The Marriage Barter. Christine Johnson
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Название: The Marriage Barter

Автор: Christine Johnson

Издательство: HarperCollins

Жанр: Исторические любовные романы

Серия:

isbn: 9781472014221

isbn:

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      Wyatt had no idea what that interest might be, nor did he want to know. A tracker did not get personally involved in others’ lives. “Glad to hear it.”

      He hoped their conversation was over, but the sheriff showed no sign of leaving. “Thought you might give up.”

      “I never give up.”

      “That’s what I heard.”

      Ordinarily, that would be a compliment, but Wright said it like he was condemning Wyatt for being inflexible.

      “You of all people must understand the law can’t be broken.”

      The sheriff had a casual manner about him that belied his true intensity. “It can be changed, though.”

      “Too late for that.” Wyatt was getting tired of this conversation. He wished Wright would either get to the point or leave him alone. He cinched the saddle. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone.”

      “Now, that’s going to be tough, isn’t it? Take Widow Miller, for one.”

      “Mrs. Miller?” Wyatt’s hands stilled as the pretty woman’s face floated into his head. Something about her drew him like iron to a magnet. “I said the orphans already taken could stay.”

      “But she’s a widow now, and only married couples can take in an orphan. Sounds to me like you’ll be taking Sasha with you.”

      Wyatt stiffened. Sasha was the whole reason he’d agreed to let the already-placed orphans stay. He couldn’t rip the little girl from Charlotte’s arms. Never in a million years. He couldn’t take Sasha, who had trusted him wholly, to Greenville to be given to another family, end up in Baxter’s orphanage or go back to New York. The whole idea made him sick.

      The sheriff drove his point home. “How’s that going to feel, knowing you took a four-year-old girl from her loving mother?”

      Wyatt steeled himself. Get in, do the job and get out. No emotional attachments. He couldn’t afford them if he was ever going to get to San Francisco. “That’s not my problem. I’m just upholding the law, the same as you.”

      The sheriff grunted. “Guess that’s one way of looking at it.”

      “Do you have another way?” Wyatt snapped.

      “Like I said, only married couples can take in orphans.”

      Wyatt didn’t miss the emphasis on married. The man must be out of his mind. “What do you expect me to do about that?”

      Wright tapped his fingers on the stall door. “I wouldn’t know.”

      “Neither would I.”

      Still, Wright didn’t leave. “You could help the other families. If those kids have to go to Greenville, there’ll be more broken hearts.”

      “That’s not my problem, Sheriff. I’m here to do a job. Nothing more, nothing less.”

      “Too bad.” The sheriff paused before backing away. “Just want you to know that I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Reed.”

      Now, that sounded like a warning.

      Chapter Five

      As soon as Charlotte heard the bell signaling the end of the school day, she hurried to the schoolhouse, Sasha in hand. The exertion and the sun beating down on her black dress made her perspire terribly, but she had to see if Holly had any ideas.

      Students hurried away, some to chores and others to play together. Two girls skipped on a hopscotch board drawn in the dirt. Sasha looked longingly in their direction, but the older girls probably wouldn’t welcome the company. Charlotte hurried her up the steps and opened the door.

      Holly, Rebecca and Heidi, the last orphan girl still unplaced, were washing slates while Patrick and Tommy, two of the remaining orphan boys, whined to go outside. Liam paced behind Holly, clearly trying to get her permission to do something. Charlotte halted. She’d forgotten that the orphans and Rebecca stayed in the schoolhouse and would be there after school.

      The orphan agent looked up at Charlotte and Sasha, who begged to join Heidi.

      “Charlotte.” Her eyes instantly averted and her cheeks flushed.

      Charlotte had the distinct impression she’d interrupted something, but Holly motioned her to come in.

      “I hoped we might talk,” Charlotte said to Holly, then glanced at Rebecca. The woman took the hint with grace.

      “Very well, boys. The rest of your chores can wait. We’ll go outside for a little while.”

      The boys whooped their approval and scrambled out of the schoolhouse in record time.

      Rebecca smiled at their exuberance. “Sasha may join us, if you approve.”

      Charlotte let her daughter run to Heidi. Bless Sasha for her eagerness to play with the disfigured girl that most people avoided. To four-year-old eyes, Heidi Strauss was simply a friend. The burn scars on her face from the fire that killed her parents were no more unusual than different-colored eyes or hair.

      Rebecca rose but before taking the girls outside, thanked Holly. “It’s an honor. Truly.”

      As she passed, Charlotte saw that flush in her cheeks again. What had Holly done that both embarrassed and honored Rebecca?

      She didn’t have a chance to ask, for Holly, who looked a bit anxious, brought her straight to the task at hand. “What will you do?”

      Charlotte sank into the chair Rebecca had vacated. “I was hoping you would have an idea.”

      Holly dipped her rag into a bucket of water and then wrung it. “I usually have the students wipe the slates,” Holly said, “but they’re restless with spring in the air. It happens every year around this time. They can’t sit still for a moment.”

      Charlotte picked up Rebecca’s rag and swiped one of the slates. “Two pairs of hands make for light work.” Only that made her think of how she’d soon have only one set of hands in her house if she couldn’t find a husband. “Oh, Holly, I don’t know what to do. Every bachelor in town avoids me like poison ivy.”

      Holly chuckled. “They’re just a bit skittish.”

      “Skittish? They’re terrified. But I only have tomorrow and Sunday, and I’d have to do the asking.” Charlotte’s hand paused midswipe. “How does a woman ask a man to marry her? What man would agree to such a thing?”

      “I don’t know.” Holly shrugged. “You can only try.”

      “But who would I ask? I’ve tried to think of someone, anyone, and I come up empty.”

      Holly scrunched her face, deep in thought. “There’s Giles DeGraw.”

      “You should have seen him run away the moment he saw me looking at him.”

      Holly СКАЧАТЬ