Mail-Order Brides of the West by Debra Holland

Author:Debra Holland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: horses, cowboy romance, small town romance, americana romance, prairie romance, pioneer romance, sweet historical western romance, rancher romance, clean chaste tender classic traditional romance, like little house on the prairie romance
Publisher: Debra Holland

CHAPTER TWELVE

When they rode into the yard, Gid couldn’t stop staring at Darcy’s face as she gazed at his home, her eyes sparkling. Seeing her joy over the humble abode he’d fashioned with his own hands made heat jump into his midsection.

But even as he watched the smile on her lips and longed to gather her close and kiss her, Gid couldn’t help worrying about tomorrow—about seeing the light drain out of her countenance when she had to deal with a husband who hadn’t set foot in a town in ten years. But even knowing what he faced, he had no regrets about marrying Darcy Alexandria Russell. Indeed, since the beginning of their wedding ceremony—seeing her standing in the doorway—he’d been thanking God for this chance to be this special woman’s husband.

Gid had meant every word he’d said today about protecting his wife and traveling with her to Crenshaw, and he still meant it. But he wasn’t so sure if he could actually make himself do what he needed to. What if I fail? Fail her?

Just the thought shamed Gid, making him pull into himself.

But then Darcy asked about the pond and, in the subsequent jesting with her, Gid’s concern eased.

Helping her from the horse, touching her, standing close enough to smell her heady perfume, feeling the attraction swirl in his belly, Gid needed every ounce of his self-control not to kiss her. A month of celibacy, he reminded himself. A long month of celibacy.

Trying to act as matter-of-factly as possible, Gid extended his hand for the reins of her gelding. “Let me see to the horse and hitch Emerson to the cart to start hauling in your trunks.”

An expression of guilt crossed her face. “Oh, dear. Such a lot of bother.”

“Not a mite,” he fibbed, then thought about the contents of her trunks. Gid didn’t know a thing about ladies’ clothing, but he did know his house didn’t have a wardrobe. He hung his clothes on pegs, and his suit had been packed away in the loft. He hesitated, thinking.

“What’s wrong?”

She was perceptive, this wife of his. More is wrong than I want to confess. “Figuring what to do.”

“About what?”

“Your trunks. I don’t know how many gowns you have or where to put them. There’s a small space—” he held his hands about two feet apart “—near the bookcase, and I can build a wardrobe for you there.”

“Oh, dear,” Darcy repeated, resting her hand on her cheek. “I never thought…. But I guess I won’t need all my clothing with me. I bought some work dresses in St. Louis. They’re not as voluminous as the wedding gown, for instance. There’s probably no call for me to wear that dress again.”

That thought gave him a pang. She’d looked so lovely in the gown. And the fact didn’t sit well with him that she’d have no occasion to wear it. But Sweetwater Springs didn’t have occasions that called for ball gowns, even if she hadn’t minded going alone to one.

“I have some space in the workshop that you can use, even if we can’t fit a wardrobe in the house.

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.