Free Marry Me by Kristin Wallace Page B

find Seth so he can pray before we eat?”
    Seth was summarily fetched, prayer commenced, and serving began. As the kitchen started to empty out, Julia stepped up to the line to fill her plate.
    â€œHi.”
    Julia looked over her shoulder. Another delicate-looking blonde was standing behind her. Was no one over 5’2” in this town? And where had they put the dark-haired people? Aside from Seth, she hadn’t seen more than a handful since she’d arrived. This particular dainty blonde looked like she’d stepped out of a 50s-inspired window display. She was wearing a pink, flowery dress, complete with a little, white collar, and matching, three-inch pink pumps. Her honey-blond hair fell in soft waves to her shoulders.
    â€œYou’re Julia,” the woman said.
    â€œHow’d you guess?”
    The young woman didn’t answer. Instead, her eyes drifted down and then back up. Julia had the odd feeling the strange woman was cataloging every detail. When the inspection was over Julia was quite certain she’d come up wanting, and this somehow pleased the newcomer.
    â€œSo, you’re the long-lost daughter.”
    This was the strangest conversation Julia had ever had. “Long-lost stepdaughter if you want to get technical about it. Who are you?”
    â€œOh, I do declare,” she said, oozing sugar out of her pores. “I am bein’ so rude. I’m Amy Vining.”
    Julia didn’t know people actually said “I do declare” anymore.
    â€œWhen I heard you were livin’ here, I got a touch jealous,” Amy said.
    â€œJealous? Of what?”
    Amy leaned in closer as if she was about to impart a state secret. “The truth is, I’ve had my eye on a certain preacher since I was a little girl.”
    â€œYou mean Seth?”
    Amy nodded, and her expression turned dreamy. Good grief, Julia hoped she didn’t turn into such a sop when she saw Seth in a pair of jeans.
    Hey, weren’t you going to stop thinking about him?
    â€œI know he loved his wife very much, but a man still needs a companion,” Amy said. “When I heard you were going to be living with Grace, I did worry. After all, you’re not his sister, and I had heard several people remark on how stunning you are.”
    â€œI can assure you there is nothing going on between Seth and I.”
    And nothing is ever going to go on between us. Right, Julia?
    Amy giggled. “I realized how silly the whole idea was the moment I saw you.”
    Had she just been insulted?
    Apparently, her expression indicated she had because Amy giggled again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. You are beautiful, of course, but Seth’s wife was such a delicate creature. Ethereal and so spiritual. Why, the love of Christ shone all around her.”
    Oh, now Julia understood where this little inquisition was going. “A little bit like you perhaps?”
    Amy bowed her head, making a believable attempt to look modest. “I could only hope to share some of Beth’s finer qualities.”
    I’ve landed in another universe populated by little blonde people who talk in riddles, Julia thought.
    â€œI see you two have met,” a male voice said from behind them.
    It was Seth. Even if Julia hadn’t recognized the voice, Amy’s gushing smile would have been a tip off. It was truly a thing to behold.
    Seth didn’t seem to notice. “I was planning on introducing you two, but I see Amy beat me to it.”
    Amy was still in full gushing mode. “I simply had to come and welcome your… um… Julia.”
    Julia smothered a smile as Amy stumbled over the title. Actually, she couldn’t be faulted there. Julia didn’t even know how to describe her relationship to this family.
    â€œIt’s amazing Julia would be so generous as to come here and help Sarah like this,” Amy continued.
    â€œYes, we’re all grateful,” Seth said,