Valentine's Rose Read Online Free Page B

to come to you, to any of you. But part of my job entails seeing that you are matched up, and I intend to do that in an efficient and expedient manner.”
    And going about it in the wrong way. Being diplomatic, Rose didn’t say that. She understood the situation. He needed them to get something he wanted. They needed him to get what they wanted. A deal could be struck. “It wouldn’t take long to pick out our husbands, once we meet the fellows.”
    His black brows gathered in a frown more thoughtful than angry. “There are over a hundred men signed up for brides. The fairest way to match you up is to draw names.”
    “That’s the quickest way, to be sure, but it’s not fair to us .”
    He reached up and rubbed his fingers on his forehead. His wasn’t the only head aching. Plus, her feet hurt. “What do you suggest?” he asked wearily.
    Susannah opened her mouth.
    He responded by placing his forefinger over her lips. “Don’t ask me to arrange a social.”
    She drew back, startled.
    He’d done that to fluster her, or to get her to shut up. Maybe both. Frustration didn’t give him license to embarrass her. But he didn’t act a bit regretful, nor did he offer an apology.
    “Your suggestion, Miss Muldoon,” he prompted.
    Her suggestion? First she had to come up with one. “The men on that list, why not let them come by here and call on us, one at a time, and we can do our own choosing. That would be proper...and it’s not a social.”
    “Interviewing candidates individually could take weeks.” Disappointment clouded his features. He’d expected her to come up with a better answer. That was the best she could do, and it met his requirements. Mostly.
    “But the coves would all get their chance, and we’d end up married, like you want.”
    He shook his head. “I can’t wait that long.”
    “ You can’t wait? This isn’t about you—” Susannah stepped back with a look of alarm when the railroad agent raised his finger. Her rosy skin turned five shades of red. She braced her hands on her hips, glaring at him. “Miss Muldoon has a good idea, and I’m sure the others will agree. We’ll meet with the men here, one at a time—or not at all.”
    Rose sucked in a sharp breath. Oh, Susannah. No... Now was not a good time to teach this man a lesson about not being in charge.
    “Very well,” he said in a calm voice that sent a shiver down her spine. “Return tickets can be arranged.”
    He would send them back?
    Rose shook her head. Her tired eyes began to sting. She couldn’t return to Five Points. There was nothing to return to, save crushing poverty, unbearable memories and a bleak future. So many good men had died in the war, those who’d returned were either married, too damaged to consider, or uninterested in wedding a “giantess.” Immigrating west had been her best chance at a decent life...maybe her only chance.
    Casting her pride aside, she grabbed Mr. Hardt’s arm before he could walk away and seal her doom. “You want us to be married quick? Fine then, I’ll marry the first man who’ll take me. Even if he’s the next one who walks through that door.”

Chapter 3
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    T he saloon turned out to be mostly empty. O’Shea stood behind the bar, wiping down the polished surface with loving care. The ornate piece of furniture carved from mahogany and featuring a brass foot rail looked out of place on the sawdust floor, surrounded by barrels repurposed as tables. But it represented a dream, something Val understood even if he’d lost his.
    O’Shea glanced up as Val came in. “Back already?”
    “Only long enough to sell this land.” Val removed the deed from his pocket. “Know of anyone who might be interested?”
    An amused look flickered across O’Shea’s face. “You ought to be aware of something before you try to sell that piece of paper. All the land ‘round here belongs to the railroad. That’ll include what you won.”
    Val looked at the deed,