The Heirloom Brides Collection Read Online Free Page B

of the ice, so there were places to step. He closed the door and carried the broom back, leaning it against the wall behind the counter.
    “Are you listening?” Ma’s voice sounded testy, and he realized he hadn’t heard the last thing she’d said.
    “Sorry, Ma. I am now.”
    “Even if Old Joe pulls through, he’ll likely be off his feet for quite some time, wouldn’t you agree?”
    “No doubt about it. He’ll be indisposed for weeks if not months.” If he made it at all. Stuart wasn’t very optimistic that the old-timer would regain consciousness, let alone return to his former strength.
    “I’m guessing Betsy still doesn’t know about losing the farm.”
    “Not unless Mrs. Avery told her. I still can’t understand why Old Joe didn’t let her know. It doesn’t seem right to leave her in the dark. Especially now when he’s unconscious and Betsy’s going to learn about it from someone else.”
    “Do you have any idea where Betsy is planning to stay while her grandfather is recovering?”
    Stuart shook his head. Truth be told, the thought hadn’t occurred to him. “I can’t imagine she has the money to stay at the boardinghouse. The Averys will likely put her up for a while at least.”
    “Of course they won’t throw her out in the street. But she’s going to have to plan long term. I wonder what Old Joe had in mind for them.”
    If the old-timer even had a plan. The thought of Betsy’s ignorance over the situation annoyed Stuart more than a little. It didn’t seem fair to her. “What’s on your mind, Ma?”
    “I think we should offer Betsy your sister’s old room.”
    The very idea sent waves of horror through Stuart. “Ma—”
    She held up her hand. “I don’t know what you have against her. I have my suspicions, but this is my decision.”
    “I don’t have anything against Betsy Lowell, Ma. But what will people say about an unattached man and woman living under the same roof? Do you think it might hurt Betsy’s reputation?”
    Ma scowled, waving away his concern. “Heavens, I’ll be right there as chaperone. And you can move down to your father’s study so that you’re not sleeping on the same floor of the house.”
    “You’re kicking me out of my room to give Betsy a home?” He grinned. They’d been discussing his moving downstairs for a while.
    Shaking his head, he grabbed their coats from the storeroom. When he returned, Ma was working her way to her feet. “You’re not doing so well today. That hip giving you trouble?”
    “No, it’s fine. I’m fine. Don’t fret, and don’t change the subject.” She slipped her arms into the coat he held out. “Now, about Betsy—”
    “Do what you think is best. I’ll move my things downstairs tonight.”
    If he knew Betsy Lowell, she’d never accept the room. She was even more stubborn than his ma.

    Betsy sat next to her grandpa’s bed, grateful for each shallow rise and fall of his chest. Despite Mrs. Avery’s insistence that she take the other bedroom in this vast house, Betsy refused to leave his side. But two nights of sitting in the chair at his side was beginning to wear on her. Doc had come into the room several times through the night, as he had the night before, and now as the sun began to rise, she heard his familiar footsteps on the stairs. A moment later, the door opened, and he walked in.
    “Good morning, Betsy.”
    Betsy nodded, too weary and worried for pleasantries. “He made it through another night. That’s a good sign, right?”
    The doc shushed her and listened to his patient’s heart. He straightened up with a sigh. “His heart isn’t as strong as I’d like to hear it, but as you said, he made it through the night again. Your grandfather is nothing if not a fighter.”
    The words did little to comfort Betsy. “Is he going to make it, Doc?” Her voice broke with the question.
    Doc Avery looked at her with kind, sympathetic eyes. “Only God knows that. But I can promise I’ll do my very best