The Christmas Bride - A Western Romance Novella (Book 4, Burnett Brides Series) by Sylvia McDaniel Read Free Book Online

program.
    Since Eugenia had taken on the leadership five years ago, many of the children had grown too old to perform. Now a new set of little ones were involved in the Christmas production. In two years, her grandchildren would be old enough to audition, and she could hardly wait.
    “Let’s get started,” one of her volunteers called out, quieting the crowd.
    Eugenia stood before the group, delighted to start the new production. “As you know there are three speaking parts, Mary, Joseph, and a wise man, plus two silent angels and our children’s choir. So please line up for tryouts.”
    She watched her volunteers line everyone up in the right places, and then she sank onto a chair to prepare to listen to twenty auditions.
    The door to the auditorium creaked open, and she turned to see Wyatt. Her breathing quickened, and a tingle zipped along her spine as he made his way toward her. The man didn’t walk, but rather sauntered. There was a sway about his hips that promised he meant business, and right now his business was her.
    He sank down onto the chair beside her and smiled, his lips turned up in a grin that went straight to her heart. Why did his smile warm her better than an overcoat?
    “Morning, Eugenia. That color of blue looks very becoming on you.” He leaned forward, close to her ear. “It makes your eyes shine bluer than a Texas bluebonnet.”
    A blush started at her hairline and burned its way across her face. “Stop it, Wyatt. We’re in church.”
    Though she’d meant her voice to sound mean, it came out breathy, as if she’d just run a race trying to escape his flirtation.
    She ignored the warm flush his nearness provoked. She ignored the way he smelled of leather and a nice long walk in the woods. She ignored the way her mouth ached to taste his again.
    “Why, Eugenia, God loves a man who gives a woman a compliment.”
    She wanted to roll her eyes at him but refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how his sweet-talking sassiness left her hotter than the Texas sun.
    “Here’s a sheet of paper for you to write down thoughts about each kid. When we’ve heard all of the auditions, we’ll compare notes and make a decision.” She glanced away from his honey-brown gaze that seemed to start a prairie fire everywhere it touched her.
    “Sure, but this is your area of expertise. I’m just here to help.”
    She frowned. Why was he being so agreeable? Most men wanted to be in charge-taking over, telling her how she wasn’t doing it the correct way, and generally treating her like she had rocks for brains. She needed to be very careful. He was luring her in, and then like a cat, he’d pounce and take charge. After all, most men thought they knew best.
    “Are you ready to begin?” she asked him.
    “Let’s get started,” he said, his smile melting the ice around her heart. “Maybe afterwards you’ll let me buy you a cup of coffee?”
    Raising her brows, she stared into his warm-as-Texas golden-brown eyes. “Afterwards I’m having dinner with my son and daughter-in-law.”
    “Oh. Maybe…”
    “We’re joining Tucker’s friend, Marshal McCoy.”
    Wyatt shrugged. “Another time.”
    For a moment she felt a keen sense of disappointment. Ridiculous. She didn’t want him to go to dinner with them.
    “Another time,” she answered, trying to refocus on the children waiting on them.
    They would be spending too much time together in the next few weeks. No need to worry. They’d hate one another at the end of the performance. They’d soon be fighting each other for control. He’d soon learn that she was no simpleton and since her first marriage, was now a reformed pushover.
    An hour later they both sat there as the last performer auditioned for the day. When he finished, Wyatt turned to her.
    “Okay, what’s next?”
    She stood and gazed at everyone. “If you’ll all wait outside, Mr. Jones and I will make our decision and announce this year’s lead roles.”
    After everyone had left