Homespun Bride

mountains and across the prairie like a miracle of white.
    Noelle whirled toward the driveway. “Someone’s coming. It must be Henrietta back with the girls.”
    He turned in time to see a dim shadow in the snowfall. Miss Bradshaw broke through and into sight pulling the sleigh. There was no blizzard powerful enough on earth to disguise the stern look on the aunt’s proud face—probably one of great disapproval. The girls, back from school, stared wide-eyed in the backseats as Henrietta reined in the mare.
    “Inside, girls!” she commanded sharply. “Noelle! I’m shocked at you, risking your health in this way. Why, you’re soaked through, by the looks of you, and wearing only a cloak! Not your heavy winter coat. Young man, what are you thinking? No good can come from this. Noelle is very frail. I expect a severe case of pneumonia at the very least.”
    He realized what she must see, Noelle’s hand in his and alone. The hope in his heart withered like a seedling caught in a late frost. He took a gulp of freezing air and reeled in his feelings. For a moment he’d captured a small piece of heaven. For a moment, they were the way they used to be.
    He’d almost forgotten that there was the past and the choice he’d made standing between them.
    Thad squared his shoulders and met the aunt’s gaze straight on. He hadn’t thought of Noelle as frail, but he could not argue with the older woman’s concern. It was a concern they shared. “Pardon me, ma’am. I was just seeing her inside—”
    “Henrietta,” Noelle interrupted. “I’m fine. You fret too much. You know I love a good storm.”
    “You must get your lack of good sense from your mother’s side.” With what looked like a wink, the older woman climbed out of the sleigh, refusing the offer of his free hand to help her.
    If he wasn’t mistaken, there was a twinkle in her eyes, a knowing glimmer that made him wonder just how much she’d been able to understand.
    Yes, he was serious about Noelle. It ripped his soul in pieces to feel her take her hand from his, to take a step away. Was she remembering what he’d done to her? Seeing a man who’d hurt her?
    “I’d best go.” His palm felt cold as he stepped away. Lonesomeness set in, beating him like the snow. “Hope I didn’t get you in the henhouse.”
    Her unguarded smile was all the reassurance he needed. “It was worth it. Henrietta’s censure isn’t enough to go back on your word, right? You’ll still take me to see the foal again?”
    “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He tipped his icy hat in the aunt’s direction as he took Miss Bradshaw by the bridle bit. “You’d best all get in out of this storm.” He paused while another finger of lightning crooked down from the veiled sky. “It’s likely to get worse before it gets better.”
    He turned away so he wouldn’t see Henrietta Worthgton and her daughters take Noelle into the fancy house and away from him—where she belonged.

Chapter Eleven
    H enrietta barreled through the parlor, the teacup rattling in its saucer with her every step. China knickknacks and crystal pendants on the lamps clinked and chimed at her approach. “Where you young people get your notions, I shall never know.”
    Noelle squeezed the damp from her braid with the towel, trying to decide what on earth to say. She opted for silence as she heard the teacup clatter onto the side table and caught a whiff of Henrietta’s rose fragrance before the matron marched away and came to a sudden halt. The thwack-thwacking sound had her imagining her aunt venting her humor on the innocent sofa pillows.
    “If you catch a chill and your death, then I shall know who to blame.” Henrietta paused. “A man who has made himself useful around here ought to have realized that much! I hope he is not about to make the same mistake as the last stable hand.”
    “I can assure you that is not a possibility.” Noelle gave her hair a final squeeze and folded the towel.
    “Oh, do not be so certain,” Angelina commented from the hearth where she was warming up from the long ride from the schoolhouse. “You two looked terribly cozy—scandalously cozy—when we drove up.”
    “Cozy?” Noelle had to laugh at that, although it wasn’t humor she felt. No, any thought of serious feelings between her and Thad only brought up that tangled knot of emotions that hurt more than she wanted to admit. She set the folded towel aside for Sadie to pick up later. “Thad was walking me to the