Mail Order Bride: Journey's End: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance (Love On The Line Book 2) by Catherine Harper Read Free Book Online Page A

Dreamt about someone I hadn't seen in a long while. I think that's why your father was grumpy this morning, I woke him up."
    "Oh. You should have asked him to sing to you. That's what he does when I have one."
    Picturing the scene of John singing her back to sleep, Alice couldn't help but chuckle. "I think I'm a bit big for his singing. Is he any good?"
    "Not really. Not as good as grandma. So who was it that you were dreaming of, was it Charles?"
    Hearing the name, Alice turned to her. "Charles? Why would you think it was him?"
    "I heard father talking about him this morning on the phone," Amy said. "He said that he was happy that Charles was caught."
    Alice held her at arm's length. "You're sure he said Charles?"
    Amy played with the bow on the waistband of her dress before looking up worried. "I'm not in trouble, am I?"
    "No. No. I'm just glad that they've got him. He was a bad man-"
    "Like the man in your dream?"
    Alice nodded. "Yes, like the man in my dream."
    "So was he caught?"
    Alice shook her head. "No."
    "Maybe you should say it to father. Maybe he could help."
    "Maybe I should," Alice said, smiling at her innocence. If only life was that simple, she thought. If it was, she'd been married to a wonderful man and care for daughter. But that dream wasn't going to come about anytime soon. Casting her eyes around the room, Alice's eyes fell to her suitcase in the corner. Now with Charles gone, there was no reason to stay any longer.
     
     
     
     

Chapter 11
    Alice stiffened as she knocked the door. Hearing the footsteps on the other side, she watched John open it.
    "Alice."
    "John."
    Opening the door of the room open, Alice entered and stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. On the verge of opening her mouth, John directed her to a chair in front of a large writing desk. Taking her seat, she watched him stand behind his own and hold onto the back of it. Seeing his knuckles whiten she watched him compose himself before beginning. "Before you say anything, Alice. I want to apologize for last night, I should have knocked instead of storming into your room like that. I just heard you screaming and-"
    "It should be me apologizing to you John," Alice interrupted. "I'm embarrassed at the way I lashed out. You didn't deserve it. I'm sorry. All day I've been trying to come up with the right words to-"
    "Me too," John smiled and shook his head. "A fine pair we are—let's put this all behind us. Agreed?"
    "Agreed."
    John pulled out his chair and sat down. Still looking a little lost for words, Alice thought she'd help him out and broke the silence. "So, I heard about Charles."
    "You did? I'm sorry I should have told you. It was just that after-"
    "You were afraid to call on the crazy woman?" Seeing him laugh, she continued. "Couldn't blame you giving me a wide berth. I don't know what you must have thought of me."
    "So—how did you find out?"
    "Amy," Alice said and watched him look to the ceiling.
    Shaking his head, John said. "The little madam. I warned her about eavesdropping."
    "Don't be mad at her, she told me by accident. Please. She thought she was helping me. So where did they find him?"
    "Boarding a train for New York under a different name. You know he was using Elizabet's father's name?"
    "Wait till Elizabet hears that," Alice said. "But I don't understand, how did they…?"
    "The sketch you and Mr. Ash worked on," John said. "Right now he's in custody. He'll be appearing in front of a magistrate in a few days. I'd imagine your kidnapping will give him a lengthy session."
    "If it sticks," Alice said, remembering that neither she nor Elizabet had seen him involved in their kidnapping. "I've got a suspicion he'll wriggle out of it."
    John asked. "You think so?"
    "Scum like that always seems to have luck on their side. Plus he knows the law better than either of us, he'll find some way out of it."
    John put his chin in his hand and looked out the window as if in deep thought. Not breaking his stare, he muttered to