Shane's Bride (Mail Order Brides of Texas #3) Read Online Free

milk, eggs, and cheese she conceded were needed now, but she’d be able to handle making butter, bread, and cheese soon enough.  The milk and eggs would come, too, as soon as they got some livestock.  Store-bought soap and candles had her shaking her head again.  He needed a wife to do for him.  A wife who wouldn’t have been taken advantage of by the shopkeeper.
    She left the rest and sat down.  What was she thinking? She could never be a wife, ever.  Having grown up on a farm, she knew how to make most of what he’d bought, but it wasn’t up to her to tell him what to do.  It would serve her well to remember that before she forgot and started liking him or something.  She was just the housekeeper.  The excitement of unpacking the boxes dimmed.  She’d mention to him that she could make a lot of what he bought.  But that was it.  It wasn’t her home, it wasn’t her household, it wasn’t her money he’d just spent.
    Traveling to Texas to be a bride had unnerved her.  The move had been bold on her part, and she had ended up fretting the whole trip wondering if she’d made a mistake.  Never in any of her ideas of what could go wrong did being given to an Indian come to mind.  Even while she’d worried, she’d hoped and prayed for the best.  She could go home, she supposed, but the war had decimated the farm, and her parents had told her they were relieved not to have to worry about feeding and clothing her.  That was her husband’s duty. 
    Sighing she stood and continued putting the purchases away.  She would never have a husband or children.  Reality was harsh and she intended to face it head on.  The metallic sound of a key in the door lock sent her heart racing.  She took a deep breath.  Shane.  It had to be Shane since he was using a key.  She made her way cautiously toward the sound.  Was she supposed to greet Shane or stay in the kitchen? The door swung open and Edith walked in.  Surprise and dismay washed over Cecily. 
    “You have a key?”
    “You bet your buttons I do.  I’ve been watching over the Asher house since it was built.  Nice, isn’t it?” Edith walked by her and into the kitchen, leaving Cecily standing near the door with her mouth hanging open. 
    Cecily quickly gathered her wits and followed.
    “Do you come here often? I mean since Shane bought it?”
    Edith gave her a long sharp look.  “You mean Sheriff O’Conner? You do work for him, right? Or was I misled about your relationship? Your reputation doesn’t matter, but I am concerned about the sheriff’s.  His name must stand for integrity and honor, and quite frankly, I don’t see him retaining those qualities with you here.”
    Cecily’s gut tightened.  “I suppose you’re right.”
    “Or maybe the good people of Asherville will think kindly toward him for helping Cecily out,” a lovely lady said as she walked into the house.  “This place is nice.  I wondered what it looked like inside.” The blond woman moved from room to room.  “I’m Addy, and you must be Cecily.” She smiled.  “I thought I’d get a chance to meet you at Shannon’s place, but I heard you’d moved in with Edith.  I have to say I’m glad you’re here.  Shane works so hard, he needs a hot meal when he comes home.”
    Cecily stared at the other woman, envying her confidence.  “Please sit down.  Can I get you something? Coffee or water?”
    “No, thank you, though.  I came to town to get a few things at the mercantile.  Shane told me Edith was here.  How are you, Edith?” Addy sat and sighed.  “Some days I get so tired.”
    “I’m well enough, Addy.  You really shouldn’t be traveling in your condition,” Edith scolded with a smile.
    Addy lay her hands on her burgeoning stomach.  “I know.  I’m going stir crazy.  Keegan has some matters to work out with the banker so Peg and I came along.” She shifted her gaze to Cecily.  “Peg is my little one.”
    Edith stared at Addy.  “Did you