but very determined chin.
    Leigh spent the time until Jody awoke wandering around the cottage, trying to determine what she could do to make it more habitable. It would serve Jason right if she left everything as it was, but with Jody living here, she would clean the place up. The one room she didn't go into was Jason's. Just the realization that she had to see him every day and go on seeing him made her nervous enough without dwelling on their enforced intimacy in the small cottage. She had loved him, but she had gotten over him. In New York, as time passed, she was able to banish him from her mind. Here, it was going to be much more difficult. One thing she hadn't forgotten was the physical response he had aroused in her, a burning passion she had never since felt for any other man. If he ever touched her again, she promised herself she would scream the house down. Not that there was much likelihood. He had made it crystal clear what he thought of her.
    Leigh's chaotic thoughts were disturbed by a small cry that had her rushing into Jody's room. The child was in the process of climbing over the rails of the crib. Leigh went to give her a hand and led her off to the bathroom.
    Jody seemed to be a reserved, quiet child. Although Leigh admittedly didn't know much about children and what made them tick, she had a lot of common sense and realized she should take things slowly with Jody. She was the stranger, the newcomer in Jody's life, and she would have to be patient until Jody was ready to accept her.
    The rest of the afternoon went well. They took a companionable walk in the woods behind the cottage, stopping frequently to examine budding flowers or to pick up interesting rocks and bits of moss. Jody was more vocal than she had been before and ran about uninhibitedly, especially when a brightly colored butterfly teased her to chase it. On the way back to the cottage she slipped her hand shyly into Leigh's.
    After the walk, Leigh suggested a bath and Jody agreed, albeit reluctantly, and then proceeded to enjoy herself thoroughly. She splashed so much that by the time Leigh lifted her out of the tub, Leigh was half-soaked, the yellow T-shirt clinging to her like a second skin.
    She was enfolding Jody in a big, soft towel when she noticed Jason leaning negligently in the doorway, making the small room seem much smaller.
    "Which one of you had the bath?"
    "Very funny," muttered Leigh, self-conscious in the revealing shirt and tight jeans, aware of how Jason's eyes were moving over her.
    He offered to dress Jody in the pajamas lying ready on a bathroom shelf, and Leigh escaped to the bedroom to change back into the green dress. Its tailored simplicity molded her willowy form, and the almond color was reflected in her eyes, deepening them. She was just brushing out her hair when Jason tapped lightly on the door before walking in.
    He took in the green dress and lifted a mocking eyebrow. "Are you more comfortable now?"
    Leigh was far from comfortable in his disturbing presence. "More presentable, at least," she answered.
    Leisurely he looked her up and down. "Oh, I wouldn't say that,"