Free Little Love Affair (Southern Romance Series, #1) by Lexy Timms Page A

back to the farm?”
    “No!” She had to be alone. “No. Thank you very kindly, but no. Thank you, Mister Benson, for the truth. You have done enough. I will tell my mother.”
    “Miss Dalton...”
    “Thank you, Mister Benson.” Only the faint threads of etiquette were keeping her from collapsing on the paving stones. If she looked into his eyes, she would be lost. Clara untied the wagon as quickly as she could, lips trembling as her numb fingers fumbled on the reins, and then she accepted his help to step up into the seat and drove away without meeting his gaze again.
    It was only on the country roads that she broke down at last, pressing her hand against her mouth and sobbing at last for the brother she had lost. Her brother was gone from her. Gone, and he was never coming back.

Chapter 11
    J asper caught the glint of her dress in the trees around noon. He smiled, his heart leaping in the same mix of joy and sadness he had become accustomed to since the last afternoon. He knew he was staring like a fool, an idiotic grin plastered on his face, before he noticed that her head hung, and her shoulders were slumped. He frowned and got to his feet. She was walking, he thought, as if she was lost—as if she saw nothing around her. He saw her stumble over something and look around herself in confusion.
    “What’re you looking at?” Horace’s voice came out in a croak.
    “Clara’s back.”
    “What?” The man pushed himself up on his elbows, brow furrowed. “What did you say?”
    “Don’t be angry,” Jasper spared him a worried glance. He wanted to run to Clara, take her in his arms, and yet he knew what his friend would say if he knew. “She’s the farmer’s daughter I mentioned. She went to get you medicine.”
    “Clara?” Horace gasped the name and slumped back against the bed. “Jasper, tell me this is a joke.”
    In his friend’s accusing eyes, Jasper could see everything his friend must think of him: a turncoat, fraternizing with Yankees, taking aid from them and speaking their names with kindness. Had Horace seen his smile? Jasper knew he could not hide his love, not for a moment. Shame wormed in his gut, and a furious pride as well. How could he be ashamed of loving a woman like Clara?
    Yet he would not let Horace’s pride get the man killed.
    “I wasn’t going to let you die,” Jasper pleaded. “Horace, couldn’t. When you meet her, you’ll see that she—”
    “You cannot let her in here!” The voice came out in a hiss, desperate. Horace tried to push himself up, and staggered.
    “Don’t try to move,” Jasper begged. He was at his friend’s side, and he drew in his breath sharply when Jasper hauled him close. The man’s eyes were wide and staring, feverish. Deranged.
    “She cannot come in here, do you understand me?” His voice was a hiss. “Send her away.”
    “She went to get medicine for you .” Jasper tried to unclench his friend’s hands from his shirt and could not. “Horace...”
    “Send her away . ” His teeth were bared in a grimace. “Do it, Jasper. You have no idea what’s at stake.”
    “I have a very good idea what’s at stake!” Jasper hissed back. “You’re dying, and I won’t let you. I’ve worked down in those fields for a week to keep food in our bellies and your wound clean. I knew the risks I was taking, believe me.”
    “Not this one.” Horace released him at last, half throwing him away. “Tell her nothing, do you understand me? If you have any loyalty me at all, Jasper, I beg you. Send her away.”
    Jasper’s heart twisted.
    “I’ll kill myself, I swear it.” His friend’s blue eyes were steady on his.
    “You will do no such thing.” Jasper’s voice was dangerous.
    “I will,” Horace said after a pause.
    “Fine.” Jasper pushed himself to his feet and strode out of the cabin.
    Clara was barely a few steps away, and he suppressed an exclamation at the sight of her. Her eyes were red with tears, and the red gown that had so