Sudden Storms Read Online Free PDF Page B

desperation—a need to see him as soon as she could. She thought of him almost constantly, thrilled at the simplest touch or attention from him. Her fascination with Paxton Gray was dangerous, and she knew it. Yet she couldn’t help it! She couldn’t give the sight of him up! In truth, Paxton was the thing keeping Rivers from running to the tracks and hopping a train to escape the odd aching in her heart, the longing to be of value to him.
    Thus Rivers had settled into a happy routine of farm life. Through Jolee, she felt at home, welcome, and not the least bit indebted. She knew Jolee enjoyed having her there, whether or not Paxton did. Most of the time, Paxton simply seemed indifferent to Rivers’s presence at the farm—seemed no more interested in her than he did the sacks of potatoes in the root cellar.
    As Rivers sat reflecting on the past weeks, she and Jolee both startled at a knock on the front door.
    “Let me see who it is, Jo,” Rivers said, rising and walking through the parlor. “You just sit there and rest.”
    “Hey there, Rivers,” Weston Warner greeted as Rivers opened the door.
    “Hello, Weston. What brings you out this way?” Rivers asked as she stepped aside to let him enter.
    “I’m lookin’ for Pax. He around?” Weston asked.
    “Jo…it’s Weston,” Rivers said. She smiled as Jolee appeared a moment later, a scarlet blush of delight warming her cheeks.
    “I’m lookin’ for Pax, Jo,” Weston said, removing his hat and smiling at Jolee. “Seen him ’round anywhere?”
    Jolee walked over to them, and Rivers could see her friend was all too aware of her peas-stained apron and the strand of hair escaping from her braid.
    “Um…” Jolee stammered, trying to tuck the strand of loose hair behind her ear, “I think he’s in the barn fixin’ one of the stalls.”
    Rivers smiled at the amused grin spreading across Weston’s face as he looked Jolee up and down.
    “Been cannin’ this mornin’, Jo?” he asked.
    “Beans and peas,” Jolee answered.
    It never ceased to amaze Rivers how tongue-tied Jolee became when Weston entered a room.
    “You all will have to invite me for supper some time and let a neighbor sample ’em for ya,” Weston coaxed.
    Rivers quickly looked to Jolee, but the girl only stood smiling. She couldn’t believe it! Jolee didn’t seem to notice the insinuation Weston was hurling at her.
    “Tonight would be a good night, wouldn’t it, Jo? You come on over for supper tonight, Weston. We’ve just taken a couple of cherry pies out of the oven,” Rivers said, winking at her friend.
    “Oh! Oh, yes! Tonight. Tonight would be a good night, Weston. For you to come to supper, I mean,” Jolee stammered.
    “Well now, that’s just fine. But a man practically has to invite himself.” Weston smiled and asked, “Now, ya say Pax’s out in the barn?”
    Jolee nodded.
    “All right then. I guess I’ll be by about…” Weston coaxed again, motioning with one hand for Jolee to finish his sentence.
    “Oh! Um…Five. Five should be about right,” Jolee stammered.
    “Well, you ladies have a nice day now,” Weston offered, tipping his hat to Jolee and then Rivers.
    “You too,” Jolee called as he sauntered across the front porch.
    When Weston was well out of earshot, Rivers exclaimed, “Jolee Gray! I swear you’re as dumb as an ox when he’s around! He’s gonna think you’re not interested.”
    Jolee rubbed her forehead with one hand. “He just makes me so nervous, Rivers! I can’t help it. Did ya see the way he was lookin’ at me? I know he just thought I was the plainest thing on earth. I mean, look at me. All covered in preservin’ mess, hair flyin’ every which way…”
    “And a smushed pea spot on the tip of your nose,” Rivers added with a giggle.
    “Oh fine, Rivers. I feel much better now, thank you,” Jolee exclaimed, brushing the evidence of having been canning from her nose and turning back to the kitchen.
    “You’re beautiful that way. I