Stephen’s Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

get ready for bed.” Hoping he didn’t scandalize Rosie by fleeing out the front door in his trousers and Union suit, he raced from the room.
     
    They’d been on the road toward Calliope’s farm in Johnson County since barely after sunrise. Rosemarie had packed a lunch for them to eat on the road since the stagecoach wouldn’t make another stop until they reached their destination. They’d finished that off two hours ago, and from what Stephen could tell by the position of the sun they would be close to arriving within the hour.
    Calliope had sat, staring out the window almost the entire trip. They were crowded into the space with three other men. He and his wife sat side-by-side, crammed together with a bulky man sharing their bench. Even though Stephen had planned on riding Topaz part of the way, once he realized doing that would leave Calliope with three strange men, he decided to stay in the coach. Consequently, he was stiff and sore and not in the best frame of mind.
    “We’re almost there.” Calliope’s soft words drew him from his musings.
    “Yes, I thought we were getting close.”
    She took a deep breath and fiddled with the folds of her dress. Stephen placed his hand over hers to still her movements. “Are you nervous?”
    “Yes.” She licked her lips and cast him a slight smile. “You have no idea how intimidating Rupert can be.”
    “Rupert is no longer your concern. I will deal with him and make sure he doesn’t come near you again.” After four long years fighting for the lost Confederate cause there wasn’t much he was left fearful of. He’d seen friends shot in cold blood, men dragged by spooked horses, horses shot from underneath their riders who fell and were trampled.
    No, there wasn’t a whole lot of things that rattled him anymore. In fact, he was anxious to settle this problem with Melrose and get on with his life. He had plans for the farm that would increase their profit once he could establish a horse breeding venture. No bully would stand in his way. He and Calliope were legally married, he was here to protect her and her farm, and anyone who got in his way would suffer the consequences.
    ***
    Calliope grew more anxious the closer they got to home. It had been so easy to run, to avoid marrying Rupert, but now that she thought about facing him with what she’d done, it was almost as bad as facing Papa when she’d gone against something he’d ordered her to do, or not do. But, she kept reminding herself of Stephen’s words.
    Rupert is no longer your concern. I will deal with him and make sure he doesn’t come near you again
    If only she could believe that, but truthfully, she didn’t know Stephen all that well. He seemed to be a nice man, and he certainly was liked and respected by his family. She would have to learn to trust herself. Trust that he would take care of her, but at the same time, not attempt to take over her life.
    The stagecoach left them off in town. Stephen released Topaz from the coach and strapped his satchel to the back of the saddle. Then, to her surprise, he scooped her into his arms and mounted his horse, settling her on his lap.
    He winced as he shifted her. “Are you all right?” His face paled and he seem to hold his breath.
    “Yes. I have an injury in my hip from the war, and some types of movements hurt.”
    “You shouldn’t have lifted me onto the horse. I could have mounted myself.”
    “It’s fine.” The warmth from his body and the welcoming scent of something spicy and comforting radiated from him as he turned the horse and they headed out of town at her direction. The sun hung low in the sky, and a soft breeze blew, the moisture in the air warning of rain sometime soon. As a farmer, she always looked forward to rain.
    The house looked exactly the same as it had when she’d run yesterday morning. It was hard to grasp that only one day had passed since she’d abandoned her groom who must have been waiting for her at the Judge’s