Mariette And The Cowboy (Western Night Series 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

know,” Katie added as if she were reading her mind.
    “I know, you are deliciously discreet Katie. Thank you. I am lucky to have you.” The young girl flushed with pride. “Now, can you please lay out my grey velvet today. I think it is the oldest thing I have, and being grey if I get newsprint all over it, it shouldn’t matter a bit!”
    “Yes Miss Mariette. I’ve shined up your oldest boots too.”
    “You are a treasure, and I do not know what I would do without you.”
    Just thirty minutes later and Mariette was walking swiftly down the high street to the building she had purchased to house the Stephenville Star. Standing outside were Melissa and Mr Cole, a short stocky man she had hired from Dallas who would run the printing press for them. He had come highly recommended. Melissa looked bright and eager, and Mariette hugged her tightly. “This is all so exciting,” she whispered. Melissa nodded. “Mr Cole, thank you so much for getting here so swiftly. You will soon learn, I am the kind of woman who once I have set my mind on something I tend to want it to happen in an instant!” They shook hands warmly and Mr Cole handed her the key. 
    She put it in the lock of the smart, stone built building and opened the thick oak door. “I proudly announce the commencement of the Stephenville Star,” she said dramatically. “Welcome, and long may we prosper!”
    Inside in the main chamber was the huge press. They stood and marvelled at it as Mr Cole carefully checked every part, and quickly blocked some text, and fed in the paper. He cranked up its engine and moments later the first words came rolling off the presses. He had simply put ‘Bon Voyage’, they all grinned at each other like school children with a new toy.
    “We’d best get to work,” Melissa said finally. “You and I need to go and find ourselves some stories for our first edition.”
    “Well, we can announce your marriage for a start,” Mariette joked as they walked up the stairs to their office. There were two big desks, opposite one another in the large room, with bright lamps, heavy typewriters and stacks of notepads, pencils and pens on them. “How is life treating you Mrs Green?”
    “Very well, though it being two weeks now since the wedding we may well be old news by now! I must say thank you for sending Hardy our way. Caleb cannot stop singing his praises. Wherever did you find him?”
    “In the saloon!”
    “You are a one Mariette, I know of no woman who would ever willingly be seen dead in a saloon, and you go round picking up cowboys in them.” Mariette stopped dead. How on earth did Melissa know? Katie had sworn she wouldn’t tell a soul and she couldn’t imagine that Hardy would be the type to brag about his conquests.
    “How did you know?” she cried aghast.
    “I didn’t, well not entirely until right now – good reporting skills eh? I guessed. Something about the soft, melty look that came over your face when I mentioned his name. I can’t say I blame you, had I not met Caleb first, I would not have objected if Hardy had been the one that saved me!”
    “Oh, Melissa you mustn’t tell a soul. I have gotten myself into such a pickle. Would you like the desk by the window?”
    “If you are sure, I would love it, but what do you mean you’ve gotten yourself in a pickle?”
    “Well, I know this sounds incredibly foolish, but I want a child. I took one look at Hardy and knew he would be perfect.”
    “You decided on sight the man you wished to marry?” Melissa asked incredulously.
    “Well so did you, if you’re honest – and even worse, you decided who you’d marry before you had even seen him at all!”
    “Touché,” Melissa admitted. She had after all come to Stephenville as a mail order bride, though thankfully that hadn’t worked out.
    “But no, not marry him. I just wanted him to be the father of my child. I figured he was passing through, wouldn’t care or even know what he had left behind – and then