Mistletoe Courtship Read Online Free Page A

needs a family more than anything.”
    Virginia nodded. “You’ve been good to Danny since he started living with you. I’m sure you’ll do fine with Patricia, too.”
    Her approval felt like a blessing poured over him. It made him relax inside.
    â€œI’d do better with a wife,” he said without thinking. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that. What was wrong with him? Now of all times, he couldn’t afford to forget everything he knew about women.
    Virginia blinked. “What?”
    The men from the saloon had started to walk to the door, but they all stopped in midstride to look back at him.
    â€œThere comes a time to get married.” Now that Colter had started, he decided it was worse to back down than to go forward. It probably didn’t matter how he said things anyway. He hadn’t had much hope even before he left here that Virginia would agree to marry him; he’d half expected her to be someone else’s wife by the time he got back. Besides, he’d been a different man when he kissed her. A man with children had to think more about marriage than a man alone.
    â€œDo you have—” Virginia started.
    By now the men were all gathered around again as though this was even more entertaining than a blaze threatening to burn down the town. He supposed it was.
    Colter tried to ignore his audience. “Every man has dreams.”
    He looked directly into Virginia’s eyes, willing her to understand what was in his heart. Maybe if he hadn’t been staring at her so intently he would have noticed his daughter’s reaction earlier.
    Patricia had walked into the middle of the circle of men and then glanced at Colter in triumph. “He means my mother.”
    It took a moment for the words to make it to Colter’s brain. “What?”
    Where had Patricia gotten that idea, he wondered?
    â€œMy mama’s his dream. He’s pined away for her for years and years. She told me she’s going to come and marry himsomeday.” Patricia jerked her thumb at Colter. “That’s why I’m with him. We’re just waiting until she comes.”
    It must have been the letter Rose left for her, Colter thought in dismay. Trust Rose to saddle him with the explanations. He’d tracked the woman down to San Francisco just to talk to her so he knew she had no intention of marrying any man. Not even her Rusty.
    No one spoke for a moment. And then Petey burst forth. “You mean you aren’t marrying our Virginia here?”
    Everyone’s eyes turned to Virginia.
    â€œI—No—” Virginia sputtered. “Of course, he needs to marry the girl’s mother. They have a child together. Besides, I have plans. And there’s Lester—I—”
    Colter wished he could set everyone down and explain. But before he did, he asked, “What’s this about Lester?”
    â€œOh, you know women,” Petey said with a marked lack of enthusiasm. “If there’s one bad apple in the barrel—”
    â€œLester is not a bad apple. Just because Lester is a sensitive musician—”
    Petey snorted. “That’s why I’m hoping you get that job in Denver. Maybe some time away from Lester will do you good.”
    â€œVirginia’s going to get a job at some fancy school in Denver.” Petey turned to Colter and informed him. “Teaching music.”
    â€œSo she’s not getting married?” If he’d known Virginia was going to take up with Lester, he wouldn’t have left her here. Now if it was a banker or a shopkeeper, he’d wish her well. Maybe even a railroad man if any of them ever got here. But Lester? There was something he didn’t trust about that man. And it had nothing to do with music.
    â€œA woman can have a job even when she’s married,” Virginia replied tartly. “Besides, who I marry is my own business.”
    Colter’s heart sank. She