Page 40 of Colorado Bride
“Brush me off would you please?”
He brushed the loose bits of hay from the back of her dress and hair.
“Am I presentable?You know if there is one piece of hay your mother will notice it.”
“I know.Have I thanked you for putting up with her?”
She turned and faced him.
“You don’t have to thank me.She’s your mother.It’s only right that I do my best to deal with her.Though, I admit, she pushes the boundary of what I can accept.One of these days she’ll say something and I’ll slap her.”
She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
“I’m sorry that’s a terrible thing to say, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to help myself.”
“I understand,” he said in a serious tone.“And I’ll be waiting for the day she tells me you tried to kill her because you slapped her.”
“Now you’ve got it.But I will continue to maintain my temper as best I can.Sally was right.I do have a lot of patience.I had to have in order to deal with the children and their parents, when I was a governess.Even so, I’m not sure I have enough to deal with your mother.She truly does vex me.”
They hooked arms and walked back to the house.
“In your last governess position, you were fired, correct?”
“Yes.”
“I inherited my family ranch.I don’t know what happens when one is fired.What comes next?”
“That depends on the circumstances.In this instance, I was the one who was wronged and I let her know it when she didn’t want to pay me for the last month I was there.I told her if she did not, she’d never get another governess because I would tell everyone I knew exactly what happened.She paid me for my silence.From there I went to my friend Sally Wyatt’s to stay until I could find another job.She convinced me that I should become your mail-order bride.She said I was the perfect wife for you.Had all the attributes you wanted.”
“She was right.You do and you are.”
“I’m glad you think so.Thank you for today.All of today.Are we really going to Maggie’s for dinner tomorrow?”
He smiled.
“Yes, we really are.”
“I’ll have to make sure my dresses are pressed.”
“Why don’t you just press the one you are planning on wearing?”
“What if I change my mind or the weather changes?”
He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
“Whatever.Let’s get you back to the house.”
“You don’t have to walk me.I know the way.”
“I like walking with you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.I do.”
She leaned into him, happiness flooding her along with a fear.She was starting to fall in love with her husband, but what if he didn’t feel the same way?Could she handle living in a loveless marriage.But was it really loveless?They certainly made love often enough.Would physical attraction be enough to sustain them?
“Ben?”
