Free One True Love by Lori Copeland Page A

the almost mean-spirited barrage, but she wasn’t going to mention the velocity of that last petticoat.
    She wrung a shirt and tossed it into a bucket. “That rain bank looks to be moving closer.”
    Adele paused, putting her wet hands on her hips. She scanned the approaching front. “Won’t be here before evening. We’ll have plenty of time to dry laundry.” The women returned to their conversation on a particular stew recipe some swore by and others avoided.
    After a while of the continuing snub Copper blurted, “I merely accompanied Mike when he took the mail to the post. If I’d known it would cause such a fuss I’d never have gone.” She pitched a pair of denims in the container.
    Scrubbing ceased. Eyes turned to center on her.
    Copper felt heat creep up her neck. Why had she opened her big mouth? She didn’t owe these people an apology. The world would not cease to spin on its axis because she accepted a simple moonlight excursion with a single young man.
    Adele broke the strained silence. “Why, honey, why would you defend a moonlight walk with Mike? He’s a fine boy—”
    â€œHe isn’t courting me, Adele.” How vain did they take her for? They didn’t know her well enough to accuse her of chasing a man. The heat in her cheeks blazed. “Redlin said that some of you thought my actions objectionable.”
    â€œHogwash.” Adele picked up a pair of unmentionables and proceeded to scrub. “Sounds to me like the only objections come from him.”
    Sadie paused, wiping soap off her elbows. She focused on Copper. “Now wait a minute. I thought you weren’t interested in Redlin.”
    â€œI’m not!” Copper denied.
    â€œLeave her alone, Sadie.” Nellie Fisher threw a man’s shirt into her basket. “You know you have about as much chance of attracting Redlin as a snowball in you-know-where. That man’s not going to suddenly wake up one morning and propose marriage to you.”
    â€œNellie,” Adele scolded, “that’s a right uncharitable thing to say. You can’t speak of Redlin’s feelings.”
    â€œI don’t know anything about the man other than he tends his own business, reads his Bible nightly, and I’ve never caught him mooning over Sadie or any other woman. You know the Nelsons have that young pretty daughter, and I’ve never seen Redlin say more than good morning or evening to her.”
    Sadie’s crestfallen expression tugged at Copper’s heartstrings. It was plain mean for Nellie to say such a thing. Sadie might not be every man’s cup of tea, but she was good-hearted and she would give you the blouse off her back if she thought you needed it. Copper sprang to spare the woman’s feelings. “Actually, I believe Mr. Redlin is already spoken for.”
    She immediately regretted the outburst. Work ceased. Women stood in the stream, wet garments dripping soapy water.
    Sadie cocked her head. “What makes you say that?”
    â€œBecause I accidentally saw a letter he mailed last night.” Accidentally, her foot. She’d nearly broken her neck trying to read the postmark, but the women didn’t need to know everything. Gossip was the devil’s work, but Copper was never sure where the line parted between gossip and fact, and the fact was she’d seen a letter addressed to “Susan” in Dallas.
    Gossip, she supposed, was passing along such information, but she was in too deep to back down now.
    Sadie half waded to the bank. “So? All of us mail letters.”
    â€œBut this letter was addressed to a woman in Dallas, and granted I have no idea who the woman is, but it could mean that he has someone waiting for him when he completes his job.”
    Sadie fatalistically shook her head. “A wife.”
    â€œNo—at least the last name wasn’t the same.”
    Sadie’s face screwed in concentration.