Wild Innocence Read Online Free PDF

“I’m sorry, but I’m a bit taken aback about all this. I had no idea that Amelia had even married.” She looked away as tears filled her eyes.
    She felt overwhelmed by the events that had recently changed her life. She wanted nothing more than to be alone to deal with this new, unwelcome news. “Is there somewhere we can bathe and rest?” she asked Jack Keller.
    â€œThere’s the hotel next door. Rebb Colfax’s daughter from back East just opened her,” Jack said.
    Rachel blinked. Of course, the inn! How could she have forgotten? Because she’d been shaken by the news of Amelia’s marriage, she thought. “Thank you. I’m going to get a room,” she told Miranda.
    â€œI’ll go with you,” Miranda said.
    Rachel nodded at Jack. “Mr. Keller.” She managed another smile for Jane. “Jane.”
    The compassion in the young woman’s blue eyes surprised her. “There is no reason for you to stay at the hotel,” Jane said quietly. “You’re family. You can stay at Daniel’s. He’s not home, but—”
    â€œNo!” Rachel said, dismayed by the idea. Her tone was sharper than she’d intended; she softened it. “Really, the hotel is fine. I appreciate the offer, but I’d rather wait to see Amelia later after I’ve rested.” She smiled tiredly. “They’re not expecting me. There’s been enough sudden surprises for today.”
    Jane murmured that she understood.
    Rachel turned to Miranda’s uncle. She’d grown quite fond of him during these past few weeks. “Thank you for bringing me, Uncle Rupert.”
    Rupert regarded her fondly. “I’ll see you at the hotel later.”
    Rachel inclined her head, then left without saying good-bye. Miranda followed her.
    Jack Keller narrowed his gaze as Amelia’s sister left the trading post. “She’s not like her sister, is she,” he said with a frown.
    Jane looked at him with surprise. “You don’t like her?”
    â€œShe certainly wasn’t friendly.”
    â€œShe’s tired,” Rupert explained.
    â€œShe’s hurting,” Jane said. “Why do you think a woman like that would come all the way out here to live?” she added when Jack frowned.
    He shrugged. “To be with her family?”
    Rupert nodded. “She does want to be with her family.” He went to a side window and watched as Rachel and Miranda entered the building several yards away. “She’s a good girl. Don’t judge her too harshly.”
    â€œAmelia’s mentioned her sister a few times,” Jane said. “I wonder if she’ll be glad to see her.”
    â€œI suppose you’ll find out soon enough. If I’m not mistaken, that man and woman going into the house across the road is your brother and his wife.”
    Jane hurried toward the window. “It’s them! They’re back!” She spun from the opening, her face reflecting her joy.
    Jack felt something soften inside him as Jane gasped out her good-byes and ran to the door.
    He went to the window and watched as Jane’s daughter, Susie, looked over and saw her mother.
    â€œMomma!” she cried, running to Jane with open arms.
    â€œSusie!” Jane hugged her daughter tightly. As mother and child pulled away from each other, they both babbled in their excitement at being reunited.
    Rupert stood silently beside Jack, watching the scene. “There’s a woman and a little girl who love each other something fierce.” He turned to Jack as the trading post owner moved away from the window. “How come she didn’t go with them?”
    Something kicked in Jack’s gut. “Daniel and Amelia went to the village of an Ojibwa friend.” The realization that it had been a long time since Rupert’s last visit made him explain. “Jane’s still suffering from her captivity with the