To Capture Her Heart Read Online Free Page A

“She’s at Winnie’s. She’s going to stay there for the time being, though Winheytem is very sick.”
    Jay took Mary’s hand as he helped her in the door. “It might be actually a good thing she is there with Winnie for a while.”
    â€œI offered for her to come here, if need be.” Ben looked at her, his brow raised.
    â€œThat would be wonderful. I would like that and Abbey would too. But I think Jay’s right. Winnie needs someone there. I haven’t seen her for a time because I cannot travel and Winheytem has been too sick for her to leave. I’ve worried so.”
    Ben nodded. “He is dying, I’m afraid.”
    Her clutch on Jay’s hand tightened. “Oh, no. Do you think so? I knew he was very sick.” She stopped for a moment and rested a hand on her stomach. A tear crept down her cheek. “I will attend his funeral, you know. I won’t let my condition stop me from going.”
    Jay and Ben exchanged a look and then helped her into her rocker.
    â€œDon’t think about that yet. He might get better. Who knows? But Heather Flower is there for Winnie. She’ll take care of them both.” Ben rubbed the back of his neck. “And I will check on them from time to time to see how they are doing.”
    Jay looked at his brother. “Any chance you have your own reasons for wanting to do that, little brother?” His moss-green eyes held a glint.
    â€œMayhap. But my own reasons will go to the bottom of my list while Winheytem is sick and Heather Flower mourns.”
    Mary looked from one son to the other. They were grinning so this was good-natured teasing. “Would you like to explain?” She fanned herself with her hand and Jay fetched a wooden fan from the mantel.
    â€œIt’s nothing, Mother. But you know Benjamin will use any excuse to be around Heather Flower.” He looked at his brother. “Right?”
    â€œLike I said, Winnie and Winheytem are our first concern. And Heather Flower thinks of me only as her friend.”
    â€œYou’ve been friends with her a long time, Ben. I think ’tis good you are there for her now.”
    â€œThank you. I hope I can be the kind of friend she needs.” He looked at Jay. “Should we go find Father and fill him in on our trip?”
    â€œWe should. And if I’m not mistaken, he’s over at the meetinghouse with the reverend, right, Mother?”
    â€œHe is. They will both be anxious for your report.”
    Mary gathered loose tendrils and fanned the back of her neck. “Before you go, what of the women that were kidnapped with Heather Flower? What has happened to them?”
    Jay shook his head. “We don’t know. Heather Flower says she was kept separate from them. She did find out one of the women was killed, though. I know she worries about the rest, but I don’t think there’s much we can do. We were so lucky to get Heather Flower back.”
    Mary smiled. “It was an answer to many prayers, rather than luck, to be sure.”
    Her sons nodded their agreement.
    Ben offered to go to the livery to get Biggs, but they didn’t get out the door before ten-year-old Joshua and five-year-old Jonathan came bounding in. They made such a noise with their greetings that the littlest Horton, two-year-old Hannah, woke from her nap and squealed when she saw her brothers.
    Mary was finally left to rock with Hannah on her lap, such as it was, and gave herself a moment to think about and pray for Heather Flower, Winheytem, and Winnie. Winnie’s eldest daughter, Abbey, was grown and married now, but she’d become like a daughter to her and Barney when Caleb was born. Marytaught her to read in addition to teaching English domesticity. She’d lived with them and took care of each of the babies as they were born until she married James and had a baby of her own.
    James was a recent arrival from England and employed by Benjamin in his