Mail Order Baron (The Brides of Tombstone Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

the baby’s antics. The time passed quickly.
    He pulled up in front of a plantation-style home, such as Molly had only seen in drawings. The home was beautiful, with four white columns supporting a roof over the large porch. A wooden swing, table and chairs graced one end of the porch and two lovely wooden rocking chairs with a low table between them were on the other end.
    The entrance was marked by a dark wooden double-door.
    Ben set the brake and jumped down. He came around the surrey and took Hope from Molly so she could climb down.
    Together they walked the up garden path to the stairs and then across the porch to the door. Ben lifted and released the knocker on the door twice.
    Soon a very tall woman opened the door. She looked up at Ben.
    “Ben and…company. Come in. Let me see that baby.” She held her arms out to the child and Hope leaned forward, reaching toward her. “Hello, sweet baby. To what do we owe the pleasure and who is this lovely lady with you?”
    “This is Molly McGregor. She’s my mail order bride, my fiancée and we’re getting married tomorrow.” He turned to Molly. “This is Lizzie Brandon.”
    “Pleased to meet you Mrs. Brandon.” Molly held out her hand.
    “Just Lizzie, please.” She shook Molly’s hand
    “As you wish. I’m just Molly.”
    “I’ll come right to the point,” said Ben. “We need you and Mal to stand up for us, tomorrow if you’re available.”
    “That shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s go to the library and talk with Mal.”
    They followed her to a large room filled floor to ceiling with bookshelves, most of which were only about half full of books. A dark wood desk stood toward the back of the room with two leather upholstered chairs in front of it. To the right side of the room was a fireplace with a blue damask sofa and two chairs that matched the leather ones by the desk.
    Behind the desk sat a dark-haired man, who was totally absorbed by whatever he was looking at on the desk. When he stood it was easy to tell he was at least as tall as Ben, which was only a few inches taller than Lizzie. They definitely made them tall in Tombstone.
    Goodness all the men in Tombstone seemed to be handsome, as well. At least the ones she’d met. She supposed she was lucky in that she found Ben to be the best looking of the lot.
    “Hello Mal. Forgive us for barging in but Molly and I…oh, this is Molly McGregor my wife-to-be. We need you and Lizzie to join us for our wedding ceremony at ten tomorrow in Judge Blackstone’s chambers. We’d like for the two of you to be our witnesses.”
    Molly nodded when she was introduced.
    “Well, as usual you don’t beat around the bush or stand on ceremony. Sit down, please. Can we get you some refreshments?”
    “No, we’re fine,” said Ben.
    “I’m not.” Molly’s mouth was dry as dust. Being nervous always did that to her. “I’d love something to drink. Water would be fine.”
    “Very well, if you have it, I’ll have coffee,” said Ben.
    “Let me call Maria.” Mal pulled the cord by the desk.
    Moments later a small dark-haired woman came through the door. “You wanted something Mr. Mal?
    “Yes, please. Three cups of coffee and one glass of water.”
    “I’ll be back shortly.” She walked back through the door shutting it behind her.
    “Now, what’s this about you actually getting married?”

CHAPTER 3

    “The most famous bachelor all the Arizona Territory is finally getting married.” Mal furrowed his brows and touched his forehead. “What is the date so I can burn it into my memory? I never thought I’d actually see it happen. I thought you were full of” he looked at Lizzie and Molly, “bull dung.”
    “Stop,” Lizzie swatted her husband. “Molly is Ben’s mail order bride and the woman he’s marrying tomorrow.”
    Mal made choking sounds and then burst into laughter. “So, the always marriage-shy, Mr. King, is finally giving in to the wedding bug. What’s the occasion?”
    “That’s