Free The Bridal Swap by Karen Kirst Page A

however.
    Maybe that’s why Josh hadn’t come. How difficult it would be for him to face these people—his friends and acquaintances—and admit he’d been cast off! Father, please comfort him. Ease his hurt and disappointment.
    At last, the service began. With Mrs. Monroe at the piano, the reverend led the congregation in two familiar hymns. Its beauty was in its simplicity. Her spirit soared at the sound of the pure worship, voices lifted in praise to God.
    When everyone was seated and the reverend opened his Bible, Kate sat unmoving, absorbing his every word.
    Sitting in the very last row, two steps from the door, Josh couldn’t tear his gaze from Kate. He studied the sweet curve of her cheek, the pink tip of her ear, the slender slope of her neck.
    He should be listening to the sermon, he knew, but her rapt expression—the vulnerability and wonder he saw there—captivated him. She’d indicated faith in God, so why did she look as if this was the very first time she’d heard God’s Word preached?
    He tried to turn his attention to the reverend and failed. His conscience troubled him. He’d been callous and rude, and he was never rude. He prided himself on being a gentleman, yet look at how he’d treated Kate from the very moment he set eyes on her.
    The fact was she scared the daylights out of him. Here he was supposed to be nursing a broken heart and instead he found himself intrigued by his former fiancée’s little sister.
    His instinct told him to steer clear of her. But he didn’t want to hurt her. And avoiding her would not go unnoticed, not by her and certainly not by his family.
    Remember, she won’t be here forever.
    Fall was a busy season on the farm, anyway. Hog killings, apple peelings, corn shuckings. When he wasn’t helping his father and brothers, he’d be in his workshop, making furniture. The time would pass quickly.
    Before he knew it, everyone was standing for the closing prayer. He’d missed the entire message because his mind had been filled with thoughts of her. Not good.
    Wanting to skip the inevitable questions and looks of pity from the congregation, Josh ducked out the door and headed home ahead of his family. He waited for Kate in the shade of her front porch.
    She hesitated when she saw him. What was she thinking?
    “Hi.” He stayed where he was, waiting for her to come to him. His parents and brothers waved but continued toward the house.
    “Hello.”
    Kate appeared every inch the sophisticated heiress.
    She was meticulously dressed, as usual, in a light brown linen suit with cutouts and dark cocoa piping on the sleeves. Her gloves and bonnet were also dark brown. With the help of his mother, she’d styled her hair differently today—the top half caught up in ribbons while the mass of dark waves tumbled about her shoulders. Sunlight glinted in the strands with each movement of her head.
    “What did you think of the service?” Arms folded, he leaned back against the railing.
    She climbed the three steps and stopped, her hands folded primly at her waist. “I’ve never heard anything like it.”
    That surprised him. “Francesca said your family attends church every Sunday.”
    “That’s true. Our pastor’s sermons are mostly about helping the less fortunate. Not once have I left there feeling as I do now, convicted yet encouraged.”
    Interesting. “Your sister didn’t care to discuss her faith. I realize it’s a private topic for some people, but now I’m wondering if she didn’t have a foundation to draw from.”
    “A couple of years ago, a friend of mine walked me through the Scriptures, showing me how to become a follower of Jesus Christ. I shared this with both my parents and Francesca.” She bowed her head, her fingers now clamped tight. “They weren’t interested.”
    A slow hiss escaped his lips. “I’m sorry.”
    And he was. Sorry for them, because they were missing out on a precious relationship with the God of the universe. Sorry for Kate. He,