Julia: Bride of New York (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 11) by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page B

already held a part of her heart? That she rose each day excited about spending time with him? That she dreamt of him taking her into his strong arms and kissing her? “I just don’t think we suit.”
    “Nonsense. I like you, you like me. More marriages have started with less.”
    She studied him for a minute. “Indeed, that’s true. But I want—I deserve—more, rather than less.”
    “Julia. I have proposed marriage to you four times. Are you sure? Because I won’t ask again.”
    The muscles in her stomach tightened. Was she absolutely certain this was the right thing to do? When she’d stepped onto the train in Lawrence, it had been with the intention of marrying a man she didn’t even know. Except now the stakes were higher. She knew Fletcher and knew her feelings for him. A little bit of her spirit and her heart would wither each day if she grew to love him, and he only viewed her as someone he liked and a caretaker for his daughter.
    “I’m sure.”
    His lips tightened. “Very well. Let’s leave for church. My carriage is downstairs.”
    “You still want to take me?”
    “That’s what I said, wasn’t it?”
    “I’ll just get the pie I bought this morning from the bakery” Julia balanced the container in her hands as Fletcher opened the door. Taking her by the elbow, he escorted her out the door and down the stairs. She had to hurry to keep up with his lengthy strides.
     
     
    For some reason Fletcher felt as though Julia had been about to say yes to his proposal before he mentioned Patty Ann. Did she dislike children since she had so many younger siblings?
    Perhaps she was one of those women who wasn’t comfortable raising another woman’s child. If he had to place a bet on that, he would be on the side of “not so.” From what he’d witnessed in the short time he’d known Julia, she would not resent his daughter. Maybe she merely didn’t like him well enough to spend the rest of her life staring at him across the breakfast table.
    He grunted. Although he was certainly not a ladies’ man, nevertheless he had enough experience with women to know when one was attracted to him. Miss Julia Benson was one of those women. She was far too innocent and unschooled in the ways of flirting to hide her reactions when he touched her or when he’d come close to kissing her in front of her hotel door a few days ago.
    No. There was a reason she kept turning him down, but in any event, now he was finished. If she didn’t want to marry him, then fine. He’d gotten along without her up until now and would carry on as the unmarried sheriff of Wickerton from now on. He would get Patty Ann back one day. In fact, soon. He would see about hiring a woman to come in to clean, cook, and look after her.
    He didn’t need a wife. Especially one as prickly as this one.
    They sat side by side in church, as much room between them as possible in the crowded service. Julia kept casting him sideways glances, but he ignored them as best he could. If she thought he was upset at her rejection, she was sorely mistaken. He didn’t care at all.
    Why the hell had she rejected him again?
    “I hope you’ll be joining us for the picnic, Sheriff.” Pastor O’Connell held out his hand as they passed through the line after the service. “And who is this lovely lady?”
    Fletcher shook the man’s hand and said, “This is Miss Julia Benson. She is new to our town.”
    “Ah, is this the young lady I’ve heard so much about?” His eyes sparkled as he regarded Julia, reminding Fletcher that the good-looking preacher was single. Damn, why was a man of God looking at her that way? “Um, we’ll see you later, Pastor.”
    “Yes, I certainly hope so.”
    “That was a bit rude,” Julia said as he hauled her away.
    “What? I didn’t do anything.”
    “You practically dragged me away from the man.”
    “He’s a preacher, he’s busy. We were holding up the line.”
    She shook her head as he hustled her over to the tables that