Free Where Love Dwells by Delia Parr

you going with Mr. Breckenwith?” Aunt Frances asked her husband, almost simultaneously.
    Reverend Glenn smiled. “While you two ladies were busy in the kitchen, Mark grew worried about leaving Catherine alone with the babies for too long, and he didn’t want her to worry about Wryn. So he decided they should head back to Hill House. On their way out, they met Mr. Hooper, who stopped on his way to fetch the doctor. It appears Mrs. Hooper has taken a turn for the worse. I promised to meet him back at his house since Mr. Breckenwith offered to see me there and back again,” he explained, answering both women’s questions.
    â€œWhat about your tea?” Emma asked as she set it on a side table.
    â€œI’m sorry you both went to all that trouble, but I really shouldn’t dawdle, especially since I don’t walk so fast anymore.The two of you can likely finish off that pot of tea by yourselves,” he teased.
    Aunt Frances took the cape Emma had worn from a peg near the door and handed the garment to her. “Don’t worry about the tea. I know how anxious you are to go home and spend time with Mark and his family. We’ll visit together again soon.”
    â€œDon’t you want me to stay to keep you company?”
    â€œNo, Emma dear. Reverend Glenn could be gone for hours. I have my stitching to keep me busy,” she said and caught Zachary’s gaze. “If Emma walks along with you now to the Hoopers’ to make sure Reverend Glenn arrives safe and sound, will you walk her to Hill House, as well? You’d still be back to the Hoopers’ again long before Reverend Glenn is ready to come home again.”
    â€œEven if I’m ready sooner than we expect, I’ll simply wait for you,” her husband added.
    â€œThen I can’t see any reason why I shouldn’t take Mrs. Glenn’s suggestion, can you?” Zachary asked, gazing directly at Emma.
    Hard pressed to think of a single logical reason why she should not leave now and let Zachary escort her home, she smiled in response and slipped into the oversized cape. Avoiding Zachary’s questions about Wryn was unavoidable.
    Besides, if Wryn’s visit to Candlewood thus far was any indication, Emma might expect Sheriff North eventually to show up on her porch looking for Wryn. When he did, she had no doubt she might need a lawyer . . . which made marrying one sound like a very good idea.
    After Emma and Zachary had Reverend Glenn safely delivered to the Hoopers’, she had the opportunity to speak to Zachary alone and broach the subject of Wryn. By the time she had recounted her conversation with Mark and detailed Wryn’s misadventurealong Main Street, they were starting up the hill toward her boardinghouse.
    Anxious to learn his reaction to her news, Emma drew in a long breath and studied him carefully. As she expected, his expression had hardened, but she was not prepared for the coldness of his response.
    â€œI should expect you told your son that taking on responsibility for this young woman is out of the question.”
    She stiffened. “Actually, I told Mark I would consider it.”
    He paused, forcing her to stop, as well. “You’d consider it,” he repeated, as if he could scarcely believe he had heard her correctly. “When you were talking to your son, did you happen to mention that you’re considering a proposal of marriage and that you might be starting a new, very different life for yourself?”
    She swallowed hard. With his squared shoulders and determined gaze, he made it very clear to her that Wryn’s presence in her life might make him reconsider his proposal. “Of course I did,” she managed, barely able to hear her own words above the pounding of her heart. “I haven’t given Mark an answer yet simply because I haven’t had time to talk with Catherine or Wryn yet—and I’m not convinced Wryn needs to remain here at