"There they are, Uncle Alex!" he cried as Grace realized why it was that Alex looked so unlike himself. Always before when she had seen him he had been dressed in his business suit, or white shirt and tie. Somehow the casual, tan jacket with its large elbow patches, and his khaki pants and tan cotton shirt open at the neck made him appear younger and somehow more approachable. His hair, though still cut traditionally short, seemed fuller and softer, as if he had given up trying to keep every hair meticulously in place. The silver was still there at his temples, of course, but even that didn't appear quite as impressive and age rendering.

"Grace you look fine," he said, advancing now, both his hands extended.

If he had intentions of kissing her they were halted as he caught sight of the woman standing quietly behind his wife, baby Jenny now awake but still sleepy eyed in her arms.

"Clare Perry!" he explained. "What are you doing ...." he began and then paused. "Well, well," was all he said, but Grace was relieved to see a smile spread slowly across his face. "No wonder Grace gave such a glowing report of our new housekeeper. I gather you are she?"

"With your approval, sir," the older woman said, soft color dotting her thin checks.

"Forget the sir now that we're out of the office, Miss Perry. Or would you prefer Clare?"

"I believe Clare would be more fitting to my new position, Mr. Edwards," she decided, struggling with a baby who had become suddenly active and wanting Alex's attention.

"Debby," he said, as after taking the eager baby from Clare, he turned his full attention on the girl who had begun to fidget by Grace's side. "How's my girl?" Bending down he swung her up into his free arm.

"You know what, Uncle Alex?" she asked eagerly, after hugging him around the his neck and planting a wet kiss on his cheek. "We're on our way to a new house, and you're going to live there with us."

"Am I?" he asked catching Grace's eye and smiling. Then, after giving the baby to Grace, he placed an arm lightly around his wife's shoulder in a warm, protective way, a way she had never felt Johnny use, and still holding Debby, he lead his large, and apparently happy family, out of the waiting room.

Miles later, seated in the newly purchased van, Alex took a quick glance at the young woman sitting next to him. On the other side of Grace, securely fastened in a car seat Debby sat, her eager face pressed against the window, her large eyes taking in everything as if she couldn't see things fast enough. Behind them Clare Perry sat beside another car seat in which baby Jenny was busily chewing on the crackers that James, who sat on the other side of her, offered whenever she grew restless. Further back Peter and Peggy sat quietly looking out opposite windows.

There was much to look at too, for everywhere one happened to glance they saw the signs of a spring that arrived months ahead of the state they had left behind. Daffodils lined the yards and dotted the roadways while crocus pecked bright purple, white, and golden heads bravely up into the still chilly air. Trees that weren't covered with a haze of spring flowers were swelling with buds that promised soon arriving leaves.

"Oh, Alex, how encouraging it is to see the rebirth of spring!" Grace cried, in her enthusiasm placing her hand on his leg.

He patted it in what he hoped was a friendly way, though he was a bit surprised by the sudden warmth his wife's touch had caused him. At his gesture she seemed to realize what she had done and quickly removed her hand. Then she laughed at her own action. Alex would have given much to know what she found so amusing, but with a car full of children he dared not question her.

As the miles passed the children's restless voices grew and their excitement mounted. Debby was the most vocal passenger, for she squealed with delight over every animal they passed, be it dog, cow, horse, or cat, and to her added delight, the further they got out of the city, the more animals there were to notice. But gradually, as they made their way further and further from the city, the farms began to grow scare and trees began to take over the land.

When they turned down a narrow, dirt road Alex became aware of his wife's peeking interest in her surroundings. Suddenly he felt a strange uneasiness. What if she didn't like the house and land he had selected? True, they had discussed it at length on the phone and he had done his best to describe things in detail, but what if once she actually saw the place, she should decide it was too remote, or for some other reason unsuited to their needs?

As he turned up an even narrower driveway all the children fell silent. Even Debby stopped her constant jabbering and gazed with fixed attention out of the window.

The house when one first saw it, though large, seemed unpretentious. Dark wood on the exterior walls seemed to blend with the fir and cedar trees that grew about it, while long, green grass in bad need of mowing stretched out around it. A huge picture window to the left of the wide double front doors stared blank eyed on the new arrivals. Off the side of the house was a large patio, a smaller balcony jetting out above it.

As soon as the car came to a halt the children clamored to get out. Once out they ran in five different directions, laughing, teasing, shouting and exploring.

Still Grace hadn't said a word.

Alex climbed out of the car, crossed to open her door, and escorted Grace to the front entrance, and still his new bride remained speechless.

Taking a key out of his coat pocket he unlocked the doors and pushed them open.

"Whoa, young fellow!" he ordered as James was about to charge in past them.

And before she knew what he was about, Alex swept Grace up into his arms and stepped over the threshold.

"All right," he said to the giggling, pleased children who trailed behind them. "Now you can come in and explore to your hearts content."

As they broke around him like a flood, Alex stood with Grace pressed close to his warm chest.

"Well, what do you think?" he demanded still holding her.

"It's like a home in a storybook," she said. "So peaceful and homey. It's no wonder you were taken with it."

Alex smiled his relief and gently placed her on her feet.

Other browser readable electronic romance books by Rosalie Joyce

No Greater Love    Price $9.95  
    Written by Rosalie Joyce
On her way to the airport Haley is involved in a serious automobile accident that leaves her badly injured and suffering from memory loss. Her father insists that Haley has been living with him, developing a close father daughter relationship and enjoying the social whirl of high society, but no matter how hard she tries, Haley can't seem to get back into the swing of things. Then there's her Peter Grant. What is there about her father's servant that she finds so unnerving? And why the underlying hostility between Peter and her father?
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

Once Burned    Price $9.95  
    Written by Rosalie Joyce
Cindy had made up her mind that she would never allow another man to get close enough to hurt her as Lance had hurt her. But that was before she met Carl Branson and his niece, Lizzy. It was for Lizzy's sake that she went along with a bogus engagement to Carl, and it was for Lizzy's sake that she opened the door of her home to the handsome young man. But had she opened the door of her heart as well?
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

Forced Landing    Price $9.95  
    Written by Rosalie Joyce
With two suitors vying for her attention it seemed odd that Penny should be becoming more and more interested in Sid, the remote, often brash, young photographer.
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

Guardian Angel    Price $9.95  
    Written by Rosalie Joyce
Set in the mid-sixties, this story tells of a young woman who flees to a farm in order to hide from her stepmother and an unwelcome suitor, only to discover unexpected romance.
(Browser Readable E-Book on CD-ROM contains Music & No Sound Options)

A romance e-zine with free love stories in serial; new postings monthly by Antelope Publishing

Stories of action, adventure, mystery, and just plain fun, for the entire family.

This romance site, its story and graphics, is copyrighted © 2005, Antelope Publishing and is presented FREE to its readers.
No portion of this site may be reproduced without the publisher's express permission.

2540