英语小说：Where The Heart Leads（二）

英语小说：Where The Heart Leads（二）ZT

Fiction: Where The Heart Leads
Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
ISBN: 9780764202636
WHERE: (Part 2 of 5)
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Daphne had arrived with Harry a half hour ago, looking beautiful in
a shiny dress the same color as the ripe sand plums that grew
wild on the prairie surrounding his Kansas home. Her long black hair
had been pulled up into a ponytail as thick as his horse's tail, but
instead of being straight, it hung in long coils that bounced when
she walked. He looked for that bouncing tail of hair, and his heart
jolted when he spotted it. As usual, she was the focus of attentive
male gazes.

A stab of jealousy propelled him forward. "Excuse me," he muttered,
weaving between clusters of guests. "Excuse me, please." He reached
the group and stepped directly into Daphne's line of vision. Her
face lifted to his, and her rosy lips curved into a smile of
welcome. His heart began such a raucous pounding in his chest that
it threatened to dislodge the buttons of his shirt. Maybe a party
hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

"Mr. Ollenburger." She stretched a hand toward him.

Placing his palm beneath hers, he bowed over the white-gloved
knuckles and delivered a light kiss on the middle one.
Straightening, he caught her flutter of lashes, and despite his
stiff cheeks, he felt the first genuine smile of the day form on his
face. "Miss Severt."

Daphne glanced at the group around her. "Please excuse me. I must
speak with the guest of honor." Slipping her hand through the bend
of his elbow, she turned her heart-shaped face upward. "I find
myself quite parched, Mr. Ollenburger. Might you escort me to the
refreshments table?"

Thomas couldn't argue with that idea. As they moved through the room
together, he sensed people's gazes following them. The feeling of
discomfiture grew, and he wished he could shrink at least three
sizes to make himself less visible. By the time they reached the
table bearing the bounty of food items, his hands were trembling,
and when he tried to pour a glass of punch, he sloshed pale pink
liquid over the edge of the glass's rim and spattered the linen
tablecloth.

Heat burned the back of his neck, and he hunched his shoulders. "I'm
so sorry."

Daphne moved closer, angling her head to meet his eyes. "Please
don't apologize. And please don't let the stares of the other guests
perturb you. I know what each of them is thinking."

Thomas risked a quick sideways glance, confirming a number of
attentive faces aimed in their direction. "I know, too. 'What is
that big clod doing with that beautiful girl?'"

She curled her fingers over his forearm. "Quite the contrary.
They're thinking, 'How did that young lady manage to catch the most
handsome man in the room?'"

He raised one eyebrow, silently communicating his doubt.

Her midnight eyes sparkled. "Or perhaps, 'What a perfect couple.'"

Thomas gulped. Heat crept from the back of his neck to the top of
his head. He snatched up another glass, filled it with punch, and
downed the cool, sweet liquid, grateful for the distraction. But
unfortunately, the diversion lasted only a few seconds. When he
looked once more into her face, the heat returned with an intensity
that made his knees weak.

"Daphne Severt," he growled, "what you do to a man..."

She batted her thick eyelashes. "Do tell."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Oh no. You have enough confidence
already. I won't add to it."

Her flirtatious expression invited him to shower her with all the
praises filling his heart and mind, but his father hadn't raised a
foolish man. He wouldn't give voice to the feelings until he knew he
could follow them with action. He'd be leaving soon, returning to
Kansas. Now that his studies were completed, his family expected
him. It felt good to be going home, but the thought of leaving
Daphne filled him with regret.

Daphne lifted her cup to her lips and sipped daintily, her wide-eyed
gaze never drifting from his face.

Deep regret.


When Thomas's neck blotched with color, Daphne knew she'd
accomplished her goal: Thomas was smitten with her.

The first time Harry had brought Thomas to their home, she'd been
intrigued. She'd been only thirteen years old then, but she'd been
mature enough to recognize the differences between this man and the
boys who generally spent time with Harry. Just standing next to him
had brought a rush of pleasure. Outside, in the sunshine, his shadow
completely swallowed hers. He made her feel small and feminine and
safe.

A servant passed by, carrying a carved wood tray. She put her
half-empty glass on the tray and caught Thomas's elbow once more.
"This room is so crowded. Could we step onto the veranda for a
moment?"

====作家Kim Vogel Sawyer 简介==================

Kim Vogel Sawyer is fond of C words like children, cats, and
chocolate. She is the author of eleven novels, including the
bestsellers "Waiting for Summer's Return" and "My Heart Remembers."
She is active in her church, where she teaches adult Sunday School
and participates in both voice and bell choirs. In her spare time,
she enjoys drama, quilting, and calligraphy. Kim and her hu*****and,
Don, reside in central Kansas and have three daughters and six
grandchildren.