After the Rain Read Online Free PDF Page A

reiterated.
    “Congratulations.” Flynn slapped Rand on his back.
    “Come with me, Flynn. There is something upstairs that I’d like to show you,” Myrtle directed toward her husband.
    “Can it wait until after our guests leave?”
    Myrtle nudged her elbow into her husband’s ribs. “Perhaps they’d like a few moments alone,” she whispered.
    “Ahhh, yes dear, that new thing you bought from the general store this morning.”
    The couple disappeared from the room, leaving Lettie alone with Rand. Despite the awkwardness of her arrival and the situation, she smiled at the couple’s clumsy attempt at discretion. Their footsteps could be heard as they ascended the stairs. The room became silent, and Rand looked at her through an expression mixed with concern and relief. The concern she understood, but why relief? That she’d arrived? That she hadn’t been hurt during the fall? Because he didn’t find her to be hideous? She chastised herself for the superficial thought.
    Although, looking at him, she couldn’t help but admire his appearance. Not classically handsome, he was attractive in his own right. Straight blonde hair, darkened almost to the color of dried grass in autumn, was trimmed to a tidy length. Olive green eyes with golden flecks stared at her so intently, she shifted in her seat. Even in winter, a time people would spend mostly indoors, his skin was darkened from the sun. Small lines spidered out from the creases of his eyes, and she wondered if they were caused from working in harsh weather conditions or were they remnants of the sorrow he’d felt when his wife passed.
    His lips curled into an impish smile. “That was quite an introduction. I’ve never had a woman literally fall for me.”
    Heat infused her face again until she looked at him and saw no mocking. His words had been an attempt at humor meant to put her at ease, and she did find herself relaxing in his presence. “If only you’d been wearing a suit of armor,” she quipped, playing along. “I’ve always wanted to be rescued by a knight.”
    The smile spread on his face, exposing a line of straight, clean teeth and his chest shook with a suppressed laugh. “I suppose I should formally introduce myself. Randall McCade, your fiancée.”
    “Nice to meet you, Randall McCade.”
    “Rand. No one calls me Randall unless I’m in trouble.” He inclined his head toward the stairs, reminding her of Myrtle’s earlier scolding.
    The embarrassment of her near fall was diminishing, allowing her to absorb the knowledge that she had made it to Weatherton. She was creating a new life for herself, one in which her child would be raised in a safe environment. Any fear or worry about Rand’s character was quickly being allayed. In his brief interaction with the Fosters, she could sense the mutual respect between all parties. Additionally, she’d always believed a person’s eyes conveyed valuable insight into their owner’s character. There was nothing in Rand’s green irises that flagged alarm.
    A sigh of respite escaped her.
    Rand must have mistaken the action for a negative connotation. “I’m sorry. You must be plumb worn out from the trip and the excitement of fainting. Why don’t I walk over to Mae’s Boardinghouse and secure a room for you? She will take care of you and we can postpone the wedding until you are fully recovered.”
    His thoughtfulness warmed a part of her heart that had turned cold at the turn of events following Daniel’s death. Her mother’s betrayal and refusal to see Maxwell for who he was, plus Maxwell’s violent outburst at the farm, had stolen her faith in people. Increasingly, individuals were being placed in her life to restore that faith. Mrs. Broadmoor, Sarah and now Rand. Something told her Rand would play the largest part in that healing, but she couldn’t dwell on that now.
    “I am tired,” she confessed, “but I’d rather necessities be done today so we can begin to establish a new