Read To Love and to Cherish for Free Online Page A

out his hand to help her down. “You shouldn’t have come alone. There’s still danger from Indians.”
    â€œI didn’t want company. I have business to conduct with you alone.”
    Jared couldn’t imagine what business she could have with him, but he’d have listened to the most outrageous proposal just to sit and look at her. It was pathetic, it wasn’t good for him physically or emotionally, but nothing could have caused him to tell her to get back in the buggy and go home.
    â€œI’m surprised. You know nothing about me.”
    â€œMy cousin, Naomi Blaine, spoke well of you. I trust her judgment.”
    â€œYou’d better come inside and get warm.”
    A weak winter sun struggled to shed some warmth, but a harsh wind swallowed it. Laurie was wrapped up head to toe in a heavy driving coat. She had wound a thick woolen scarf around her neck, but her hat and veil provided little protection. She had to be chilled to the bone.
    â€œThank you. It was a chilly drive.”
    He didn’t know if she was just being polite, or if she really didn’t mind the cold. After growing up in south Texas, he had suffered during the winters he spent in Virginia. He hoped he’d never see snow again.
    He felt self-conscious about the state of his house as they went inside. The army had taught him to be neat and organized, but two men lived here who didn’t have the time or interest in furnishing their home attractively or in keeping it clean.
    â€œI apologize for inviting you into my office, but it’s the only room with a fire.”
    â€œYou don’t have to apologize. You had no way of knowing I would be coming.”
    Nor any idea why she had. “Can I offer you some coffee? There’s still some in the pot on the stove.”
    â€œNo, thank you, but I would appreciate some water.”
    What did you put water in when you served it to a lady? All he had was an assortment of coffee cups, tin and earthenware. He returned, embarrassed to present her with a cup and saucer. “Sorry, but we don’t have any glasses.”
    She smiled and his knees nearly gave out under him. “I don’t mind. After what we endured on the trip to Santa Fe, I’ll never quibble about what I drink from as long as it’s clean.”
    He couldn’t be absolutely sure the cup was clean, but he thought it best not to mention that.
    She took a long drink before setting her cup down. “Thank you. That’s just what I needed. I still haven’t gotten used to the weather being so dry.”
    â€œYou’re from Kentucky, aren’t you?” That’s what one of the people in her train had told him.
    â€œNearly everyone in Cactus Corner is from the same village, Spencer’s Clearing. It was all we could do to keep Norman from naming our new town Spencer’s Corner.”
    He could believe that. “He’s your brother-in-law?”
    â€œHe was my husband’s brother.”
    He wondered why she’d chosen such an odd way to answer his question. “Your husband must have been well thought of. It looked like everyone in town turned out for his funeral.”
    â€œAs I said, nearly all of us came from the same place. We’ve known each other for years. It would have been odd not to attend the funeral.”
    Again, she’d avoided answering his question.
    â€œDo you mind if I take off my coat? I’m getting rather warm.”
    â€œNot at all. I should have asked you if you wanted me to take it when you came in.”
    â€œI was still cold then.”
    She stood and shrugged out of her coat before he could offer to help her. Next she removed her hat and veil. “Your office is very cozy.”
    The potbellied stove didn’t qualify as cozy in his mind, but maybe she was talking about the warmth and its small size. “I don’t spend a lot of time here, so I don’t need much space.”
    â€œWhat’s