A Bride for James by P. Creeden

Author:P. Creeden [Creeden, P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-18T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

James spent every morning chopping wood in preparation for winter, so after breakfast, he headed outside to get started. He wanted to make sure that whatever might happen, they had enough to keep their wood stove going in the case of a snowstorm. His thoughts returned to Abby. She’d pulled her hair back into the bun he’d seen her in when she’d been sick and asleep on the train. Her long thin neck and collarbone were exposed in the dress she wore. He’d need to take her to the mercantile and make sure she had enough warm clothing for the winter. He was certain winters in Missouri were harsher than the ones she was used to in southern Virginia. But she wouldn’t be ready to go for another day or two. In the meantime, she needed rest.

A horse snorted in the distance, and James’s brow furrowed in response. Who could be coming down the path to visit his house nestled just inside the woods? They were nearly three miles away from the south side of town, so it wasn’t terribly often that they should expect a visitor. He slammed his ax into the tree stomp to the side of his working area and adjusted his suspenders. Then he started the direction of his walkway so that he could greet the visitor part way. By the time he reached the front of the house, the black horse trotted around the bend with Mercer in the saddle. James’s jaw clicked as he clenched his teeth. He turned and headed toward the porch now that he knew who it was. When he reached the top step, he turned about and faced the man in the saddle a few inches taller.

Mercer leaned over the horn of his saddle. “Good morning, Fisher. Came to see how you and the new wife are doing. She still alive?”

“Very much so,” James said, narrowing his eyes at the man. “She’s feeling much better. Thanks for your concern.”

After throwing a leg over the back of the saddle, Mercer dismounted and hitched his horse to the rail out front. “Is she up and about? Would she be willing to see a visitor, then? I’d like to see that she’s doing better for myself.”

As Mercer started to make his way up the porch steps, James sidestepped to block his path. “My wife is just getting over her fever. She may be up and about, but she’s likely not presentable or prepared to see a visitor. It’d be best if you called on her another day.”

Mercer sneered and stepped forward so that he was nose-to-nose with James. He growled as much as he whispered, “You’d best get out of my way. I’m not sure how legitimate this marriage might be, and until I see Mrs. Fisher for myself, I’m not going to leave.”

“James, honey,” Abby drawled from the front door. “Do we have a visitor?”

At being called honey, James’s face flushed and the skin along his arms and shoulders prickled. If he had been struck by lightning, it might have been less shocking.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.