Westward Hearts Read Online Free Page A

been a change in plans,” she said slowly. “Matthew and Violet have decided not to get married after all.” Her mother let out a little gasp, and Elizabeth continued. “These things happen sometimes,” she said calmly. “People change their minds about things. And Violet has decided to go to Frankfort.”
    “Who is Frank Fort?” Ruth asked with wide eyes.
    “Frankfort is a big city,” Jamie declared.
    “Bigger than Selma? Big as Paducah?” Ruth asked. “Paducah is a big city.”
    “It’s certainly the biggest city you’ve ever seen,” Elizabeth assured her.
    “And our county seat,” Clara pointed out.
    “But Frankfort is lots bigger than Paducah,” Jamie informed his sister with authority—as if he’d actually been there. “And it’s the capital of the whole state of Kentucky. Don’t you know that yet, Ruth?”
    Ruth ignored him, directing her question to her grandfather instead. “Where is Frankfort?”
    “It’s northeast of us a spell.” With a grim expression, Asa laid some turkey on his wife’s plate.
    “Will Uncle Matthew go to Frankfort too?” Jamie asked.
    “No,” Elizabeth told him. “Matthew is staying here.”
    “Is Violet going all by herself?” Ruth was confused.
    “No.” Elizabeth looked across the table at her mother, who appeared as confused as Ruth. “Walter Slake is taking her there.”
    “Walter?” Holding the carving knife in the air like a torch, Asa gave his daughter a shocked expression, and Clara dropped her fork. They all jumped as it clanged loudly against the plate.
    “Why is Walter taking Violet to the big city?” Ruth asked.
    “Because Walter and Violet have decided they want to get married,” Elizabeth said plainly. “It seems that they both want to live in Frankfort after they get married.”
    “But what about Uncle Matthew?” Ruth asked. “Who is going to marry him?”
    Elizabeth made a stiff smile. “Don’t you worry about that, Ruthie. Your Uncle Matthew is a fine young man. Honest and hardworking and smart and fine . The girls will probably be lining up to marry him.”
    “Can I marry him?” Ruth asked hopefully.
    The grown-ups chuckled.
    “No,” Jamie said sharply. “You’re not allowed to.”
    Ruth frowned. “But I love Uncle Matthew.”
    “You can’t marry your uncle,” Jamie scolded. “Don’t be such a silly goose.”
    “Jamie.” Elizabeth shook her head with disapproval. “Manners, please.”
    “I just don’t understand.” Clara shook her head. “How did all this happen?”
    “How do you think it happened?” Asa said in a grumpy tone.
    “Well… I…” Clara sighed and then slowly shook her head. “I… I suppose it’s for the best. It’s an ill wind that blows no good.”
    “Anyway…” Elizabeth continued calmly for the sake of the children. “Uncle Matthew might be sad for a few days or even longer. So let’s all be kind and understanding to him. And it is best if we don’t talk about Violet or any of this. Not at all.” She glanced at her parents now. “Uncle Matthew doesn’t even want to hear Violet’s name spoken. It will only make him sad.”
    “That’s just fine and dandy by me.” Asa flopped some turkey meat onto Elizabeth’s plate with a grim expression. He was obviously disturbed by this news.
    “And now I’m going to fill Matthew a plate of food. Even though he’s sad, he still needs to eat.” Elizabeth reached for one of the empty plates that had been set for Matthew and Violet, but her mother beat her to it.
    “Let me do that,” Clara insisted as she grabbed a plate and began heaping it with potatoes.
    Elizabeth nodded. “But I’ll take it up to him.”
    “Poor Uncle Matthew,” Ruth said sadly.
    “We’ll have to do our best to cheer him up.” Elizabeth gathered a napkin and silverware. “But not until he’s ready to join us.” She stood and picked up the heavy plate of food.
    “Give him our love.” Clara sighed.
    “Of course.” Elizabeth turned to leave the