Read Her Safe Harbor: Prairie Romance (Crawford Family Book 4) for Free Online

Eliza to
tell Mildred I was going out.”
    Her father stared at her. “Is Eliza going to tell Mildred
you’ll be boarding the train for Washington?”
    “Not exactly.”
    “And do you think your mother will not notice if you are
gone for more than one day, perhaps even a month, as you originally planned?”
    “I’m sorry, Father. I’m a coward. I don’t want to listen to
Mother drone on about Jeffrey and about the Morgans’ party,” Jennifer said, and
looked up at him with pleading eyes. “I was hoping you’d tell her.”
    “What did Jeffrey say? He was a bit high-handed that night
at dinner, I thought.”
    Jennifer stood and poured herself a cup of tea. “I have not
told him, either.”
    “You have not told your intended?”
    “He is not my intended,” she said quickly. “I have never
said that I would marry him. He and Mother will not decide this for me. I have
left him a note, though, that will be delivered tomorrow morning.”
    “There is a bank meeting here this morning in my library.
Jeffrey will be one of the members. Will he not see your trunks and cases and
wonder?”
    “My trunks and cases went on yesterday’s train with one of
the groomsmen. I checked with Bellings first, of course.”
    He shook his head and chuckled. “Quite an elaborate scheme,
my dear! Just tell Jeffrey that you have had a change of heart. He is a
gentleman. He will be gracious about it, and I believe your mother exaggerates
when she says that you and Jeffrey are discussed as a betrothed couple in
drawing rooms.”
    Jennifer nearly blurted out her fears but did not. What a
coward I am! she thought. I cannot even tell my father, who loves me
dearly, that I am afraid that Jeffrey would be everything but a gentleman. She
rose and kissed his cheek. “I have written a kind but firm letter to him. And
if I’m gone for some days then it will be easier when we see each other again
at the bank or at a social affair. Some time will have passed and perhaps
meeting him won’t be so awkward.”
    “You believe Jeffrey’s feelings are more engaged than
yours?”
    Jennifer hesitated. “I believe Jeffrey is accustomed to
having his own way.”
    Her father folded his newspaper and touched her hand,
although he did not look at her. “Please tell Jolene that I am happy for her
and the senator. I do not believe business will allow me to come to Washington
for his swearing in but I am thinking of her and him with pride.”
    Her eyes filled with tears. “You should try and come,
father. Jolene has not heard from Julia, but if she and her husband are coming
you would have a chance to see Jillian and meet your other grandchildren, Jacob
and Mary Lou. I am praying that Julia decides to make the trip. I am anxious to
meet her husband and see the children.”
    “We will see how your mother is feeling then,” he said with
resignation. “Although I would like to speak to Julia and her husband again. I
foolishly allowed your mother to convince me to do some things that I’m not
proud of. I would like to apologize in person although I have done it by letter.”
    The door to the dining room opened and Bellings stepped
inside. “The carriage is here for you whenever you are ready, Miss Crawford.
Mr. Crawford? Gentlemen have begun to arrive for your meeting. I have shown
them to the library. Coffee is being served.”
    Jennifer walked arm in arm with her father to the foyer.
Eliza was already in the carriage, and Bellings helped her on with her coat.
Jeffrey arrived just then.
    “My dear. You are a vision of beauty and refinement. How
fortunate I am,” he said as he came forward with a smile, gathering her hands
in his. He noticed her coat. “Where are you off to? I saw your maid in the
carriage. Is there something I could assist you with?”
    Jennifer withdrew her hands and pulled on her gloves. “Not
unless you’d like to shop for hats, and then I will be stopping at the Lending
Library.  I’m also meeting some friends for luncheon at