Desperate Lola (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

supposed to do anything but travel. You can leave that plate right there.”
    “But that’s ridiculous. I can help, sir.”
    “I was told to pamper you the best I could.”
    I wanted to roll my eyes at that. “I’m washing my own dishes. Go pamper your horse, Chuck.”
    His laughter rang out.
    Later that evening, after the crockery had been put away and the fire had died down, Mr. Brittle pulled out a harmonica, playing the refrains of a familiar tune. I reclined on the bedding, having folded my traveling bag in half for a pillow, while staring at the stars over my head. The coolness of night felt refreshing against my skin, especially after a day of heat.
    “You’re quite good at that instrument.” He stared at me, while playing. “I suppose that’s how you cowboys entertain yourselves, isn’t it?” He nodded. “It’s nice.” I yawned. “Gosh, I’m tired.” But the need to use the privy had me on my feet. “I’ll be back.”
    Being as dark as it was, with only a sliver of the moon poking out behind what appeared to be a bank of clouds, I would not wander far, fearing snakes and other creatures. When I had finished my business, I found the creek, bending to wash my hands. A snap nearby had me jumping.
    “Who is it?” I whispered.
    “Just me.” Chuck approached, his boots crunching over rocks and dirt. “You shouldn’t go far in the dark.”
    “I know.”
    He knelt beside me, his face in shadow. “You sure are a pretty woman.”
    The tone in his voice worried me. “You’ve said that before, but it’s still better not to say such things.”
    “Because you’re the boss’ fiancé?”
    “Yes, of course.”
    “What if you took a detour?”
    “What?”
    “What if you never made it to Boot Creek? What if you maybe decided to go off with a fella like me instead?”
    Not being able to see very well in the darkness, I leaned nearer to assess if he was teasing. He could not be serious, could he? “Go off with you?”
    “Marry me instead.”
    “Why on earth would I do such a thing? I don’t know anything about you. I’ve been in correspondence with Mr. Kelly for almost a year. I feel as if I know him rather well. I would hope he feels the same about me.”
    “But he’s old, Lola. Really old.”
    “W-what do you mean by that? I was told he was thirty-eight.”
    “That’s pretty darn old.”
    “Not if you’re healthy. He assured me he was in excellent health. Is there something I don’t know? Is he ill?”
    “He’s fine, but he could drop dead at any moment.”
    “Are you making light of this situation? You can’t possibly be serious.”
    “You can’t be serious about coming out all this way to marry some old guy, although maybe it’s his money you’re after.”
    How had this conversation begun? Irritation prickled me. “My reasons for marrying Mr. Kelly are none of your concern. I’m quite happy in my choice, sir, even if he’s an older gentleman. Older gentlemen have something I value greatly.”
    “Money, I'm sure.”
    “No, manners. They would never question a woman’s motives. They would never pry into things they know nothing about.”
    “I’ve been saving up a pretty penny. I’m not poor, darlin’. I could take care of you.”
    “That’s fine and dandy, but you’re not the person I’m in love with.”
    He snorted. “You fell in love with a letter?”
    “Yes.”
    Another snort resounded. “You’ve some strange notions. If you think this is love match, you got another thing comin’.”
    “What do you mean by that?” I felt an annoying suspicion that there was something he was not telling me. “What do you know about Mr. Kelly?”
    “Old, set in his ways, and unyielding. You want to marry something like that?”
    “He just knows what he wants. He has a vision of how things should be, and he aims to achieve that.”
    “You’ll find him cold and unaffected. Why do you think he’s been alone all this time? He’s about as entertaining as wax on paper.