Dacey: Bride of North Carolina (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 12) by Shanna Hatfield Read Free Book Online

steps toward the door of the room then stopped and looked back at Braxton. “I know you had no knowledge of my arrival or the reason for it. I won’t hold you to the agreement your mother made. I intend to secure a position and will leave here as quickly as possible.”
    “There is no need to get in a rush or entertain notions of doing something brash,” Braxton said, concerned about Dacey’s welfare. The girl wasn’t at fault for accepting the offer his mother made. She had no way to know a meddling, busybody placed the advertisement and not a man truly interested in finding a wife.
    For the length of several heartbeats, she held his gaze. Braxton had never been so fascinated by a female in his entire life.
    Finally, Dacey dropped her eyes to her skirt. “My trunk should arrive tomorrow. Do you think I could get a ride into town?”
    “Of course. Harry will take you anywhere you need to go.” Braxton walked with her out of the room and down the hall.
    “That’s a relief. I wasn’t hankering to wear the same outfit too many days in a row and as pretty as this dress is, it ain’t the most practical thing I’ve ever worn. I sure couldn’t wrangle a horse in it.”
    Braxton chuckled. “No, indeed.”
    Dacey turned to study him a moment.
    Unable to resist, he found himself drawn to her bright eyes and sweet smile.
    “Do you know if anyone in town is hiring? I met a nice woman named Ellie Howell at the grocer’s store. Maybe she would hire me.”
    The thought of Ernie Howell, Ellie’s philandering son, setting his sights on Dacey caused intense protective feelings to surge through Braxton. Like a cavedweller, he wanted to hide Dacey away and claim her for his own. He sure didn’t cotton to the idea of the town rake chasing after her.
    “That won’t be necessary. If you are determined to seek employment, I’m sure we can find a position for you here at Bramble Hall.”
    Dacey stubbornly shook her head. “That’s not right. You’re already giving me a place to sleep and food to eat. Your mother paid for my train ticket out here. I couldn’t accept more charity from you.”
    “It wouldn’t be charity, I assure you. One of the grooms in the horse barn took a nasty tumble and broke his arm earlier this week. I could use someone good around horses until he sufficiently recovers to return to work.” Braxton started up a staircase and Dacey blindly followed, thrilled at the prospect of working with the horses.
    “You promise it’s a real job, not just something you’re doing to be kind.” She gave him an imploring look, stopping before they reached the top of the staircase.
    Braxton held up his hand, as though he pledged a solemn vow. “You have my word. I’ll ruthlessly work you until you’re ready to drop.”
    “It’s a deal.” Dacey held out her hand and Braxton took it, shocked by the jolt that once again shot up his arm at the contact.
    When Dacey yanked her hand back and stared at it, he assumed she felt the same thing.
    Hurrying up the remaining steps, he turned down the hall and escorted her to her bedroom door. “Tomorrow, we’ll collect your things in town, but the day after that, be prepared to work.”
    “Yes, sir,” Dacey said with a smile, eager to be outside in the fresh air with the horses. “Good night, Braxton.”
    “Pleasant dreams to you, Dacey.”

Chapter Five
     
    The following morning, Braxton choked on his coffee as Beatrice sailed into the breakfast room with Dacey in tow.
    He didn’t know where his mother had found the gown, but the deep burgundy color set off the fiery crown of Dacey’s hair and made roses bloom in her cheeks. Trimmed in black cord, the dress accented her small waist and beguiling curves.
    Quickly recovering his manners, he held out a chair for Dacey as Beatrice walked around the table to sit in the chair Daniel held out for her.
    “What a treat to have two such lovely ladies at our table this morning.” Daniel winked at Dacey then kissed his