The Marriage Barter by Christine Johnson

Author:Christine Johnson [Johnson, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Historical, Western, Inspirational
ISBN: 9780373829644
Google: Oimf48bIlucC
Amazon: B00B0A706G
Goodreads: 16160022
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

All of Charlotte’s worry had been for nothing. Judge Broadside was delayed indefinitely. So, too, was Wyatt. She’d expected him to return to the house once he learned the judge wasn’t arriving that day, but hour after hour passed with no word.

What could he be doing? No doubt he rode off on his horse, like yesterday. No explanation. Not even the courtesy to tell her he’d be gone. Moreover, he’d promised to give Sasha a horseback ride, which the little girl did not forget. She fussed and whined, unhappy with everything Charlotte attempted to do with her. Even Katya went flying across the room during a tantrum.

Charlotte’s head pounded. Her nerves frayed. How on earth had Rebecca managed eight children in the schoolhouse when the orphans first arrived in town? Charlotte could barely endure one ill-tempered child.

She tried to work on Holly’s dress, but every time she approached her sewing machine, Sasha clung to her and cried that she wanted to play.

By the time Wyatt returned, she’d lost the last shreds of patience.

“Sit,” she commanded Sasha as Wyatt opened the door.

His eyebrows rose. “That’s a fine welcome home.”

Home. His use of the word would have pleased her if she hadn’t been so overwrought. “I was speaking to Sasha. Though I might ask where you spent the day, considering the judge never came to town.”

“Papa! Papa!” Sasha’s shrieks of joy gave him the chance to avoid answering.

Wyatt scooped up the little girl and whirled her around until she laughed and giggled.

Frustrated and exhausted, Charlotte sank into a chair. “You promised her a horseback ride.”

“So I did.” Wyatt cradled the little girl so easily in his arms. “Do you want to meet Dusty, my horse?”

“Hor-see,” Sasha squealed, the tantrums and whining completely gone.

Charlotte resented that she’d had to struggle all day while Wyatt got to enjoy the perfect little girl. No doubt he thought caring for Sasha was easy. He didn’t teach her proper behavior. He didn’t wash her and feed her and clothe her. He didn’t have to scold her when she misbehaved.

Her irritation grew as she followed them outside. As promised, his horse awaited. The chestnut gelding munched her overgrown flowerbed. At Wyatt’s approach, the horse lifted its head and snarled out a whinny.

Charlotte drew in her breath. The horse was huge, nearly as big as Charles’s team. She would never consider putting such a little girl on one of Charles’s horses, yet Wyatt intended to carry her on top of that enormous animal. Her head spun just thinking about the distance to the ground. Adults broke necks falling off horses. What would happen to a four-year-old?

“Are you sure?” she choked out.

Wyatt must not have heard her. He held Sasha near Dusty’s head, and she reached out to pet the animal.

“Horsee,” she squealed.

Dusty nipped at the air, away from Sasha but still too close for Charlotte’s liking.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Now don’t go getting yourself out of sorts.” Wyatt placed Sasha on the saddle. “I’ve got a good hold of her, and we’re only going a few steps.

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