Cody's Montana Sweetheart: A New Montana Brides Ebook (The New Montana Brides) Read Online Free PDF

glow on the eastern horizon, with a promise of the beautiful day to come.
    He brushed the hay from his clothes and his hair, fed and watered the animals and went to the cabin. When he opened the door and went into the kitchen, Annabel was at the stove.
    “Good morning,” he said. “It looks as if it’s going to be another beautiful day.”
    She didn’t respond, nor did she offer any of the coffee he saw steaming on the stove. After five minutes, she still hadn’t spoken. “I guess you’ve had a change of mind about going into town,” he said.
    She turned, the spatula she had used to turn the eggs was in her left hand. Her face was a study of fury. Her eyes were moist. “I thought we had an agreement,” she said.
    “What agreement are you talking about?” he asked.
    “The agreement you would use Jeremy’s room, and not sleep in the barn. That agreement.”
    “You’re the one said that, not me,” he said.
    “Cody Thompson, don’t play games with me,” she said.
    “You’re pretty when you’re mad,” he said.
    She put two of the eggs from the pan onto a plate, and added bacon from the other pan and set it on the table. “You can get your own coffee.”
    “Annabel?” No answer.
    “Annabel, will you look at me please,” he asked.
    “I had to sleep in the barn. After you kissed my cheek, I didn’t trust myself to stay in the house.”
    “Didn’t trust yourself, or didn’t trust me?” she fumed. “Do you think I’m such a desperate woman I would throw myself at you? I might have at one time, but not anymore. I’m long past that point.”
    “It wasn’t you, it was me,” he protested. “Besides, don’t you think you’re over reacting a little?” he asked. “After all, it’s not a big deal. So I slept in the barn. I’ve slept in lot worse places than your barn.”
    “You knew I thought you were going to be in here,” she said.
    “Anyway, how do you know I didn’t use Jeremy’s room?” he asked.
    “I left the door open when I went to bed. It was still open this morning and the bed hadn’t been used. Besides, there’s this,” and she pulled a piece of straw from his hair.
    “Damn,” he said.
    “You just got caught red-handed,” she said.
    “One thing though, I was being truthful,” he said.
    “I’ll be ready to go in thirty minutes,” she said. “Get the wagon ready.”
    “Yes ma’am,” he said meekly.
    He tied Thunder to the back of the wagon and gave Annabel a hand up onto the wagon seat. The trip was uneventful. When they came to Last Chance Gulch, he said,” I have to get my things from the hotel and go to the livery, and see what I can work out with Mose.”
    “You don’t need to rent a horse from the stable, she said. Take either of mine.”
    “With all due respect, I’m somewhat of an expert on horses. You have two good horses, for what you need, but I’ll need more for a trip like I will have.”
    “I guess you’re probably right.” She said. Then she added, “This time.”
    He just shook his head, and handed her the reins. I’ll meet you at the general store,” he said.
    “I’ll be at the church,” she said. “Why don’t you come there? I want you to meet someone.”
    “I might get struck down by the avenging angel. I haven’t been in a church in years,” he said.
    “Then it won’t hurt to find out, before you’re on the road,” she responded in kind. “At least you’ll be among friends.”
    “So we’re friends again?” he asked.
    “As long as you don’t mislead me again,” she said.
    He got his bag from the hotel. The clerk didn’t charge him for the previous night, since he had not used it. At the livery stable, he asked Mose about a horse.
    “How long will you need him?” Mose asked.
    “I don’t rightly know,” he said. “I might not even come back. I’m planning to, but who knows what’s hiding in the rocks. I’m going to be totally truthful with you. My son was living with Miss Simms. He ran away, and I’m going