Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling Read Free Book Online Page A

Aaron was firm and confident looking, while Jude just seemed to shrink before the larger man.
    "I'll see you out, Aaron," Eva said taking his elbow and leading him past Jude. The foreman leaned back against the door.
    Outside, the afternoon air was cool. Ranch hands were busy going about their business. Eva felt a rush of relief as she stopped on the porch. She noticed she'd kept a hold of Aaron's elbow. When he looked down at her with an approving smile, she cleared her throat and hurriedly loosened her grip.
    "He's an insufferable man," she said.
    "He's been like that since I've known him. I don't think he's ever liked me," Aaron said.
    "Even less now, I suppose after what he saw," Eva said.
    Aaron eyes narrowed. "And what did he just see, Eva?"
    Eva raised a hand to her throat and glanced over toward the corral. How much had Jude heard? How long had he been there? Eva was suddenly seized with a powerful urge to tell Aaron just how much his acceptance of her proposal would mean to her. But she couldn't. She dare not tell Aaron Stewart that marriage to him wasn't just about avoiding forced matrimony with Jude Arabin, or making sure she got ownership of the ranch. There was no possibility in Eva's mind that she could admit to Aaron right now that their shared past had meant the same to her, as it had so obviously meant to him.
    Aaron looked at Eva. She knew he was waiting for an answer. He probably deserved more than she was offering. The way Aaron had protected her from Jude since his arrival at the ranch had touched her heart. This handsome rancher, a man barely a few years older than Eva, her neighbour and supposed rival for so many years, had shown her, in less than an hour, just how far he was willing to go to take care of her. What on earth would Eva do if Aaron declined her offer of marriage?
    "Are you going to be okay?" Aaron asked.
    Eva glanced back toward the house. "Of course. Mrs. Bell knows how to take care of me," she answered.
    Aaron smiled. "I'm sure she does." He put his hat on and bowed his head slightly. "You get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow. I promise," he said and started toward his horse.
    And then Aaron was raising himself up onto the horse, grasping the reins, turning his mount away from Eva and riding off, leaving her with a sinking feeling that wasn't only caused by the confusing and disturbing events of one of the most momentous days of her life.

CHAPTER SIX

    "He's gone," Eva said to Mrs. Bell.
    They were in the kitchen and Eva was trying to take her mind of things by helping with the preparation of the dinner. Eva peeled the potatoes over the bowl and tried to forget how she'd felt at seeing Aaron heading off earlier that afternoon. It seemed that preparing food didn't do much to help someone forget.
    "He'll be back," Mrs. Bell said cutting up some vegetables on a wooden board. Outside, darkness was starting to fall. It was the end to a truly sad and awful day. Eva couldn't wait for it to end. There was a tiredness in her soul that she'd never felt before. Maybe Mrs. Bell could lift her spirits, as she'd done so many times in the past.
    "How can you be so sure?" Eva asked.
    Mrs. Bell smiled. "Aaron and I had a little chat," she said.
    Eva's eyes widened. "About what?"
    Mrs. Bell cocked her head. "Oh. You know. Things," she said with an evasive look.
    Eva stopped peeling the potatoes. "What things?" she demanded.
    "Important stuff. You know what I'm talking about, Eva," the housekeeper said with a mischievous smile.
    "I don't think I do, Mrs. Bell," Eva admitted, even though she knew exactly what her housekeeper was referring to.
    Mrs. Bell sighed and stopped cutting the vegetables. "You and I know that there is more to you and Aaron than you've wanted to admit."
    Eva felt her face flush. "What do you mean?"
    "I've seen you and Aaron around each other for years. I suppose you think no-one noticed," Mrs. Bell said.
    Eva frowned. "Noticed what?"
    Mrs. Bell gave Eva a knowing look. "Even your