Seth (Prairie Grooms, Book Three) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pointed at Ryder and grinned.
    “True enough!” Ryder said. He kissed Constance on the top of her head and sighed.
    “I think we’d best leave them to visit for a while,” said Harrison. “Let’s head across the street and see if Penelope and August have arrived.”
    Seth held his arm out to Eloise. “Shall we?”
    She took it, still embarrassed by what she’d said before. Did he think that she thought him less of a man by not going with the posse? What about her quip concerning leaving it to the lawmen? He seemed not to take offense, but still … or, was it that she did? Had she formed an opinion of him, based on what she saw? But then, who wouldn’t? A better question would be what kind of man she was hoping him to be. What kind of man did she really need?
    But mail- order brides weren’t supposed to be picky, and definitely shouldn’t expect to get exactly what they wanted. After all, didn’t a woman become a mail-order bride in this country because they couldn’t find anyone else?
    Eloise closed her eyes against the thought. If so, then … oh … how pathetic. The whole reason she and her sisters were in this wretched country was because no one in England wanted them! At least she had the knowledge that it was through no fault of theirs.
    She stole a quick glance at her intended as they walked across the street. He was handsome, and from the feel of the arm entwined with hers, very strong. But she’d not seen him use it, nor hint that he possessed such strength. He was very gentle, and soft-spoken toward her. She liked it, but …
    “I hope you’re able to finish your dress soon. It gets kinda lonesome being in that big hotel all by myself at night.”
    She stopped dead in her tracks. “Alone?”
    “Well, not entirely. Sally Upton has herself a set of rooms, too, but it’s closer to the kitchen. Mine’s upstairs on the other side of the building. Never hear a peep out of her.”
    “Where does her sister , Marybeth, stay?”
    “She’s married to Harvey Brown ; a farmer who lives a couple of miles out of town. She helps out at the hotel, but not every day.”
    “Oh, I see. We shan’t be disturbed then.”
    He smiled. “No, we … shan’t.”
    She looked into his eyes, and noticed the briefest hint of … something. Promise? “Then I can be assured my endless chatter will not be a problem. I do tend to carry on at times.”
    “I’ve not heard it from you yet. What do you talk about when it goes non-stop?”
    She opened her mouth then quickly closed it, realizing that the topic of non-stop girlish delight was usually about men. “My wedding,” she offered, true for the most part.
    He smiled as th ey entered the mercantile. “That could be a problem.”
    “Problem?”
    “Yes, ma’am. It means that after we’re married, you won’t have anything to talk about.”
    She giggled. “I’m sure we can find something.”
    His smile broadened. “Oh, I have a few things in mind …”
    The muscles in his arm tightened, and she felt a bulging bicep beneath his brown frock-coat. She swallowed hard at the sudden weakness in her knees, and shuddered. Good heavens! It was just a muscle!
    “Move out of the way, comin’ through!” Gran dma Waller called behind them. She carried in her arms a bolt of cloth, with Mrs. Dunnigan behind her, who held a basket of thread and buttons. They went to a circle of chairs near the front window where the preacher’s wife, Annie, sat next to Mrs. Mulligan and Lucy White. Sadie and Belle occupied another two chairs. “Who’s not comin’ today?” asked Grandma.
    “Susara offered to stay at the ranch and watch Honor ia for me,” said Sadie. “Logan is working near the house today, so they’ll be fine.”
    “What about Jefferson and Edith?” Grandma inquired with a worried look.
    “They’re at the ranch, too,” said Belle. “The other hands are guarding the stock.”
    “Glad to hear it,” said Grandma. “Now, who else we missing?”
    Eloise shivered