Texas Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday Read Free Book Online Page A

demeanor. It bruised something deep in his heart to know he caused it.
    Her lips tightened in a straight line. “Your order is ready, Mr. Thorne.”
    â€œThank you, Miss Delta.”
    John Abercrombie looked surprised. “You two know each other?”
    Cooper squirmed inside. “We met shortly after she got to town.”
    â€œWell, I’m right glad she needed a job. She’s been a real keeper. Almost makes me feel like Nell is here.” John’s voice broke and he looked away.
    Laying a hand on the man’s shoulder, Cooper spoke low. “It’s okay, John. I’m sure Nell’s watching over you.”
    The dour man must’ve reached inside for the gruffness that hid all his feelings, for his next words were unkind. “Well, don’t just stand there all day, Miss Dandridge,” he snapped. “Take the man’s money. He’s got more things to do than wait for you.”
    â€œCertainly, Mr. Abercrombie.” Delta reached for the tally of the purchases. “That comes to four dollars and thirty-two cents.”
    Cooper paid it and threw the sack of flour onto his shoulder. He put the bag in the wagon and turned to go back for the rest. He wasn’t expecting Delta Dandridge to be behind him with a boxful of other supplies, and he nearly toppled her. Quickly, he grabbed her arm to steady her, but the box wasn’t so lucky. It crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
    â€œI’m sorry, ma’am. Didn’t mean to plow over you. I wasn’t expecting anyone to sneak up behind me. Bet you thought you could put one of those letters of yours in my pocket and I’d have to reconsider.”
    Twin spots stained her cheeks red. She was quite a sight, standing there all soft and pretty and full of an extra helping of spirit. For a moment, he had a devil of a time keeping his train of thought from jumping the tracks.
    She drew herself up. “I wasn’t sneaking. I was helping, you…you big…”
    â€œCareful there, Miss Delta, before you say something you can’t take back.” Cooper’s gaze swept to her moist rosy lips, and for a long moment, he wanted to kiss her. He didn’t know what the hell came over him.
    But the glare she shot him warned that she’d likely kill him if he tried. He could almost see the steam coming from her ears as she struggled to find a suitable reply. For a moment, he thought she might haul off and wallop him.
    Instead, she smiled sweetly. “My dear Mr. Thorne, you’re absolutely determined to think the worst of me. I assure you, I try to never say anything I must retract later.”
    â€œLook, Miss Dandridge, why don’t we start over? We’ll be running into each other on occasion. No reason why our hackles should rise every time we cross paths.”
    â€œHackles! I do declare. Your neck may have hackles, but I guarantee that mine does not.”
    â€œNo, ma’am. I can certainly see that.” He was hard-pressed to keep from grinning. “I simply meant we should try to get along.”
    â€œI suppose,” she murmured slowly. “Just so we can be civil to each other. I don’t want you to get the idea that I harbor any untoward ideas about love and marriage, though.”
    He crooked an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
    â€œJust because you don’t like women—”
    â€œHey, wait a cotton-pickin’ minute. I never said I don’t like women. I love ’em. For your information, I’ve kissed more than my share. Just don’t intend to be married to one.”
    Delta put her hands on her hips. “Well, don’t get any ideas about kissing me.”
    â€œYou don’t have to fret about that.” He glared. “Is this your way of burying the hatchet?”
    â€œNo, it’s yours. Hackles indeed. I’m not a dog.”
    Cooper would have to be as blind as a suck-egg mule not to see that. “It’s