The Homesteader's Sweetheart Read Online Free PDF Page A

pulled away from his touch and used both hands to shake out her gown. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d forgotten Ethel needed some eggs and butter.”
    Quickly, Penny ducked into the General Store, the closest building, glancing over her shoulder to ensure Abbott hadn’t followed her.
    His high-handedness infuriated her, but it was the cold, calculating gleam beneath his stern manner that frightened her.
    She was so intent on evading Abbott’s attentions that she scarcely noticed the man with a little girl perusing the dry goods nearby. Until the small child gasped and tugged on Penny’s skirt.
    “Miss—”
    Penny turned to the child just as the little girl’s father exclaimed, “Breanna!” and pulled her away by the arm.
    It was the farmer. Relief swept through Penny even as she glanced over her shoulder. No one entered the building behind her. No Abbott.
    The man bent and spoke to his daughter in a tone too low for Penny to hear—though she tried—but she hated for the girl to get into trouble, especially when Penny was about to ask him for a favor. “It’s all right,” Penny interrupted, and the man turned a surprised face to her.
    He straightened to his full height and shifted the hat he held between his hands. “I’m sorry—your dress—” One of his hands jerked awkwardly toward her skirt.
    Penny glanced down and saw a handprint that looked suspiciously like melted licorice now marred the pale yellow silk of her skirt.
    “Is it ruined?”
    “I’m sure it isn’t,” Penny said, though she wasn’t sure of any such thing. Perhaps Ethel knew of a remedy to remove the stain. Penny wasn’t worried about the dress, though. She had much bigger problems today.
    Mr. Hyer, the General Store owner, addressed the farmer and both men turned away, the farmer pulling a piece of folded paper from his shirt pocket. Probably his shopping list.
    “Miss?”
    This time the little girl’s voice was tentative and she kept her hands clasped behind her.
    Penny shifted her skirt and squatted to speak at the girl’s level. “Hello. My name is Penny. What’s yours?”
    “Breanna,” came the soft reply.
    “I see you are helping your father with his purchases.”
    “Yes’m. Miss?”
    “Yes?”
    “I never seen a dress so pretty as yours.” The girl’s awed whisper was accented by her wide brown eyes.
    “Why, thank you.”
    Breanna’s eyes darted from Penny to a nearby mannequin wearing a frilly, child-size gown.
    Penny couldn’t help but notice the state of the girl’s dress—a simple calico print, worn in some places, too short. She’d noticed the farmer’s ill-fitting suit last night, but in the daylight, its worn condition was apparent as well. Penny knew her grandfather’s homestead hadn’t created much income in its early years. Not until he’d obtained a couple of good breeding mares and begun raising fine horses. It appeared her grandfather’s neighbors did not have enough funds to obtain newer clothing.
    Her heart pinched a little for the girl who wished for pretty things.
    “Are you and your father in town for long?” Penny pried, a glance revealing the farmer still in conversation with Mr. Hyer.
    “We stayed the night in a fancy hotel, but today we have to go home.” This was said in such a matter-of-fact tone that Penny had to hide a smile.
    The farmer glanced over his shoulder and started to turn as he caught sight of Penny and Breanna conversing, but Penny sent him what she meant to be a charming smile to reassure him. She hoped he was receptive to her plea—she wouldn’t go on a buggy ride with Mr. Abbott, nor any other activity.
    The farmer rejoined Penny and Breanna, putting a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “I hope she wasn’t being bothersome.”
    “No, no,” Penny said quickly, straightening up from her crouch. “Actually, I was hoping to find you.”
    His raised eyebrows communicated his disbelief. “Why?”
    Well, it wasn’t the most positive of responses, but Penny