No One's Bride (Escape to the West Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

enough. Now he’d met Amy, he very much wanted her to be happy here, with him.
    If he could just stop sounding like he only had half a brain, that would be a good start to making that happen.
    He glanced back at the door to the stairs and then closed his eyes. “Father,” he whispered, “thank You for bringing Amy here. She’s...” a smile crept onto his face, “incredible. Forgive me for doubting that she would be. I know You have things in hand, which is good because I feel like I haven’t got any idea what I’m doing. And thank You that she’s so pretty. It wasn’t essential, but I sure do appreciate it. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.”
    Feeling a little better, if not much more relaxed, he stood and went to light the small stove he used for cooking and warmth. First he’d make them supper, then he’d go back to worrying if Amy liked it here. Liked him.
    With the stove warming, he fetched plates from the dresser to take to the table. A knock at the back door almost made him drop them. Rolling his eyes at his jumpiness, he put down the plates and went to the door leading into the back yard.
    Mrs Goodwin smiled at him when he opened the door. “Adam, I’m real sorry to disturb you on your first evening as a married man. I know you and your bride must be busy getting to know each other... Oh, and there she is now.”
    The short, round woman with white hair pulled into a bun and a covered serving dish in her hands stopped in the process of bustling through the door to look past him. Adam turned to see Amy walking into the room. His breath hitched. She didn’t actually look any different, and yet she seemed to have got even prettier. How was that even possible?
    Mrs Goodwin looked her up and down. Amy hadn’t changed from her trousers and shirt and the older woman seemed taken aback for a moment.
    Adam smiled at Amy, trying to convey an apology with his eyes. “Mrs Goodwin, please let me take that from you.” He reached out to remove the serving dish from her unresisting hands. “Miss Watts, this is Mrs Goodwin. Mrs Goodwin, meet Miss Watts.”
    Mrs Goodwin snapped out of her surprise and, rallying, put on a smile. “It’s lovely to meet you Miss...” She frowned. “Wait, shouldn’t that be Mrs Emerson?”
    Adam winced internally. He’d hoped there wouldn’t be any need for explanations.
    Amy hurried forward and shook Mrs Goodwin’s right hand which, along with her left, was extended in front of her as if she was still holding the dish.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs Goodwin,” she said. “Mr Emerson and I didn’t get married today. I was tired out from the journey and on the way to the church I had a spell of fainting. It was decided it would be best if the wedding was postponed so I could rest.” She gave a smile that would surely charm Mrs Goodwin, if the effect it had on Adam was anything to go by.
    At the mention of fainting Mrs Goodwin became the soul of distress. “Oh, you poor girl. Yes, of course, you must rest. But...” She glanced at Adam who was setting the dish down onto the table. “That means the two of you will be spending the night in the same house, unwed...”
    “Miss Watts and I will be sleeping in separate bedrooms,” Adam said, giving his voice a hint of firmness. “And we will be married tomorrow. I promise you, Mrs Goodwin, there will be no impropriety. But I’m sure you wouldn’t think otherwise, knowing me as you do.”
    Mrs Goodwin breathed out. “Yes, of course.” She smiled. “Of course.”
    Amy walked to the table and lifted the cloth on the serving dish. A smell wafted out that made Adam’s mouth water.
    “Is this for us?” she said. “It smells delicious.”
    “I figured you wouldn’t want to be cooking, this being your first night together.” The colour drained from Mrs Goodwin’s face. “I mean, I didn’t mean...”
    Adam had to clamp his teeth together to stop the laugh bubbling up inside him. “Relax, Mrs Goodwin, we