Bride Gone Bad Read Online Free PDF Page B

change in fortune, she heard women’s voices and laughter in the hall. She looked at Lucky and echoed his earlier question. “Friends of yours?”
    He chuckled. “I’d never turn down a lady’s friendship.”
    A woman peeked in the doorway, saw Lucky, and pointed at him. “You scoundrel! What are you doing here?”
    â€œWaiting for you.” He stood up and held out a hand to Tempest. “Mama Lou, may I introduce Temperance Tempest.”
    â€œDelighted, I’m sure.” Mama Lou stepped into the room followed by two other ladies. “Meet my friends. Diana is carrying the tray of food and Ludmila is carrying the coffeepot.”
    â€œThank you.” Tempest stood up, polite but wary. “I’m pleased to meet all of you.”
    â€œDon’t want you to get peckish.” Mama Lou walked over and hugged Tempest, enveloping her in the scent of rosewater, cinnamon, and sugar. “My, you are pretty as a picture, aren’t you?”
    â€œNot as pretty as those muffins.”
    Mama Lou laughed. “You could be right. I do bake pretty.”
    â€œIf you’re responsible for the basket of goodies, thank you. They’re delicious.”
    â€œThink nothing of it,” Mama Lou said.
    â€œThat smells wonderful.” Tempest watched as Diana and Ludmila set down the tray and coffeepot.
    â€œHope it’s enough to keep you going till breakfast,” Mama Lou said.
    â€œWait till you taste her bacon, eggs, and biscuits.” Lucky rubbed his stomach.
    Mama Lou smiled. “Does that mean I’ll see you down at the café?”
    â€œBright and early,” Lucky said.
    â€œWe’ll put on extra just for you.” Mama Lou gave him a wink.
    While they bantered, Tempest studied the other women. Mama Lou was short and plump with sandy hair pulled back in a chignon and a mischievous glint in her eyes. Diana was a tall, willowy, strawberry blonde with pale skin and big, chocolate, almond-shaped eyes. Ludmila was statuesque with blue eyes and thick blond hair.
    â€œDiana works at my café,” Mama Lou said. “Ludmila owns and runs Adler Emporium, the best dry goods store in this part of Texas. As most folks around here know, she’s from Fredericksburg.”
    â€œ Ja ,” Ludmila agreed. “I am a Texikaner.”
    â€œA what?” Tempest asked.
    â€œGerman-Texan. In 1846, Prince Frederick of Prussia founded our town. Germans signed a peace treaty with the Comanche. Soon over fifty thousand settled in the Hill Country. We still speak German in our homes.”
    â€œI had no idea,” Tempest said.
    â€œOur people prosper and keep to the old ways.” Ludmila sighed. “It is a good life, for the most part. Yet women are still limited to the Three K’s. Kinder. Küche. Kirche. ”
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Tempest asked.
    â€œChildren. Kitchen. Church.”
    â€œIt can be a fine world,” Mama Lou said.
    â€œTrue,” Diana agreed. “I only wish life was that simple.”
    â€œ Ja .” Ludmila chuckled. “Perhaps we should assign men the Two W’s. Wife. Work. And nothing else.”
    â€œQuite a few have already chosen their Three W’s. Whiskey. Women. Wagers, ” Mama Lou said.
    â€œLadies.” Lucky put a hand over his heart. “I always put women before work, whiskey, or wagers.”
    â€œYou men want it all.” Mama Lou shook her finger at him.
    â€œAnd they get it, too,” Diana said.
    â€œNot always.” Lucky glanced around the group, and then grinned, revealing his dimple. “But they give it a good try.”
    As Tempest chuckled with the others, she thought of Haig, her missing groom, and the Three W’s. She could laugh on the outside, but inside she still hurt. She clenched her fists and realized that she was holding the nightgown. She held it out to Ludmila. “Thank you. This is lovely, but I can’t