Free Heidi Vanlandingham - Lucie: Bride of Tennessee (American Mail-Order Bride 16) by Heidi Vanlandingham

anything.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Lucie slowly strolled down the sidewalk, her skin soaking in the chilly morning sunlight. The scent of fresh bread and bacon hit her nostrils, and her stomach growled. Since arriving in Chattanooga, she had walked Alex to school and no matter how sore or beat up her body was, and she would never stop.
    She loved taking care of her brother, especially those quiet times like just before bed when he said his prayers or when she walked him to school, just the two of them talking about nothing in particular.
    They had some decisions to make about whether to stay here or return to Massachusetts, although where she’d find the money for train tickets was also a problem. Her gaze followed the neat row of townhomes on either side of the street. The town was more widespread than she was used to—the buildings wide instead of high, with open spaces between each one. Back home, everything was too close. Only the rich could afford to build a large home with a small yard. She liked it here.
    She’d promised Alex they would make the decision about what to do together, but if it were just up to her, she would stay. Living here was a fresh start for them both, and with their new friends’ help, they just might be able to manage it. Her thoughts turned back to yesterday and the man who’d grabbed her.
    Martha had been understanding and wonderful. Truth be told, though, she was getting very tired of having to be rescued. She wasn’t weak, and had managed to protect herself just fine back in Lawrence. But here the men seemed so untamed, wild even, in comparison to those she’d grown up around.
    Turning the corner onto Ninth Street, she stopped. Standing in front of the McCord were Sebastian and his mother, talking. She tried to gauge Sebastian’s demeanor, not wanting a repeat of the last few times they’d been thrown together. He wasn’t quite as intimidating as when she’d first met him, but he still made her feel uncomfortable.
    Martha turned and greeted her with a wide smile, and Lucie’s steps faltered. She knew Martha well enough to realize she was up to something.
    “Good morning, Lucie! Did you get Alex off to school okay?” Martha asked.
    Lucie stopped several feet away, a slow frown pulling at her brows. Even Sebastian wasn’t acting normal—he had a smile on his face. “What’s going on?” she asked, looking from one to the other. The sight of the slight dimple on his left cheek made her stomach flip-flop.
    “Whatever do you mean?” Martha asked, pasting an innocent expression on her face.
    Lucie’s frown deepened. “Martha?”
    She linked her arm through Lucie’s and pulled her into the hotel and toward a table. “Sit down and eat your breakfast then we’ll have a small talk.”
    “We?” Lucie glanced at Sebastian from the corner of her eye. The scowl was back on his face. She smiled. That was better. She could deal with the scowl.
    “Yes. We would like to have a word with you about something.”
    Sebastian pulled out her chair, scooting her closer to the table then did the same thing for his mother. His gaze met Lucie’s. “I will be right back.”
    Lucie accepted a cup of coffee and watched Sebastian’s broad back as he walked to the bar and said something to the barkeeper. His light brown hair curled over the collar of his black wool frockcoat. Her fingers itched to know if the strands were as silky as they looked. She felt a quiver deep in her stomach, as if she had butterflies flying around inside of it. It wasn’t until he stood beside her again that she noticed the plate in his hand.
    Ignoring Martha’s polite chatter, she glanced down at her half-eaten biscuits and gravy and pressed her hands against her middle, willing away her jitters. She forced her head back up as Sebastian turned around.
    Sebastian’s gaze found hers, and the quivering feeling returned. He was classically handsome, with the air of a Southern gentleman. His dark mustache