My Forever Love
Page 33
She flapped a dismissive hand at him. “I plan to spend the day right here, Mr. Grayson, so you may as well go about your business or wherever you’re needed today.”
Her ashen complexion confirmed the fact that she wasn’t fit for travel and that he would be stuck with her another night. “I’ll check on you before I head to the mill.”
“Do what you will,” she whispered, sounding so miserable that his concern overrode his exasperation.
Hal shook his head and set about airing the house. He stumbled over dirty clothing and stepped around misplaced furniture, fully viewing the extent of his mess as Miss Mitchell must surely see the place. For an instant he wished she could have viewed the small home the day he and John purchased it. The pianoforte and some pieces of furniture had been left behind. Hal and John had needed everything and had gratefully accepted the items from the Fiske family.
Neither John nor Hal could play the pianoforte, but Hal’s desire to keep the beautiful instrument had provided fuel for John’s endless heckling. He’d wanted to know if Hal would be taking up lessons or if he planned to find himself a lady who could play for him. Hal had cuffed John, which started a round of good natured tussling until they knocked a lantern off the parlor table. They laughed and shrugged off the loss of the glass lamp globe and went about their day. That’s how things went between them. They heckled one another. They tussled and laughed and worked themselves weary, but all the while they’d been happy.
Now there was nothing but misery in the house — and a woman Hal deeply regretted bringing her home. What promise had his misguided action planted in her mind? He didn’t want to imagine what she was thinking.
Already she was laying claim to his home as if it were her own.
She was smoking up his kitchen, lying in his brother’s bed, and playing his pianoforte.
Hearing the melancholy songs drifting from the open windows last evening was bittersweet. In the middle of the night, the distant sounds of her playing woke him, and he wondered if those long lonely chords were a reflection of her emotions. What trouble had driven her from Buffalo and made her determined not to return? He’d seen fear and anxiety in her eyes when he’d informed her at the depot of his intent to send her back. Curiosity had driven him to linger and allow her to miss the returning train. In his defense, because of his brother’s promise, he’d felt an honest need to do right by her.
Sighing in exasperation — with himself — Hal turned away from the window where he’d been woolgathering. He returned to the bedchamber and cast a final look upon the pallid face of the woman lying on John’s bed... in Hal’s house. With her long lashes dark against her cheek, Miss Mitchell’s gray pallor made her appear more delicate and vulnerable and it caused an upwelling of pity in Hal’s chest. This is exactly why he didn’t want a woman around. They twisted a man up inside and were a dreaded distraction. He stepped out of the room and pulled the door behind him, wanting to leave his troubles behind as easily.
Want to read the rest of ALWAYS AND FOREVER?
Books by Wendy Lindstrom
“SENSUAL” HISTORICAL ROMANCE — * FULL LOVE SCENES
Original Grayson Brothers Series
EBOOK
Shades of Honor*
The Longing*
Lips That Touch Mine*
Kissing in the Dark*
Sleigh of Hope
Leave it for the Rain*
When I Fall in Love*
The Promise in Your Eyes
Coming Soon
Grayson Brothers Series—2 book boxed set*
Grayson Brothers Series—4 book boxed set*
The Deluxe Grayson Brothers—8 Book Boxed Set*
AUDIOBOOK
Shades of Honor*
The Longing*
Lips That Touch Mine*
Kissing in the Dark*
Sleigh of Hope
Leave it for the Rain*
“SWEET” HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Second Chance Brides Series
(The Sweet Editions of Grayson Brothers Series)
Twice Loved
Then Came You
Only You
My Heart’s Desire
A Christmas Promise
My Forever Love
Always and Forever
Chances Are
Coming Soon
Second Chance Brides Boxed Set—2 book boxed set
Second Chance Brides Boxes Set—6 book boxed set
The Deluxe Second Chance Brides—8 Book Boxed Set
**Suggested Reading Order
Subscribe to Wendy’s NEWSLETTER
Exclusive offers and behind-the-scenes scoop at Wendy Lindstrom’s private Rustic Studio.
The one newsletter readers highly anticipate.
“Always entertaining—Not your usual newsletter.”
“I open it the minute it hits my inbox. It’s like having coffee with a friend at Wendy’s beautiful rustic studio.”
Join the ARC GROUP REVIEW TEAM
Get Wendy’s Books (ebook or Audio Book format) Free
About the Author
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Wendy Lindstrom is known for the riveting emotional power of her work. Romantic Times has dubbed her “one of romance’s finest writers,” and readers rave about her enthralling characters and “masterfully crafted” stories. She is the creator of the “original Grayson Brothers” series that begins with RITA award-winner Shades of Honor. This critically acclaimed series is available in ebook, paperback editions, and audiobooks.
Professionally produced in audiobook format, her Grayson Brothers series captivates listeners and is fast becoming an audiobook 5-star favorite. Get the audiobook edition of Shades of Honor. The Grayson Brothers series is also available in audiobooks.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Victorian, Sweet, Historical Romance – American Setting
EBook copyright 2015 Wendy Lindstrom
EBook published by Rustic Studio Publishing
ISBN: 9781939263209
Cover design by The Killion Group, Inc.
EBook design by Rustic Studio Publishing
All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means whatsoever without written permission from the author.
Even with many layers of editing, mistakes can slip through. If you encounter typos or errors in this book, please send them to Wendy Lindstrom at http://www.wendylindstrom.com/contact/.