Tessa McDermid - Family Stories Read Online Free PDF Page A

times. "Yes, Adam Bates. You stay the night and I'll take you over to see him first thing in the morning."
    Marian paused in the doorway, a flicker of alarm in her eyes. "Who's going where, Father?"
    "I was saying that Adam Bates needs another hand. Young Frank, here, might be just the man." He dug into the piece of pie she set before him with the same intensity he'd given to his sermon. "I invited Frank to stay the night, Mother."
    The thought of sleeping in the same house with Marian only a few feet away was almost more than he could take. The apple pie tasted like sawdust and he couldn't look at any of them as he mechanical y chewed and swal owed the flaky pastry, his eyes on his plate.

    After dinner, he accompanied Reverend Cooper to the parlor while the women finished clearing the table. The older man withdrew behind his Bible. Frank sat on the edge of the sofa, his fingers silently drumming on the armrest. Did he want a permanent job working in a feed store? Wouldn't have to be forever, he told himself.
    There was nothing to tie him to this town.
    When the women came into the room, Mrs. Cooper brought out some sewing and settled in a corner. Marian wandered over to the narrow window. She pul ed back the heavy drapes.
    "Mother is famous for her garden," Marian said.
    Her father lowered his Bible. "Mother does work wonders with her flowers. Marian, take Frank for a turn around the garden."
    They walked out of the parlor and down the back hal . Once outside, he took a deep breath.
    "They're not that bad," Marian said.
    "I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles al through dinner," lie confessed.
    "You were nervous?"
    "With good reason. Your father just kept me on my toes. He's a very sharp man, Marian. I didn't know what he was going to ask me next."
    She led the way into the little garden area. They were behind the house, away from the parlor windows.
    She stopped near a rose bush, idly touching one of the pink petals, her back to him. "Did you mean that about staying, Frank? Are you real y going to interview for a job?"
    She had left her hat in the house. The soft breeze ruffled her loose curls. Her skin seemed to reflect the bright colors of the flowers, and his breath caught in his throat. She was so beautiful.
    He had to get away so he could think clearly. He stumbled onto the path and started walking in the opposite direction. When she cal ed out his name in a dismayed voice, he didn't stop, breaking into a run as he left the path and entered an unplowed field. He final y slowed near a clump of trees, leaning his head against the nearest one, gulping in the fresh air.
    Stil trying to catch his breath, he heard her footsteps behind him. "Frank, what's the matter with you?" she asked in a breathless voice.
    He bit his lip, unable to face her; he didn't move until he felt a timid touch on his arm.
    "Frank, please, what's the matter?"
    He turned then and saw his confusion mirrored in her eyes. With a strangled sob, he put his arms around her, pul ing her close. Her arms slowly crept around his neck. When she lifted her face, he kissed her.
    She tasted of cinnamon apples and sunshine. His eyes closed and he probed her lips with his tongue, wanting to taste more of her.
    Her hands pushed at his chest. "Please, Frank..."
    Fear sounded in her voice. Cursing himself for forgetting that she was an innocent, he raised his head.
    "Marian," he said thickly.

    She traced the side of his cheek with her fingertips. "Why did you kiss me like that?"
    He almost chuckled at the childlike wonder in her question.
    He rested his forehead against her silken curls. "Because you drive me mad."
    "I do?"
    A hint of womanly pride edged into her voice. He bent down, gently nipping her nose with his lips. "Yes. Does that please you?"
    She giggled. "I've never driven a man mad before."
    He pul ed away from her until he could gaze into her eyes. "Marian Cooper, you probably drive every man in this town wild."
    Her lashes fel but not before he