Mistaken Bride (Love Inspired Historical) by Renee Ryan

Author:Renee Ryan [Ryan, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2012-04-30T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Soon after the dog disappeared into the woods, leaving a row of trampled wildflowers in his wake, Bridget heard the grind of wagon wheels approaching from the distance. Had the skittish animal heard the sound as well and sensed a threat? Had that been the cause for his hasty departure?

Whatever the reason, Bridget was sad to see him run off. Like Will said, he needed food and a bath, in that order.

Perhaps the animal would return. If he did, she would work to keep him close, then she would go about getting the poor dear some food.

Pleased by the thought, she felt a smile spread across her lips. But in the next moment her mind faltered and she paused to absorb what had just happened. Sensing danger, Will had put himself between Bridget and the dog. He’d been willing to sacrifice his safety for hers.

She wasn’t used to that sort of care and protection from anyone other than her family and didn’t know how she felt about it. Pleased, to be sure, but also uncomfortable and confused. Bridget took care of others. They did not take care of her.

The polite thing to do would be to acknowledge Will’s gallant behavior. She studied his profile. The sudden despair of knowing he would never be hers, not truly, lent urgency to her words. “Thank you, Will.”

He turned to face her. “Pardon me?”

His strong jaw was shaded with dark stubble. She wanted to reach up and touch, to feel the rough prickles on her fingertips. She clenched her hand into a fist. “I… Thank you for trying to protect me from the dog.”

He continued to stare at her.

“He could have been feral,” she added.

Will blinked very slowly, his silvery-pale eyes filled with strangled emotion as he took her hand in his. “Praise God he wasn’t.”

“Yes, praise God.” Instead of pulling her hand free she braided her fingers through his.

Something quite lovely passed between them, a moment of complete contentment that went beyond words. But instead of feeling delighted by the sensation, a wistful sadness crept through her. Will wanted the kind of wife she could never be for him, or for any man.

She dropped her gaze and sighed. She would not—would not, would not, would not—allow herself to want what she could never have.

Another moment passed and then someone shouted her name. “Bridget. Oh, Bridget, we have news. Good news.”

Reluctantly pulling her hand free from Will’s comforting grip, Bridget turned toward an approaching wagon. Cameron Long and Nora and baby Grace had returned.

Bridget had no doubt what that news was.

She should be beside herself with joy. Yet the sight of her sister with that wide smile spread across her face roused the most curious reaction. Annoyance. She was actually annoyed Nora had returned at this very moment. The strange, unexpected reaction constricted her lungs and she thought impatiently, Why am I not more pleased?

“Stop fretting, Bridget. Everything will work out fine.” Will punctuated his statement by reaching out and giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

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