Free The Midwife's Choice by Delia Parr Page B

confectionery.
    Her heart raced like a schoolgirl’s. Again. A reaction that unfortunately had been repeated all too often these past few months.
    The moment their eyes met he broke into a smile and quickened his step. “Martha! Just the woman I wanted to see on this glorious day!”
    â€œGlorious indeed,” she responded, although with all she had to do today, glorious was not quite the word that came to mind, unless the good Lord decided to add a few extra hours for her benefit.
    Thomas stopped only inches in front of her. Close. Too close.
    She took a step back.
    â€œYou’re looking well, Martha. I heard the news. You must be overjoyed to have Victoria home to stay. I’m so happy. For both of you.”
    She smiled. News about Victoria’s plans to return to New York City had not yet spread, but she was not about to lie to Thomas. “Victoria is only hoping to be home for a short visit,” she responded, and briefly explained the situation. Before he asked any questions, however, she turned the focus back to his own family. “I take it Eleanor is well?”
    His smile broadened at the mention of his daughter’s name. After Martha’s intervention, Eleanor had returned to Trinity with her husband and would be presenting Thomas with his first grandchild soon. “Very well, thanks to you. We’ve both been blessed, haven’t we?”
    â€œWe have.” She could not help envying his blessing more than her own. With his son, Harry, away at school, Thomas had been left alone after Eleanor had married and moved to Clarion, some thirty miles away. Temporarily, Eleanor and Micah now made their home with Thomas while they made plans to settle here permanently.
    â€œTake a sleigh ride with me,” Thomas urged. “I have something I want you to see.”
    â€œA sleigh ride? Now?”
    He grinned, adding extra warmth to his gray eyes. “Now. The horses are hitched. The bricks are warming. The blanketsare stacked on the seat. And Mrs. Clark is packing a picnic for us, even as we speak.”
    She laughed. “A picnic? It’s the dead of winter, and we have half a foot of snow on the ground!”
    â€œAll the more reason to have a picnic. It’s . . . it’s unconventional. Unexpected. It’ll be an adventure. And I promise to have you home before dark.”
    His enthusiasm was contagious. She was sorely tempted, and disappointed to have to decline. “I can’t. I’m on my way to fetch Victoria. She’s at Dr. McMillan’s with—”
    â€œActually, I just left there. It seems she left more than an hour ago with Dr. McMillan and a Mrs. Morgan. Rosalind told me it was Mrs. Morgan who brought Victoria home.”
    Martha’s eyes widened. “They left? Left for where?”
    â€œJust a sleigh ride. Maybe,” he added, “maybe they went for a picnic.”
    She pursed her lips.
    He took her arm, turned, and led her through the bridge. “Rosalind said they wouldn’t be back for several hours, so before anyone else makes demands on your time, I’m packing you into the sleigh and stealing you away. I’ll tell Mrs. Clark to take a walk over to the confectionery to let Fern and Ivy know you’re with me.”
    Martha held her temper in check. She was annoyed that Victoria had gone off without even bothering to return home to see her mother, let alone ask her permission. She was angry at June for spiriting Victoria off and mad at Dr. McMillan for being their accomplice. She was put out that she had slept late, and perturbed with Thomas for being so all-fired sure of himself. For starters.
    â€œA picnic,” she grumbled. “I must be out of my mind for letting you talk me into this. A picnic!”
    He laughed and leaned close. His very nearness melted all of her anger and disappointment and set her blood to simmerwith emotions that spelled pure trouble. “Yes, a picnic.