The Stranger's Secrets Read Online Free PDF Page A

for the reprieve. The trip out to meet and marry his future wife already had him on edge. Most folks would’ve thought him crazy to marry someone he’d never met, but it was the very reason he finally decided to give up his bachelor status.
    The women in his life had been few and far between. With no charm or finesse to speak of, Whit decided a mail-order bride was his best choice.
    In two weeks he’d be married and free to start the rest of his life on a newly purchased farm. He just had to get through the trip out there.
    When the train stopped for the evening, everyone gathered his or her belongings to disembark until the morning. Miss Ledbetter never stopped talking as she picked up her traveling case and left arm in arm with her new boon companion Mr. Abernathy.
    As Whit put his book in his bag, he glanced at Sarah. She pulled one bag from beneath the seat and put it up across from her. When she looked around, she cursed under her breath. He wondered exactly what the relationship was between the two women. Obviously Miss Ledbetter wasn’t concerned about Sarah.
    “Thanks, Mavis,” she muttered. After noticing Whit watching her, she frowned fiercely. “Something I can help you with, Mr. Kendrick?”
    “Can I help you get to the hotel?” The words were out of his mouth before he even thought about what he was doing.
    Surprise flashed across her face. “No, thank you.”
    She certainly didn’t mince words. Reminded him a bit of his mother, strangely enough.
    Whit watched her struggle with the second bag under the seat, which was apparently much heavier than the first. No matter what she said, he wasn’t going to allow a woman to step on his chivalrous duty.
    He took the bag from her and stood waiting while she glared at him.
    “That’s my property, Mr. Kendrick.”
    “I realize that. However, I am a gentleman, so just accept my help.” He wondered how she’d even gotten the bag out from under the seat; it weighed at least twenty pounds. “What’s in here anyway?”
    “My belongings. Now please give it back.” She reached for the bag, but he stepped backward toward the door.
    “You’ll just have to follow me to the hotel to get it back.” With that he turned and stepped off the train. He hoped like hell he wasn’t pushing her far enough to call the law. Jesus, he just wanted to help the prickly woman.
    Whit waited two full minutes before he peeked back in through the window. His stomach fell to his knees when he saw Sarah struggling to stand with a cane in her hand.
    A cane.
    He’d had no idea she was crippled. No wonder she had a companion traveling with her, one who didn’t apparently care enough about her, unfortunately. Whit knew Sarah wouldn’t accept charity and certainly not pity. That was a proud, stubborn woman right there. He decided to try a different method.
    He poked his head in the open door. “Hurry up, would you? What’s in here, rocks?”
    She had finally gotten the other bag on her arm and was straightening up. Her face was flushed, and her eyes, oh those silver eyes, flashed at him like fire. He felt an unexpected jolt of awareness zip through him.
    Whit shouldn’t be surprised but he was. He shouldn’t even be remotely attracted to her, yet apparently he was, judging by his body’s reaction.
    Damn.
    “No, they’re books, if you must know. If you damage them, you’ll be paying for them.” She’d obviously been used to giving orders and being in charge. It definitely didn’t sit well with Whit, but hell, she was just a stranger on a train.
    It didn’t matter a bit.
     
    Sarah was embarrassed—something that didn’t happen often. Mr. Kendrick had caught her at her worst struggling with her damaged leg and the damn cane. No matter how long or hard she fought against it, Sarah needed help with tasks others took for granted. Such as carrying her own luggage.
    She should’ve thanked him, but the words got stuck in her throat. Nothing about this trip was easy, starting