Page 22 of A Bride for Brodie

At breakfast, everyone seemed to be a little more relaxed than the night before, except for Ross and Fiona.

Lottie was sure there was something going on. Something more than just getting to know one another, but she didn’t have the right to ask.

Clay and Gwen had announced at dinner the night before that Clay would court her. The commotion that had caused was immediate and loud.

Lottie looked at Brodie. “I’d like to be courted, too. Not a gift every day, but now and again, I’d like to receive a surprise present. I think we all would.”I want to know what it’s like to feel special.“I know that Maisie and I have never been courted or received a present of any kind.”Or do I just want to feel normal?

Brodie looked at her, his brows furrowed. He put a hand on top of hers where it rested on the table. “Never? Not even at Christmas or your birthday?”

She shook her head and pulled her hand out from under his. “Nope. Never. Our parents were poor and our father was a…an ass and I don’t mean the animal. He was a horrible person.” Suddenly, she plunged back into the years she spent alone with Father after he sold Maisie to Donald Kunkle.He beat me for the least little thing. I found out he sold Maisie to Donald Kunkle for repayment of a debt. That infuriated me, because I knew, without a doubt, I could have won the money he needed, but Father took the easy way out.

I don’t know what went on with Maisie in her marriage, just that she didn’t enjoy having relations. I hope Frank is patient and teaches her what marriage is supposed to be like. The way Brodie has taught me.

She shook her head, chasing the memories away.

“Lottie? Are you all right?”

“Huh? What?” She looked down at her napkin. “Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

But she wasn’t. She was anything but fine. Would she ever be able to get those horrible images from her mind? She’d never forgive her father, but was Brodie the answer to her misery?