Zack's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling Read Free Book Online Page B

with too much time to think, and too many memories that just plain disturbed her. On more than one occasion she'd thought about how pleasant it would have been to have Zack by her side, even if it would have been just to comfort her, to speak to her, to tell her not to worry. But Zack's sense of propriety was still as well developed as it had been all those years ago. He'd always been sensitive to the needs of others.
    Lydia pulled the thick coat she was wearing over her wedding dress close up against her body. It was a chilly December morning. Zack had insisted Lydia wear the heavy woollen overcoat to protect her from the winter cold. With a similarly heavy woollen hat on her head, Lydia knew she didn't exactly look like someone on their way to church to get married. But there was no sense in taking chances with the wild Montana winters. They were long. That much she had remembered from previous years. But she'd forgotten just how cold they could be. San Francisco had spoiled her in more ways than she'd realized.
    "Are you warm enough?" Zack asked as if reading Lydia's mind.
    She pulled the collar around tight her neck. "Yes. But it's so darned cold. I don't know how you put up with this all winter, especially out on horseback," she said.
    "You get used to. After a few years," he said lifting a teasing brow.
    Lydia smiled. "I guess I'll just have to get used to it myself."
    "You sure will. Especially if you are going to be Mrs. Lydia Buchanan," he said.
    Lydia nodded and scooted across the seat to be a little closer to Zack. "That has a nice ring to it."
    "It sure does," he said leaning in toward her.
    From behind them they heard a voice. "Hey now, you two. You'll have to save that until after the church," Mrs. Brodie called out.
    Zack turned and waved back at her. "It's cold. What do expect us to do?" he called out.
    Mrs. Brodie smiled and shook her head.
    Zack tugged on the reins. "I suppose we could speed up. Get to the church a bit quicker. What do you say?"
    Lydia nodded. "I think that's a great idea," she agreed.
    Zack flicked the reins and goaded the horses to pick up their pace. Within moments the buggy was moving so fast, the air blowing so strongly against her face, that Lydia couldn't resist the urge to hook her arm inside her husband-to-be's elbow, lean her smiling face close to his shoulder and hang on for dear life.
    She'd heard about getting to the church on time, but this gave the expression a whole new meaning.

    ***

    A short while later Zack was pulling the buggy up in front of the church. As he came around to her side Lydia slipped off the overcoat and flipped the hat off her head. Picking up the bonnet from the box between her feet she carefully placed it on her head, making sure the angle was just how she wanted.
    Zack extended a gentlemanly hand to her, his eyes bright and wide. Lydia glanced down at him and took his hand, allowing him to gently hold her as she stepped down off the buggy.
    "You look absolutely beautiful," Zack said, his voice cracking slightly, his eyes moist and filled with obvious pride.
    Lydia felt the color change in her face in spite of herself. "Thank you, Zack. It's most kind of you to say so," she responded.
    Lydia turned to try and see where her children were. Ned had parked up close behind. Gretchen was helping Mrs. Brodie step down. Daisy and Kate came running over to their mother.
    "Mama! You look wonderful," yelled Kate enthusiastically. "Doesn't she, Daisy?"
    Daisy's eyes were wide and her lips were tight. "Uhh Huh," she managed to grunt.
    Lydia smiled. "Come here, Daisy," she said bending down and extending her arms.
    Daisy ran over to her mother.
    "Your buttons are loose on your collar," Lydia told Daisy.
    The little girl leaned her head back and let her mother tie the top buttons of her daughter's pink outfit. It was a beautiful dress that made Daisy look like a little angel. Just gazing at Daisy made Lydia feel so glad that her children were here with her on such a