Yellow Rose Bride Read Online Free Page A

thanks,” P.K. said as Alma set the tray on the corner of the desk.
    â€œThen you would like one of the nice cinnamon rolls I just took out of the oven, sí? ”
    Adam smiled. “Just coffee, Alma.”
    She bent to pat his lean cheek. “You should eat. You will need all your strength to make many niños for your father, no?” Picking up the silver pot, she smiled at P.K. “Señor Baldwin?”
    P.K. toasted her with his glass. “I’m drinking my pain tonic.”
    She sent a cautious look at him before shuffling out on slippered feet.
    When the door closed behind her, P.K. pushed himself up and stepped to the window. Tugging the curtain aside, he focused on the rain rolling off the roof of the hacienda and splashing onto the rock veranda.
    Adam bent over another report, but he didn’t see it. He heard the rain drumming on the roof, but his mind had returned to that hot summer day seven years earlier.
    â€œAdam, this is crazy!” Vonnie giggled as they raced through the small grove of trees, hand in hand. The orange sky was in the midst of another spectacular sunset.
    Flinging his arms wide, Adam let out a joyous whoop, causing her to break into laughter. She tried to clamp her hand over his mouth, but their feet tangled and they toppled to the ground, laughing. Between short, raspy breaths, they hugged each other so tightly he thought their ribs would crack.
    He could hardly believe it! He’d convinced Vonnie to marry him!
    Sitting up, he looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you, Vonnie Taylor.”
    He could see in her eyes that she believed him, to the very depths of her soul.
    â€œYou know we’re going to be in trouble when they find out.”
    â€œTrouble” wouldn’t cover it. His father would horse-whip him. “They can tie me to the stake and burn me alive,” he vowed. “We’re going to do it.”
    â€œBut how do we even know the judge will travel this road—”
    His hand covered her mouth, stifling her protests.
    â€œI overheard the men talking at the feed store, yesterday,” he whispered. “They said a judge from Lubbock was coming through here today. All we have to do is watch for him, Vonnie. He’ll ride through here.”
    â€œBut it’s late…”
    â€œCome on.” He pulled her to her feet.
    It was nearly dark when a dust-covered Jenny Lind buggy, with patched roof and floral curtains for privacy, rolled down the road. Vonnie and Adam studied it and the lanky driver from the shadows.
    â€œDo you think it’s him?”
    â€œIt’s got to be.”
    The tall, thin man in the dusty black frock coat and stovepipe hat gingerly stepped down from the buggy and gathered some pieces of wood. In a few minutes he had a campfire going and a skillet on the fire, into which he forked thick slices of bacon.
    Adam and Vonnie approached the campsite. “Judge?”
    Startled, the man frowned up at them.
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    Drawing a deep breath, Adam cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt your supper, sir, but me and my lady here…we want to get married.”
    Straightening, the man studied a trembling Vonnie. “Married?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Adam was holding her hand so tightly she protested with a soft whimper.
    The old man’s pale eyes swept Vonnie. “You got your folks’ permission?”
    â€œDon’t need it, sir. We’re old enough to make up our own minds.”
    The man’s eyes centered on him.
    â€œYou are the judge, aren’t you? We heard you were coming.”
    The man nodded slowly, his attention drifting back to Vonnie.
    â€œYou can marry us?”
    â€œIf you got a dollar for the license—”
    â€œI got a dollar,” Adam said, digging into his pocket and producing a silver coin.
    The coin Adam dropped into the judge’s narrow hand disappeared into the pocket of the shiny suit