Lanterns and Lace Read Online Free PDF Page B

enter a man’s home and declare his child her property. Good day, Miss Martin. As I stated before, there are no charges for my services. Jessica was family, and you are her sister.”
    Jenny’s face grew warm. “I have not traveled all this distance just to turn around and go back home. We have matters to discuss and settle.”
    “When you are able to discuss things calmly, perhaps.” He opened the door of his study. “Good day, Miss Martin.”
    *****
    Grant listened to the sharp click of Jenny’s heels as she marched across the foyer’s wooden floor to the stairway. He closed the door a bit more soundly than usual, repressing a deep desire to slam it until the whole house shook. And once the house shook and the window panes rattled, he’d do the same to Miss Jenny Martin. Anger invaded every part of his body, and he instinctively paced the floor to dispel its fervor. He’d gladly carry all of Jenny Martin’s bags and that massive trunk down the stairs to his wagon and on to the boardinghouse.
    So, Jenny Martin came to Kahlerville to whisk away my daughter! How perfectly virtuous of her. He pounded his fist into his palm.
    Grant considered how Jenny had paid little attention to Rebecca at breakfast except to make a comment here and there. Not at all the actions one would expect from an aunt who had never seen her niece before. No tender, endearing looks or endless questions about the first two years of his daughter’s life. Rather, she observed her cautiously, as though fearing something.
    “Humph.” She probably had been assessing his abilities as a father and planned to make full report of it to some fancy city lawyer. Not one word of love or affection for Jessica—her own sister. The woman didn’t even know how to respect the dead. He’d like nothing better than to follow her right up those stairs and escort her out of town.
    She’d never set foot in this house again. And as far as visiting Rebecca—well, Jenny could see her from a distance with Mimi or him. Jenny should have stayed in Cleveland where she belonged. And what about her parents? Who would allow a single young woman to travel across the country in the company of that . . . that dandy?
    He persisted in pacing the room, fuming with each reflection. His heart raced until his pulse thundered throughout his body. So intense were his emotions that he barely heard a faint knock.
    “Papa,” the little voice said. “Papa.”
    Taking a deep breath, Grant opened the door and bent down to his little daughter. Just seeing her soothed his vehement emotions. “Yes, sweetheart.” He brushed a wispy curl from her face.
    “Lady cry.” She pointed to the stairs and searched his face for an answer.
    “Did she say anything to you?” Fury threatened to take over his last bit of control. Rebecca shook her head, and her brown eyes grew even bigger. “Lady kiss me.”
    She pointed to her cheek.
    “Miss Martin kissed you?” Grant said, surprised at Jenny’s display of affection.
    His daughter nodded and reached for Grant to take her. Trembling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder.
    Remorse for his burst of temper pricked Grant’s heart. His angry words had frightened Rebecca, the one person he wanted to protect.
    “Why lady cry?” Rebecca said.
    Shame needled at him. He could have handled the situation much better than this. Look what his self-righteous attitude had caused.
    “Papa?”
    Grant looked into his daughter’s sweet face and kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry Papa’s loud voice scared you.”
    “Scare lady, too.”
    Oh, Lord, out of the mouths of babes do we hear the truth. He lifted her chin. “Then I’m going to take you to Mimi and go see about Miss Martin.”
    “You kiss her and tell her you’re sorry?”
    Not in a million years. “I will apologize and see that she’s fine.”
    He carried Rebecca into the dining room and set her in Mimi’s lap. The older woman’s eyes mirrored her