5
EMILY
Relief washed over me as if I’d been dunked in a cold creek. “No, I think not.” I offered a smile, but was afraid that it was a tad brittle. “That pie looks wonderful. Thank you.”
He held out his arm and I took it gladly, letting him lead me away.
I glanced over my shoulder and Ralph stood where we’d left him, eyeing me.
I turned away.
“Was that man bothering you?” Mr. Tyler asked.
With every step away from Ralph, the better I felt. I was so pleased to be away from the awful man I wanted to kiss Mr. Tyler for the rescue. Ralph, though, was my problem. What he knew was my problem. It was my secret to keep, my secret to solve. My father had given me to the first man who’d matched his ideas for a dutiful woman. I hadn’t met them and Frank had treated me accordingly. He’d lost a
