To Honor and Trust Read Online Free Page A

with you. However, you know that Father believes you should be doing something with your future.”
    He closed his book and tucked it back into his bag. “I’m glad to hear that everyone knows exactly what I need.”
    â€œWe’re your family, Wes. We all want you to succeed andbe happy.” She swatted a pesky fly away from the baby. “Did Mother mention the masked ball to you?”
    â€œNo.” He sighed. He disliked the formal events that the resorts seemed to think necessary each season. “Why so soon? Couldn’t we enjoy at least a week or two without some formal gathering?”
    Helena flashed him a smile. “I believe this is a welcoming ball so that newcomers like us can get acquainted with the other guests. It wouldn’t be a welcoming ball if they waited for two or three weeks.”
    â€œMaybe I can convince Mother I don’t need to get acquainted.”
    Helena laughed. “You know better than that. The rest of us received our instructions about the teas, card parties, and balls that we’re expected to attend before we ever departed Massachusetts. She likely feared you wouldn’t come if you’d received the information in advance. You have a few days’ reprieve. As I recall, the ball won’t be held for three more days. Oh, the clerk just called our name.” She jumped up and waved to Richard. “Bring the girls, Richard. They’re ready to take us to our room.” She patted Wes on the arm. “I’m sure they’ll come for you soon.”
    He nodded. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
    Wes leaned back in his chair and watched his sister and her family as they made their way to the hotel entrance. In some ways, he wished he could be like Charles or Daniel or Helena—that he could be satisfied marrying the proper socialite and working for the family business. But he didn’t fit the mold. And he doubted he ever would—not after all that had happened in Texas. In fact, he wondered if he would ever find peace again.

Chapter 3
    Callie followed Maude into the sunroom, where Mrs. Bridgeport planned to explain her list of expectations. Though Callie had attempted to escape this meeting, Mrs. Bridgeport insisted upon her presence. Once they’d settled in the cushioned wicker furniture, Mrs. Bridgeport unfolded a piece of stationery.
    She tapped the piece of paper and smiled at Maude. “I’ve written these down so I won’t forget any of the things we need to discuss concerning the children.” Mrs. Bridgeport cleared her throat. “But first I want to address my expectations regarding personal appearance.”
    Maude snapped to attention. “Last I knew, none of us is able to change the way we look. We’re stuck with what the good Lord gave us.” She pointed her thumb at Callie. “Not that I wouldn’t prefer to look like her—or you, for that matter, Missus—but that ain’t going to be happenin’.”
    Mrs. Bridgeport arched her brows. “Isn’t going to happen.”
    Maude frowned. “That’s what I said.”
    â€œI was correcting your grammar, Maude. You should have used the word isn’t instead of ain’t . I want the children to use proper English. I’ll add that to my list.”
    Maude’s look of confusion remained, but she nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
    â€œNow, let’s return to the topic of personal appearance.” Mrs. Bridgeport turned her attention to Maude. “I want our children to be well groomed at all times. And we must lead by example. Don’t you agree, Maude?”
    The older woman immediately tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, I do think children should be neat and so forth, but I’m all for lettin’ them have fun and get dirty, too. Elstwise, there’s not much sense in having a childhood, now is there?”
    â€œChildhood is a time to have fun,