An American Mail-Order Bride Christmas Collection by E.E. Burke

Author:E.E. Burke
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780998071206
Publisher: E.E. Burke

Chapter 3

Three days later, Mr. Sumner showed up to escort Maggie to a meeting of the Christmas Parade committee, where they would present his idea. Not the part about Mrs. Claus. The flirtatious rascal would never convince her to be his pretend wife. The whole town would think she’d set her cap for him.

The day had dawned sparkling bright, the kind of winter morning when the sun lights up a clear blue sky and temperatures drop down low enough to freeze smiles into place. Just walking the short distance to the offices of the Fort Scott Monitor and Tribune turned her hands and feet into blocks of ice.

Mr. Sumner appeared unfazed by the cold and talked the entire way.

Maggie hadn’t realized he could be so chatty, although it ended up being a good thing because she was nervous and it spared her from having to converse much. “Are you sure they’ll approve your recommendation?” she asked as they neared the brick building at the corner of Wall Street.

“If we’re in agreement, I don’t see why not.”

Maggie hesitated, and not for the first time. David hadn’t liked the idea of his competitor’s personal involvement in her project, but he’d gone along with it for her sake. She couldn’t let him down by doing anything that would embarrass him, such as posing as Mr. Sumner’s parade wife. “I’m agreeable to Santa Claus collecting gifts,” she clarified.

When they reached the newspaper offices, Mr. Sumner indicated a bench in the front hallway. Taking her cloak, he hung it on a brass hook and then sat next to her.

“We’re to wait here until we’re summoned.”

Maggie couldn’t resist returning his impudent smile. The parade committee included Fort Scott’s most influential citizens and some of the members acted like royalty.

Mr. Sumner squeezed in next to her on the bench, which had armrests carved into the shape of lion’s claws. Somehow this seemed fitting, given her companion’s predatory nature. After last night, she would be on guard for any unexpected attacks, such as that kiss he’d given her. To her mortal shame, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. What had possessed him? Or did he go about kissing every lady he met?

She removed her gloves and flexed her fingers. “My hands are frozen. Hard to believe it can be so bitterly cold when the sun is shining.”

“Appearances can be deceiving,” he noted.

Indeed. By all appearances, Gordon Sumner would qualify as a gentleman. But gentlemen didn’t kiss ladies without permission.

As a distraction, Maggie arranged the folds in the sumptuous velvet skirt. She’d put on her most festive outfit, which had a pine green jacket trimmed in red braid, and a matching figured bonnet. Mr. Sumner had complimented her so effusively she’d gotten embarrassed. Resisting the charmer would be easier if he weren’t so amusing, not to mention handsome as sin.

He’d unbuttoned his double-breasted overcoat to reveal a fashionable gray suit with a contrasting waistcoat. The points of his starched white collar were neatly turned down, and he wore a colorful four-in-hand tie.

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