Free The Heart of a Soiled Dove by Sarah Jae Foster Page A

came early. Milking the cow was one of Aurora’s favorite things, Carrie Anne fed and cared for the chickens and Emmy was left with nothing to do but sleep in.
    Maybe she ought to help find her a hobby. Emmy stumbled into the kitchen and poured herself some coffee.
    “I’ll make fresh if you’d like.”
    Emmy took a gulp. “This is fine.”
    “Would you like to do something today?”
    She looked at Aurora sarcastically. “Like what? Race with the chickens?”
    Aurora sighed. “I only meant that we find an interest for you,” she said, treading lightly. “Maybe we could start a project together, sew… or paint?”
    “I don’t know how to do neither.”
    “I could pull a book and we could read.”
    Emmy wrinkled her nose just as Luke popped his head in. “Thought you girls might like to come outside and see this.”
    Ruled by curiosity, they stepped outside. A snowball flew through the air and splattered across the door – missing Aurora by inches.
    “Why you!” she shouted at Roman, then stood in shock as shy little Carrie Anne wadded up another snowball and threw it at Emmy.
    “That’s it! This is war.” Emmy scooped up some snow and took aim at Carrie Anne, who screamed and ran behind her husband, who promptly moved out of the way. “You’re on your own my sweet.”
    Aurora looked at Luke who’d bent to retrieve some snow. She booted him in the behind and heard his swearing as she slammed the door. Safe inside, she made for the back door where Luke met her, prepared with an arsenal of snowballs. He chased her until she cried, “I give up!”
    “Oh, no you don’t!” he hollered.
    She fell in the snow and he landed next to her, wholeheartedly rubbing her face with the icy white powder. She spit out a mouthful. “Luke Rigby, I’ll dock your wages.”
    He got up and shook snow from his pants. “Dock whatever you want. It was worth it.”
    He laughed before helping her up. “Truce?”
    She took in his ruddy face and capitulated. “Truce. Now help me make some hot cider for everyone.”
    “Seems to me that’s women’s work.” That tended to be his favorite saying, but still, she burned him with a look that could melt the snow right off of him.
    He surrendered. “Alright, alright. I’ll help ya.”
    Together they turned around to find Donovan standing right there. It was clear by the look on his face that he did not share in their frolicking.
    “Where’s Roman?” he addressed Luke.
    “Check his cabin?”
    “Of course I did.”
    They heard someone scream then bellow with laughter. Luke cringed. “Check over yonder… better yet, I’ll do it.” And he left Aurora all alone with the incorrigible man raking his gaze over her. She straightened herself and wished she wasn’t heated with embarrassment. “A snowball fight,” she explained lamely.
    He cocked an eyebrow with disapproval and, as expected, presented her with his backside walking away.
    As tempted as she was to knock some politeness into him with a snowball to the back of the head, she did not dare. And unfortunately, with the brief look she saw in his heated brown eyes, she noticed what Emmy always did, just how handsome Donovan Ramsey really was, scowl or no scowl.

    The lunch meal was quiet and thoughtful while everyone slurped down chicken and vegetable soup with Carrie Anne’s homemade dumplings floating around the top. Carrie Anne called it Southern. The dish was new to Aurora and she liked it very much.
    Luke pushed his empty bowl to the middle of the table. “I have a checker board if anyone’s interested.”
    Emmy’s face lit up and, although Aurora wanted to play, she stayed mute. It seemed it was Luke’s intent to have Aurora as a companion and she didn’t want to entertain him that way.
    “I would love to,” Emmy said.
    Carrie Anne began clearing dishes. Roman stopped Aurora from helping by placing his hand over hers. “I need to talk to you.”
    Alarmed, she sat back down. “Is there a problem?”
    “I