Free The Bridal Swap by Karen Kirst

One night of pleasure had cost her not only her virtue, but a future with him.
    Wesley never explained why he left. For months afterward, she’d waited impatiently for correspondence from him. Surely he would apologize for leaving so abruptly, reveal his reasons for abandoning her. She waited in vain.
    She concluded that she must’ve done something wrong. Or disappointed him somehow.
    When her mother questioned her, Kate made the mistake of confiding in her.
    Georgia had railed at her. She had risked the family’s reputation and ruined forever her chances of marrying a decent man. She was damaged goods.
    A sharp rap on the door startled her, and the brush slipped out of her hand and clattered to the floor.
    Her stomach flip-flopped. Was it him? Had he come back to apologize?
    “J-just a minute,” she called, her fingers going to her neck to make sure the buttons of her china-red housecoat were buttoned. She wasn’t dressed to receive visitors, but this wasn’t the estate. There was no one else to open the door.
    Pulling it open, she found Nathan standing on the other side with a tray in his hands.
    “Hi. Josh told me about your dunking.” His smile was gentle. “He fixed a pot of tea and asked me to deliver it.”
    With a grateful smile, she gave him room to enter. Josh had ignored her refusal and sent the tea anyway.
    Nathan set the tray on the table, and the tangy scent of ginger filled the cabin. There was a rose-emblazoned teapot, a matching cup and saucer, honey and a dessert plate bearing four pillowlike cookies. Her mouth watered. What was he doing, sending her sweets?
    “Is there anything else you need?”
    “No.” Kate rested her hands on the top of the chair. “Thanks for bringing this over. Would you like to join me?”
    “I wish I could, but I gotta check on the new calf.”
    She lifted the dessert plate. “Take at least one of these with you.”
    Grinning, he held up his hands. “There’s a dozen or more of those in the kitchen. I’ve already had my fair share.” He started for the door. “See you at supper.”
    When he’d gone, she stared at the table, her gaze caught by the lone cup and saucer. Tears sprang up. It seemed she was destined to always be alone.
    Seated at the end of the pew with Mary on her left, Kate admired the church’s stained-glass windows and ornately carved wooden podium. It was not a large building, by any means, but it was well-maintained and the pews gleamed in the muted, rainbow-colored light.
    “What a lovely church,” Kate murmured.
    Mary sat with her gloved hands folded primly in her lap. “Do you attend services back home?”
    “Yes.” Kate pictured the grand, overstated auditorium and the fashionably dressed men and women who attended the services. The preacher there was nice enough, though she often left feeling dissatisfied. “I’m eager to hear Reverend Monroe.”
    “He’s a good speaker.” She nodded. “I like his practical style. He’s humorous, too.”
    “It was good of him and his wife to take in my driver and Mr. Crandall the other night. I’ll have to personally thank them.”
    “I’ll introduce you after the service.”
    “Thank you.”
    Mary leaned close, her voice hushed. “You didn’t happen to see Joshua this morning, did you? He’s never late.”
    “No, I didn’t.”
    He wasn’t at supper last night. When no one remarked at his absence, she’d assumed he’d informed them of his whereabouts. When he hadn’t shown up for breakfast, Kate got the sinking feeling he was avoiding her. Why his behavior should bother her she hadn’t a clue. So what if Josh O’Malley didn’t like her? She wouldn’t be here forever.
    Glancing over her shoulder, she became aware of several people watching her with interest. Pretending not to notice, she stared straight ahead once more. Of course, the townsfolk would wonder about her. By now everyone must know she was not Josh’s fiancée. She didn’t like being the center of attention,