A startled silence followed his p.r.o.nouncement.

"We are safe here." Samantha strode into the room and made straight for the sideboard. "Yes, more so than we'd be in town at any rate." Emily looked from one person to another. "So many soldiers still roam the streets, after all."

"Besides, we cannot move Evelyn." Amy held knife and fork poised to slice through the ham. "I won't leave her here alone. She needs help until the baby arrives, and for a span after."

"She has me." Walter laid his hands flat on the table at either side of his plate. "I can take care of her."

Amy darted a glance at Walter, then returned her gaze to Benjamin. "That's my fear."

Her mouth formed a stubborn pout as her eyes reflected her concern. What had occurred here to provoke such a statement? Amy glanced at Walter with unease plain in her expression, her distrust of the man evident. Despite himself, Benjamin tensed at the idea of Amy living under the same roof as Walter.

"I know how to defend myself, so I'll stay." Samantha placed her napkin in her lap. "More to the point, Evelyn will deliver any day now, and she'll need me."

"You'll need help with running this place." Emily laid her napkin on the table, her eyes steady on Samantha. "I'm accomplished at that, so I will stay to a.s.sist."

"In the event, Miss Amy stays with me." He spoke with less conviction than earlier as his resolve wilted under the arguments put forth by the women surrounding him. "I can't stay away from town long, not only because Captain Sullivan expects me to ensure the museum collection is not touched, but also because Amy's father requested I bring my fiancee back posthaste."

A feminine gasp drew his eyes to Amy's startled expression. d.a.m.nation. Too late, he realized his error as, in rhythm with three blinks, her stubborn expression shifted to surprise, then anger.

"Pardon me?" Her eyebrows arched over wide eyes. "You are engaged? To whom, pray tell?"

His carefully prepared speech blown apart by his own foolish words. Again, words had tripped him up and left him floundering. "I spoke with your parents a few days ago, and they agreed..."

"Stop." Amy, face red, held up a hand as though warding off a blow. "Pray, don't tell me my parents actually negotiated with you for my hand?"

Amy's Choice.

by Betty Bolte.

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Amy's Choice.

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Betty Bolte writes both historical and contemporary stories featuring strong, loving women and brave, compa.s.sionate men. But no matter the setting, she loves to include a touch of the paranormal.

In addition to romantic fiction, Betty has auth.o.r.ed several nonfiction books, including Hometown Heroines, an award-winning young adult book featuring true stories of bravery, darning and adventure.

Betty earned her masters in English in 2008 and is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Historical Novel Society, the Women's Fiction Writers a.s.sociation, and the Authors Guild.

www.bettybolte.com.

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