A Bride for Keeps Read Online Free PDF Page B

less and less like Theodore with every
     minute. Had her imagination grasped at straws earlier in an effort to sway her from
     saying vows to a stranger? If her mind was that desperate for an escape, perhaps she
     would be wise to reconsider.
    She staggered down the stairs. What wagon should she head toward? Although Rachel’s
     company thrilled her, Everett was her opportunity to make a life here. She’d not given
     him any time to prove himself, and she wouldn’t let fear rule her, no matter how hard
     it tried. With her heart pounding, she intercepted him.
    “Mr. Cline?”
    He stopped short, his eyebrows held in question. The muscles filling his shirt and
     the scruff along his jaw gave him a rugged, handsome look that caught her breath.
    She cleared her throat. She should have thought of something to say before she stopped him. “I bought the rose calico.”
    He gave a slight nod, and she rambled on. “I think it would make a good work dress.
     Something more . . . more suitable than this one.” She picked at the lace at her collar.
     “Do I ride with you?”
    His eyebrows shot higher, but then descended, smashinghis eyes into slits. “Uh, I didn’t think to ask what we’re doing this evening. They’re
     the ones making the plans.” He strode away without even offering his arm.
    “Everett’s coming for dinner, right?” Dex hollered to his wife.
    Rachel held Emma’s hand as the little girl jumped down each stair. “Of course.”
    Everett kept his stiff back toward her. “She wants to know if she’s riding with you
     or me.”
    Did he not want her to ride with him? A young couple walking along the boardwalk looked
     toward the three of them hollering and then at her. Did Everett have to speak so loud?
    Rachel cocked her eyebrow. “Well, of course, it’d be best if she rode with you. Wouldn’t
     be ladylike to throw her in the back of our wagon with the supplies and trunks and
     all.”
    Everett pivoted and returned to her, his eyes bland. “You’re with me.”
    As if she hadn’t just heard that much. Everyone on Main Street knew she was with him—and
     that he’d had to be browbeaten to take her. Had she misunderstood the proposal he’d
     had Rachel send? Maybe there was no hope he’d marry her, even if only for a farmhand.
     Granted, she wasn’t built like most of the ladies she’d seen in the hour she’d been
     in Salt Flatts. But size shouldn’t matter. She bit her lip.
    Dex cleared his throat and glared at Everett.
    Everett pulled his hat off and offered her his arm, a slight redness creeping up his
     neck. “I’m this way.” Maybe he was just nervous. She could sympathize, since she’d
     been trembling since she woke up that morning.
    She tightened the hold on her package and slipped her free arm into his. The man radiated
     tension, from the flexed muscles in his forearm to the set of his jaw. If something
     inher letters to Rachel had been disagreeable, he wouldn’t have asked her there, right?
     Maybe she’d found a man who didn’t find her attractive. She took in a steadying breath.
     That would be a good thing.
    He tossed her package in the back and handed her up onto the wooden plank seat, his
     hands tarrying at her waist for less than a second.
    John yelled at her from the back of his wagon. “See you at home!”
    She waved at him as Everett slid onto the bench, keeping a large gap between them.
     Farther than decorum dictated.
    The wagon jerked forward, and she nearly slid off the seat. She righted herself and
     clenched the rough wooden plank beneath her. She’d never ridden on a farm wagon before.
     How was she to keep her seat in a ladylike fashion? As the Stantons’ wagon passed
     them, she dared to wave at Emma, who peeked over her mother’s shoulder. Their wagon
     left a cloud of dust, the children’s gay laughter mixed in with the powdery earth.
    Glancing behind her, Julia caught several men staring at her from the boardwalks,
     a few pointing and