Free OUT OF THE DARKNESS (THE PRESCOTT SERIES) by B. J. McMinn Page B

teased and laughed with a familiar ease. She rubbed her temples in confusion. They were an odd pair though. Jade perceived no passion between them. Surely, a marriage should have passion. No stolen kisses, no display of affection, yet you couldn’t help but see the love and respect they had for one another.
    Well it was none of her business. She stood and wandered around the room, refolding afghans, picking up toys, straightening table covers.
    Jason returned with an arm full of firewood and dropped it into the wood en box next to the stove. An air of excitement filled the house. Margaret worked in the kitchen with a nervous energy. The children crawled around on the floor chasing Emma, since this was her only form of mobility. Jason paced from the window to the door, opened it, looked down the trail, then shut the door, only to open it again. Jade became very edgy. Who was John that his arrival caused such an upheaval?
    Everyone’s head swiveled toward the front of the house at the sound of a wagon. Margaret whipped off her apron, patted her hair several times, and headed for the door. Jason saw her coming, stepped aside, and held the door open for her as she breezed past him. Tyler scurried after her. Jason scooped Emma and Janey up off the floor to wait on the porch. Jade stood behind Jason in the doorway where she could see them greet John.
    Jade was extremely aware of Jason’s lanky frame in front of her. Muscles in his wide shoulders twitched beneath his shirt as he held both girls. Tendons bulged on his forearms. Tight pants encased narrow hips and hugged his powerful thighs. The familiar warmth invaded her body along with the guilt over her fascination with Margaret’s husband.
    A team of horses halted in front of the house. A man jumped down from the wagon seat and landed lightly on his feet. Not as tall or broad as Jason, nor as handsome, was Jade’s first impression. His dark brown hair fell forward onto his wide forehead, and his hazel eyes sparkled with joy. Laughing, Margaret ran to him. Muscular arms wrapped around her and lifted her up to swing her around. She kissed him on the mouth and hugged him. Here was the passion she found lacking between Jason and Margaret.
    She glanced at Jason to see his reaction to this man hugging and kissing his wife. He didn’t seem like a man who would tolerate unseemly behavior from his wife. Yet, he stood smiling, surveying the scene before him, then leaned over to put a squirming Janey down. The child went running toward the couple shrieking with laughter and bumped into Tyler who jumped up and down screaming, “Daddy, Daddy.”
    Shocked, her gaze went from John to Ty ler and saw little resemblance. But, if this man was Tyler and Janey’s father, he must be Margaret’s husband. By the way they were draped over each other, it would be a safe conclusion. Then what did that make Jason, who still held Emma. Neither of which took part in the family reunion.
    It alleviated the guilt over her attraction to Jason knowing he was not Margaret’s husband. It also brought many other questions to mind.
    Margaret ushered everyone into the house complaining she had held supper long enough. She scolded John for being late as she set food on the table. John and Jason looked at each other and burst out laughing. Margaret smiled at them both and blushed.
    Jade wandered around the room as Margaret set out the evening meal. She stood next to the fireplace, her eyes riveted on a framed tintype on the mantle. The woman sitting in a chair held a small baby snuggled on her lap. A little girl stood beside her, a ruffled pinafore covered her simple dress. The man at her side, with his hand on her shoulder, resembled Jason to a large degree, yet, the eyes were not Jason’s.
    Her hands grasped the mantle, her knuckles turned white. Another man and woman with small children gathered around floated in her memory. Blurred, fragmented memories. Painful memories. She waited breathlessly for the