Wyoming Widow by Elizabeth Lane

Author:Elizabeth Lane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2013-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The Chang house sat amid a grove of spring-fed willows, ten minutes by foot trail from the Tolliver Ranch house. Solidly constructed of stone and mortar, it was built in the Chinese fashion with its four sides arranged around an inner courtyard. To Cassandra, stepping through its round moon gate was like walking into an exotic and mystical world. She treasured every minute of the time she spent here with Mei Li.

The two women sat, now, on a low stone bench beneath the umbrella of a ripening plum tree. Cassandra nestled the dozing Rachel in the crook of her arm as Mei Li struggled to sound out the English words printed in charcoal on a piece of light-colored slate. The reading lessons had continued almost daily since Cassandra’s intercession in the matter of the brides. Chang’s grudging acceptance of these lessons was his way of showing gratitude. Even now, the letter and money were on their way to his brother in Shanghai, who would choose two suitable girls—sisters, perhaps—and make their travel arrangements.

“Enough lessons for now.” Mei Li put the slate aside and reached for the celadon teapot that rested on a tray at the foot of the bench. With exquisite grace, she filled two tiny porcelain cups and handed one to Cassandra. “Will you teach the wives of my sons also?”

The words should have gratified Cassandra’s spirit. Instead they only weighed on her heart. With so many things to arrange by letter, it would likely be spring before the two brides arrived. And where would she be by then? Still living a lie, as she was now? Struggling for survival in some dingy, rented room? Locked away in prison? This ranch felt more like home than any place she had ever known. But she did not belong here. She had never belonged here.

“Of course,” she said, smiling at Mei Li. “I would love to teach your daughters-in-law.”

Mei Li sipped the clear Chinese tea and sighed her contentment. “I am happy for my sons. It is not good to sleep alone. Not for men. Not for women.” Her almond eyes flickered toward Cassandra. “Not for Mr. Morgan. Not for you.”

Cassandra flushed to the roots of her hair, remembering the blurred, erotic dreams that had haunted her sleep since the encounter with Morgan in the barn. Dreams filled with sensations that left her damp and aching in the solitary darkness of her bed. Dreams so explicit that she could barely face Morgan across the breakfast table the next morning, knowing it was his touch she imagined in the night, his mouth nuzzling her erect nipples, his hands stroking flame along her thighs.

She gazed down at the lacy pattern of Rachel’s white shawl, hiding thoughts that must never see the light of day. “I don’t think Morgan cares a fig for me,” she said. “If he could wish me back to where I came from, he’d do it in a minute.”

Mei Li laughed softly. “You have not seen the way his eyes look at you when you walk away from him.

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