Chase the Wind Read Online Free Page A

gathered it around her.
    “Off you go,” he said and kissed the end of her nose. He turned her in the direction of her house and swatted her backside. “Try not to trip.”
    She turned back around and stuck her tongue out at him.
    “I’m going to think things through, and we’ll talk next Sunday,” he said as he gracefully swung up on the chestnut and turned around to give her a salute. “See you in church.” And then he was off.
    Faith watched him disappear through the trees and turned to wards home. The wind had picked up—it was now the middle of November—and she realized that they had probably exhausted their supply of beautiful Sundays. Winter was sure to come, and then what would they do? Ian would think of something, she was sure.
    The next Sunday it rained. Faith stood with Miriam in the portico of the church waiting for her father to bring the carriage around. Ian rode by on the chestnut, his brown suit covered with a dark rain slicker. The brim of his hat barely tilted as he rode past, and Faith’s mind whirled with confusion. “He sure is dedicated for someone who’s not from these parts,” Miriam mused as she watched his progress up the rutted road.
    “Who?” Faith asked, although she knew the answer. Miriam indicated the darkly garbed figure that was melting into the sheets of rain.
    “The Masons’ new trainer, or should I say trainer on loan? They speak very highly of his ability,” Miriam said with the authority of one who had knowledge of every happening in town.
    “I hadn’t noticed,” Faith answered and anxiously looked for their carriage in the procession that was lined up in front of the church. When Faith turned back, she caught Miriam staring at her. Faith instantly wondered if all her secrets were showing on her face. Miriam did not look pleased, and the corner of her mouth gave way to the tic. She would have to be more careful now, now that there was so much at stake. There was no doubt in her mind that her father would never approve of Ian. She knew the only way they could ever be together was if she ran away with him. But there had to be a place to run to, and she had to trust Ian to take care of that. He had said he would have some answers for her today. She knew he would find a way for them to be together.
    Once again the family’s Sunday dinner was a stilted affair. Faith shoved her food around on her plate and complained that the rain had made her sleepy. Miriam frowned at her when she excused herself and fled up the stairs. She shivered as she entered her room and realized that her window had been left open. She rubbed her arms to erase the chill and crossed over to lower the sash. The rain had blown in and left a wet patch on the floor, wetness that led to the dressing screen placed in the comer. She cautiously approached the screen and peered around the side. Ian was standing there, dripping wet, his shirt unbuttoned, drying his face and hair with a towel she had left there earlier that day. He brought the towel down the front of his chest and flashed his grin at her. He tossed the towel over the screen and pulled her into his arms for a kiss.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked when they finally came up for air.
    “I didn’t think you should be prancing out for a bit of poetry on such a rainy day, so I came up with an alternative.”
    “How did you know which was my room?” she asked incredulously.
    “I’ve known since that first Sunday,” he replied. “I’ve come by every night to bid you sweet dreams.”
    Faith looked up into his deep blue eyes with wonder. She knew in that moment that she didn’t care where they went; she would follow him into hell, as long as they could be together.
    “Let me tell you what I’ve decided.” He led her over to the bed and they sat down together on the side. “Any chance we’ll be dis turbed?”
    “No, the door’s locked. I always lock it when I’m in here, and it used to be my habit to spend Sunday afternoons