A Christmas Bride: A Sweet Historical Western Romance (Crest Stone Mail-Order Brides Book 8) by Cahill Cat

Author:Cahill, Cat
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cat Cahill
Published: 2024-10-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

BY THE TIME THE SLICES of chocolate cake were served, Liam had a new investor in his hotel venture.

Tilly could hardly keep the smile from her face as she lifted a bite of cake to her lips. Liam was in a lively, friendly mood, as was his new business partner, Mr. Morris. They traded stories that grew more and more outrageous until dessert was finished and it was time to leave.

Liam stood and shook hands with Mr. Morris. “Tell your partner that I hope he’s much improved. I expect we’ll meet again soon, and I’ll show you both the lot where I plan to build.”

“I’ll relay your kind words.” Morris reached out and shook Liam’s hand before turning to Tilly. “Mrs. Hannan, it was a pleasure and an absolute delight to meet you.” He swept his hat down as he bowed, and she pressed the backs of her fingers to her lips to keep from giggling. He reminded her of some of her brother’s friends, back in Kansas, happy, confident, and eager to make a good impression.

“I so enjoyed meeting you too, Mr. Morris. I hope you’ll join us for supper again soon.”

“You couldn’t keep me away.” With a last goodbye to Liam, he headed toward the door.

Liam turned and held out a hand to Tilly, a radiant smile making his face glow. His joy was infectious, and she took his hand and stood, happy to be with a man who seemed worlds different from the one she’d known just a couple of days before.

“Thank you,” he said as he led her through the dining room.

“For what? I believe you did all the work with Mr. Morris. I simply sat and smiled and ate,” she said, even as she warmed at his compliment.

“Nonsense.” He pushed open the door and waited for her to walk through into the lobby. “You were as charming as you could be, and I’m certain that helped sway him in my direction.”

Tilly’s face warmed. “I was simply being me.”

His smile grew broader as he looked at her, but he said nothing.

They crossed the spacious room and drew up against a small crowd of people near the large stone fireplace on the far side of the room.

“What do you suppose is happening here?” Liam mused as he rested a hand on Tilly’s elbow.

Tilly stood on her toes to see over the people, but half her mind remained on the warmth of Liam’s touch against her sleeve. She was thankful that it was winter and she had sleeves, or else she might have forgotten how to breathe altogether.

She caught a glimpse of a couple turning and sweeping across the floor through a break in the crowd. “They’re dancing!”

Liam’s hand tightened on her arm, and he carefully slipped them both through the gathered knot of people to reach the front. Tilly clasped her hands together in delight. There were indeed three couples moving in a waltz where the seating around the fireplace normally was. Someone had pushed the

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