A Mid-Summer's Mail-Order Bride by Kit Morgan

Author:Kit Morgan [Morgan, Kit]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 25513230
Publisher: Angel Creek Press
Published: 2015-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Warren and his grandfather drove the women home after stopping at Doc Brown’s. Just as Summer had said, Bernice was perfectly all right, just a little tired after the journey to Nowhere and the stress of the last few days. An early bedtime would do her wonders, the doctor prescribed.

Warren, however, was wound up tighter than a string. Why? Why did she affect him like this, that he’d been willing to go to war with Summer Riley over her welfare? It wasn’t like he was in love with her or anything – heck, he didn’t even know her! But there was that unnerving desire to protect her from harm. Maybe because one look at her told him that she couldn’t very well protect herself.

“How do ya like apple country, Miss Caulder?” Grandpa asked.

Bernice sat in the wagon bed next to Summer. “It’s beautiful.”

“Wait ‘til next spring, when the trees are bloomin’.”

“That’s what I’ve heard. I … hope to see it …”

“You will,” he said. “Won’t she, Warren?”

Warren’s back went stiff. Was Grandpa purposely trying to back him into a corner over the girl? Yeah … yeah, he probably was. He glared at the old man, but said nothing.

“Well, we’ll see,” Grandpa chortled.

Warren wanted to look over his shoulder to see Miss Caulder’s reaction, but didn’t. He didn’t think he could stand it if she looked crushed. But what could he say, that wouldn’t be a lie or more hurtful than silence? He’d have to talk with Grandpa once they got home and get things straight between them concerning his love life – namely, that he stay out of it!

When they reached the Riley farm, Clayton was just coming out of the barn. “Howdy, Warren, Sam.” His eyes immediately sought Summer’s. “Is everything all right?”

“Miss Caulder wasn’t feelin’ well, so we done brought her home for ya!” Grandpa answered.

Warren took a deep breath. “She fainted. I took her to Doc Brown’s, and he said she’s just tired, but I didn’t think it was safe for her to walk home.”

“What? Miss Caulder! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, nothing to worry about,” she said as her cheeks turned pink.

Warren hopped down from the wagon to help her out, holding up his hands to her. She stood up and stared at them. “I won’t bite, I promise,” he said, his voice soft, coaxing. The poor girl had been through enough that afternoon and he didn’t want to make her feel any worse.

She leaned forward and his hands encircled her waist. He lifted her out of the wagon bed and set her on her feet with all the gentleness he could. She reminded him of a china doll, one that could break if not handled properly. Beautiful, delicate … and absolutely unsuited for hard labor.

“Thank you,” she told him and looked away.

He leaned down to her. “I’m sorry if I made you feel bad.”

She looked up at him. “You didn’t.”

“I … I didn’t?”

“No. Life did that.” With that, she walked away.

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