The Officer and the Southerner (Historical Western Romance) (Fort Gibson Officers Series, Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

painted Wes in the most favorable light of anyone of Jack’s acquaintance. Jack had claimed Wes was always grinning and rarely serious. Clearly, he was only teasing her, but for some reason Jack must not find that appropriate for their first meeting. That’s all right, she didn’t mind a sense of humor as long as it wasn’t cruel, and his words certainly held no cruel intent. “That’s just the thing, Captain. I’ve come here to drop the Davis and add an ‘er’ on the Walk.”
    Jack grinned at her in a way that would have robbed her of her breath if she wasn’t near breathless with excitement already. “Well, if you all will excuse us, now that you two have made the acquaintance of my future wife, I think it’s time Ella and I have some time alone.”
    Wes shot him a glance Ella couldn’t read. “Perhaps she doesn’t wish to be alone with you.”
    “Since she still hasn’t added that ‘er’ to her name, yet, she still has time to change her mind,” Gray said helpfully, eliciting a giggle from her.
    Jack shook his head. “Sorry Gray, she’s all mine.”
    Ella flushed at his possessiveness, then shot his friends a sympathetic smile. Though she knew Wes was already married, she assumed he was just trying to flatter her with his words. Gray, on the other hand, Jack had once termed a shameless flirt. Not that it mattered to her. He could flirt with her from now until snow covered the ground, but it wouldn’t change the feelings she’d developed for Jack from his letters and the excitement that had grown tenfold on her journey here.
    “ Perhaps they’d like to act as witnesses to our wedding,” she suggested a moment later when neither man had seen fit to part company with them.
    “ I’d be honored to be a witness,” Wes said quickly.
    Jack scowled at him. “We don’t require any witnesses—especially either of you.”
    Wes mumbled something about someone who might need a witness after something was discovered. She knit her brow and looked to him to elaborate, but before he could, Jack extended his arm to her. “If you’re ready, I’m sure the chaplain would be happy to make this official.”
    Heat crawled up her face, though she didn’t know exactly why. “Of course.” She gestured to her luggage. “Will it be all right to leave those here until we return?”
    All eyes went to the four large trunks and three travel bags that had made the journey with her.
    “ Gray and I can find some men to move those for you,” Wes offered, the corners of his lips twitching.
    Ella turned her eyes to Jack, whose face had taken on a light red hue and who seemed to have a slight cough. “That would be very nice, thank you,” she said.
    “It’s our pleasure,” Gray said at the same time Jack’s little coughing fit worsened.
    “ Are you all right?” Ella asked him. She fisted her hands into the fabric of her pale green skirt to keep from patting him on the back and embarrassing them both with such a display.
    Jack nodded. “Fine,” he said on a cough, “just a bit of dust.”
    Wes chuckled and Gray guffawed.
    “ Don’t worry, Miss Walk-Davis, the men we find will be sure to exercise great care bringing your things inside,” Gray said with a wink.
    Jack scowled at his friend and Ella cleared her throat. “Oh, there’s no need to bring them inside, is there, Jack? The men can just take them to Jack’s wagon.”
    “Jack’s wagon?” Gray’s voice wavered on the words as if he were on the verge of laughter. “Do you plan to take her on a ride around the barracks before taking her to see your room?”
    Instead of the laughter she presumed Gray’s words were intended to provoke, uncomfortable silence enveloped them all as blood thundered in her ears and every muscle in her body went lax. Take a ride around the barracks? Their room ? Did that mean he was an officer, too? Her heart sank. He hadn’t ever mentioned it. She glanced at the uniforms the other men wore. The trousers and shirts looked