Read Letter Perfect ( Book #1) for Free Online

written as the address, so it was delivered to us. Alan Caldwell took ill two years ago.” He paused meaningfully, hoping that momentary silence would warn her of what he’d say next. “He didn’t pull through.” When she didn’t react, he figured maybe he’d been too roundabout with his technique. “I’m sorry, miss. Your pa’s not with us anymore.”
    He fully expected her hiccups to cease and tears to begin. The hiccups got louder. The woman pressed herself against the wall, and with every jarring hiccup, her left elbow hit the shutters and made them rattle a clattering accompaniment. She tore her gaze away as pain streaked across her pretty features.
    “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    “He sent Mama away.” She kept whacking herself as she fluttered the fan in agitation. Anguish darkened her eyes and tainted her whisper. “He’s just going through this ruse to get rid of me, isn’t he? You said so yourself—out by the stage, you said I wasn’t supposed to come.”
    Joshua took the fan away before she beat herself black and blue with it. “Sip the water, Miss Caldwell.”
    She looked down and tilted her head to the side. Another hiccup cut short her sigh of despair. In her shock, the poor woman had managed to tip her hand and spill the water down her skirts.
    “It’s all right,” he soothed. He pried the glass from her, set it next to her fan on Maltby’s desk, and cupped her shoulders. The way the sweet little thing was shuddering beneath his hands let him know his words were starting to sink in. A strange wave of tenderness and protection washed over him. “Here. You’d better sit down for a spell.” It took no effort at all to pivot her slight frame and nudge her into the chair.
    She fussed with the wet spot. “I’ll have to change before I go out to the ranch. I cannot meet him looking like this.”
    Joshua slid his tanned hand beneath her soft, pale chin and tilted her face up to his. He’d never felt less capable in his life. Still, no one else was around, and it fell to him to see her through and get her back to her mama. Her dying mama. That made it all the more urgent. Surely this young woman couldn’t know the extent of her mother’s condition, else she wouldn’t have made this trip. In Alan’s memory and honor, he’d take on the responsibility of turning her around and sending her back.
    “Miss Caldwell, that little dab of water doesn’t matter. What, with the heat like it is, that spot’ll dry up in a few minutes. But Alan’s gone… . I give you my word; he died. No father would ever deny or disown a daughter.”
    “Yes, he would,” she said thickly. She shied away from his touch, so he eased back, then walked to the other side of the small office. A lengthy silence ensued, interrupted by a string of hic-her-heart-off-its-hinges hiccups. “He sent Mama away, and she was pretty and poised; now he doesn’t even want to meet me, and I know it’s my fault. Please don’t feel obligated to put up pretenses.”
    Joshua stared at her. Clearly, she’d set her heart on finally meeting her father. Instead of accepting the truth, she was cooking up an explanation that might let her earn the right to meet him later … only there’d never be a later. Pity welled up. She’d said a mouthful. She thought if she were pretty and perfect and poised, she’d earn the right to be a daughter. No girl ought to ever think such a thing. Besides, she was pretty and appealing in her very own unique way.
    His spurs jangled softly as he closed the distance between them. He lifted her gloved hands and squeezed them. “Miss Caldwell, do you believe the Lord loves you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Did you have to be perfect for Him to care about you?”
    “He’s everywhere. I guess He couldn’t run from me, even if He wanted to.” As soon as she’d spoken, she pulled a hand free and clapped it over her mouth. “Oh, I’m sorry. That was a dreadful thing to say. I always say the wrong