Finally a Bride. Renee Ryan

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      Chapter Two

      Molly had nearly reached the end of her endurance, and it was all because Garrett still grasped her hand in his. On the surface, the gesture was a common courtesy between two acquaintances. With the benefit of her glove as a barrier there should be nothing to cause her alarm. But this was the first time in seven years he’d taken her hand without hesitation.

      She liked the unexpected familiarity of the gesture, liked it far too much.

      Blinking hard, she struggled to maintain her composure. But his touch felt so good, so right. Time seemed to slow, past overlaying present. And, still, Garrett held on to her.

      He moved a step closer and her mind grasped one lone thought. This was Garrett, the boy who used to put her at ease when no one else could. The one who had comforted her, treasured her. Loved her.

      She’d once believed that God had brought them together at the perfect time, and that the Lord’s hand had been guiding them toward a common future all along.

      She’d been terribly wrong. Their chance to be a couple had come and gone a long time ago.

      So why wouldn’t Garrett release her?

      And why wasn’t she insisting he let her go?

      Surely Mrs. Singletary would say something to him, to Molly, anything to put a halt to this endless, endless moment. But Mrs. Singletary had already moved into the hallway and was speaking to someone in hushed tones.

      Molly searched for words to fill the void, but nothing came to mind. They hadn’t spoken directly to one another in years, at least not in more than monosyllabic responses. All she could do now was force herself to breathe. Even that simple task proved nearly impossible.

      At last, he let go of her hand and stepped back. His golden eyes swept over her, his features unreadable. Nevertheless, she found herself staring at him longer than necessary. The embroidered waistcoat he wore highlighted the unusual color of his eyes. Mitchell eyes. A warm blend of bronze, amber and gold.

      Molly gritted her teeth. “Garrett...I...that is...”

      His glance flicked to a spot over her shoulder. “Hello, Fanny.”

      His sister was here? Relief nearly buckled her knees.

      “Hello, Garrett.” A soft feminine voice returned his greeting, followed by a short pause. “Molly? Is that you?”

      Desperate to put more distance between herself and Garrett, Molly spun around to face her friend. But she moved too fast and her legs tangled beneath her. She swayed backward.

      Garrett’s hands clasped her shoulders from behind. “Easy now,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ve got you.”

      His low voice steadied her. She closed her eyes a moment, only a moment, and reveled in the safe feeling that washed through her. I’ve got you.

      Did he know how bittersweet those words sounded?

      “Molly? Are you unwell?” Fanny asked. “You’ve gone quite pale.”

      The concern in her friend’s voice had her quickly opening her eyes. “I’m perfectly fine.”

      She stepped forward, away from Garrett, away from the burst of memories and wave of hope, and countless other emotions she couldn’t seem to control whenever she was in his presence. “I merely lost my balance for a moment.”

      Fanny tilted her head at a curious angle. “Well, then, it was fortunate Garrett was here to catch you.”

      Was it? Molly made a noncommittal sound in her throat, wondering why he was suddenly right where she needed him when he’d been so determined to avoid her before today.

      As if to confuse her all the more, Garrett gave an equally dispassionate response to his sister’s comment.

      Eyes widening, as if she suddenly realized the oddity of the two of them in each other’s company, Fanny looked from one to the other and back again. Her gaze filled with unasked questions.

      Molly gave a quick shake of her head, willing her friend to keep her thoughts—and questions—to herself. At least until they were alone. Of all Garrett’s family, Fanny was the only one who knew how heartbroken Molly had been over his decision to leave her behind when he’d gone away to school.

      “Did you need something from me?” Garrett asked his sister with the sort of gentle impatience only a devoted brother could pull off without offense.

      “No. I’m here to see Reese—” she swallowed, broke eye contact, sighed heavily “—but Mrs. Singletary asked for a brief word with him.”

      She scowled at her brother, as if sensing he was the cause for the interruption.

      He merely smiled at her, which seemed to annoy Fanny all the more. “Don’t you have contracts to review, ledgers to balance, or some such work that requires your immediate attention?”

      That earned her a dry chuckle. “I do.”

      “Then I suggest you get back to it,” Fanny snapped, her tone unusually curt.

      Garrett dipped his head at a curious angle, his only reaction, but a telling one from a man who never showed his inner thoughts to the world. It was obvious to Molly he was concerned about his sister. She was concerned about Fanny, too. Her friend seemed troubled about something.

      As if sensing Molly was the best one to address the situation, Garrett СКАЧАТЬ