Free The Escape by Susannah Calloway Page B

another step, stopping with his face up in Garrett’s. Garrett stumbled back.
    “Betty is my fiancé, and I’ll be back,” Garrett blubbered.
    With that, he tripped down the steps toward the barn.
    “Try comin’ back and see what happens!” Cole’s voice was tight.
    Jude and Lou emerged from the barn door. Jude stormed over to Garrett and grabbed his arm, yanking him back into the barn.
    Cole’s gaze flew to Betty. “That piece of slime is your fiancé ?”
    “No! He’s my husband’s brother. He thinks he owns me!” Betty rushed to explain. “I can’t stomach the man!”
    She took a faltering step toward Cole. “He’s horrid. He’s the reason I left Boston.” She was breathing so heavily that her chest heaved beneath her dress.
    Cole’s shoulders lowered, and he studied Betty as if trying to absorb her revelation. His eyes were hard on hers, and the muscles at his jaw twitched.
    Betty reached out to touch him, but seeing the grim look on his face, her hand fell to her side.
    From the corner of her eye, Betty saw movement and turned to see Garrett stumbling down the road, carrying his bag. Jude and Lou were behind him, watching, and the righteous rage on both their faces was a sight to behold.
    Betty’s eyes followed Garrett. The thought of him walking all the miles into town made a chortle twist up Betty’s throat. It wasn’t funny, not really—it was sad. Pathetic. But the strangled laughter kept coming, and Betty realized, aghast, that she must be in some state of shock.
    “You’re laughing?” Cole questioned her.
    She pressed her hands to her mouth and felt the tears start. Before she knew it, she was sobbing, her shoulders shaking and her nose running. Relief that Garrett was gone roared through her until she could barely stand. She was ready to turn and run into the house when Cole pulled her to his chest. He put his strong arms around her and dropped his chin to her head.
    “It’s okay, now, Betty. He’s gone. He’s gone.” His voice was soft.
    Betty burrowed into his shoulder, unable to stop either the shaking or the tears.
    Cole kissed the top of her head. “Hush, now,” he murmured. “He’s gone. It’s over.”
    Betty pressed her face into him and felt his strength sink into her.
    Cole chuckled. “You done put up a fight, though, didn’t ya?”
    Betty sniffed and drew back from his chest. “I did.”
    “I’m proud of ya.”
    She looked up into his eyes and saw tenderness there. And real affection. What is happening? Does he care for me? At least a little? Her breath rushed out in a sigh, and she fell into his arms once again. Only this time, she put her arms around him and held on tight. His arms encircled her, and the mere touch of his hands sent a warming shiver through her.
    They stood like that, pressed together, for a long moment. A feeling of happiness and rightness soared through Betty. And then her baby kicked. Cole flinched and let her go.
    Betty froze, her eyes on Cole. He stared back.
    From the henhouse, a chicken squawked, and flies buzzed close.
    Betty steeled herself. Would he reject her again? She saw the pain in his eyes, and her heart flooded with sorrow at what they’d both suffered.
    “It’s all right,” she whispered. “It’s all right. I understand.”
    She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and hurried down the porch steps. Her hair flew out behind her as she ran across the dusty yard toward the barn. She ran around it out to a lonely maple tree where she leaned heavily against the rough bark of the trunk, panting.
    Cole had followed and came to a stop before her.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m a fool.”
    She shook her head. “No, you’re not. I said I understand, and I do. I lost a husband. I know how it hurts.”
    Cole dropped his gaze. “My wife died giving birth.” He rubbed his boot over the scraggly grass at his feet. “I lost the baby, too.”
    He gazed at her, tears in his eyes. “It was a boy.”
    Betty touched his arm. “I’m