Mail Order Misfit (Brides of Beckham) by Kirsten Osbourne Read Free Book Online Page A

about letting me go outdoors.  When I was a girl, all I did was run and play, and after I hurt myself, I wasn't allowed to do anything.  The doctors kept telling her that I'd be better off if she let me get fresh air and keep my muscles built up, but she would never listen."  She sighed and shook her head.  "She really acted like I was a broken doll after it happened."
    "We'll do it together."  He felt a great deal of anger toward her mother, even though he understood she was just trying to protect Elaine.  She'd obviously done a great deal to break his wife's spirit while she'd been working to keep her from hurting herself.
    "Thank you."  She knew he would find it odd that she was thanking him, but she didn't care.  She finally felt like someone had some confidence in her, and it meant everything in the world to her.
    After they finished eating, he dried the dishes while she washed them.  "You don't have to help me with the dishes," she protested.   She hated that he was helping with a job that should be hers.  He couldn't work all day on the ranch and come home and do her chores at night.  She needed to be a helper to him not a burden.
    "I won't most nights.  Tonight, you're really hurting, though.  I don't know if it's a normal thing or because of the walking we did or the long ride on the train.  Whatever reason, I'm not going to make you stand here alone to do them."  Colin reached for another dish and dried it.   He didn't care if she argued with him.  He wouldn't feel truly married until they'd survived their first argument anyway.
    Elaine wanted to argue, but she swallowed hard instead.  He was right.  "Thank you."
    He leaned over and kissed her cheek.  "You're very welcome." 
    Once the dishes were done, he looked around for a moment.  "I'm not sure where I'm going to sleep tonight.  I guess I can find some blankets and make a pallet on the floor.  I don't have my winter quilt out yet."   He looked a little lost as he said the words.
    Elaine bit her lip.  "I wouldn't mind if we shared the bed.  Just...so you don't have to sleep on the floor."  She looked at the floor in embarrassment.  "I'm probably too sore to do anything, though."   She couldn't make him sleep on the floor.  It was his bed after all, and she couldn't do that to him.
    He smiled at her.  "I appreciate that.  I'll do my best to keep my hands to myself."
    She limped into the bedroom and looked at the bed that hadn't been made yet that day.  The sheets and blankets needed to be washed, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.  She could see now why John had rejected her.  There was a lot of work to be done, and she really may not be able to do it all.  Squaring her shoulders, she held her head up.  She'd do it, and she'd do it so well, no one would know what happened to them.
    She smoothed the covers, looking over her shoulder at him.  "Would you bring my bags in so I can change for bed?"  She hated asking him to do anything else, but her leg would barely make it to the outhouse and back.   Colin rushed from the room and came back with both of her bags.  When she looked at him waiting for him to leave, he just looked back at her.  Finally she sighed.  "I'm not going to change in front of you."  She felt like she was a mother scolding her child as she told him.  He should know better.
    He shrugged.  "I don't see why not.  We're married, and I'm going to see you with no clothes on eventually."   He watched her expectantly.
    She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him.  "Eventually is not right this minute.  Please go find something to do while I get ready for bed."
    He walked closer to her and took her by the shoulders, turning her so her back was to him.  He carefully undid all the buttons that ran up and down her back.  "I've wanted to do that all day.  I'll go now."  He walked from the room thinking about the bare flesh he'd seen above her petticoat.  His finger had accidentally grazed