Mail Order Bride: Not What He Expected (Mail Order Brides Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

cackled in a most unladylike laugh. “In this town,” she responded, “with these ravenous men, I don’t need luck. Considering my competition, I’m sure to win this rancher over.” She paused for a moment to let her words sink in. She continued, “And yes, l would prefer to be alone right now.”
    Lucy nodded, trying to ignore her horrible attitude and her obvious jab, replied, “Well, good evening, then.” She quickly left the restaurant and went to her room where she collapsed on her bed.
    She usually wasn’t one to let her emotions get ahead of her, but right now, before she even realized they were on their way, she felt tears begin to stream down her face.
    Normally, she would have stopped the tears immediately, but she was so far from home and she felt like she deserved the indulgence. Her hopes were now severely crushed, and her future was quite uncertain. She cried until finally, thankfully, her exhaustion took over and she was able to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Six
     
    The next morning, Lucy woke up and automatically felt a sense of dread overtake her. She didn’t want to be here anymore; not with everything that has been going on.
    Lucy just couldn’t believe that she allowed herself to fall for such a spiteful trick. Being alone out here only made it worse. At least, if she had Patricia, the two of them could laugh about it, but at the moment, the last thing she felt like doing was laughing.
    However, if Levi was still continuing with the plan, there was no reason that he shouldn’t still be coming to pick her up. She realized that she should get ready. She walked to the vanity and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection and realized that her smile was one of her best features.  She began the process of playing up her smile and enhancing the other attractive features that she knew she possessed in spite of her weight.
    After all, at its heart, she knew that this was still a competition between her and the other woman. Regardless of what the woman looked like or the confidence she exuded, Lucy was still the woman that Levi had spent the most time with yesterday. He chose to do that; she didn’t force him. She hoped to get most of his time again today.
    She also prayed that she would find out the truth.
    So, when Levi picked her up, just as he said he would, Lucy didn’t waste any time. As they started walking back to the ranch, Lucy said, “So, you will never guess who I ran into last night?”
    Levi looked at her with interest and offered, “Did you see someone from home?”
    Lucy shook her head and replied, “I told you, you would never guess.”
    He smiled at her and chuckled before he answered, “Is that right?”
    She nodded, “Do you remember that woman who came in the carriage yesterday; the one you told me you had sent away?” 
    As Lucy looked pointedly at him, he stepped back, and his complexion paled. “Ummm…” He said, trying to think of the right thing to say.
    However, Lucy didn’t give him the chance, “Listen, Levi, it’s okay. I just want to know the truth. That’s it, nothing more.”
    “I told you the truth yesterday.”
    Lucy didn’t want to hear it, “I understand. If you choose her, then I will leave you both alone. I will go back to New York, and I will never bother you again. In fact, I will wish you well as I go, but I can only do that if I know what is going on.” She glared at him seriously but did not raise her voice, “I don’t like to have my time wasted and I will not tolerate being lied to.”
    He sighed and looked down at the ground. Kicking up the dirt, he mumbled, “I’m sorry, Lucy. Can we talk about this back at the ranch?”
    Lucy thought about this for a moment, before she nodded and answered, “Yes. I will give you that, but know that likely, I won’t stay very much longer after that.”
    He nodded, “I understand.”
    The two of them then walked back to the ranch in silence.
    Lucy did not care to