Free Unspoken Love by Lynn Gale - Unspoken Love Page A
Authors: Lynn Gale - Unspoken Love
Nicholas. . . .
Davy rode up and handed her a letter from Aunt Thelma. Jenny gasped as she read the news and planned a trip to town the following day.
Chapter 6
At dawn, Jenny awoke and took care of her ablution. Hastily, to take away the chill, she stepped into a tan skirt with a buff-colored bodice trimmed in a blue braid. Brushing her locks, she swept her hair back and tied it with a mauve ribbon, then slipped on her boots and went downstairs to the kitchen. Donning an apron, she fixed breakfast, then set the table for her and Nicholas.
Seconds later Nicholas entered the room. Her gaze swept over his brawny stature and handsome face.
He sat down to hot buttered biscuits, poached eggs, and sliced ham. “Good morning, Jenny.” His pleasant demeanor changed to one of surprise as she came around the table and poured coffee into his cup. “You are dressed for riding.”
“Yes,” she replied, her mind preoccupied with troubling news that she’d received yesterday. He continued to gaze at her with a questioning look. “I’m leaving for Greenville this morning. Aunt Thelma sent word that the Butlers’ home burned down, and I want to extend my sympathy. The Butlers are staying with relatives over the gunsmith shop until they can rebuild.”
Nicholas sent her a reproachful glare. “I’m sorry for the Butlers’ misfortune, but I don’t think you should go riding alone. It’s not safe for a woman.”
Jenny met his gaze. “I’ve been riding to town for years without incident. Besides, I know most of the townsfolk. They’re friendly, and I trust them immensely. Granted, I have a further piece to travel than when I was living with Father, but I’ll be fine.”
Heedless of his viewpoint, she gathered a basket containing fruits, breads, and jams, then defiantly strode to the barn. Throwing caution to the wind, she saddled Daisy and rode out unchaperoned.
As Jenny set out for Greenville, she reflected on her mission. Thankfully, the Butlers were not hurt, but she deeply regretted their loss. The Butlers had taken pride in their small cabin home and compact gardens. Often they helped others in the community. Now it was time to repay them in kind.
Once in Greenville, she stopped at the gunsmiths. Eager to see Mary, she tied Daisy to the hitching post and unstrapped the basket of food. She rapped on the door that led upstairs. While she waited, she gazed down at the sidewalk and saw Old Sam, the Butlers’ family dog, lying on a threadbare blanket. The animal raised his head and looked at her, then wagged his tail in a friendly salute and resumed his position to nap.
Mary peered out the door. Her sad blue eyes warmed with recognition, and she welcomed Jenny into the building. She brushed aside unruly brown hair and smoothed the wrinkles from her calico frock. “Come upstairs to our temporary living quarters,” she invited. She ascended the stairs, her breathing labored. “It’s an effort for me to climb steps with the baby due in two weeks.”
Jenny followed Mary up the steep staircase. When they reached the landing, she passed the basket to her. “There’ll be more food to come,” she promised.
“Thank you. I’m glad to see you Jennifer, please come into the parlor.”
She glanced about the cramped quarters that were remarkably clean considering two families were living under the same roof.
The women sat and sipped tea and talked about the fire. Mary’s face grew pale as she relived the incident. “We were asleep. I suspect hot cinders strayed from the fireplace. The fire spread rapidly. Old Sam alerted us in time, barking to high heaven as flames licked the walls.” She ran her fingers over her throat. “I felt the life being squeezed from me.” She took a deep breath and continued, “We choked on the smoke but miraculously made it out alive.” She twisted the edge of her muslin apron with nervous energy. “Neighbors helped Tom put out the blaze. It’ll be a while before we can move back
Davy rode up and handed her a letter from Aunt Thelma. Jenny gasped as she read the news and planned a trip to town the following day.
Chapter 6
At dawn, Jenny awoke and took care of her ablution. Hastily, to take away the chill, she stepped into a tan skirt with a buff-colored bodice trimmed in a blue braid. Brushing her locks, she swept her hair back and tied it with a mauve ribbon, then slipped on her boots and went downstairs to the kitchen. Donning an apron, she fixed breakfast, then set the table for her and Nicholas.
Seconds later Nicholas entered the room. Her gaze swept over his brawny stature and handsome face.
He sat down to hot buttered biscuits, poached eggs, and sliced ham. “Good morning, Jenny.” His pleasant demeanor changed to one of surprise as she came around the table and poured coffee into his cup. “You are dressed for riding.”
“Yes,” she replied, her mind preoccupied with troubling news that she’d received yesterday. He continued to gaze at her with a questioning look. “I’m leaving for Greenville this morning. Aunt Thelma sent word that the Butlers’ home burned down, and I want to extend my sympathy. The Butlers are staying with relatives over the gunsmith shop until they can rebuild.”
Nicholas sent her a reproachful glare. “I’m sorry for the Butlers’ misfortune, but I don’t think you should go riding alone. It’s not safe for a woman.”
Jenny met his gaze. “I’ve been riding to town for years without incident. Besides, I know most of the townsfolk. They’re friendly, and I trust them immensely. Granted, I have a further piece to travel than when I was living with Father, but I’ll be fine.”
Heedless of his viewpoint, she gathered a basket containing fruits, breads, and jams, then defiantly strode to the barn. Throwing caution to the wind, she saddled Daisy and rode out unchaperoned.
As Jenny set out for Greenville, she reflected on her mission. Thankfully, the Butlers were not hurt, but she deeply regretted their loss. The Butlers had taken pride in their small cabin home and compact gardens. Often they helped others in the community. Now it was time to repay them in kind.
Once in Greenville, she stopped at the gunsmiths. Eager to see Mary, she tied Daisy to the hitching post and unstrapped the basket of food. She rapped on the door that led upstairs. While she waited, she gazed down at the sidewalk and saw Old Sam, the Butlers’ family dog, lying on a threadbare blanket. The animal raised his head and looked at her, then wagged his tail in a friendly salute and resumed his position to nap.
Mary peered out the door. Her sad blue eyes warmed with recognition, and she welcomed Jenny into the building. She brushed aside unruly brown hair and smoothed the wrinkles from her calico frock. “Come upstairs to our temporary living quarters,” she invited. She ascended the stairs, her breathing labored. “It’s an effort for me to climb steps with the baby due in two weeks.”
Jenny followed Mary up the steep staircase. When they reached the landing, she passed the basket to her. “There’ll be more food to come,” she promised.
“Thank you. I’m glad to see you Jennifer, please come into the parlor.”
She glanced about the cramped quarters that were remarkably clean considering two families were living under the same roof.
The women sat and sipped tea and talked about the fire. Mary’s face grew pale as she relived the incident. “We were asleep. I suspect hot cinders strayed from the fireplace. The fire spread rapidly. Old Sam alerted us in time, barking to high heaven as flames licked the walls.” She ran her fingers over her throat. “I felt the life being squeezed from me.” She took a deep breath and continued, “We choked on the smoke but miraculously made it out alive.” She twisted the edge of her muslin apron with nervous energy. “Neighbors helped Tom put out the blaze. It’ll be a while before we can move back