Promise of Tomorrow Read Free

of confusion.
    â€œYou are beautiful,” he whispered.
    She cast about for something lighthearted to say and skimmed a finger over his upper lip. “I see that your mustache is coming right along. Very scoundrel-ish.”
    He raised his brows. “Scoundrel-ish? You said you liked mustaches. I think it makes me look dignified. And older.”
    â€œYes, older.” She shoved at him, laughing. “You look like you’re fifty. If you had gray hair, I’d hand you a cane.”
    He laughed and waggled his brows. “I could marry Widow Sanford.”
    â€œShe wouldn’t have you.”
    He captured her free hand, his eyes suddenly serious and searching. “Would you?”
    Alaina’s breath halted. A breeze chilled her skin and ruffled his longish blond hair. In the depth of his eyes, she saw the sincerity of his question. She opened her mouth and gulped air, unable to form words.
    â€œI think I’m going about this all wrong.” He bent at the knee, never releasing her hands. His thumbs stroked along her knuckles, and he cleared his throat.
    Her heart churned, and she glanced around in a fit of nerves. “Jack, people are looking.”
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    â€œI—” Alaina swallowed and faced him again as his hands tightened on hers.
    Jack’s eyes twinkled.
    â€œNo. You’re right. Go ahead.”
    â€œGood, because this ground sure is hard.”
    â€œRoads usually are packed hard.”
    â€œI think I knelt on a rock.”
    â€œThen hurry.”
    â€œBut what about the pretty speech I’ve rehearsed for the last two weeks?”
    â€œTwo weeks?” she gasped.
    â€œNow, let’s see. . . . Oh yes.” Jack shifted his weight and cleared his throat. “Alaina, you’ve brought so much light into my life. I mean to make you proud of me. I need you. I want you by my side, to love me and be loved by me. Marry me, Alaina Morrison. Please.”
    Words wouldn’t form on her lips, and she bit back the urge to giggle. What did a woman say when the man she loved asked her to marry him? “Yes” seemed so insufficient. Yet her heart beat so hard that she wasn’t at all sure she could vocalize more than that small word. She pulled her hands away and touched Jack’s elbows, urging him to his feet. She nodded, and the first tears started down her cheeks.
    He produced a handkerchief, looking quite pleased with himself, and dabbed beneath her eyes.
    â€œYes, Jack. Yes.” Not caring what or who was watching, she lunged into his arms. When she tried to pull back, his arms tightened.
    His voice came out deep and rich. “Thank you.” He released her and frowned a bit. “I wanted to give you a gold band but I—”
    â€œI don’t need one of those fancy rings, Jack.”
    â€œI’ll buy you one as soon as I can set aside some money.”
    She stifled a sigh, not wanting to remind him that she didn’t need expensive trifles to be happy. With great effort, she pushed away her frustration.
    He raised her hand to his lips. “Always?”
    â€œAlways,” she echoed.
    After Jack had seen her to the door of Moorhead cottage and the warm glow of the evening had receded, Alaina lay for hours in the dark room, the sounds of Lily’s breathing soft against her ear. She wiped away the tears from her cheeks. All the warnings of her mother, all the fears and doubts, came rushing back to her, until she could stand it no longer and slipped to her knees.
    Lord, what have I done?

Two
    May 12, 1889
    â€œHe forgot you again?” Mary Hilton’s eyebrows arched high.
    Alaina turned toward the sullen lake waters and closed her eyes. She never should have mentioned it to her chattery friend. Blustery clouds and a chill wind promised an afternoon storm, but nothing compared to what Alaina felt in her heart. She bit her lip to hold back the tears as she gathered the food items into the