For the Sake of Warwick Mountain (Harlequin Heartwarming) Read Online Free

Hollywood’s prettiest women.”
    Becca blinked in surprise. “The magazine actually said that?”
    “Of course not.” Her aunt gave an impatient shake of her head that loosed another gray curl from her bun. “His lawyers would be on them like a duck on a june bug if they had, but I could read between the lines. The man’s a lothario. That’s why he can’t stay in your house. He’ll ruin your reputation.” She gave a self-righteous sniff. “What little of it you have left after your escapades in Pinehurst all those years ago.”
    Becca flinched at her aunt’s bluntness, but she knew Delilah didn’t mean to be unkind. She was merely concerned for the welfare of her great-niece.
    “I’ve already reached the same conclusion,” Becca said.
    “That he’s a lothario?” Delilah’s eyes widened in alarm. “He hasn’t tried anything—”
    “No, he’s been the picture of perfect manners.” Matt hadn’t had to do anything, Becca thought. Just his knock-’em-dead appearance and his compelling charm were enough to catch the attention of any woman who wasn’t blind and deaf. Any woman except herself, of course, since she’d sworn off all men since Grady. “But it wouldn’t be fitting for him to board here with Emily and me. I don’t need to give the community more fuel for gossip.”
    Delilah sat back on the bench with a sigh. “That’s a relief. I’m glad you’re being sensible about this. You weren’t the last time, you know.”
    Becca shut out memories of that painful past and focused on today’s dilemma. Her aunt had provided the perfect opening for Becca’s request. “That’s why I want him to stay with you and Uncle Jake.”
    “What?” Her aunt reacted as if Becca had dropped a load of bricks on her.
    Becca smiled. “With your sterling reputation and Uncle Jake to act as watchdog, you’re the perfect couple to host Dr. Wonderful while he fills in for Dr. Peyseur.”
    Varying emotions scurried across Aunt Delilah’s milk-and-roses complexion, still lovely in spite of the fine lines seventy-eight years of clean living had etched there. “I’d love to help you, but I can’t.”
    Panic squeezed Becca’s chest. “Why not? You have that beautiful spare room—”
    “It’s not spare anymore. Jake brought his sister, Lydia, up from Blairsville yesterday. Her sciatica has her bedridden—in our guest room. According to the doctors, it could be weeks before she’s on her feet again.”
    “Then maybe Cousin Bessie—”
    “Not a chance. That poor woman’s on her feet all day at the beauty parlor. She doesn’t have the strength left to wait on company. Besides, you know how jealous Frank is. He wouldn’t tolerate the man in his house.”
    Becca was grasping at straws. “The preacher and his wife have room—”
    “They’re leaving tomorrow for a pulpit exchange with a church in Bryson City. The Bryson City preacher’s coming here with a wife and five children. Won’t be room for a guest.”
    “There has to be someone who can board him.” Becca couldn’t believe the predicament that faced her.
    Her aunt shook her head. “Not many who’d want to, knowing his infamous reputation.”
    “How can they know if we don’t tell them?” Becca asked in frustration.
    “Every woman who has her hair done at Bessie’s knows. Bessie had two copies of that issue in her shop. And they were both dog-eared and well read, let me tell you.”
    Becca felt the old rebellion rising inside her. “Then he’ll just have to stay here. I won’t deny people medical care for fear of a bunch of gossipy old women.”
    Delilah’s eyes glowed with sympathy. “Your motives are good, honey, but you can’t sacrifice yourself. You have Emily to think of.”
    “That’s true. I don’t want Emily’s feelings hurt.”
    “I wasn’t thinking of Emily’s feelings. It’s your job I’m worried about. You know how the school board is. They set a higher standard for their teachers than anyone else. How will