Love's Sweet Surrender by Sandy Sullivan Page A

with the little flecks of gold, the same ones he had found so easy to drown in. He could hear it in her voice when she spoke in a whisper for only his ears. She was trouble. He had known it from the first time he had seen her on the train. She had spunk when she’d stood up to all of the townspeople and asked them to let her try to teach their children. Her kindness was breaking down his resolve in small little pieces and tearing down the iceberg around his heart. If he wasn’t careful, she would burrow herself there before he knew what hit him.
    The wall he’d put between himself and all the other people around him, even his children, had started to crumble, but he would just have to build it back up, that’s all. She had chipped a good-sized hole in it, that’s for sure, but he would fix it. He had to make the men pay for what they’d done, and that was all he lived for now. Until that was accomplished, nothing else mattered.
    The sun started to set in the evening sky, and Seth realized he would have to leave soon. He had dreaded this evening all day, even while he tried to occupy his mind with chores around the house. When the children had found out he would be having dinner with their teacher, they talked about it continuously. Carmen had quickly informed them after Lily's visit that their Poppa would be calling on Mrs. Backman. It had put them in a twitter all afternoon and first thing this morning. He knew he had to go through with it, since Lily wouldn’t take no for an answer, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
    When she opened the door, his eyes widened, and he took in her appearance. She had not put her hair up on her head tonight, and he hadn’t realized how long her hair really was. It settled at her hips with a bit of a curl, and she’d pulled it back in a pretty ribbon. The dress she wore was Ebook piracy is stealing. It is a federal offense.
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    Love’s Sweet Surrender
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    satin brocade that hugged her curves, showing off her perfectly rounded bosom and the nice flare of her hips. She looked absolutely beautiful!
    This is going to be one hell of a long night. Blood rushed through his veins and settled between his legs as he stifled a soft groan.
    She brushed her fingers across her nose. “Is there flour on my nose or something?” She chuckled and said, “Please come in.”
    “Uh… sorry." He dropped his gaze and stepped inside the house.
    “Can I get you something to drink?” Lily asked, closing the door and following him into the living room. “I’ve made coffee, but I also have some tea or water. I think I even have some whiskey left by the previous occupant here somewhere.”
    “Whiskey? Really?”
    “Yes. It was hidden in one of the kitchen cupboards up in the corner.
    I’m not one for liquor, so I thought I would save it for company. Would you like some?” He searched around him for somewhere sturdy to sit and decided on a sofa off to his left. “You can sit on the sofa if you like. It’s sturdy enough I think.”
    “Thanks. And yes, I’ll take a little of that whiskey.” He eased himself down; hoping the piece of furniture would hold his weight.
    “Coming right up. Dinner will be ready shortly. I just need to finish the gravy. I'll be back in a moment.”
    When she returned, she handed the small glass to him, and he gulped it down in one swift motion. Her eyes widened in shock, but she didn't say anything. She took the glass and disappeared to the kitchen.
    She returned a moment later and said with a teasing smile, “You might need to take this one a little slower. The bottle isn’t that big.”
    “Sorry.” He brought the glass to his lips and sipped the amber liquid slowly.
    “It’s quite all right. Please excuse me. I’m going to put dinner on the table if you’d like to go into the dining room.”
    Seth stood, and his head began to swim just a bit with the change in position. Whiskey on an empty stomach does