BRIANNA: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 4) Read Online Free
Author: Ashley Merrick
them and she didn’t even want to think about it. She just wanted to put it all behind her and focus on building her new life in Montana.
"I know it may seem a bit soon, but I am excited for you to meet Paul," Emma said.
"I'm looking forward to meeting everyone," Brianna said carefully. "But you're right, it does feel soon to consider thinking about another man."
"Just take things one step at a time. You'll know when it's right, and there's no rush. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you like," Colleen assured her.
"Are you hungry at all?” Emma asked. “I have hot water ready for tea and a plate of cinnamon scones we can nibble on."
Brianna was surprised to find that her appetite had awakened and she was hungry again. “That sounds wonderful!”
Over tea and scones, which made Brianna's stomach very happy indeed, they caught up on each other's lives. Brianna filled them in on all the people they knew in Boston—what was new with all the girls there, and they told her about the people in Bozeman. Ethan and David's sister Elizabeth was a highlight of the conversation.
"Is Naomi still panicking about all of Elizabeth’s suitors?" Emma asked.
"Elizabeth was literally the belle of the ball at the library benefit," Colleen explained. "It was her first public outing since she turned eighteen and although they don't have debutantes here and no formal 'coming out' occasion, it was somewhat like that for her. She was surrounded by men all night and three of them expressed intentions to court her."
"Three?" Brianna couldn't imagine. She'd only ever been courted by Ted.
"Colleen had three suitors, too," Emma said with a chuckle.
"Not really,” Colleen protested. “Well, not all at the same time."
"Close enough. Anyway, Naomi is fine with two of them. They are boys about Elizabeth's age or maybe a bit older. She went to school with them. It’s the other one she disapproves of. He's much older. Too old, in her opinion."
"I suppose that only makes her more intrigued?" Brianna wondered.
"Yes, I suppose so.” Colleen agreed. “Sort of like how it was with Ricky. I sensed that he wasn't the one for me, but yet I was drawn to him at the same time. He reminded me of Frank a bit, of what I liked about him. He could be very charming."
"He was never right for you. We all could see that," Emma said. "But, love isn't always crystal clear and you need to consider all your options."
"I can't imagine being courted by more than one man. Even one sounds like too much, to be honest," Brianna admitted. Emma and Colleen exchanged glances, which Brianna caught and knew they were just worried for her.
"I'll be fine. I'm sure eventually I'll be ready to think about that again. Someday."
"Well, as I said before, there's no hurry. Your first concern is to stay healthy and get ready for the baby," Colleen said. They chatted for a few hours longer and then a little after one, they heard Jeremy fussing in the bedroom and Colleen suggested it would be a good time for them to get going.
When they arrived at Donovan's Pub, it was just after one thirty and Colleen said that was when the lunch rush was over, except for the occasional straggler, which either Liam, or Billy, his right-hand assistant, could easily handle.
When Brianna walked in, Julia was by the front door, making a note in what Brianna guessed was a reservations book. As soon as she looked up and saw them, she ran over to give Brianna a hug.
"I'm so glad you're here. I'm so sorry about Ted, but so excited about your news." She glanced at Brianna's stomach and then patted her own. "We are due about the same time. They'll be able to play together. Mine will only be a few weeks older."
That warmed Brianna's heart. She loved the idea of her child being friends with one of her best friends' children. The only missing piece was Ted, her husband. She forced herself to focus on only happy thoughts, though, and smiled back at Julia.
"That would be so fun."
"Come in. We'll
"I know it may seem a bit soon, but I am excited for you to meet Paul," Emma said.
"I'm looking forward to meeting everyone," Brianna said carefully. "But you're right, it does feel soon to consider thinking about another man."
"Just take things one step at a time. You'll know when it's right, and there's no rush. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you like," Colleen assured her.
"Are you hungry at all?” Emma asked. “I have hot water ready for tea and a plate of cinnamon scones we can nibble on."
Brianna was surprised to find that her appetite had awakened and she was hungry again. “That sounds wonderful!”
Over tea and scones, which made Brianna's stomach very happy indeed, they caught up on each other's lives. Brianna filled them in on all the people they knew in Boston—what was new with all the girls there, and they told her about the people in Bozeman. Ethan and David's sister Elizabeth was a highlight of the conversation.
"Is Naomi still panicking about all of Elizabeth’s suitors?" Emma asked.
"Elizabeth was literally the belle of the ball at the library benefit," Colleen explained. "It was her first public outing since she turned eighteen and although they don't have debutantes here and no formal 'coming out' occasion, it was somewhat like that for her. She was surrounded by men all night and three of them expressed intentions to court her."
"Three?" Brianna couldn't imagine. She'd only ever been courted by Ted.
"Colleen had three suitors, too," Emma said with a chuckle.
"Not really,” Colleen protested. “Well, not all at the same time."
"Close enough. Anyway, Naomi is fine with two of them. They are boys about Elizabeth's age or maybe a bit older. She went to school with them. It’s the other one she disapproves of. He's much older. Too old, in her opinion."
"I suppose that only makes her more intrigued?" Brianna wondered.
"Yes, I suppose so.” Colleen agreed. “Sort of like how it was with Ricky. I sensed that he wasn't the one for me, but yet I was drawn to him at the same time. He reminded me of Frank a bit, of what I liked about him. He could be very charming."
"He was never right for you. We all could see that," Emma said. "But, love isn't always crystal clear and you need to consider all your options."
"I can't imagine being courted by more than one man. Even one sounds like too much, to be honest," Brianna admitted. Emma and Colleen exchanged glances, which Brianna caught and knew they were just worried for her.
"I'll be fine. I'm sure eventually I'll be ready to think about that again. Someday."
"Well, as I said before, there's no hurry. Your first concern is to stay healthy and get ready for the baby," Colleen said. They chatted for a few hours longer and then a little after one, they heard Jeremy fussing in the bedroom and Colleen suggested it would be a good time for them to get going.
When they arrived at Donovan's Pub, it was just after one thirty and Colleen said that was when the lunch rush was over, except for the occasional straggler, which either Liam, or Billy, his right-hand assistant, could easily handle.
When Brianna walked in, Julia was by the front door, making a note in what Brianna guessed was a reservations book. As soon as she looked up and saw them, she ran over to give Brianna a hug.
"I'm so glad you're here. I'm so sorry about Ted, but so excited about your news." She glanced at Brianna's stomach and then patted her own. "We are due about the same time. They'll be able to play together. Mine will only be a few weeks older."
That warmed Brianna's heart. She loved the idea of her child being friends with one of her best friends' children. The only missing piece was Ted, her husband. She forced herself to focus on only happy thoughts, though, and smiled back at Julia.
"That would be so fun."
"Come in. We'll
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