The Christmas Mail Order Bride (Holiday Mail Order Brides, Book One) by Kit Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

Mr. Riley stared right back, his jaw set as he shook his head then gently handed her up to his brother’s out stretched arms.  Without saying a word Spencer settled her onto the waiting blankets, covered her with yet several more, then climbed over the wagon seat and sat.  Mr. Riley took the satchel from Milly, tossed it into the wagon, then hopped up himself and sat beside her.  He looked down at her briefly before he tucked the blankets in more tightly then put an arm around her and pulled her against him. 
    “Let’s go,” he said, his jaw set as before.
    Summer audibly gulped. “I… I thought…”
    “You thought what?  I’d really like to know because I’ve never seen someone make such a fuss over having to give up their room to a couple of wounded men.  But they’re my men and I want them cared for proper.”
    “Your men were hurt?” She asked on a whispe r, still not over the shock he wasn’t sending her away.
    “Shot unfortunately.  Feel bad about it, but at least they’re not dead.  Both are married.”
    She stared at him, her mouth open in a continual state of utter disbelief.  “You’re taking me to your house then?”
    Mr. Riley looked at her, his face now a mask of concern mixed with something else.  Was he about to laugh at her?  He held her to him a bit tighter and yelled. “Don’t bother sparing the horses, Spencer!  Let’s get on home!”
     
    * * *
     
    Good grief!  What did doc give her?  She was acting plumb loco!  Crying, sobbing, carrying on like he was … oh no, it couldn’t be…  He chanced a look at her and loosed his grip.  He was trying to keep her warm, but earlier he feared she might try to jump out of the wagon what with the crazy way she was going on, so he figured he best keep a tight hold on her.  But what woman wouldn’t if she thought he was going to load her up on the stage injured as she was and send her away?
    Oh Lord!  How could she think such a thing?  Didn’t I tell her I’d make all the arrangements?
    But had he really? He’d spent the last five days getting shot at and trying to keep himself and his men in one piece.  Making arrangements to transport Miss James to the farm hadn’t exactly been at the forefront of his mind.  When he got back that morning he’d hurried home, got cleaned up, spoke with his mother and brother then went into town to gather up what he needed.  Namely the woman sitting next to him who looked like she didn’t know whether or not she was going to laugh or cry hysterically.  Either one he decided, would be bad.  If she laughed hysterically she might well be loco.  If she cried, he’d have to climb up front with Spencer.  If there was one thing Clayton Riley couldn’t stand, it was a crying woman.  Carrying her to the wagon had about done him in.  To realize she was sobbing the way she was because she thought he was sending her away was harder to choke down now than when it was actually happening.
    How on earth did he not explain it?  But then, he’d been in such a hurry to find Spencer so he could send word to the mail order bride company that Miss James had arrived and  do a little detective work, he might not have explained a thing.  He couldn’t remember.  What he did remember was she came to Nowhere because she was running from something.  He was no Pinkerton, but he had a nose for finding things out nonetheless. He glanced at her again.  Once he got her settled at the farm he’d find out a thing or two about his future bride.
    Clayton pushed back his hat and allowed himself a moment to relax as Miss James was calm for the time being.  She did look a fright though.  Her eyes were puffy and red, her nose much the same. He wondered if they should stop at the creek and clean her up before their mother saw her.  But his mother would probably make a bigger fuss if she found out they did. It was getting down right cold out and would probably snow later. No, he’d have to carry Miss James