His Brother's Bride Read Online Free PDF

one true desire, and there was no treasure in the world worth that.

Four
    Dear Uncle Stewart,
    I’m sorry it has taken so long to write. There have been some changes you need to be aware of. When I arrived in Cedar Springs, I found, to my sorrow, that Thomas had recently perished in an accident. Before you get riled up, I will tell you that I have married his brother, Cade. I am living in his grandfather’s farmhouse, so I have been looking diligently for the map these past three weeks.
    I have many other responsibilities as well. Cade has a five-year-old son I am looking out for.
    Emily paused, her hand steadied over the paper, and watched Adam out the window playing with a pail beside a pile of dirt. She wanted to tell her uncle how sweet and precocious the boy was and how much his presence warmed her heart. But her uncle would not care about that. She continued.
    In addition, there are animals to feed and care for, a garden to start, and all the household chores. I spend every spare moment looking for the map. Cade plows the fields from sunup to sundown, so I am able to do so without suspicion.
    Emily cringed even as she wrote the words. Guilt had built up within her more each day. It felt wrong to search through Cade’s private things. Well, isn’t it wrong of him to deny me of my own children? She would never realize her dream because of his decision. Was it so wrong of her to help Nana? Her gaze focused on the paper.
    I have asked Cade some questions about his grandfather, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about the robbery. He describes his great-grandfather Quincy as a “scoundrel” and says he disappeared one summer day and was never heard from again. This must have been the day he and my great-grandfather stole the coins. Cade doesn’t seem to know Quincy and Great-grandpapa stole the gold or that they were hung for it the following week.
    Emily rubbed her hands over her face. She hated thinking about the past and her involvement in this mess. She sighed and began writing again.
    How is Nana? Does she still lie awake singing “Listen to the Mockingbird”? Please tell her hello and let her know I’m thinking of her.
    She closed her eyes against the sting. Uncle Stewart would do no such thing; she could almost guarantee it. Was he making sure she was eating properly? Was he being kind to her? She knew better than to ask.
    I promise to let you know as soon as I find the map. Until then, please take good care of Nana.
    Sincerely,
    Emily
    She looked over the last line and knew she was pushing things. He didn’t like to be told what to do. But she was keeping her end of the bargain, and it was only fair that he did as well. She folded the note, tucked it into an envelope, and addressed it. Now she had only to take it to the post office.
    As she and Adam rode to town on the wagon, they sang songs together. She taught him “Camptown Races” and “Pop Goes the Weasel.” He had his pa’s dark hair and coloring, but his eyes were clear blue, and she wondered if they were like his ma’s.
    Once they arrived in town, she parked the wagon outside the mercantile and went to post her letter in the adjacent building. She left Adam on the porch with another boy while she entered the mercantile for a few things. It was not her first trip to the store, but she still felt like a stranger in town.
    There were a few women in the store, two she recognized from church.
    â€œEmily.” One of those women set down the bolt of fabric she’d been eyeing and approached. “Good afternoon. I’m Mara, we met at church.”
    â€œOf course.” Emily smiled, and wished she’d taken time to fix herself up. She must look a mess after gardening this morning.
    â€œI’m glad to see you. I’ve been wanting to invite you over to tea one morning.”
    â€œThat would be delightful.”
    They set a time for the next day, and Emily finished her