Read Bran (Prairie Grooms, Book Six) for Free Online Page B

things, but like you, I'm not very good at it. But I suppose it doesn't matter anyway.”
    “Don't worry, you'll learn right along with the rest of us no matter where you're living. You at least have Colin and Harrison to practice on before you get married.”
    Apple took the coffee from her and said nothing. How was she going to explain to her sister that she could never marry? Or that doing so would invoke the curse upon her intended just as it had already done so with Mr. Jamieson and Deputy O'Hare?
    “Apple? What's wrong?”
    Apple shook herself out of her stupor. Was Deputy O’Hare the man she was meant to be with? Was that why he almost died? What other explanation was there? And if that were the case, then what if he tried to court her? Oh no! She couldn't allow him to do that! He'd be a dead man for sure!
    “Apple! What is wrong with you?” asked Fina with concern. “You look like you're going to be sick.”
    Apple felt pale and probably looked so too. “I'll be fine. I just need to sit down and drink this,” she said weakly. She took the cup, returned to the bed and sat. “Don't worry, I'll be all right. You go down and start the bread. I'll join you in a moment.”
    “Take all the time you need, I understand. In fact, if you want, you can stay up here all day. Levi won't mind either, I'm sure he understands what you've been through.”
    Apple smiled and held the cup of coffee with both hands. Though the warmth felt good and she welcomed it, it wasn't enough to chase away the cold, dark feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Thank you, but I’ll come down in a little while.”
    Fina smiled, nodded, then left, closing the door behind her. Apple took a sip of coffee and sighed. She then sat on the bed for the next hour and tried to imagine her life avoiding every man that came to call. How on earth was she going to convince everyone she'd be better off a spinster? “I’ll just tell everyone that I shall never marry. Of course, why didn’t I think of that before?”
    Happy there was such a simple solution to her problem, Apple finished her coffee, fixed her hair, and went downstairs to help her sister bake the bread.
     
    * * *
     
    The morning wore on, and after two failed attempts at bread baking and one success, the women had had enough, and went on to prepare lunch. “This isn't bad,” said Fina as she popped the last piece of half-burnt bread in her mouth.
    “Especially when it's got some butter and jam on it,” added Apple.
    “I think I'm going to get the hang of this,” said Fina as she chewed.
    “Me too,” added Apple with a smile. “I can have all the bread I want and won't have to wash it down with a gallon of water or milk.”
    “I'm sure your husband will be happy. By the time you get married, you'll be able to make all sorts of things, and he won't have to suffer a one of them.”
    Apple stiffened in her chair and forced a smile. Should she tell her sister now, or wait?
    She didn't get the chance to say anything, as Levi came into the house, a basket of eggs in his hand. He set it on the table and smiled at them. “What's for lunch beautiful?”
    “We were just about to fix something,” said Fina. “Did you have anything in mind?”
    He looked at the basket of eggs on the table. “Well… it depends on the bread making. Was it a success?”
    She pointed to the two disastrous looking black loaves, and one semi-burnt one. “You be the judge.”
    He picked up the semi-burnt one. “Fried egg sandwiches it is then! Success is yours!” He exclaimed and waved one hand in the air. He set the loaf back down. “Does it taste okay?”
    “Yes,” Fina assured him. “We both had a slice. You thought it was okay, didn't you Apple?”
    Apple nodded. “Quite so, it was very good, even if it was a little burnt.”
    “Perfect!” Levi said with a smile. “I shall leave lunch in your capable hands, wife. I've still got a couple more chores to do, but they'll only take a minute.” With that