Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel Read Online Free PDF Page B

talked with Callie, whose brilliant smile reflected her good nature. Anna again compared her plain Woolsey dress to the stylish outfit Callie wore and indeed felt like a servant instead of a wife.
    Edward turned to Anna, his lips pursed in a thin line. “Perhaps you could fix our guest some tea?”
    She shook off her silly thoughts of comparison to interrupt them. “Yes, I will make us some tea,” she murmured. But she wasn’t sure Callie even heard her, and only a nod came from Edward. She turned to leave, but Callie paused, staying her on the arm.
    “Please, no tea for me. I must be going. But another time, perhaps? I’ll leave you newlyweds for now. I’m sure you have much better things to do than entertain me—but I will insist you come to dinner some night in the near future.” She raised an eyebrow in Edward’s direction, waiting for an answer.
    “We’d be delighted. Let me show you to the door, Callie. Thanks again for bringing my wayward wife home safe and sound,” he said. He walked her to the door and out into the street where her driver waited. With a brief wave, the driver set off down the avenue.
    Land of Goshen, he acts like I’ve been wandering for days , Anna thought . Then she realized she’d probably resembled a wanderer today. She went into the kitchen to set the teakettle to boil and finished slicing the roast Edward had set out for sandwiches. At least she knew how to make a simple lunch. Anna had seen the disapproving look in his eyes and chided herself for falling asleep in the park. She whacked away at the meat until it no longer resembled sliced roast beef.
    “Ahem.” Edward cleared his throat when he entered thekitchen, then strode over to take the knife from her hand. “Better let me take over before you slice off a finger.”
    Anna moved aside, crossing her arms. “How long have you known Callie?”
    Edward paused in placing the meat on bread and glanced up at her. “Since we were children. Why do you ask?”
    Anna’s heart thumped against her rib cage. “No reason, really. Callie seems the perfect lady. She was very nice, bringing me all the way back home.”
    “Yes, Callie is a true lady. She always seems quite . . . organized in her behavior. Where were you anyway? You should’ve told me you were leaving. Besides, you don’t know anything about Denver. You were gone so long I tied the dog out in the backyard. I didn’t know what else to do with her.”
    “Thank you for doing that. I’ll check on her and give her some table scraps, if you don’t mind.” He shrugged so she continued, though she knew that wasn’t the end of the dog topic. “I decided to take a ride on the streetcar through downtown and wound up at City Park. I guess I fell asleep on the park bench after not sleeping well last night. It was so peaceful and quiet.”
    “ What? Fell asleep in City Park? Where anyone could’ve seen you?” he sputtered, his steel-gray eyes widening.
    Anna pulled her shoulders back and breathed deeply. “I merely leaned back against the park bench to feel the sun’s rays. It was all very appropriate, I assure you.”
    “I can’t believe you’d go that far alone in a city you know nothing about.” As she was about to retort, Edward stepped closer and stroked her cheek gently with his finger. “That explains the sunburn on your nose and cheeks.” He didn’t move away but stood looking down at her. “With your fair skin, you’ll have to wear a bonnet. Denver is a mile high in elevation, so you’re closer to the sun’s rays.”
    “I—I—didn’t realize.” She touched her fingers to her face. He leaned so close that she could smell his aftershave. “I have several in my trunk,” Anna said, lifting her eyes to meet his. She thought he might kiss her, but instead he hastily moved away.
    “Good. Be sure to use them when you’re outdoors. Now let’s have our lunch, and I’ll go type up a new list for you. Maybe it would be best if you put the list in the