The Widows Choice Read Online Free Page A

thought.  "Goodnight, Misses Kennedy," he said and her head jerked up. 
    She looked to him in surprise, obviously she'd thought he left with Jerrick.  "Goodnight, Mister Preston." Her voice was soft yet at the same time strong.  He could listen to her talk for hours and not want to interrupt.
    Their gazes met and held for a moment before she turned away to the fire again.  Tendrils of hair fell forward blocking most of her face from view and he imagined pushing it back to get a closer look into those vivid hazel eyes.
    The sun was still visible as he made his way back to the bunkhouse.  The entire time the picture of Charlotte's beautiful face forefront on his mind. 
    The bunkhouse loomed and he didn't feel up to going inside just yet.  He walked for a while until coming to a small graveyard.  Three gravestones stuck out from the well-maintained ground.  Merle Kennedy, Hazel Kennedy, and Daniel Kennedy, the youngest of the three.  He figured Daniel was Charlie's dead husband.  He stood for a long moment paying his respects wondering what had brought the man's life to an abrupt end at thirty years old.
    Moments later after checking on his horse, Rafe washed up and headed for his bed.  His gut full and his head occupied with so many questions, he looked forward to the next day, wondering if he'd get the opportunity to speak to Charlie alone.
    "You got that look," Jerrick said in the dark.  "What you up to?"
    Rafe grumbled under his breath.  "Nothing much.  Just thinkin'."
    "You takin' a shine our boss lady already, aren't you?"  Jerrick chuckled.  "She's a beauty."
    "That she is," Rafe said not answering the question.  "Goodnight, Jerrick."
    "I'll take that as a yes."
    Maybe he did find Charlotte Kennedy arresting, but this was definitely not the time to be thinking about such matters.  He needed to concentrate on the future.  Colter Valley felt right.  The lands were plentiful and plush, the townsfolk welcoming, and without much trouble, he and Jerrick were settled with work.
    Within a few weeks, he'd find a place of his own and get his bank in Texas to wire money for the purchase.
    He wasn't a wealthy man, but he had accumulated more than most.  Enough to get a couple hundred acres and livestock.
    The night’s sounds wafted through the open window, and restless, he got up and looked out.
    Lights were still on at the house.

Chapter Four
    ––––––––
    C harlie stood at the kitchen window looking toward the bunkhouse.  The men had gone there right after dinner, Joe following Rafe and Jerrick after they invited him to play cards.  Joe had taken to the two newcomers and they'd fallen into an easygoing rapport of sorts.
    Both Rafe Preston and Jerrick Black were very handsome men.  It still astounded her to find so many good-looking men in one town. It was as if the beauty of the area attracted them. The local McKade men where a striking bunch, all of them with the same devilish green eyes and tall muscular build. 
    Her thoughts returned to the new ranch hands.  They were as different in looks as night and day. Jerrick was blond with light eyes that caught attention.  He had a playful edge to him, as if always holding back from teasing. 
    Rafe was the more serious of the two, seeming to measure his words before speaking.  With black hair and the darkest brown eyes, he made one take notice.  Taller than Jerrick, he shrunk a room when entering. Of the two, she took more notice of Rafe. Whenever his dark eyes met hers, it was as if he could see deep inside.  To the most intimate areas, she'd rather keep to herself.
    "There's too much work to be done for daydreaming," Mary Ellen, Charlie's friend chided her with a soft smile on her lips. "You thinking about our new ranch hands? They are a handsome duo, aren't they?"
    "Honestly, I barely noticed," Charlie lied and avoided looking at her friend who carried a cup of tea to the kitchen table.  The cool breeze blew in through the open windows