The Cowboy Wins a Bride (The Cowboys of Chance Creek) by Seton Cora

Author:Seton, Cora [Seton, Cora]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: One Acre Press
Published: 2013-05-27T22:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Claire was surprised to find Autumn in the kitchen of the bunkhouse when she got back. She was sitting at the small table, sipping a cup of tea and fiddling with an envelope. It still seemed strange to see the renovations her brother had done to the building. The kitchen was the same as ever, but the large room that used to hold ten old-fashioned iron-framed bunk beds for the hired hands had been turned into a fair-sized living room and two medium-sized bedrooms with walk-in closets. Ethan used the closet off of his and Autumn’s bedroom as an office. She’d hung up a few pairs of jeans and shirts in hers, but they barely made a dent in the empty space.

"Ethan's doing the overnight shift at the Big House," Autumn said.

Claire helped herself to tea and joined her at the table. They'd set up a cot in the small laundry room off the back entrance of the Big House and whoever took the night shift could sleep unless a guest needed them. It didn't seem right for newlyweds to sleep apart, though. Autumn took in her expression and laughed.

"I'm too tired for cuddling, anyway. It's all right. Pretty soon we'll hire someone to do the night shift. We just don't want to spend too much money until we start making some."

Claire nodded. "What's that?" She gestured to the envelope.

Autumn sighed. "I'm not sure, but something told me not to give it to Ethan. I hope I'm not making a mistake giving it to you." She handed it over and Claire examined it.

The paper was cream colored, the handwriting bold and sharp – but still a woman's penmanship. It was addressed to Aria Cruz.

Claire's heart sank. "Ethan must have dealt with plenty of mail addressed to my parents after their deaths. Why not give him this one?"

"All of your parents' business and personal correspondence went to their post office box in town. Mail isn't delivered out here – you know that. Look at the front of the envelope again."

She did so, not understanding at first. Then she saw what Autumn meant. "There's no postmark."

"But the return address says Canada."

"I don't understand." Autumn was right, the return address was Canadian, but there was no name – only a street number and city in British Columbia.

"I don't either, but I think whoever sent the letter hand-delivered it."

"Meaning they're here in town." A shiver traced down her spine, she couldn't say why. "So why don't they know my mother is dead?"

"Maybe they just got here. Maybe they haven't talked to anyone yet. We need to let them know what's happened." Autumn rubbed her forehead. "It isn't fair of me to pass this on to you, but Ethan's had such a hard time of it so far. I couldn't force myself to give it to him."

"I know." Claire looked at the letter grimly. "You think I should open it right now?"

Autumn shrugged. "No time like the present."

She slid a thumb under the flap and tore open the creamy envelope.

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