Western Kisses – Old West Christmas Romances (Boxed Set) Read Online Free PDF Page A

fancied you for quite a while now. I want to spend more time with you, but I’m not sure my feelings are reciprocated.”
    “It’s ungentlemanly to be so bold.”
    “I’m sorry, but it’s come to this,” he said forcefully. “If you hate me, if you want me to leave you alone, then I will. I’ll go elsewhere for companionship, but it won’t be easy. One word from you will determine what I shall do.”
    I glanced at Leona, who appeared dumbfounded; her eyes were wide, while her mouth hung open. “I…I don’t hate you.”
    “Well, that’s reassuring.” I wanted to say something, to come to her defense, but I knew keeping silent was the only option. For whatever reason, my sister had been rendered speechless, as she stared at him. It was impossible to know what was going on in her mind. In the next instant, Benjamin took hold of her face, murmuring, “You can slap me afterwards, but I want to kiss you.”
    My sister offered little resistance, leaning into, not away from Mr. Lloyd, while her hands came to rest on his jacket. His arms suddenly enfolded her, bringing her even closer. I knew then that Leona had met her match. Tears formed in my eyes, while I tried desperately not to watch, but the scene was too sweet, too emotional not to observe it. To inspire such passion—such yearning in another, must be a humbling thing, but I would never be able to do the same.
    When they had at last pulled apart, Benjamin murmured, “That’s what I thought.”
    “What?”
    “You aren’t indifferent.”
    “No. I’m…just a jumble of nerves when I’m near you. I…don’t know why.”
    He grinned. “May I come to call? I’d dearly like to spend more time with you.”
    “I can’t think of a reason to object.” She glanced my way. “Willow, what say you? Should I let Mr. Lloyd court me?”
    The happiness I felt for my sister was nearly overwhelming. “You should indeed.”

Chapter Five
    I would never begrudge someone their happiness, and seeing my sister and Benjamin Lloyd together lifted my spirits as well. He was a steady, pleasant, and handsome man, who entertained Leona nearly every day after their unexpected kiss. He brought flowers, chocolates, and even a music box, which now sat upon the dresser in our bedroom. Leona kept nothing from me, whispering all of her secrets when we were alone. When she spoke, I imagined these things were really happening to me. I was being courted, kissed, and bestowed with gifts. But, of course, I really wasn’t.
    Occasionally, when I was exhausted and downtrodden after a long day of work, I thought of Mr. Hindman, wondering where he was and if he was well. He said he had decided to prospect, and I listened sometimes to the miners talking, as they relayed information unknowingly, but I never heard his name mentioned. Cooking, cleaning, and other chores stole the time away, as it was possible for an entire week to drift by in a flurry of activity. It was nearly October before I realized I would have to plan for enough turkeys for the Thanksgiving Day feast, in which the people staying at our hotel would share.
    I loathed venturing into town, preferring to hide in the sanctuary of the kitchen, but ma and I often went, scouring the warehouse behind the mercantile for supplies. The spices and bags of flour needed for baking ran out quickly when feeding dozens of people every day, although we had our own smokehouse and chicken pen. Pa had gone to the mountains to shoot a buck or two, which we would wrap securely and keep frozen in the cellar on a massive block of ice. There were slabs of beef as well.
    It was while in town that I received the shock of my life. Hating to be seen in public, I kept my head down mostly, preferring to stare at the ground instead of having to smile and greet every stranger that crossed my path. Mother had gone into the post office, while I waited for her, standing near a hitching post, although I used the fattest beam as a barrier, hiding myself. From