Where The Heart Is (Choices of the Heart, book 1) by Jennie Marsland Page A

Leah on as she took a few more steps. “Ten months is early to be walking, Mam says. I think Leah’s going to be a big girl. She’s more like her father than her mother. She likely won’t thank him for it when she’s older.”
    With a little gurgle of triumph, her red curls running riot in the slight breeze, Leah plumped down on her bottom. Her brown smocked dress promptly blew up over her face, making her squeal. Chelle pulled it down, feeling a twinge of sadness for Mr. Rainnie, mixed with impatience. He shouldn’t be missing his daughter’s first steps.
    “She seems to have her father’s temper, too. What was her mother like?”
    “Well, you know Mrs. Rainnie was from Carston.” Kendra laid Davy on the grass and clasped her arms around her knees. She’d recovered well from her labor, and she was slowly losing her defensiveness around Chelle. “I think Mr. Rainnie met her at one of the dances there. She had dark hair, and lovely gray eyes, like Leah’s. She’d have been four or five years older than me. I never really knew her. She was a bit shy like, but I know she loved music. She had a fine singing voice, sang solos in the church choir, and she and Mr. Rainnie went to all the dances hereabouts. He played the fiddle at most of them and they were the best dancers in the district. He’s given up playing at dances though, now that she’s gone.”
    Chelle picked Leah up and held her close. Jean was weaning the babies now. It wouldn’t be long until the little girl found another home. How would Chelle fill her days, and her heart, when Leah was gone?
    “I can’t imagine how anyone raised by the Paxtons could grow up to be a dancer. They’ve been to the forge to visit Leah once or twice. She hasn’t taken to them at all, and I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t give them a dog I liked, but I’m afraid Mr. Rainnie is going to let them have Leah.”
    Kendra gathered up her son. “Are they so bad, then? I don’t know them.”
    Chelle made a rueful face. “They aren’t bad at all, just stiff and set in their ways, and judgmental. They disapproved of me on sight. I don’t know why.”
    Chelle wished she could take back her words when Kendra blushed. “Perhaps it’s because they’ve heard you’ve been seen with me.”
    “If that’s why, I don’t care a fig what they think. It’s time I was getting home. I promised Aunt Caroline I’d start supper for her… Oh, no. Is that Drew Markham?”
    A dark-haired young man was coming up the track from the village. Though she’d only met him once, Chelle recognized Drew’s arrogant stride, even at a distance. Kendra looked and rolled her eyes.
    “Aye, that’s him sure enough. I don’t like coming across him outside of the village like this, but there’s nothing for it now.”
    “He can go to the devil,” Chelle huffed. “Come on.”
    They reached the ford across the river at almost the same time as Drew. He crossed and waited for them, blocking the way to the stepping stones.
    “Afternoon, Kendra.” His voice was laced with insolence.
    Kendra replied in kind. “Bugger off, Drew.”
    Drew grinned and glanced back at the stepping stones. “Looks like you ladies are in need of a little assistance.” Before Kendra could react, he scooped her into his arms and started across the ford.
    Chelle stood there, furious. Of course Drew knew Kendra wouldn’t dare struggle with the baby in her arms. When he reached the other side, he smiled down at her red, angry face. “How about a kiss, lass?”
    Meanwhile, Chelle had stormed across the ford. Angry beyond thought, she shifted Leah to one arm, stooped and picked up a rock. As a little girl her aim had been as good as Trey’s, and she doubted she’d forgotten how to throw. “Put her down or I’ll knock you out.”
    Drew gave Chelle an appraising look then set Kendra on her feet. She promptly slapped his face as hard as she could.
    “You heard her. Now bugger off!”
    Drew’s temper overcame his caution.