Free And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley Page B

church.”
    Judging by the dim light filtering through the cracks, the sun had set and, just as rapidly, the temperature dropped. Mary-Jo rubbed her hands up and down her arms for warmth.
    â€œYou’re cold,” he said, standing. He grabbed a horse blanket from an empty stall and shook away the straw. He then wrapped it around her shoulders, his hands lingering a bit longer than necessary. The blanket smelled of hay and dust and horseflesh, but it was warm despite its rough texture.
    â€œMuch obliged,” she said.
    Instead of taking his place on the opposite hay bale, he sat next to her. His arm brushed against hers and an unwelcome surge of excitement flooded through her.
    â€œMay I ask why you signed up to become a mail-order bride?” In the fast-fading light he looked serious, but no less pleasing to the eye.
    â€œI’m from Helen, Georgia. We suffered heavy casualties during the war. Every man living there now is either old, married, or in jail. If a gal wants to get married, she best set her sights elsewhere.”
    She heard his intake of breath and it was awhile before he spoke. “I guess I owe you an apology. I told Dan he was a fool to order a bride out of a catalogue.”
    â€œBut if he’d listened to you, I wouldn’t have come to Kansas and we wouldn’t be in this pickle.”
    He pulled a piece of straw from her hair. “Actually, it’s not a bad pickle to be in,” he said, adding a smile.
    Something in his voice sent gooseflesh racing up her arms. “You . . . you once said I had what the boy needs.”
    He nodded. “You’re the only one able to reach him and see past his childish pranks.”
    His words touched her deeply. “Don’t be angry with Eddie. He’s scared. I know how it feels to be scared, not knowing what’s gonna happen to you.”
    He ran his fingers gently down her cheek. “If . . . if you agree to be my wife, I’ll make sure you’re never scared again.”
    His promise washed over her like warm sunshine. He nudged her chin up and gazed into her eyes. It was all she could do to breathe. He covered her parted lips with his own and the gentle impact of his mouth sent warm tremors rushing through her. The sweet tenderness of his kiss made her emotions swirl, and she lost all sense of time and place as she happily kissed him back.
    â€œUncle Tom?” The tentative voice floated toward them, followed by a sob.
    They pulled apart and Tom jumped up. “Eddie? What’s wrong?”
    Eddie flew into his uncle’s arms. “It’s . . . it’s getting dark out here. I want my pa.” Tears flowed down his cheeks and sobs wracked his thin, small body. Holding the boy in his arms, Tom met Mary-Jo’s gaze and they exchanged a knowing look.
    The boy had found his hurt.
    â€¢â€¢â€¢
    Tom lifted Eddie tenderly in his arms and carried him out of the barn. Mary-Jo had to run to catch up.
    Inside the house, he set Eddie ever so gently on the couch while she lit a lamp. Eddie’s body shook with sobs and the tears streaming down his face nearly broke her heart.
    It took awhile, but Eddie finally stopped crying. “I’m sorry I locked you in the . . . the b-b-barn.”
    Tom ran his mouth across the boy’s forehead. “It’s okay, buddy.” He brushed hair from Eddie’s wet face.
    Eddie made a sobbing sound. “You’re . . . you’re n-not mad?”
    â€œI’m not mad.” Tom glanced back at her. “Actually, you did us a favor locking us in the barn. You helped me persuade Miss Parker to stay awhile longer.”
    Eddie knuckled away his tears. “I did?”
    She smiled. She couldn’t help herself. “You did.”
    Tom straightened. “Does this mean what I think it means, Miss Parker? That I can begin to properly court you?”
    At that moment she felt as if her heart