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

here I was able to observe several ladies entering the post office, eager to mail their letters, while miners, some on horseback, had arrived to do the same.
    A wagon ambled up the street, under the direction of Cybele Houston, who wore a lovely yellow flared skirt with a fitted bodice. Her bonnet was heavily trimmed, a broad sheaf of lace tied beneath her throat. She seemed intent on bringing her horse in, although there wasn’t much room between the animals that were already waiting. Confounded, her expression hardened, while she craned her neck, searching for someplace to leave the animal. She’d moved down a store, securing the mare to the hitching post before the barbershop, although several men stood on the boardwalk staring at her.
    The attention hadn’t bothered her in the least, and one man in particular, whom I knew as one of the proprietors of William’s freight company, Mr. Cockle, had stopped to gape as well. He cut a fine figure in a tailored sack coat and breeches, his hand in his pocket. As Cybele strode towards the post office, Mr. Cockle hurried behind her. While people passed in both directions, he neared, extending his hand, and I realized he meant to give her something, which looked like a letter. As he passed, he reached inside a side pocket in her skirt, depositing the secret missive, although it fell to the boardwalk instead. Cybele, upon seeing him, smiled brightly, her little pink mouth separating, exposing straight white teeth. She was quite happy at his proximity, although neither realized that the transfer of the letter had failed and the envelope now lay on the boardwalk, being stepped on by several dirty boots.
    Cybele had gone into the post office, while Mr. Cockle continued down the street, crossing at one point and hastening to his horse. He cast one last glance over his shoulder; the look was furtive, and suspicious.
    My mother appeared a moment later. “It’s good. We may go. I’ve heard from your cousin in Philadelphia. From the size of the letter, we’ve a great deal of news to catch up on.”
    Instinct had taken over, as I rushed towards where Mr. Cockle’s letter had gone, snatching the envelope from the boardwalk and depositing it in my skirt. “Is there anything else we must do?” I glanced at her hopefully, wanting desperately to go home. I knew I should not read someone else’s correspondence, but curiosity had gotten the better of me, and the letter I now had in my possession seemed to be burning a hole in my pocket.
    “Yes, we’re done. Goodness,” she exclaimed, as people passed. “What a crush.” She untied our mare, stepping onto the wagon and positioning herself on the seat. “Let’s go then. Heaven knows we’ve a good deal to finish before supper.”
    I sat next to her, my mind elsewhere, and, while she drove, I couldn’t help wondering what secrets the letter would reveal. Once at the hotel, I hurried to help mother unload our things, while desiring a moment to myself. I found Leona in the dining room, chatting with pa.
    Tugging on her sleeve, I whispered, “I need to speak to you.”
    “All right. What is it?”
    I pulled her away. “In private.” We were in the hallway now, heading towards our room. “You’re not going to believe this, but I inadvertently intercepted a secret letter.”
    Her eyes widened. “What?”
    “Mr. Cockle tried to put this,” I held up the envelope, “in Cybele Houston’s pocket. It fell to the boardwalk instead, and neither of them has a clue.”
    Her mouth hung open. “Oh, my…stars. You can’t read that.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s…it’s private!”
    We were in the bedroom, as I closed the door behind us. “It’s not private when it’s out in the open, laying on the ground.”
    She sat on the bed, crossing her legs. “Oh, fireballs! What’s he doing communicating with her? Not only is he married, but she’s all but engaged to William Stanford.”
    “I’m well aware of that.” I eyed the letter,