The Search The Secrets of Crittenden Cou - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,32

my mind that would embarrass me if it became known.”

Who was this . . . this eager man sitting by her bedside? It was as if someone had taken the Micah she’d always known and put this man in his place. “Micah, I’m glad you want to talk about our relationship but I’d rather not discuss it here. Perhaps when I get back home?” That is, if she ever got back home . . .

She had a sickening feeling that the only reason he was here was because he’d heard of Luke’s visit. Because Micah felt that Frannie’s attention might have strayed. Even worse, she suspected he cared little about Frannie’s feelings, that he simply didn’t want the embarrassment of an Englischer stealing her away. Not after she’d shown so much interest in Perry as well.

Her temper rose. The right thing to do would probably be to admit that there was nothing going on between her and Luke, and there never would be.

But as she stared at him, at his sudden eagerness, all she could do was bite her lip and listen.

“I disagree.” Softening his tone, he continued. “So, Frannie, you are ready for us to move forward, yes? Because you cannot expect me to always wait quietly by while you make up your mind.”

Her hands fisted around the hospital sheet. “I’ve been running my inn, not sitting by the door, thinking of ways to make you wait.” The truth was, she had been waiting to feel something more for him. To feel able to overlook his flaws and their differences . . . and feel certain that they could have a happy life together.

However, now was the not the time to point out any of that. She was too angry and would surely say something she might regret. “Perry died, don’t you forget. That has been hard.”

“Only to people who will miss him,” he said piously.

Though in her opinion, he wasn’t saying anything particularly Christian at all. “Micah, I am starting to get a headache. It might be best if you come back later.”

“Truly?” He looked perplexed, as if he’d expected her to leap out of the hospital bed and jump for joy that he’d finally, finally decided to talk about their future.

She cleared her throat and patted his hand. “It is time you left.”

“I see.” He stood up.

“Thank you for stopping by.” She managed a smile.

Right before her eyes, he suddenly became a completely different man. His soft edges became hard, his almost guileless expression turned sharp.

“You may have gotten your way in the past, and you may get your way right now, but I won’t be pushed away when you are my frau, Frannie. When you are my wife, I will be in charge of the household.”

After treating her to one more frightful look—one that validated her earlier nervousness—he tipped his head, turned, and shoved the curtains aside.

As he walked away, he didn’t look back.

Frannie closed her eyes. Before, she’d yearned for him to have more of a backbone. She’d always looked forward to her husband being in charge of their family.

But this conversation with Micah made her reconsider all of that.

When at last she heard the door close, she breathed a sigh of relief.

And then heard a cackle next door to her. “You better watch that one, Missy,” the voice in the bed next to hers called out. “He’s got secrets that aren’t all good. You mark my words about that.”

With a sense of doom, Frannie found herself agreeing. There was definitely much more to Micah than she’d ever imagined.

Much more than she’d ever guessed.

“I used to really like him,” she said.

“Come, now. Did you really? He seems a little whiney to me. Were you that desperate for a man?”

Had she been? “Nee,” she said softly, and knew the truth of her words. “I’ve been desperate for love,” she murmured, half to herself.

It was why she’d been swayed by Perry’s attentions.

It was why she’d kept things open and undecided so long with Micah.

The woman tsked. “Aren’t we all, child. Aren’t we all. But my advice is to keep on looking. That boy isn’t the one for you.”

Frannie rolled onto her side and looked out the window at the darkening sky . . . desperately doing her best to push both her doubts and the sudden image of Luke’s face from her mind.

She dozed for a while, and when she awoke, it was dark and all was blessedly quiet. As she lay there, adjusting her eye to