Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) Read Online Free Page B

round eyes. “You’ve done so much in such a short time.”
    She couldn’t help the surge of pride. “As you said, Bethany is a good baby. She’s been very helpful by keeping herself occupied while I straightened up.”
    “You more than just straightened up.” He peered down at the floor. “I’m not much of a housekeeper.”
    He sat at the table and ate while she walked around with the baby who’d begun to cry at seeing her father, wanting his attention.
    “Good afternoon.” A dark-haired woman opened the door after a quick knock and entered the house. Her eyes went straight to Judith, taking her in before her gaze slid to Sean who’d stiffened at her presence.
    Without waiting for an introduction, she walked straight to Judith. “How are you? I’m Eloise Jacobs, Sean’s sister.” Her smile was friendly and Judith immediately relaxed.
    “I’m Judith Murphy. Nice to meet you.”
    Eloise took the baby from her and hugged the child close. “I had to escape from my brood to come and ensure all was well.” She gave the back of her brother’s head a pointed look. “I’ve been helping care for Bethany. But it’s been hard for my brother. It will be so much better now that you’re here.”
    When Sean looked to his sister, there was a sort of communication between them that made Judith apprehensive. “You’ve probably not had a chance to discuss much, but…”
    “She just got here yesterday,” Sean interrupted her, but then said nothing else.
    After a moment of awkward silence, Judith had to ask. “Is there something wrong? With the baby?” She looked to the child who seemed content to play with Eloise’s necklace, her little hands making to grab it.
    “No, nothing like that,” Eloise said and then let out a sigh. “It’s just the living situation. Your reputation will be affected when people realize you live here. So I’ve taken the liberty of speaking to Father O’Reilly…”
    “Eloise, this is something I need to discuss with Miss Murphy. No need for you to intervene.” Sean stood from the table and stalked to his sister. He took the baby, who began to cry.
    “Oh, look at what you’ve done!” The siblings stared at each other until Judith finally took the child and calmed her.
    Judith spoke slowly, not quite making sense of what happened. “What did you speak to the priest about, Eloise?”
    Sean looked to her, his face mottled with a hard blush, while his sister suddenly seemed unsure.
    The woman moved to stand next to Judith and let out a breath. “I spoke to him about marrying you to my brother. It’s only the right thing to do. I found out you came here as a mail order bride for poor John Wilkins and, well, my brother needs a…wife,” she finished meekly and gave Sean a wide look. “I mean, you have to agree, it’s the only way to make the best of these circumstances. For you to marry Sean.”
    Judith could only gape at the duo. “Marry?”
    “It’s the only solution, of course,” Eloise said then let out a huff. “For goodness sakes Sean, say something.”
    His eyes met Judith’s and her heart thumped hard in her breast, whether in fear or excitement, she wasn’t sure. “Miss Murphy, will you consider marrying me?”

Chapter Four

    His darn sister had never changed. Since childhood, she’d been bossy and determined. Being she was younger than him made it even more aggravating. At the moment, Sean wasn’t sure if Eloise butting in was a good or bad thing.
    On one hand, he would have gotten around to discussing things with the woman who now stared at him with her mouth and eyes wide open in shock. Truthfully, she was more than he could aspire to in a wife; pretty, pleasant and obviously, by the state she’d put the house in, very capable.
    Regardless of the fact that she’d come to Wyoming to marry a man she didn’t know, there had been an expectation of a different life. John Wilkins had owned a large ranch. His property was beautiful and would have afforded