Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle by Indiana Wake Read Free Book Online Page B

that everything would be all right. Of course Ryan knew. He always knew about these things and maybe that was why his business trip had been brought forward. He left them alone to see what would happen. How could he be blessed with such a good brother? Now all he had to do was find Anna. The problem was it was a vast area and he had no idea where to look. Closing his eyes he prayed and let Kindle choose their path.
    “Why that way?” Ryan called.
    “I don’t know it just seems right,” Ian said and he prayed that is was, for the night was cold and Anna could freeze to death if they did not find her soon.

Chapter 12

     
    It was so cold and everywhere she looked was white. In every direction there was mile after mile of snow. It all looked the same. Footprints, she remembered and she searched for the way she had come, for the footprints that would lead her back. There was nothing, the continually falling snow and the strong wind had covered her only means of finding the way home. Home? Was it her home and what must she do. She loved Ian with all her heart but she could not do that. Could not come here to marry one man and end up marrying another. If she did… what would that make her?
    It did not matter now; she could deal with that problem when she was warm and safe. But how did she get back? For the first time, she realized that she had no idea where she was. Which way had she been facing when she sunk to the ground? It was so hard to remember, but she had to make a decision and she headed off in one direction but soon changed her mind. That couldn't be the way home, so she went off in another direction. That too led her nowhere. She couldn't retrace her footprints because the continuously falling snow had covered them all up. She was helplessly lost, hungry, cold and so tired. Her bad leg throbbed and her limp was even worse in the thick snow and it was getting darker by the minute. Soon it was too dark to walk another step and she was too tired anyway. She sat down to rest for a bit. Her body shivering so much she could feel her teeth rattling together. She would rest just a moment and she reached for the cross at her throat. In the distance a wolf howled and she shivered this time from fear.
    “Our father who art in heaven,” she said. But the words stopped. She was so tired and despite her fear and the cold she dropped down onto the icy ground and mumbling the Lord’s Prayer she fell into a deep sleep.
    Someone was there. She lifted her head and snow fell off her. It was cold yet she did not want to wake up. It was nice in sleep, numb there and if she rested just a little longer all her problems would be over.
    “Anna, Anna where are you?” Ian called.”
    He had come for her. She sat up and called out for help, but her throat was so cold that the words were little more than a whisper on the wind.
    Ian came into view with Ryan just behind him. The minute Ian saw her he took off running and pulled her into a hug. He had tears in his eyes. "Don't ever do that to me again,” he said in a choked voice. “If you don't want me it's ok but don't leave like that. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you."
    Anna looked up at him with all the love she felt. "I love you, Ian,” she said. “I just wanted a chance to tell you that." She turned to see Ryan standing at the side, a smile on his face. "I'm sorry Ryan,” she said. “This wasn't something I planned, but I couldn't help but fall in love with Ian. I hope you can forgive me."
    Ryan came up to her and smiled a smile that felt like the sun coming out. "There is nothing to forgive,” he said. “My brother is a very lovable person. I'm just glad you’re safe. My brother would have been a very sad man otherwise and I like him all laughs and jokes the way he is. Welcome to the family, dear sister." And he held out a hand to both her and Ian. Pulling them both up, he handed her to Ian and with an encouraging smile, he backed off.
    Ian draped a