Wild Innocence Read Online Free PDF Page A

a bit tired from our journey.” She managed to smile at him. “You know my father and sister?”
    â€œYour sister’s married to my best friend. They live in the house across the road. Daniel, her husband, is our resident blacksmith.”
    â€œYou must be joking,” Rachel said, shocked. “Amelia’s not married. She neither wants nor needs a husband.”
    â€œThen, she must have changed her mind, ’cause she’s now married to Daniel Trahern.”
    Rachel felt the blood drain from her face. “I don’t believe it. She never wrote to tell me.”
    Miranda placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Perhaps she did, and you just didn’t receive her letter.”
    â€œMy father,” Rachel said, “where is he?”
    Jack Keller eyed her with concern. “He resides at the Whitely mission not far from here.”
    â€œThen it’s true,” she whispered. Amelia was married. How could she up and marry? Rachel felt betrayed again. A burning started in her stomach and spiraled outward. She was disappointed. She had convinced herself that she didn’t need a man because Amelia didn’t. But apparently she was wrong about her sister.
    Oh, Amelia, how could you marry without telling me?
    Rupert and Keller began to gather Rupert’s list of requested supplies. Rachel turned away to stare at the wall, not seeing. She was suddenly besieged by doubts. She’d hoped that the three of them—Father, Amelia, and she—could live together happily in her father’s house at the mission. But Amelia didn’t need her, and Amelia had always been the one to help her father whenever he needed an assistant. Did Amelia still help her father? Or could Rachel ask to take Amelia’s place?
    Amelia was married! Rachel was flabbergasted. How could you, Amelia! How could you!
    Amelia must have changed a great deal in the last two years. Rachel tried to imagine the type of man that her sister had married, and the image was a poor one.
    A blacksmith, she thought with a shudder. She pictured the man covered with sweat and soot and smelling of horses.
    Suddenly, she was nervous about seeing her family, wondering just how much they had changed since coming to live in this wilderness.
    â€œRachel?”
    She turned at the touch on her arm. Miranda was studying her with concern. “Are you all right?” her friend asked.
    Rachel bobbed her head. “Fine, fine.”
    â€œYou’re lying, Rachel Dempsey. I can tell when you lie. You get the strangest look on your face.”
    Rachel scowled. “I don’t know what you mean, I’m not lying, and I most certainly don’t have a strange look on my face!”
    The bell on the shop door tinkled, and Rachel glanced back, wondering if she’d recognize her sister if she saw her.
    Rachel knew at first glance that this wasn’t Amelia. Her sister had brown hair and a shapely figure. The woman who entered had blond hair and a small, thin frame. Her blue eyes wore a haunted look.
    â€œJane,” she heard Jack Keller say, “is something wrong?”
    â€œHas Daniel come back yet?”
    Jack shook his head. “He’s due back at anytime. Is there something I can do for you?”
    â€œNo. No, I’m fine. Thank you for asking.” Jane turned to leave with nothing more to say.
    Rachel had watched the exchange with curiosity. “Who is she?”
    Jack looked embarrassed. “Jane! Come back. There are people I’d like you to meet.” He addressed Rachel quietly. “She’s your brother-in-law’s sister.”
    Looking reluctant to be introduced, Jane approached.
    â€œJane, this young lady is Rachel Dempsey. She’s Amelia’s sister.”
    Astonishment came and flickered in her eyes. “You’re Amelia’s sister?” she said as if it couldn’t possibly be true.
    â€œYes, I am.” Rachel tried to smile.