Jodi Thomas Read Online Free PDF Page A

water, Chance had made two decisions. First, he was going to treat Anna like she was his sister when he was around her. And second, he was going to stay around her as little as possible. He hobbled Cyoty so the horse could graze along the creek’s grassy bank, then Chance walked back to the camp still deep in thought.
    As he neared the tent, he saw Anna standing facing the morning sun with her eyes closed, her auburn hair tied in a neat bun, and every emotion carefully hidden from view. She waited until he was standing beside her before speaking. “There is coffee in the main tent.”
    The anger that had dripped from her words as thick as cold grease only minutes before was gone. Her voice was soft and kind and sounded as though she’d had a great deal of experience hiding her feelings. She took his arm and they walked to the main tent where people seemed drunk on the contagious excitement that sparked the air. Some folks were ill and many looked weak, but this morning everyone managed a smile. For today they would begin the last part of their journey to paradise.
    Anna stood close beside him, introducing him to the few people she knew and translating when needed. Some of the older folks were determined to bring their native language with them, but many of the younger ones had decided to speak only English in this new land. Chance found their broken English almost as impossible to understand as their German.
    “Good morn’,” said a tiny young woman, smiling at Anna and Chance.
    The sight of such a slight woman on the arm of her huge husband made Chance smile. “Good morning.”
    “Good morn— ing, ” she repeated, practicing her English.
    “These are my friends.” Anna leaned close to Chance as she introduced Carl Jordan and his wife, Selma. “They are from my village, but I didn’t know them until the journey.”
    “They speak English?” Chance winked at Anna as Selma assured him that she did in words he barely understood.
    The smile that touched Anna’s green eyes made his heart miss a beat. “Carl is very quiet. I’m not sure he speaks at all.” The laughter in her eyes and Selma’s long-winded denial left Chance with the feeling that Carl’s silence was probably more from lack of opportunity than from shyness.
    “My husband,” Selma rattled in broken English, “is a carpenter and so he was allowed to bring two trunks.” She touched his arm with pride. “He can lift our trunk alone, but the one with his tools is very heavy.”
    “I’d be glad to lend him a hand.” Chance nodded toward Carl and the huge round-shouldered man smiled.
    As they heaved the trunk filled with tools onto a wagon, Chance decided he liked this strong, silent man and his wife, who was like a noisy bundle of cheer. He was glad Anna had chosen them for friends.
    That was more than Chance could say for Walter Schmitz. The fat, middle-aged man had been watching them all morning out of the corner of his eye. Finally, he meandered forward.
    “Morning.” Walter didn’t smile as he greeted them.
    Chance nodded once, but he noticed Anna didn’t answer.
    Walter moved closer. “How are the newly married this day?”
    As he waited a moment for Anna to answer, Chance felt her hand tighten along his arm. He said simply, “Fine.” He didn’t like the way the older man looked down his nose at them as if he were lowering himself even to be seen talking with them.
    Walter looked directly at Anna. “It is a sad day when the memory of an honorable man like my friend William Meyer is tarnished by his wife’s marrying beneath her within days after his death.”
    Anna held her head high, and her fingers dug into Chance’s arm as he took a step forward. Walter quickly moved away into the crowd, a touch of fear in his eyes when he glanced back at Chance.
    “Anna . . . ?” Chance said uncertainly.
    “Forget his words,” Anna snapped, making Chance wonder how anyone could be so cold and so beautiful at the same time. Being around