Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

fifteen, and the rat refused to marry her until after Jamie was born.”
    â€œOh, no,” Cassie said in a hush. Her heart turned over. “Jamie’s illegitimate?”
    â€œShhh . . .” Alli shot another glance at the door. “Blake says Jamie doesn’t want anyone to know but him and Bram. Apparently he’s terribly ashamed of it, which is why he’s worked so hard to get a law degree and make something of himself. Not only that, but Jamie’s father was an alcoholic who died when Jamie was twelve, so now you know why Blake says Jamie’s moral to a fault—the man refuses to overdrink or . . . ,” she lowered her voice, “well, you know, with any woman before he puts a wedding band on her hand.”
    â€œGoodness,” Cassie whispered, her anger seeping out. The memory of Jamie’s brazen kiss haunted, and her body instantly tensed. She stood to smooth her dress. “Sorry, Al, I don’t care how moral or upstanding the man is underneath his sheep’s clothing, that one kiss told me he’s as big a wolf as Mark and just as selfish, thinking only of himself.” She started for the door.
    Puffing out a sigh, Alli rose. “Yes, he’s human, Cass—and, yes, I’m sure he thinks of himself.” She paused. “But not before his mother and crippled sister.”
    Cassie turned, blood leeching from her face. “He has a crippled sister?”
    Alli nodded, joining her at the door. “Run over by a horse and buggy when she was two and Jamie blames himself. Told Blake if he had only stayed with Jess like his mother had asked instead of playing with friends when the toddler had napped, she’d be normal today and painfree.” Alli shook her head, sympathy lacing her tone. “For pity’s sake, he was only a kid, Cass, and that kind of guilt is a heavy load for anyone to carry, much less a little boy.” She released a heavy sigh. “Jess is pretty housebound now because of a limp that bothers her if she’s on her feet too much, so she and Jamie’s mother seldom go out, even though Mother has invited them here for dinner and holidays repeatedly overthe years. I’ve only met them both two or three times—once at Jamie’s graduation and then twice at Jamie’s church, but Jess is a real beauty and the apple of Jamie’s eye. I’ll tell you what, Cass, it broke my heart when I saw her limp because she seems almost deformed, each step slow and feeble. I can’t help but think that’s part of the reason she stays away, because she’s embarrassed and doesn’t want to distress her brother. Whatever the situation, Blake says guilt is eating Jamie alive.”
    â€œOh, that’s awful . . . ,” Cassie whispered.
    A weary sigh parted from Alli’s lips. “I know, but apparently Jamie’s researched a new surgery that can repair Jess’s damaged hip and alleviate her discomfort. Unfortunately, it’s very expensive and has a ridiculous wait list, so Jamie’s written dozens of letters to the Cooper Medical School, begging them to consider Jess for one of their few pro bono surgeries. Meanwhile he’s saving up for the surgery himself despite Blake, Bram, and Uncle Logan all offering to help. Claims it was his negligence that crippled his sister, and it will be his hard work and sacrifice that frees her.” Her eyes misted with tears. “His mother and sister are everything to him, Cass, and my heart breaks for him because they are poorer than poor, barely eking by in a boardinghouse close to the Coast.”
    â€œOh, Alli, I . . . well, I didn’t know . . .”
    Alli slipped a hand to Cassie’s waist. “So you see, Cuz, underneath that handsome, carefree façade, Jamie MacKenna really is a pretty wonderful guy.” She gave her a little squeeze. “I wish you’d give him a chance