The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake Page A

at risk, but she knew firsthand that her makeshift family wouldn’t turn their backs on a woman just because of her circumstances.
    They were some of those Christians who actually practiced what they all preached and loved folks for who they were—warts and all. Didn’t they keep telling her that the beauty of Jesus was that He gave His grace to everyone who accepted it, even though nobody deserved it?
    Well, Midge knew she deserved it less than most. She wasn’t worthy like Saul and Clara. And Opal, who’d always been so kind and tried so hard to keep her family from fighting with the Grogans, she deserved better than Midge, too. That was probably why Midge’s prayers didn’t do much, come to think of it.
    She burrowed deeper under the covers. I saw how Adam looked at Opal that day at the smithy. She tried to marshal her thoughts, sniff out the facts. I know he saved her from the fire, and any woman would find that romantic.... She’s so pretty, with her bright hair and blue eyes, it’s no wonder he stares. And Adam Grogan’s a fine-looking man, even if he is older. Real tall, with lots of dark hair and kindness in his face. Haven’t I heard Alyssa say so often enough?
    She didn’t spare a thought for her friend, who had a crush on Adam. All Alyssa need do was crook a finger and half the boys in Buttonwood would come running. The other half, Midge allowed herself a small smile, would do the same for her. But none of them could help Opal if she were in trouble.
    Opal and Adam might be a good match, but there’s something havey-cavey about the whole thing. Opal’s not the type to consort with a man. I thought maybe she’d given in to the man she loved because they were separated by family hostilities, but now I know different.
    Midge had seen Opal’s expression after Adam’s kiss. That wasn’t the look of a woman who’d been bussed by a longtime lover. Not by a long shot. There’d been no knowing in her reaction ... just surprise. And enough hesitant excitement to reassure Midge that the marriage still might work.
    All hopes aside, though, knowing that Opal wasn’t carrying Adam’s child changed everything. It didn’t take much to figure out that she’d lied. But why? Because she’d wanted to marry him? Things between the two families were wound tighter than ever, so what had Adam been doing on Speck land in the first place if he and Opal weren’t seeing each other?
    There were too many questions, not enough answers, and one troubling certainty—whatever caused the wedding yesterday would cause a lot more trouble before this was over. And Opal would be the one to pay for it.
    Until she knew more, she couldn’t tell anyone. But still, Midge had to do something.

CHAPTER 13
    â€œWhat?” Adam felt the reverberation from how hard Larry slammed their door through the wall where he hung his hat.
    â€œYou heard me, Adam.” His brother circled him. “How could you do it?”
    â€œOpal carrying a child out of wedlock never figured into any of my plans.” He chose his words carefully—as he had all day. As he’d have to for a long while.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    â€œYou know better than to question why I married her, Larry.” Sinking down onto his bed did nothing to ease the weight from his shoulders. “It had to be done.” Just not for the reason everyone thinks.
    â€œThat’s not what I meant either.” Larry shouted this time but must have realized his voice would carry because he lowered it. “Why her? ”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter that her last name used to be Speck.” Adam addressed the only other possible cause for Larry’s outrage. “Opal’s a special woman. God-fearing, kind, smart, pretty—”
    â€œI know that, blast it!”
    â€œWatch your mouth, Lawrence Grogan. There’s no cause for