Journey of the Bride Read Online Free Page A

about her own safety. Paul had mentioned that Brandon had quite a temper when he wanted.
     
    As if he ’ d heard her thoughts, Paul smiled at her. “ Don ’ t worry, miss. If he gets mad and throws swings at anyone, it will be me. ”
     
    The thought didn ’ t cheer her up. The riders all dismounted and Courtney climbed down from the wagon, waving away assistance from the men. She was living on a ranch now. She had to show these men she didn ’ t need to be coddled, and she really didn ’ t. Looking around, she held her breath, taking in the beauty of the land before her.
     
    Out in the distance, she heard the bray of cattle and the whinnies of horses. “ Is this just a cattle ranch, or does he breed horses here as well? ” she asked Paul.
     
    He started, as if he hadn ’ t expected the question. Maybe he hadn ’ t thought she ’ d take any real interest in the ranch. How little he knew of her. If she was going to live there, she wanted to know the workings of it all. “ Honestly, I don ’ t know. All I know about is the cattle, but it ’ s possible he raises horses as well. I don ’ t know. ”
     
    Courtney stared at him. “ Didn ’ t you grow up here? ”
     
    Paul had the sense to look abashed. “ Yes, but I never took interest in the ranch like Brandon did. I couldn ’ t wait to get out of here fast enough. While I was busy taking as many classes as I could, Brandon dropped out of school to help Pa around the ranch. ”
     
    Great. Just what she wanted, an unintelligent man for a husband. Of course, that meant he was a hard worker, but what if he was illiterate? Would he hate her for her books, which he couldn ’ t read? She frowned, worry eating away at her mind, but it was too late to turn back now. She was here, and here she would stay. She ’ d signed the papers the other day when she ’ d met with Paul, and she didn ’ t intend to turn her back now.
     
    A deep breath spilled out of her mouth before Courtney steeled herself and started toward the porch and the door that would lead inside her new home. She was almost to the steps when the door flung open and a man walked out.
     
    She took a step back as the presence of the man hit her like a physical slap in the face. He was here. There was no other way to explain it. The man before her demanded her attention without even looking at her. He took in the whole group, his eyes darting from figure to figure as if trying to find a face he knew. He passed over her without a second glance, but she couldn ’ t help but stare at him.
     
    Fierce blue eyes burned from his weathered face. His skin was browned from being out in the sun for long years and a dark beard coated his face in hair. She ’ d never been one to like beards, but she found that on this man, she didn ’ t mind at all. She actually really liked it. He wasn ’ t bad looking at all, either. He was shirtless, as if they had disturbed him while he was getting dressed, and his broad chest drew her gaze, his muscles rippling beneath his flesh as he moved. Her eyes traveled down, noting the wear in his jeans, as if he hardly ever took them off. They were clean though. Boots finished off the look, worn but in good condition still.
     
    Her eyes darted back up to his face, and she noticed he was still not looking at her. His eyes were on Paul. Worry for the older brother ate at her again, but there was no anger in his face. He merely waited.
     
    Paul came to her side and, with a quick smile her way, slid past her to grasp his brother in a quick hug. “ How are you doing, Brandon? ” he asked.
     
    The larger built man grunted in response, but there was a smile on his face. “ I see you ’ ve brought my help. ” For the first time, his eyes landed on Courtney and stayed there. She recognized the expression he held on his face. She ’ d seen it many times on Talbert ’ s face. However, seeing it on this man ’ s face made her weak in the knees, and she had to lick her lips to wet