Sarah's Surrender Read Online Free Page B

here two months ago. Has something happened?” Jo’s vivid blue eyes dimmed with concern.
    â€œThere are some things I need to talk to you about, and I wanted to do it in person.”
    â€œLike what?”
    Sarah glanced around the busy depot. People still waited to board while those meeting friends and family were collecting their baggage and leaving.
    â€œForgive me.” Jo squeezed Sarah’s arm. “This isn’t the place to chat. Let’s get your baggage and head home.”
    Sarah let out a grateful sigh and picked up her satchel. “This is all I brought.”
    Jo quirked one blond eyebrow.
    â€œMama, can we stop for a treat?” Emma gazed up with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
    â€œDid you forget that we made gingerbread for Aunt Sarah?”
    â€œOh yeah.” Emma spun around to face Sarah. “We fixed some ginnerbread.”
    â€œYum! That’s one of my favorite treats.” She reached for the girl’s hand. “Let’s go home so we can eat some.”
    â€œEat!” Matty nodded his white-blond head.
    â€œThis boy does like his food.” Jo smiled as she patted her son’s backside.
    Sarah walked alongside her dear friend as they headed home. “It amazes me how much this town has grown since you first came here.”
    â€œI remember when it was virgin prairie with no buildings. It’s hard to believe all the changes that have taken place in just eight years.”
    At the top of the depot steps, Sarah paused a moment to study the town. It consisted mainly of two-story buildings constructed of wood, brick, or stone. Buggies and horses with riders moved down every street. As she descended the stairs, her gaze shifted toward the part of Perry dubbed Hell’s Half Acre, where a host of saloons and gambling houses existed. She was thankful that Baron and Jo lived on the opposite side of town. The seedier section reminded her too much of her father’s former business. She glanced up at the sky, thanking God again for protecting her and getting her out of that dreadful situation.
    Emma chatted up a storm as they walked. She smiled down at the darling.
    â€œClarence is assisting Baron at the store so I don’t have to worry about going in today. I don’t work nearly as much as I used to since the children keep me busy.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful. I’m happy to watch the children, though, if you need to work while I’m here.”
    â€œHow long can you stay?” Jo glanced sideways at Sarah.
    â€œOnly a few days.” She thought of all she had to do, most importantly getting to El Reno in time to register for the lottery.
    Jo stopped and turned to face her. “Why such a short visit?”
    â€œLet’s get to the house. Then I’ll explain. I’d prefer not to do it on the street.”
    Jo nodded, but it was obvious that she was curious. At the next corner, Jo turned left instead of right, which would have taken them down the street where Hillborne’s Mercantile was located. Sarah thought back to the days when Jo and Baron had married. Shortly after that he’d ridden in the 1893 land run, often called the Cherokee Strip Land Run, and won a plot where they’d built their store. Later they bought a lot from a man who was returning to Arkansas and built a lovely home there. Each time she visited, Sarah had to fight back her feelings of jealousy. The two-story house with bay windows and a wide wraparound porch was just what she longed for. Would she ever have a home of her own?
    It wasn’t that she was ungrateful to live with Gabe and Lara in their big house, but she was ready to move on.
    They rounded another corner, and Sarah’s gaze landed on Jo’s home. The lovely house was painted a soft yellow with white trim around the doors, windows, and porch railings. She exhaled a sigh, happy for her friend but unable to curtail the longing deep within her.
    The noise of the