Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) by Hildie McQueen Read Free Book Online Page A

sniffed.
    Eloise leaned forward and grinned. “We are just as happy to have you in our midst. And very glad you and Sean are compatible.”
    Judith laughed when Sean’s face reddened and she couldn’t help reaching to him and brushing her hand over his. “I think your brother and I will be very happy indeed.”
    “When is the wedding?” Eloise’s husband, Jack, asked with a hearty laugh. “Not too far in the future, I hope.”
    Sean rolled his eyes and Eloise gave Judith a wide smile. “I can’t wait for the wedding. It’s going to be wonderful.”
    It was Judith’s turn to blush, but she didn’t mind at all.

    That night, she lay in bed in the darkness unable to sleep with all the plans and lists of what needed to be done whirling in her head. The wedding would be in three days and she needed to finish Sean’s shirt. She’d purchased dungarees at the mercantile for him and then, as a wedding gift, a beautiful leather belt. In addition to the wedding preparations, there were house improvements that she hoped to get done before Sean returned home to live. Thanks to Lorna and Eloise, they were almost done making a simple quilt and pillow set for the bed and she’d made matching curtains. The bedroom they’d share looked very different than when he’d left, already with embroidered doilies, fluffy pillows and every space had been cleaned and polished.
    The kitchen had been cleaned to her satisfaction, but she hoped to get new dishes and cups. Hopefully, he’d have enough money for that. She was unaware of his financial status. As the only blacksmith in town, she imagined they were not poor, but other than that, he’d not shared. Not that there had been any time for it. The days were passing quickly.
    Too fast and yet not fast enough.
    Her body tingled in expectation of sharing a bed with her fiancé. The most handsome man she’d ever known. Of course, she’d had offers by a couple of men in the past. One in particular seeming to want to marry her, but neither had gotten past more than a walk or sharing coffee. Not that it mattered at this moment. Now she knew the reason for everything, why things had happened. Sean Montgomery and his beautiful daughter were waiting for her.
    With a content smile, Judith allowed slumber to take her. Tomorrow, she’d start the day with purpose. She looked forward to it, especially when Sean came home for his meals.

    After dinner, Judith watched Sean rock his daughter to sleep. The scene so tender, her heart melted. He was a wonderful father. He didn’t seem to begrudge being saddled with an infant. In fact, he relished his time with the baby; always ready to hold her, bathe her or do whatever else was needed.
    Pulling two clean cups from the cupboard, she poured coffee into them and prepared for what had become a nightly ritual of spending a couple hours talking on the front porch to keep tongues from wagging too much. Although she suspected, in the people’s eyes, she and Sean had already consummated their marriage, she’d not noticed any outward shunning. Particularly since everyone knew of the upcoming nuptials.
    His sudden near presence made Judith freeze, afraid of spilling the coffee since her hands trembled. She turned to him. “I made coffee.”
    Sean kissed her, his lips against hers, the now familiar taste of him sending her entire body adrift. It was moments later when she realized much too late that they’d entered forbidden territory. The point where neither had the strength nor, more honestly, the willingness to move away from it. The need was too great and Judith could not help but delve into the depth of the emotions taking them downstream until they drowned in each other.
    The feel of his bare skin against hers was amazing. Sean was everything that was perfect in a man. He ensured she was ready and took his time, patiently holding back, asking over and over again if she was sure. Of course she wasn’t. There was nothing about what happened that was