The Blacksmith and the Bandit: A Western Historical Mail Order Bride Romance (The Family Affair Series Book 1) by Emma Harper

Author:Emma Harper [Harper, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2017-06-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Home

Broken Hill, South Dakota,

1870.

But Belle did not change her mind. It only grew firmer until the time came to leave. When she did, she did not seek Braxton out. It would have been too painful to say goodbye again.

But when she got midway down the hill, she stopped. He was waiting for her at the end of the path.

"I thought I would walk you," he said when she and Joseph finally reached the bottom of the hill.

"I don't need any help getting to the stage coach," she said stubbornly. "So you may as well save your energy for more important things."

He shook his head. "No, not to the stage coach," he whispered. "To the town hall."

Belle stared up at him, speechless. "Why do you want me at the town hall?" she whispered.

He reached out for wrist and took it in her hands, stroking the inside of her wrist with his thumb. "For support. Belle, I want the woman I intend to marry by my side. I never wanted to use you as a tool, the way Bill uses his wife, that's all. But if you want to be there, then I want you with me."

But she took a step backward and hugged Joseph tightly to her. "I have Joseph with me. And I will not take him back to the house just to protect your pride Braxton Price. If I come, my baby comes with me."

Braxton nodded and looked down at her with tears in his eyes. "I know Belle," he whispered. "That is what I most admire about you."

Belle was still struggling to catch her breath. "But what about what people will say, Braxton?" she asked, still holding Joseph protectively.

"I don't care what people think, Belle," he said softly. "I don't care much for what they think, either. I don't even care about becoming sheriff. Not if that means losing you. Not if it means losing Joseph. I will pull out of the race before that happens, Belle."

"Oh, but you must still run for sheriff..." Belle said desperately. "You will make a wonderful sheriff Braxton. You're far smarter and capable than that old fool Bill."

He chuckled a little and threw his head back. "If you want me to, then I will."

She nodded. "I do Braxton. I do."

"I have something to show you," Braxton whispered. "Please, come with me, Belle. We've got a little while before the meeting starts."

The creek was glistening in front of them.

Belle smiled at him a little cheekily. "But I've already seen the creek," she said teasingly. "Is this all you wanted to show me Mr. Price? Sorry, I mean, Braxton?"

"I wanted to show you one very specific part of the creek," he said, taking her by the hand, as he led her down to a bit that had a large clearing in front of it.

"Here," he said waving across the vacant land. "This is where I will build our house."

"But Braxton...what will people think?"

"I don't care what they think," he said, moving towards her. He stroked her cheek again, and she closed her eyes, savoring his touch.

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