House On Windridge Read Online Free

you put a bullet through your head, she’ll be convinced it was her fault.”
    â€œThat’s stupid. It wouldn’t have anything to do with her,” Gus answered.
    â€œYou and I might know that, but she won’t. And, Gus, there won’t be a single person in this world who’ll be able to convince her otherwise.”
    Gus realized the truth in what Buck said. He felt his eyes grow warm with tears. “It hurts so bad to lose Naomi—to face a lifetime without her.”
    Buck nodded. “I know, and that’s why we aren’t going to face a lifetime. We’re just gonna take one day at a time. I’ll help you get through this, but you’ve got to be willing to try. For Jessica’s sake, if for no other.”
    Gus thought about it for a moment. He didn’t have the strength to do what Buck suggested, but neither did he want to burden his child—her child —with the idea that she was responsible for his death. “I just don’t know, Buck. When I think about the years to come—and I know that she won’t be there—it just isn’t something I want to deal with.”
    â€œI understand. But like I said, we don’t have to think about the years to come. We only have to get through today,” Buck replied. “And we’ll let tomorrow take care of itself.”
    In that moment Gus chose life over death. His heart was irreparably broken, but logic won over emotions. One day at a time, Buck said, was all he had to face. Just one day. If life proved to be too much today, he could always end it tomorrow.

Chapter 1
    October 1890
    Jessica Albright wrapped her arms around her nine-month-old son and frowned at the dark-skinned porter. He held her small traveling bag and held out his arms to further assist her departure from the train.
    â€œIf it pleases ya, Ma’am,” he said with a sincere smile, “I kin hold da baby and hand him down to ya.”
    â€œNo,” Jessica replied emphatically. “No one is taking him.”
    The porter shrugged and then held up his hand. “I kin go ahead of ya. Then iffen you fall, ya’ll fall against me.” He smiled broadly and jumped down the steep steps ahead of her.
    Jessica had no choice but to follow. She gripped the baby firmly against her breast and made her way off the train. The nine month old howled at the injustice of being held so tightly, and Jessica could only jostle him around and try her best to cajole him back into a decent temperament.
    â€œOh, Ryan, neither of us is happy with the arrangements,” she said, glancing from her son’s angry face to the crowd gathered around the depot platform.
    â€œMiss Jessica,” a voice sounded from behind her.
    Whirling around, Jessica met the smiling face of a snowy-haired man. “Hello, Buck. Thank you for coming after us. I’m sorry for having to put you out.”
    â€œWasn’t any other way you were going to get there, short of hiring someone in town to bring you out. Besides, Katie would skin me alive if I refused. This your little guy?” he asked, nodding at the angry baby.
    Ryan continued to howl, and Jessica grew rather embarrassed from the stares. She felt so inadequate at being a mother. Where her friends in the city had spoken of natural feelings and abilities regarding their children, Jessica felt all thumbs and left feet. “Could we just be on our way, Buck?”
    Buck looked at her sympathetically. “Sure, sure. Let me claim your baggage, and we’ll be ready to head out.”
    â€œThis here bag belongs to the missus,” the porter announced. Buck took up the bag, but Jessica quickly shifted the baby and reached out for it. “It has our personal things.” Buck nodded and let her take it without protest.
    â€œI’ll go for the rest.” He ambled off in the direction of the baggage car, and Jessica felt a sense of desertion. What if he forgot about her?