Newton (Prairie Grooms Book 9) Read Online Free

eyes downcast.
    Newton tucked a finger under her chin and brought her face up. “None of that. We have a busy day ahead of us. I have all sorts of things to show you.”
    Arya’s eyes misted.
    “What’s this?” he asked. He hated this part – knowing he’d messed up, but not sure how. “What’s wrong, sweet?”
    She looked at the window. His gaze followed hers and he turned them both so they faced it. He knew what she meant. There was a longing in his heart for something he couldn’t understand, and perhaps was afraid to. Courting her over the last few weeks, if one could call it that, had taken everything out of him. If he hadn’t wed her, he thought he might’ve become as sick as his sister Nettie’s husband Amon had.
    He’d fallen in love. But he didn’t think it was supposed to leave him feeling ill.
    He stood behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her as they stared out the window at the prairie beyond. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” he whispered in her ear, then kissed it. “So are you.”
    She reached up and put a hand over one of his. “Newton …”
    He smiled. “Yes, love?”
    “ Khundah mehlai da la vhulh? ”
    He sighed heavily. “I wish I could understand you. Let’s see, khundah … you taught me that.”
    She turned in his arms to face him, a smile on her face. “ Khundah ,” she said, her voice permeating his every pore.
    He swallowed hard. “ Khundah means …” He waved a hand between them. “You and me, right?”
    Her smile broadened. “You and me.”
    “That’s right,” he whispered, his heart suddenly yearning for … what? He brushed the feeling aside and concentrated on their lesson exchange. “ Da la vhulh … that means … let’s see …” He scrunched up his face in concentration. “Don’t tell me, I’ve got this!”
    Arya giggled.
    “You think it’s funny? Do you have any idea how hard your language is? In fact, I’ve never heard of it before. Where in the world am I going to find a book on it?”
    “ Muir-ar-ahn ,” she said.
    He brushed a wisp of hair from her face. “Indeed. I shan’t find a book on it anywhere, will I?” She just kept smiling at him. “No, your people will remain a mystery …”
    A knock sounded at the door. Newton gazed into Arya’s eyes, gave her a tender kiss on the forehead and went to answer it.
    Eloise stood on the other side with Mrs. Upton. “I brought reinforcements,” she told him. “Just in case.”
    Mrs. Upton peeked past them at Arya, who stood quietly where she was. Newton took a deep breath and motioned them inside. “Shall I leave you alone? Or would you rather I do the deed?”
    Arya looked at Newton, the women, back again, apprehension in her eyes. He knew she knew the word “leave” – he’d used it enough, every time he’d had to return to Clear Creek. Consequently, she also knew the word “return.” Judging from the look on her face, he’d best use it now.
    He crossed the room to her and took her in his arms. “Arya, I must leave , but I will return soon.” He waved Eloise over. “Look, see what she has for you?” Eloise held up the dress she’d brought. It was a pretty red and white calico, the collar and sleeves trimmed in white lace. A simple dress, really, but Arya would look beautiful in it. Newton just hoped she’d think so too.
    “Maybe we should get Grandma Waller to help,” Eloise suggested. “She’s downstairs in the lobby.”
    “Perhaps you’re right,” Newton said. “Mrs. Upton, would you mind bringing her?”
    “Not at all, honey!” Mrs. Upton said, then headed back out the door.
    Arya remained calm, but Newton suspected it was because he hadn’t left yet. Who knew what she might do when the women tried to get her out of those buckskins of hers?
    After a minute or two, Grandma Waller came into the room with Mrs. Upton. “What’s this all about … tarnation, another one!”
    “Another?” Newton repeated. “Whatever do you mean?”
    “You weren’t here then, but