Homespun Bride

Jillian Hart83As Noelle had. So innocent, she could not imagineall the consequences of one innocent crush on a niceman. Somehow, Noelle could not separate the feelingthat if she’d never fallen in love with Thad, if she’dnever strayed from her parents’ expectations for her, ifshe’d never been so headstrong and determined andstubborn, then her parents would still be alive. And shewould still have her sight.Right now, she could be sensibly married to a fine,dependable man, and have several children of her own.More lost dreams that were hard to swallow. Her armsempty, her heart empty, she swallowed hard to keep itfrom sounding in her voice. “We’re commanded tohonor our parents, Tilly. You oughtn’t to be placing somuch importance on something as frail as love. It’s likea snowflake in the air, lovely while it’s swirling on thewind, but it melts and vanishes into nothing.”“Oh.” Matilda sounded stricken. “I didn’t mean todisrespect Mama and Papa. I only meant—” Shesighed. “I’m not sure what I meant. I just want to bemarried and happy.”She fell silent. Noelle didn’t know what to say. Moreremorse filled her up. She hadn’t meant to hurt hercousin. “I know you do, Tilly. I pray every day that theright man will come calling for you.”“And I appreciate it.” There was a smile in Matilda’svoice, as if trying to cover her hurt.“I shouldn’t have been so harsh. I didn’t mean—” Shefelt the brush of snow against her cheek, as gentle asgrace. This is what came from being anywhere near toThaddeus James McKaslin. Everything was upside down.Her sensible life, her sensible thoughts. She was chokingon the pain and memories she’d buried for good reason.