After the Rain Read Online Free PDF

routine.”
    Referring to their wedding ceremony as a necessity made her wince. She should have found a better way to say what she meant. This marriage might be for completely different reasons than her one to Daniel, but the vows would not be taken lightly.
    “Let’s see if you can stand up.” Rand slid one hand under her forearm and cupped her elbow with the other.
    Successfully, she stood with both feet. “See, perfect as a ripe Georgia peach.”
    “Not so fast though you are as pretty as a peach.” He threw her a wink. “Try taking a few steps.”
    Lettie took a few steps forward, relieved when her legs supported and moved with her. “I told you I was fine,” she boasted.
    Crooking his neck, he gave her a strange look that she couldn’t interpret. Their eyes locked for several moments. “All the walkways are still extremely icy. Yesterday, the temperature warmed just enough to thaw the ice before it dropped back to freezing and made a slick mess over everything. Would you have a problem if I track down Pastor Gibbons and bring him here to perform the ceremony?”
    Chewing on her bottom lip, Lettie deliberated. “If it’s not too much trouble, I really want to marry in the church. I know it doesn’t matter where it takes place, but since ours won’t be a conventional marriage, I’d at least like to keep that tradition.”
    Rand rubbed his chin. “How’s this. I’ll leave you here while I return to the train station to retrieve your trunks. Once I have them loaded in the wagon, I’ll return to pick you up and we’ll drive to the church instead of walking.”
    Weatherton hadn’t looked too big from her vantage point on the train. Albeit she’d not been cognizant as she’d been transported from the train to the doctor’s house, but she was almost certain the walk from where she was to the church couldn’t be far enough to warrant all that moving of the wagon. “You don’t have to go through all that trouble. I can walk.”
    “I’d rather not take chances,” he said, a cloud of darkness briefly shrouding his eyes.
    There was something in his expression that made Lettie not want to argue or disagree, a sadness that seemed to envelop him and leave as soon as it came. “Your arrangement sounds sensible.”
    “I won’t be long, thirty minutes at the most.”
    Lettie darted her gaze. “Should we tell the Fosters?”
    Casting another wink her way, Rand held up a single finger. “Wait,” he mouthed.
    Tilting her head, Lettie looked at him with raised eyebrows. Ten seconds later, footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs.
    “That was a beautiful clock you purchased, Myrtle. I declare, you have the best decorating sense of anyone in the west. A fine piece of craftsmanship, indeed.” Flynn gave his head a definitive shake.
    “I thought you would approve, darling.” Myrtle directed an adoring gaze to her husband.
    Lettie knew their conversation was for show, yet there was genuine affection behind Myrtle’s gaze. Once upon a time, she had looked at someone that same way.
    Stop it , she silently chided herself. Daniel is gone and there is no bringing him back.
    She felt like her emotions were on that roller coaster from New York she’d read about, at a place called Coney Island that Daniel had wanted to take her to someday. Up and down. One minute she couldn’t think straight for fear of what lay ahead, the next laughing and feeling comfortable in Rand’s presence. Advice that Sarah gave her came to the forefront of her mind. Be open to what the Lord has in store for you. Focusing on Daniel’s memory was not being open. She had to stop thinking about him and embrace the life she was living.
    Rand informed the Fosters of the plan, and Flynn offered to help retrieve the trunks. They hadn’t walked through the door and Myrtle was already whisking her into a less formal sitting area.
    “Have a seat anywhere, dear. I still have some warm tea resting on the stovetop and I’ll prepare us a