Bright Morning Star Read Online Free PDF

you taken a fancy to her husband?”
    Claire had stomped off and ignored her friend the rest of the way home, but all night she had gone over her reactions.
    The next morning she had decided to skip work and never see him again. Although she loved working in the lovely little boutique, she was determined to quit.
    Then Bonnie had once again given her a talk. Bonnie was in a race to go say goodbye to her brothers, Ian and Sean. As usual, she was telling Claire what to do. She had made Claire see she had a duty to her parents. Her father was counting on Henry to buy a pair of wagons and join them on the trek west. Besides, if she stayed home to cry, Bella would know she had been right.
    Ever since that day, she had prayed that it was not so, and done all in her power to avoid the man. But on a wagon train headed west, with miles and days to go along together, it was difficult. In a party of ten people, there was no way to ignore or avoid the man entirely.
    She was careful. There had been no more long discussions about fashion. Although he would occasionally ask her opinion and she would give it. She made sure they were with the rest of the group when they talked. Claire always sat beside her parents while he sat beside Bella, or on a separate bench with the twins.
    At night, she read the Bible to Mary Anne and tried to keep her thoughts pure. It worked, until she would see him the next day, struggling with his team, and he would give her his warm friendly smile. She couldn’t help her feelings, she would smile back. Honestly, she smiled at everyone. But then she wondered what it would be like to kiss such a handsome man. Would his mustache tickle? That was when she would worry her beads and pray.
     
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    Mary Anne repeated her name. Claire shook her head and looked down, as the nimble girl timed the wheel’s turn and scampered up onto the seat beside her. Claire managed to move the magazines in time.
    “What is it poppet? Did you finally find a snake of your own?”
    Mary Anne shook her head, her eyes suddenly very big. “No, Father Wimberley warned me that the ones from here west are poisonous. There’s rattlesnakes, and copperheads, and moccasins, and…cobras, or some more like that, I don’t remember them all. I don’t dare look any more.”
    Claire shuddered and extended her arm to pull the shivering little girl closer. “Thank goodness for that. What is it than, that you’ve got behind your back?”
    Mary Anne brought the flower out triumphantly and waved it at Claire. For a moment, Claire felt as pierced as if she had jabbed her with one of the blade-like leaves. Closing her eyes for a second, she managed to transform her reaction. She opened her eyes wide and exclaimed, “My how beautiful.”
    “I know, Bella gave it to me, and she told me its story.”
    Claire looked dubious. “Your flower has a story?”
    “Yes, the Iris is one of the bravest flowers. It pierces the soil in the spring, and unfurls its banner. That’s why many people call it a flag. That way all the other flowers and animals know it’s truly spring,” Mary Anne parroted Bella’s voice. Like all the McKinneys, the little girl could imitate anyone. Like Lynne, she had the same high, sweet voice. Claire could sing, at least a lot better than Bonnie. But she had never been able to sing the lead stanzas in church like Lynne.
    Claire rolled her eyes, reached out to touch the flower which was already looking wilted. “I’m not sure the daffodil would agree with Bella.”
    Mary Anne smiled and sighed, taking a deep scent of the purple petals. “I know, but she was so happy, I pretended to believe it was a real story, not one she just made up. She’s good at telling stories.”
    Claire gave the child another squeeze and brushed her hair back so she could stare into the serious gray eyes. For just a second, she imagined it was Lynne, not her little sister. They were both so much alike, serious, wise, and always kind. Claire gave her