Brides of Kansas by Bateman Tracey V.;

Author:Bateman, Tracey V.; [Bateman, Tracey V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4901525
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2003-09-17T04:00:00+00:00

With great interest and more than a little curiosity, Anthony watched Tarah and Mr. Tucker cross the road and head toward the livery. The unlikely pair stood out like a snowy day in July. Mr. Tucker carried a crate in the crook of one thin arm and a bulky washtub in the other. Matching his stride, Tarah spoke with animated gestures, her face bright and smiling. Wishing he could hear their words, Anthony’s curiosity suddenly got the better of him.

“Amos,” he called to the smithy, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

The smithy nodded and resumed his pounding on a new pair of shoes for Anthony’s saddle horse.

With purpose, Anthony strode the few yards to the livery and stepped inside. He found Tarah speaking pleasantly to Mr. Collins while Tucker hitched up his team.

“Howdy, Preacher.” Mr. Collins glanced over Tarah’s shoulder and grinned. “How’s it goin’?”

“Just fine.”

A touch of pink tinged Tarah’s cheeks as she smiled a greeting. “What are you doing in town this time of day?”

“My horse threw a shoe.” He jerked a thumb toward the smithy. “Amos is getting him all fixed up.”

“All set.” Mr. Tucker grabbed the bridle of one of the horses and led his team toward the door.

Tarah, Mr. Collins, and Anthony followed until they stood outside the livery.

“Thank you,” Tarah said, beaming at the storekeeper. “I promise you’ll have your wagon back first thing in the morning. And thank you so much for—”

Raising a weathered hand, Tucker gave her a stern frown. “Now we had a deal. Don’t go blabbing.”

Lips twitching, Tarah nodded. “I almost spilled the beans, didn’t I? I’ll have to be more careful.”

Anthony’s jaw dropped as she raised on tiptoes and brushed her lips to Tucker’s wrinkled face. Surprise lit the older man’s eyes, then a scowl deepened the lines on his face. “I don’t know where you got your manners, going around kissin’ people without bein’ invited.”

A beguiling flush raced to Tarah’s cheeks. Anthony’s eyes flitted to her full mouth, and he suddenly wished that the kiss had been for him.

Mr. Collins chortled. “Probably the first time you ever been kissed in your life, Tucker. Probably be the last time, too.” He gave Tarah a teasing wink. “If I’da known the pretty teacher was passing out kisses, I’da offered to let her use my wagon.”

With an indignant snort, Mr. Tucker scowled. “There ain’t no need to embarrass the girl, Collins. Move on outta my way so’s I can help her into the wagon and get back to my store ‘fore I lose any more customers.”

“Sure you don’t want me to help her?” Collins baited the old codger. “She might try to kiss you again.”

Anthony’s chuckle earned him a reproving frown from Tarah, whose face now glowed red. Averting his gaze, he cleared his throat and tried to stop grinning, to no avail. He looked back at Tarah and shrugged an apology. The sight of Mr. Tucker’s outraged face was too much. Any moment, Anthony thought, the older man might call Collins out.

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