Hart Hanna Mantime Stories 1 Red R

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time ago and your brothers and sisters fled the camp together to get
away from their stepfather. You have my sympathies.
For the second time that day, Drake choked back the tears
threatening to spill. He kissed the seer s forehead and hugged her
tightly. She had showed him a kindness he hadn t been expecting
from his old gypsy clan. Thank you, he said with a heavy heart.
He released her and helped her to stand. Suddenly, her tone
changed, and she whispered, Get out of here now, while you still
can.
Drake looked at her, not understanding her meaning.
Go!
He turned to leave, obeying her harsh directive, but he left too
late. He walked right into the chest of a man he remembered vividly
from his past. Harding.
54 Hanna Hart
Chapter Six
Grandma sat quietly at the table while Rider tried to comprehend
the tale related to him. He decided he needed to do something, and
finding Drake seemed the most logical action. I have to search for
Drake.
I know you do, dear, but you have to go with Caldwell first.
What? Why do I have to go with the woodsman?
Suddenly, a knock could be heard echoing through the cottage.
Rider opened the door, and Caldwell stood on the other side.
Good afternoon, Rider. I ve come to fetch you for a private
meeting with Eagon Thompson, Caldwell blurted out with a cold
tone in his voice.
I can t go right now. Please give my apologies, Rider
responded.
It s quite urgent. I think you need to come with me. He s waiting
for you. Caldwell sounded insistent but lacked true conviction in his
request.
Rider, go with Caldwell. Besides, Drake needs time to be alone
right now. You can search for him later.
He sighed deeply, realizing Drake needed time on his own, and he
needed to respect Drake s space. All right, I ll come. Kissing her on
the forehead, he charged out of the cottage with Caldwell, who rushed
to keep up with the quick canter Rider set along the path.
Rider, can you slow down a bit? I may be young and strong, but
I m not as quick on my feet as you are.
He slowed his stride for the woodsman, and they walked together
in silence for a few minutes. With his thoughts focused on Drake, he
Red Rider and the Big Bad Werewolf 55
fumed with frustration since he couldn t start looking for his lover.
What does Eagon want with me? I don t have time for mysteries at
the moment.
I ve been sworn to secrecy.
Is it not enough I show up at their beck and call to fight ogres,
trolls, and evil of all types? Rider growled his displeasure. What if
you told Eagon you couldn t find me?
I can t do that.
Fine. Let s get moving then. Rider started to speed up his pace
again.
I love her, you know, Caldwell said, his head bent down to the
ground.
What are you talking about?
I love Jasmine. I ve been in love with her since I first saw her
beaming smile seven years ago.
Surprised by Caldwell s admission, Rider slowed down again.
Well, I m very happy for you two.
You re not mad?
Why should I be? I let her go. She s a wonderful woman, and I
wish you the best of luck with her.
She doesn t know how I feel about her. Sadness could be heard
punctuating his words.
Caldwell, you need to tell her. Don t waste another day pining
over her.
I m afraid I m too late. Let s go. The woodsman went silent
walking toward the village, his cold gaze looking straight ahead.
Rider sensed the conversation was over. Obviously, Jasmine had
found another love since he let her go. His heart went out to Caldwell
as he understood losing someone you care about. Drake drifted back
into his mind, and he prayed this meeting wouldn t last too long.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the chapel, and Caldwell held
the door open for Rider. Upon his entry, the woodsman shut the portal
and remained outside. The only people inside the church were Eagon
56 Hanna Hart
Thompson, Bartholomew, his wife, Mary, and their daughter,
Jasmine, whose eyes were rimmed with red as if she d been crying all
day. Confused by the gathering, he walked toward them, trepidation
filling his soul.
Good afternoon, Rider. I m glad you found the time to come. I
know we can always count on you, Eagon said while patting Rider
on the back.
Good afternoon, everyone. Rider nodded to all in attendance.
Why have you called me here today?
Bartholomew stood up from the church pew and faced Rider. I
realize you and Jasmine have ended your engagement, but it has come
to our attention Jasmine is with child. Therefore, we insist you do the
honourable thing and marry her.
Panic raced through his body. He broke out into a sweat, his
heartbeat pounding through his chest. What? I can t marry her. We ve
never even lain together. This doesn t make any sense. I can t marry
Jasmine.
Do the right thing and say yes, lad. Eagon nudged Rider with
his elbow.
This is why Caldwell had been so upset earlier. He knew about the
proposal and thought I d say yes. His honesty with me could benefit
both of us. Bartholomew, your daughter is pleasing to the eye and
would make a worthy wife. However, I m not the father of her child.
In all the time we remained engaged, we did nothing
Liar! Jasmine cut off his words. I am with child because of
you. Now you must marry me.
Jasmine, you know I m not a liar. As I was saying
There s nothing more to be said. You must do the honorable
thing and make me your wife. You wouldn t want to tarnish the good
name of Hood, would you? What would your sweet grandmother say
if you turned your back on your own child? Jasmine accused while
giving Rider a smug smile.
Red Rider and the Big Bad Werewolf 57
Rider stood in awe of her strange behavior. What is she up to?
Jasmine, if you would please give me the respect of letting me
finish. He paused and peered at Jasmine with a stern look. Her head
lowered, and he continued. As I was saying, we never did anything
more than hold hands and steal kisses once in a while. I am most
definitely not the father of her baby.
A collective gasp rang through the church from Jasmine s parents
and Eagon. If you are not the father, than who is, child?
Bartholomew demanded. Speak up now!
Jasmine pierced her lips tight and crossed her arms, unwilling to
name the father. Rider refused to be manipulated by this woman, but
knew someone who loved her dearly and might know who the father
is. One of my oldest friends might be able to help us out with this
situation. Allow me to bring him in.
Who do you speak of, Rider? Jasmine asked with anguish in her
tone.
Without answering, Rider turned and went to the chapel door. He
opened it and waved Caldwell into the building. With a confused look
on his features, the woodsman came inside and followed Rider to the
group situated in front of the pulpit. Why did you ask me in here,
Rider?
Jasmine, is Caldwell the one who has fathered your child? He
admitted to me he s been in love with you for years.
Bartholomew and Mary gasped in unison as Jasmine hung her
head down and finally admitted, Yes.
Her father turned to her and asked, Why, would you lie about
Rider and place him in such a predicament?
I knew you wouldn t approve of Caldwell as my husband.
However, everyone loves Rider, and he s quite the catch. I had him
once, and I was the envy of all my friends. That s why I told you two
he fathered my child.
As Bartholomew faced Rider, he could see the embarrassment of
the awkward situation Jasmine had caused in the flush of her father s
58 Hanna Hart
cheeks. Rider, please accept my apologies. Apparently, we were [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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