Joshua's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

reins. "You'll find the right words, Laura. I know you will," he said slowly. His voice was strangely reassuring, gentle even, with not a hint of admonition or criticism.
    Laura looked away and sighed. She just hoped her mother was well enough to appreciate that her daughter had returned home, albeit in disgrace.
    The buckboard drew up in front of the house. Joshua jumped down and came around, extending a hand to assist Laura. She let him help her down. He took her bag and handed it to her.
    Laura looked at the house, wondering what she was going to find inside. Joshua gazed at her and nodded imperceptibly without saying a word. There was a strength in his gaze that seemed to affect her, allowing her to draw something up from deep inside herself. Just as she started toward the house the front door opened and Eli Thorne came striding out.
    Eli looked at Laura and his face changed color. There was no pleasure at seeing her, no smiles, no welcoming arms, merely an ill disguised fury. Narrow dark eyes peered at her from under deeply furrowed brows. His dark hair was unkempt. His shirt was open at the neck, the buttons of his plaid shirt loose. His shirt sleeves were rolled up showing off his thickly muscled arms and tight fists. He strode toward Laura.
    "What in tarnation do you think you were doing?" he demanded, his voice a barely contained roar.
    Laura took a step backward and pressed up against Joshua, who rested a hand lightly against her waist. Joshua stepped around Laura putting himself between her and Eli. "We need to talk, Eli," Joshua said going toward the irate brother.
    Eli didn't even look at Joshua. His eyes were fixed firmly on his younger sister. Laura looked at Joshua wondering what he was going to do. Was he squaring up to fight with Eli? Why was Joshua even concerned about what was going to take place between herself and her brother?
    Joshua held up a hand. "Now hang on there, Eli. Your sister's been through a lot. You need to give her a chance to explain," he said.
    Eli hesitated and stopped. "What's there to explain? She ran off. Don't know why. All I know is she darn near put mama in the ground," Eli said pointing back at the house.
    She gasped and covered her mouth with a hand. "Mama!" she cried out, looking up at the window where she guessed her mother lay, possibly clinging to life.
    Joshua laid a hand on her shoulder. Eli looked at the gesture and his eyes narrowed. "Why didn't you call me before you went running off to get Laura back?" Eli asked Joshua.
    He locked eyes on Eli. "You were too busy with the herd. There wasn't time to find you," he answered.
    "I have to see her," Laura exclaimed breaking into a sprint, and racing past Eli, who made a vain attempt to halt her. She had to get inside, see her mother, explain everything, apologize to her. Anything that would take away the pain.
    From behind her she heard Joshua speak up again. "Eli, I need to speak to you about something real important. Let Laura be. She needs to see her mama."
    The voices of the two men faded away. It didn't matter what the two men were going to talk about. Racing toward the door, all Laura could think about was what she would find when she finally made it up the stairs, along the hall and into her mother's bedroom.

    ****

    The darkened room was lit by one candle. The curtains were drawn tight. In the soft light Laura saw her mother lying on her bed, a small figure, covered in bedsheets, pillows propped up around her head. By her side was seated their housekeeper, Mrs. Cole. The housekeeper turned, her eyes widening, her mouth opening. Laura had never seen such an expression of worry on the kindly woman's face before. From that she could only guess the perilous condition her mother was in.
    Mrs. Cole stood as Laura entered the room. Laura's shoes sounded hard and noisy on the wooden floor. Laura froze on the spot. Mrs. Cole lifted a finger to her lips.
    Laura looked down at her mother and stifled the sob that threatened to