Gideon's Secondhand Bride: A Sweet Historical Mail Order Bride Romance Novella (Six Brides for Six Gideons Book 1) by Holt Kristin

Author:Holt, Kristin [Holt, Kristin]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kristin Holt, LC
Published: 2014-08-05T16:00:00+00:00

John sat at David Farnham’s hearth that Sunday afternoon, his belly comfortably full and baby Sarah asleep in his arms. Farnhams’ cabin held the lingering aromas of roasted ham, boiled potatoes, yeast rolls, and mingling spices in buttery sweets.

Peaceful as the day was, one could almost forget the ever-present threat of Millie’s good-for-nothing former husband. From the looks of things, Millie’s constant worry had been left behind as the wagon rolled down the road to Farnhams’.

Good. She needed a rest from it all, and it pleased John he could give her this respite.

But that didn’t mean he could forget the troubles altogether. This far from town, a man had to rely on his neighbors.

David’s youngest, a boy of four years, wiggled off his papa’s lap and scampered back to the bedrooms where the children played.

Outside, wind gusted fallen leaves and twigs past the window. John met David’s gaze.

“What is it?” David asked.

“I need you to make a trip into town, tomorrow, if possible.” John passed over the letter Millie had addressed to Clara. “This needs to make the post.”

David read the address, nodded slowly. “Everything O.K.?”

John glanced toward the women, chatting quietly as they washed and dried dishes, paying the men no mind.

“Millie’s worried about a friend back home, and she well should be.” John had thought this all through, determined no one need know Millie’s circumstances, not the circuit judge, not the gossips of Abilene, and not his closest neighbors and friends. John would keep her confidences.

“There’s more. We have reason to believe a troublesome man intends to follow Millie here. To us.”

David whistled low, the sound he typically made when surprised by a bit of news. He gestured to the pistol holstered at John’s thigh. “I wondered ‘bout that.”

He’d stay armed and ready, as long as it took. “Just a warning to keep your eyes open. Can’t say when or if this fellow will show his face, of if he’ll mistake your place for mine.”

“Who is this guy? What does he want?”

“A ne’er-do-well who doesn’t want to see Millie happy, and doesn’t want to see her with me.” That’s all he’d say about that.

“I see why you’re sending me to town. You need to stick close to home and your missus.”

“Yeah.”

“I believe I’ll take the whole family with me into Abilene tomorrow. Need anything while I’m there?”

He and Millie had gone over the stores that morning, in anticipation of this opportunity. It might be weeks before he’d dare leave her alone to take his turn heading to Abilene for supplies. He pulled money and their grocery list written on a scrap of paper from his pocket, offering both to David. “Thanks, friend. I’ll get square with you when all this is over.”

David nodded. “I’ll see to it you will.” Leave it to David to make light at a time like this.

John found his attention turned to Millie. Heat from the wash water had reddened her hands. She’d pushed her dress sleeves up to her elbows, revealing too-thin forearms and skin pale from lack of sunlight.

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