brides for brothers 03 - cowboy groom by judy christenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

“The green-eyed monster sometimes overpowers her when it comes to Brett.” He gave an uneasy chuckle. “Better not let her catch you looking his way.”
    Anna’s stomach flip-flopped as she wondered if the man had realized how attracted she was to Brett Randall. But she hurriedly decided he was issuing a general warning. She couldn’t have given herself away to a total stranger.
    “Of course not, Senator Sanders. I don’t believe in poaching even if I could compete with such a beautiful young woman. Your daughter is stunning.” In more ways than one.
    She must have satisfied the senator because he came to her side and gave her his arm as she stood. “Good. By the way, are you old enough to vote?”
    She blinked several times before saying with a smile, “Yes, I’ve been voting for nine years.”
    “Really? It’s hard to believe. Did you by chance vote for me in the last election? No, no,” he quickly said before she could answer. “That’s hardly a fair question. I should change it—be sure to vote for me in the next election. And if there’s ever anything I can do for you, just let me know. I live to serve my constituents.”
    Anna felt as if she should be wearing an Uncle Sam hat and waving a little flag while a band played in the background. After all, she was pretty sure she’d just heard part of a campaign speech.
    “Thank you, Senator. I’ll keep your words in mind.”
    “You do that, little lady,” he said, patting her hand in an avuncular fashion. “Now we’d better catch up with those other two.”
    When they stepped into the spacious entry hall, they almost bumped into Sylvia and Brett. They’d left the room seemingly in perfect tune with each other. Something had changed.
    Brett turned around at their arrival, and Anna received a clue as to the problem. On the floor in front of them was a mound of luggage.
    “Anna, look at this!” Brett gestured to the luggage. “She’s packed enough clothes for a trek to the North Pole. Tell her this much luggage isn’t necessary.”
    Making a mental notation to torture Brett sometime in the future, Anna smiled at Sylvia and said, “We’re fairly casual in the country, you know.”
    Sylvia swept a glance up and down Anna, her expression making her opinion of Anna’s fashion sense quite clear. Anna bit down on her bottom lip, struggling to keep any retaliation to herself. But more and more, she agreed with Janie and Megan. This woman would not do for Brett.
    “I’ve agreed to ride in—in Miss O’Brien’s vehicle, Brett. The least you can do is take my luggage with us. I just wanted to be sure I had the right clothes so everyone will like me.” Sylvia gave him the wistful look again.
    You’d better go pack more bags, then. Anna looked around guiltily, afraid she’d spoken aloud. But since both Brett and Senator Sanders were staring at Sylvia, she decided she hadn’t committed such a horrible faux pas.
    Finally Brett threw up his hands. “Okay, we’ll load all your suitcases. Come on, Senator, grab a few of them.”
    The senator looked almost as shocked as Sylvia. “Uh, Maria will help you. Maria?” he called.
    “Si, senor?” the young maid said as she appeared.
    “Help Mr. Randall with Miss Sanders’s bags.”
    The maid bent to do his bidding despite Brett’s protests. Since the young woman was smaller than Anna, she felt obligated to help her, too. While the senator and his daughter watched, the three of them headed toward the door, loaded down like pack mules.
    They managed to get four of the bags in the back of the car and put the other two on the back seat, leaving just enough room for one person. Brett reached in his pocket and handed Maria some cash for helping. She tried to refuse, but he insisted. “Have a night out on me. You deserve one,” he assured her with his easy smile.
    “Gracias, señor.” She smiled shyly and slipped back into the house.
    “Where is Sylvia now?” Brett complained.
    “Surely you don’t mean