His Forever Valentine Read Online Free PDF Page B

is Billy?” Rose asked.
    “He married Abbey Davis, ” Mrs. Quinn explained. “The sister of the girl you saw when you first arrived? They got married at the same time Leona’s son Spencer did.”
    “Oh, it was a lovely , double wedding, however there was a slight interruption … but I won’t get into that now.” Mrs. Riley said told her. “You should have been there. Enough of that, let’s talk about your wedding!”
    Rose now understood what the term, “faint of heart” meant. Hers became fainter with each passing moment as the women chattered on.  They seemed to thrive on making plans for her wedding, and everyone else’s too, if her guess was right. Praying for a distraction, she got one. Tom Turner helped Matthew into the storefront. Limping, he went to the nearest chair and sat.
    “Oh dear!” Mrs. Riley said.
      “Tarnation, Matthew!” was his mother’s remark. “What happened?  Is it that bad?”
    “I t’s my ankle. Deputy Turner insists he fetch Doc Brown so he can take a look at it.”
    “C an’t you stand?” his mother asked.
    “If I could, don’t you think I’d be doing so?”
    “Oh, this is terrible!” Mrs. Quinn wailed. “We can’t have a wedding with you sitting down!” 
    “Don’t I know it,” Mrs. Riley mu mbled under her breath as she smiled.
    Rose caught the remark but didn’t understand it. She furrowed her brow in curiosity before she stole a glance at Tom Turner.
    He c asually leaned against the counter and observed her, looking her over like a painting on a wall.  Did he like what he saw, or was he still making up his mind? Rose bit the inside of her cheek. What did it matter? She wasn’t marrying him.
    “We’ll discuss this wedding business after Doc takes a look at my ankle. In the meantime, I would like to get to know Miss Smith better.  Of course, we’ll need a chaperone.”
    Rose stiffened. He wanted to marr y her after all?  Wait a minute … was she hoping he wouldn’t?
    “Deputy Turner has graciously volunteered,” continued Matthew.
    Rose sucked in a breath. Everyone turned to her.
    “Are you all right, Miss Smith?” the deputy asked, as he stepped away from the counter.
    “I’m … I’m fine. Tired. Yes … it was a long journey.”
    “Oh, Betsy,” Mrs. Riley sighed. “What ever were we thinking jumping into wedding plans the moment this poor child arrived?”
    M rs. Quinn shook her head as she examined Rose. “Seems to me like she’s holding up all right.”
    “Mother, let the poor girl lie down!  She’s spent weeks on the road and …” he stopped and pushed his glasses up his nose. “Good grief, where is she going to stay? We’ve only the two bedrooms here.”
    “Oh, that’s all taken care of, dear,” Mrs. Riley consoled. “I’ve made arrangements for Miss Smith to stay with us out at the farm. You can do your courting out there if you like.” She chewed her lip as she scrutinized his ankle. “That is, if you think you’re up to it.”
    “Why , that’s a wonderful idea!” Mrs. Quinn chimed in.  “There so much more privacy out at your place.”
    Matthew looked like he’d swallowed a handful of crickets. “No. No, that will never do.”
    All three women looked at him. Even Deputy Turner cocked his head in curiosity. “What I mean is, my ankle.  It’s probably better if, say … the deputy takes our wagon out to the Riley place, picks her up, and brings her here.”
    Mrs. Quinn’s eyes widened. “Matthew, what will people think? Miss Smith can’t be riding to town alone with Deputy Turner.”
    “Which is exactly why my second chaperone will be accompanying him to the Riley farm to fetch her.”
    “Who?” voiced the matrons in perfect unison.
    Matthew cleared his throat. “Charlotte Davis.”
    “Charlotte Davis!” Mrs. Quinn cried. “What in Heaven’s name possessed you to think of her? Why, the whole town will know every single thing you do! That girl is nothing but a…”
    “Mother, calm yourself,