Read Constance: Bride of Florida (American Mail-Order Bride 27) for Free Online Page B

been with her for over an hour.
    Drake bowed his head and sent a prayer to the God he’d ignored for so many years. Mother had to recover, but the way she’d looked at him, beyond him as if she were seeing what they couldn’t, scared him. He’d heard stories of others who had loved ones die and how they talked to those who had passed before. A shudder ran through him.
    The door to her room opened.
    Fear shot Drake to his feet. He wasn’t accustomed to the feeling and didn’t like it. His heart hammered in his chest as he looked at Doc’s somber face and rushed into the hall to stand next to his father.
    “How is she?” He blurted out the words before anyone.
    Father put a hand on his shoulder. “Let Dr. Andrews take a breath.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that despite Father’s words, he was just as anxious for the answer.
    Doc pointed into the parlor where Edgar and Edwin still sat. “Let’s all sit down and I’ll explain my findings.”
    Relief poured into Drake. She wasn’t dead. There was still hope. Despite the jolt of relief, he followed his father and doctor as if he were going to a funeral.
    After they’d all sat down, Dr. Andrews rubbed his face and looked at them with tired eyes. “Martha is hanging on by a thread. Her heart is weak. I believe she’s suffered an attack to the heart muscle. In time, she may heal, but she will need to take it easy. Be waited on.” He pulled a pad from his pocket, scribbled on it, and handed it to Father. “Here’s the name of a good caretaker. She’s skilled in matters of the heart. She can keep Martha comfortable and perform household chores. I strongly suggest you hire her at once.”
    Father stood and took the paper from him. “Anything. I’ll do anything for her.” His voice choked on the last words. He walked to the window and faced the outside.
    Reality slammed into Drake’s chest. He’d never faced losing anyone before. Never faced the idea that he could care for someone so deeply and yet, they could be taken from him. The thought shook him.
    He questioned his heart. Seeing his father, a man that seemed unshakable, be so distraught made Drake doubt himself. Could he care about a woman in the same way?
    Sure, he worried about Mother. He couldn’t bear to think of losing her. But she was his mother. Could he care so deeply about another woman? He’d ordered a wife on a whim.
    Seeing Father so broken sent an arrow of regret to Drake’s own heart. He’d only thought of himself and being able to get his inheritance to be free from the store. He’d not considered the feelings of Constance Penny.
    Indeed, he’d booked her passage on an old sailing vessel. She must have been desperate because she’d not complained or asked for more money to come by train. He stared out the window. Clouds had formed. A storm was coming.
    Thinking past himself, he silently prayed the Lord watch out for Constance Penny. God help him, he’d been so callous. In fact, his entire life he’d only been out for himself. He tolerated his brothers. Obeyed his parents when necessary. Treated the girls in Apalachicola as unworthy of his affections.
    He gazed at his brothers. Both sat with their heads down, elbows on knees and hands clasped. One might think they were twins. So alike. So different from him. Even in coloration, they looked more like father.
    Seeing the Doctor standing by the fireplace, Drake rose and went to him. “Is there anything we can get her? A specialist? Medicine?”
    Dr. Andrews looked long and tenderly at him. “Love her. Our Lord said, ‘Love never fails.’ I find it to be the best medicine. Love her, Drake.” He pointed toward Father. “And love him and your brothers, too.”
    Though his words could have been taken as a rebuke, Drake knew the doctor was as concerned for him as the others. “I will.”
    Doc patted him on the shoulder. “Good. You’ve turned into a fine young man, Drake. Your mother cares deeply about you. She said