The Widows of Braxton County Read Online Free Page A

really. And it’s going to take a month or so to finish it.” He traced a cross over his heart. “I swear . . . once it’s done, she’s moving.”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, not softening her rigid stance.
    “I didn’t want it to be a reason to postpone the wedding.”
    “So you decided to keep it a secret?”
    “Okay, not the smartest decision on my part,” he acknowledged. “But I thought once you saw the house and you understood the problem, you’d be okay with this temporary arrangement. She’s my mother. I can’t kick her out of what’s been her home for forty years.”
    “I get that, but you should’ve told me before the wedding. I don’t like being caught unaware.”
    “I know and I’m sorry.” His lips twisted in a frown. “I never intended for you to be blindsided. Ma was supposed to stay at her friend’s until I had a chance to explain.”
    Kate felt her anger ease at the dejected expression on his face.
    “And I was afraid,” he continued in a low voice.
    “Of what?”
    “That even with the baby, you might decide not to marry me.”
    “Because of your mother?”
    “Yes.” He looked down at his feet. “Not many women would want to take on a man who’s lived with his mother all these years,” he answered in a soft voice. “I worried that you might be one of them.” Raising his eyes, he searched Kate’s face. “I couldn’t stand the thought of losing you and the baby.”
    “You should’ve trusted me.”
    Joe brushed a strand of hair away from her ear and leaned in close. “I know . . . this is a terrible way for us to start our new life together.” He placed a soft kiss on the crook of her neck. “After meeting your grandmother, I should’ve been honest with you—”
    “What has my grandmother got to do with this?” she asked, jerking away.
    Joe stepped back. “Nothing . . . it’s just . . . well . . . meeting her and all . . .” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. “I can tell your grandmother’s given you a hard time over the years, but my mother is nothing like her—”
    Kate cut him off as she felt her anger spike. “And you think that I would do anything, even if it meant living with your mother, to get away from her?”
    He shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant at all, and don’t go putting words in my mouth.” His face flushed. “I meant it as a compliment. I can see now the sacrifices that you’ve made for her, and you wouldn’t have made them if family didn’t matter to you. I should’ve known you’d accept my mother.”
    Kate stepped around him, walking to one of the long windows and looking out at the flat fields beyond the front of the house.
    Did she? Did she accept his mother? She gave a soft snort. After the lukewarm greeting she’d received, she wasn’t sure that Joe’s mother was ready to accept her . Bowing her head, she rubbed her forehead. She’d spent most of her life placating her grandmother. Would she have to do the same for Joe’s mother? If she were honest with herself, Joe was right. She had wanted to get away from her grandmother. She wanted her own life. A life that included a husband, a home, and children.
    She turned and let her gaze travel the bedroom. She took in the old striped wallpaper, the bed with its carved walnut headboard and chenille bedspread, the washstand that still held an antique pitcher and bowl. Generations of Krauses had been born in this house, and it would be a good place to raise a family. Every marriage had a few bumps . . . maybe not this soon into it . . . but she could either let Joe’s lack of honesty spoil her dream or be a good wife and accept his motives.
    Her attention settled on her husband, still standing by the dresser while he waited for her to say something. No longer flushed, he looked uncertain, and Kate felt her future hanging in the balance. She made her choice.
    Crossing her arms, she studied him. “Your mother is taking the apartment as