Robin Lee Hatcher Read Online Free PDF Page B

still. But here … now …
    The wagon turned a bend in the road, and Jakob said, “There’s Shadow Creek.”
    She followed his gaze with her own.
    “That’s the Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.” He pointed. “And there’s the Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church on the opposite corner.”
    “That’s our church,” Maeve said from behind Karola.
    “Yeah, our church,” Bernard echoed.
    Jakob nodded. “Pastor Joki should be waiting for us.”
    Karola felt suddenly chilled. In a short while, her life would be forever changed. She would be both wife and mother. It was what she’d wanted when she set sail for America, and now it was about to come true.
    It didn’t take long to reach the white church building with its steeple and stained glass windows.
    Through the Shadow Creek Hotel’s large plate glass window, Tulley Gaffney saw the Hirsch carriage stop in front of the Lutheran church. He stepped closer to observe Jakob as he took little Ais-linn from the woman’s arms, then assisted her to the ground.
    “Ian,” Tulley called to his son who was attending to some paperwork behind the front desk. “I’ll be across the street.”
    By the time he was out the door and had stepped off the sidewalk, Tully saw that Jakob and his bride, as well as his children, had disappeared inside the church. Then he noticed Father Patrick, his black robe flapping against his heels, headed in the same direction as he was.
    “A good mornin’ to you, Father,” Tulley said as the two men drew closer to their destination.
    “And a good morning to you, Tulley. It appears there’s to be a wedding.”
    “So it does, Father.”
    The Catholic priest smiled. “Have you met the bride-to-be?”
    “No, Father. Sure, and it hasn’t been me pleasure. She was to arrive yesterday by train.”
    “Then let us not delay.”
    Tulley motioned for Father Patrick to proceed ahead of him through the church’s open door.
    The sanctuary was cool and dim. Morning light filtered through colored glass, staining pews and floor in shades of green, red, and gold. Jakob and his bride stood at the front of the church, while his children sat in the front row. Rick Joki, the Lutheran pastor, was speaking to the couple in soft tones. His sister, Dorotea, sat at the organ, her brow pinched.
    Everyone looked toward the back of the church at the sound of the new arrivals’ footsteps on the wooden floor.
    Tulley’s gaze went straight to the bride. She had a willowy build, and everything about her—from her wheat-blond hair to her ice-blue eyes to her fair complexion—seemed soft, pale, quiet.
    So unlike his niece.
    Tulley glanced at Jakob. He had a tender spot in his heart for this young man. He’d been a loving and faithful husband to Siobhan and was a devoted father to their children. A harder worker couldn’t be found in all this valley. It seemed to Tulley that Jakob had suffered more trials and heartache than were his due at his age. It was time he was blessed with happiness, and in Tulley’s way of thinking, the right wife could bring that blessing.
    But I’m wondering if you’re after bein’ the right one, Karola Breit? It’s an odd choice you seem to me now. Will you be bringin’ happiness into Jakob’s heart?
    The priest offered his hand—and a smile—to Karola Breit. “I’m Father Patrick. Welcome to Shadow Creek, Miss Breit.”
    “Danke,” she replied as she placed her gloved hand in the priest’s.
    “We only learned of your coming a few days ago.” Father Patrick looked at Jakob. “Though why you’d want to keep this lovely young woman a secret from your friends is beyond me. The townsfolk would have welcomed her in style if we’d been given a chance.”
    “We didn’t want a lot of fanfare,” Jakob answered.
    “Maybe not you”—Father Patrick’s gaze returned once more to Karola—“but every bride hopes for some. Isn’t that true, Miss Breit?”
    It seemed to Tulley that Karola grew even more pale as her gaze lowered to the