Journey of the Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

familiarize herself with the kitchen and where things were. Then she pulled out a couple of pots and pans and started cooking. Paul asked her if she needed any help with anything, but she only waved him away. “ Go make sure your brother doesn ’ t kill anyone out there and let them know they ’ ll hear the cowbell outside when supper ’ s done. ”
     
    He nodded and disappeared out of the kitchen before she could ask anything more of him. Looking about, Courtney brushed her hair back out of her face, rolled up her sleeves and set to work.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Supper was a success. The men gathered outside at a row of tables where Courtney served them tin bowls full of soup. She hadn ’ t known how much to make and knew that if she made too much the soup would keep overnight better than anything else she made if there happened to be extra. She served all the hired men first, learning names as she placed bowls before them all. She warned them she may not remember all their names, to which they assured her they didn ’ t mind.
     
    Brandon held back, watching her from the edge of the crowd, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes shielded. She knew he watched her though, knew it like she knew the sky was blue.
     
    When she served him his meal, he thanked her, a small smile crossing his face the first time. She stepped back and waited, wondering what he would think of it. It really had been a long time since she ’ d cooked for anyone and she worried that the other men were being nice because they thought it in her power to fire them. No need to tell them she wouldn ’ t even if she did. Somehow though, she knew Brandon wouldn ’ t mince words with her. If her cooking was bad, he ’ d tell her it was.
     
    He ate in silence, taking several bites before he seemed to realize she was watching. Then he glanced at her where she stood with her hands behind her back, awaiting his assessment. He nodded his approval. She beamed at him, turning away and practically skipping back to the kitchen. He liked it. He liked her cooking. Maybe there was hope that this would work after all.
     
    As she passed the table, some of the men asked if there was enough for second helpings. She assured them there was and told them they could come get themselves more if they liked.
     
    Inside the house once more, Courtney dished herself a bowl of soup and sat at the table there, relishing in the silence inside the house even as she heard the night noises outside. That would take some getting used to: the crickets and the frogs singing. In the distance, a coyote howled, but it didn ’ t bother Courtney. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself.
     
    Every once in a while one of the men would come help themselves to another scoop of soup. Beyond a smile in their direction, Courtney didn ’ t interact with them, choosing to eat in silence so that she could explore the house afterwards. She asked that the dirty dishes be stacked on the table and assured the men she could handle them herself. She set to work after eating, filling a bucket with water and scrubbing the dishes with water and scouring food off with sand. Then she set them out to dry and explored the house.
     
    Outside, the men grew loud with the sounds of song and conversations. Laughter filled the air and there was an overall sense of companionship amongst the men. She was glad. That would mean few fights in the long run.
     
    Upstairs, Courtney paused in front of the closed doors and looked around. A feeling that she was being watched nagged at her, and she wasn ’ t sure she liked it. A shiver passed through her body and she returned her attention to the task at hand.
     
    “ That room ’ s off limits, ” a steel voice said behind her just as she turned the knob and started inside.
     
    She slammed the door shut, spinning around and flattening her back against the wood, her hand pressed over her heart. She stared up at Brandon, who stood at the head of