Conner's Contrary Bride by Barbara Goss

Author:Barbara Goss [Goss, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-09-15T05:00:00+00:00

Each night after dinner, Conner quickly excused himself to go into his small den and close the door. That night, Elsie made sure she got up from the table first.

Conner gave her an odd look.

“Conner, it’s a beautiful evening. I’d love to go for a walk, but I’ll need an escort. I hear the streets of Hays City can be dangerous for a woman to walk alone.”

Elsie watched his mouth drop slightly, and then he hesitated. Was he thinking up an excuse for why he couldn’t walk with her? Finally, he stood up and put an arm out. “I could use a walk myself, and you’re right—the streets of Hays City are dangerous for unescorted women, even in the daylight.”

Elsie knew they couldn’t—or at least, shouldn’t—walk near the saloons at the end of the street. She could already hear glasses tinkling, a cheap piano playing, and men laughing. So, when they reached the barbershop’s bench, she suggested they sit.

“I need to talk to you.” Once they sat on the bench she said, “I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the land you showed me, and I’ve changed my mind. I think I’d like the one that’s cleared with the little stream.”

Elsie could tell her words pleased him because his eyes grew larger, and he smiled.

“Are you certain?”

“But Conner, if we have children someday, I’d want the creek or stream somehow fenced off for their safety.”

“Hmm,” he said thoughtfully, “I was planning to build a fence around the whole backyard to keep the critters out of our garden. I could put a gate in it so we could go to the creek if we wanted to. It’s not a deep creek—more like a babbling brook. I never had children on my mind when I picked out the land.”

Elsie nodded.

“We finally agree on something,” Conner said. He stood to help Elsie up. “Also, I’ll have you know that Taffy woke me up this morning by kneading my chest.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Elsie cried. “I’m not sure how she gets out.”

“It’s all right. Taffy and I sort of bonded. She can have the run of the house.”

“Really?” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek without thinking. She felt his arm go around her back and he gave her a light hug.

It was a start.

They meandered back to the house. Elsie asked, “What if the bandit patient dies?”

“That worries me. If they don’t change his dressing or keep it clean, he could die.”

“It wouldn’t be your fault, Conner.”

“I know, but men who rob banks don’t think the way we do.”

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