Where the Wild Rose Blooms Read Online Free PDF Page A

wonderful, and I just can't think what he sees in me."
    Addy's arms went around her oldest child. A lovelier, sweeter Christian girl she had never known, but Eddie always believed herself homely next to her beautiful sister, Jackie. Indeed, Jackie was lovely, but Eddie didn't realize how lovely she herself was. Addy pulled a scented lace handkerchief from her pocket and tenderly wiped her daughter's face. She cupped her daughters soft cheeks in her smooth hands and spoke earnestly into her deep blue eyes.
    "Robert Langley was blessed by God the day he walked into your Aunt Lacey's home in Boulder and saw you sitting there. I've talked to my sister, and she said he was enchanted before he could take his next breath. He wouldn't have felt that way about a little girl. She said he couldn't keep his eyes off you. And what did you tell me he said?"
    "That he'd been waiting for me for a very long rime."
    Addy smiled. "Finish your letter, dear, and run downtown to post it."
    "Thank you, Mother."
    Addy was on her way from the room when Eddie spoke again.
    "Why are you home?"
    "Because your father wants me to meet the girls every day, and school lets out in less than an hour."
    Eddie hadn't realized the time. She finished the letter, saying just what she'd wanted, and then grabbed her bonnet and rushed for the door. She wasn't overly tall, but her stride was swift, and in less time than she would have expected, she was at the post office and pushing her coin and letter across the counter. The postmaster smiled warmly at the lovely young woman, and Eddie beamed at him before turning to go. She was on her way through the door when a voice stopped her.
    "Good afternoon, Miss Fontaine."
    Having recognized that voice, Eddie turned with a ready smile.
    "And to you, Mr. Taggart."
    "What are you up to this warm afternoon?"
    "I was mailing a letter. How about yourself?"
    "I was doing the same."
    "Someone special?" Eddie asked with a cheeky grin.
    "Business," Clayton told her dryly. "How about you?"
    Eddie bit her lip, her eyes sparkling. Clayton would have been blind not to recognize the look.
    "What's his name?"
    "Robert," she breathed. "Robert Langley."
    "Where does he live?"
    "Boulder."
    "I see. And does he tell you that he's been looking for you for the whole of his life?"
    "Oh, Tag," Eddie breathed. "How did you know?"
    Clayton's smile was tender. She was a girl in love, all right. He thanked God that he hadn't lost his head the first time they'd met.
    "God was smiling on Robert Langley the day he found you, Eddie Fontaine."
    "That's what my mother says."
    "And she's right." Clayton suddenly flipped his watch out of his pocket. "I've got to run. I told Milly I'd give her a lift home. Would you like a ride?"
    "No. I have to get to the store."
    "Good day to you then, Miss Fontaine."
    Eddie threw him a beaming smile and swung away. Clayton placed his hat back on his head, climbed aboard the wagon, and swung the team toward the schoolhouse on the hill.
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4
    Milly and Danny left the schoolhouse still talking. They had hardly noticed each other before lunch, but once they had returned to class both realized that they sat just two seats away from each other. When Miss Bradley told the class they could pair up for a reading exercise, Danny immediately looked to Milly who slid over on her bench so the younger girl could join her. Jackie had ended up sitting with Susie, and both girls looked miserable.
    But now the day was over, and many of the students hit the door running. Miss Bradley had been strict but fair, and in her fairness she had warned them that she was an unyielding disciplinarian. She did not believe God had created stupid children, which meant if they were not learning, then they were not trying, and that meant the strap if you were a boy or the ruler if you were a girl. Punishment would be meted out at the front of the room, but that would be the end of it. No staying after class or writing sentences for the better part of the