ROMANCE: MAIL ORDER BRIDE: The Other Man’s Baby (A Clean Christian Historical Western) (New Adult Inspirational Pregnancy Romance) Read Online Free

months of waiting for another man’s offspring to be born? How long could he rein himself in when his wife was sleeping beside him? He must have been loco to have listened to Lizzie and allow himself to feel sorry for a girl who, however unfortunate her situation, was not the wife he had expected.
    Jack rolled over on his side, facing away from Etta and the temptation that would only cause them both suffering because it could not be satisfied.
     

 
    Chapter Five
As he had expected, the snow had taken the lives of more cattle. He met Big Jim at the corral early the following morning and gave him the news.
    “At this rate, there won’t be a herd left. It’s the same for every cattle rancher; this winter will make us all bankrupt. There’s not a damn thing we can do about it except hope that we outlast the winter. You know, Jack, I never thought I’d want to live anywhere but Texas but between the droughts, the stampedes and now this, I sure don’t know why.”
    “Texas tells a man whether he measures up,” Jack said. “I reckon that we all feel that if we can make our living out here with nothing but grit, we can hold our heads up high.”
    “Maybe. Maybe we’re fools.”
    Jack inclined his head in acknowledgment. “But we could be fools anywhere. This way, living in Texas, we’ve made the choice of where our foolishness will be.”
    Big Jim laughed. “Reckon that’s so, too. Can’t say it’s much comfort to me, but I can’t argue it. Say, how’s that wife of yours? Is she settling in all right?”
    “Fine. She said Oklahoma is having the same winter we are.”
    “You must have gone to a fortune teller, knowing to fix up the cabin before this winter. Most years wouldn’t have made a lot of difference, but this one does.”
    “Yep. That new roof makes it pretty snug inside. Not having to go outside for the privy is a lot less miserable now, too. It’s not fancy, but having it connected to the house is easier. I think, if it’s all right with you, that next fall I’ll build a passageway to the storehouse so that it’s easier to get to and has shelter.”
    “Do what you want. That little wife of yours is pretty as a picture but she looks as if a twister would blow her away.”
    “A twister would blow most of us away, Jim. I hope that after this winter, we don’t have a wild spring and summer. I’d like weather to settle down and get the madness over with.” Jack didn’t want to get entangled in a personal conversation about Etta and his ploy worked, bringing Big Jim back to the subject of the winter that was devastating the ranches and their cattle.
    Just a few days ago, his life had seemed like it was heading out on a road he knew. He’d get married and settle down to a family; he’d save up his money so that he could buy a herd and a ranch. Now, nothing was certain. His wife was bearing the child of another man, but she wouldn’t tell him what had happened and in the meantime, he and Etta were sleeping in a bed as if they were lodgers sharing a hotel room. The drought summer and the snow-killing winter made ranching look like a mighty risky venture for someone who wanted to make his own way in the world in the business.
    He didn’t feel much like talking that night at supper. Etta served the food that Lizzie had sent with them after the wedding and he ate without tasting what was on his plate. Several times, she attempted to start a conversation but his answers were short and after a time, she stopped trying. The house which had been so cozy last night when they were singing songs felt as if the outside cold had permeated the walls.
    “I’m tired,” he said, pushing away his plate. “Reckon I’ll turn in early.”
    “Good night,” she said softly as he left the table.
    It was no lie that he was tired; the hard winter cold seemed to settle into his bones, making him feel as if he’d worked a week in one day. Cattle ranching wasn’t meant to be an easy life but there had never been