Mail Order Bride: Emma's Escape: (Clean Historical Western Romance) (Brides of River Valley Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Emma looked at herself in the mirror. She had bought a new dress for the special day. Her heart full of love and joy. She was just disappointed that Leah wasn’t present but it was too much of a risk to contact her. Just as she was getting ready to leave, there was a tap at her door.
    “Henry, you can’t see me until the church,” she sang out as she opened the door. She stayed behind it, not wishing him to see her just yet. She looked down as a foot appeared to stop her from closing the door. They were snakeskin boots, the type Lenny wore. She opened her mouth to scream but no sound came out as Lenny barged his way in.
    “My little one, this is where you are. Why did you run off on me?” Lenny ran his hand down her face.
    “What, no hello for your fiancé. No matter. Now pack your bags, you’re coming with me.”
    “No, Lenny, I’m not. I’m getting married today and you’re not going to stop me.” Emma stood up straight. It was the first time she had stood up to Lenny. She saw a look of disgust cross his face. She wasn’t going to be as easy to deal with as he thought.
    “Your friend Leah thought she could stop me but yet I found you, Emma. It took some persuasion but you know what I’m capable of.” Emma gasped at the thought of Leah being killed to keep her secret. Poor Leah. She should have come out with here with Emma.
    “Emma, come quietly or I will shoot all those lovely people you’ve met, starting with the hotel owners and any guests that get in my way. In any case, you stole some jewelry from me and if you give me any trouble, I’ll tell the Sheriff about your stolen possessions. You know I’m not one to bluff, don’t you my love?”
    Emma nodded. She couldn’t overpower Lenny in this room. She could only pray that Henry would notice her delay and come to her rescue.
    “Very well, Lenny, you win. But I didn’t steal any jewelry. You gave me the bracelet that I took with me. I don’t want anyone hurt on my behalf. But please tell me you didn’t kill Leah?” She pleaded with him for information.
    “First things first, where’s the jewelry you stole?”
    Lenny emptied a bag of jewels into Emma’s bag.
    “Now about your friend Leah. She’s not exactly dead but she’s of no use to anyone. Now pack and let’s go. Our train leaves shortly.” Lenny watched her as she packed her belongings.
    They walked down the stairs and as Mrs. Giles came to meet her, Lenny jabbed Emma in the ribs as a caution to act normal.
    “Mrs. Giles, this is a friend of mine from the city,” Emma said. She hoped the tension in her voice would alert Mrs. Giles but it seemed she wasn’t observant.
    “Isn’t that lovely to have someone to witness your wedding. Enjoy yourself.” Mrs. Giles was gone.
    “Good girl, Emma. Keep it that way and no one gets hurt.”
    As they walked in the direction of the hotel, Henry had become agitated at Emma’s delay. Something in his gut was telling him something was wrong. He headed towards the hotel and was surprised to see his Emma walking with a man who had his arm around her. She carried her suitcase and they were going towards the train station.
    He followed them and as he passed the jailhouse, the Sheriff came out to him.
    “Henry, I just got a wire from the city from a Leah Russell, another one, to say that Emma Cooper was in danger because a Lenny Gibson had found out where she had gone.” Henry pointed towards Emma and Lenny.
    “Lenny Gibson, stop where you are and release Emma Cooper.” The Sheriff shouted out but Lenny wasn’t afraid of any police authority and he just turned shooting the Sheriff, who fell dropping his gun. Henry’s instinct to protect his Emma kicked in and he grabbed the gun. Emma watched Henry as he raised the gun and she pretended to faint to distract Lenny. It worked as Henry fired shooting Lenny squarely in the chest. Emma was dropped to the ground as Lenny fell.
    Henry ran towards Emma.
    “Henry, you saved me from Lenny. But the