Read Online Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) by Susan Horsnell - Free Book Online
Book: Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) by Susan Horsnell
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Authors: Susan Horsnell
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Saga, Family Life, tragedy, Western, Short-Story, Religious, Christian, Inspirational, Bachelor, South Dakota, ranch, Marriage of Convenience, Faith, Decision, victorian era, Forever Love, Single Woman, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, American Mail-Order Bride, Factory Burned, Pioneer, Forty In Series, Political Ally, Grandfather Age
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This was the man who was to become her husband and wow, what a man! He was tall, really tall. His blonde hair showed signs of being bleached by long hours in the sun. His skin was golden brown, his lips full and definitely kissable. But, his eyes were what snared her attention. They were the brightest blue she had ever seen, bluer than the sky on a bright summer’s day.
Her eyes continued their perusal. His coat was unbuttoned, his shirt pulled taut against his broad chest. A belt with a large buckle cinched the jeans at his narrow waist. His legs were long but judging by how tight his pants hugged his thighs, they were also muscular. She sighed loudly. The man was more handsome than she’d dreamed despite the scar on his face. She swallowed hard and tentatively stepped towards him.
“Mr. Franklin, I’m Cora” Her voice was husky with nerves and she offered a shaky, gloved hand.
“But, the porter called you, Miss Brown.” John was confused, he ignored Cora’s hand and his beautiful blue eyes narrowed. “I assume you have an explanation. I can’t abide liars.”
The tone of his voice was more serious than angry but it still caused Cora to tremble and step back a pace. What if he didn’t understand and sent her back?
“Mr. Franklin, I promise I can explain if you give me a chance. Is there somewhere we can go and talk?”
John heard the pleading note in her voice and his annoyance settled. “Very well.” She was so beautiful it took his breath away. He couldn’t stay mad. He spun around and spoke to another man standing nearby. “Sam, can you get Miss Ancelet’s luggage to the wagon? I’ll take her to Lilly’s for tea so we can talk.”
“Sure thing, John. Henry, Frank and me will grab a drink at the saloon while we’re waiting.” Sam ambled away with the two other men.
John placed his arm on Cora’s elbow to escort her away. A jolt so powerful caused stars to dance in front of her eyes, she became breathless and stumbled. His arm whipped around her waist to steady her and he gazed into her eyes questioningly. Had he felt it too?
“Sorry,” she murmured. “I felt a little light headed. I must have been affected by the long journey.”
“No need to apologize.” His deep voice caressed her. “Maybe you need something to eat.”
They left the station arm in arm.
***
John had been watching carefully as the train drew to a stop. This is it. My wife is on this train. He scanned the carriage doors as they opened and passengers alighted. When a beautiful girl appeared in a doorway and hesitated, his heart skipped a beat. Was this her? The way she had described herself didn’t fit but he sure wished it was her. Cora had told him she was plain with dull brown hair. This gal was anything but plain and her hair shone in the morning sun. He couldn’t drag his eyes from her.
Her eyes were as grey as a stormy, winter sky. Her skin was ivory white, unprotected by a stylish but useless bonnet perched atop her head. Her hair was drawn up revealing her milky white neck. Could this vision be her? He noted she was searching for someone. Could he be so lucky? He stepped towards her. His heart hit his boot straps and he stopped when the porter addressed her as Miss Rose Brown.
He tore his eyes from her as she stepped onto the platform and continued his scanning. He was startled when a few moments later a voice with a musical lilt spoke his name.
He spun around and there she was. His spirits soared until he remembered she was either travelling under a false name or had given him a false name in her letters. Why? Annoyance settled over him. He hated liars. She assured him her real name was Cora and asked for a chance to explain. He felt he at least owed her that after she had travelled so far.
He would escort her to Lily’s for tea and if her explanation sufficed, he would take her to the hotel. If not, she would be on the first train
Her eyes continued their perusal. His coat was unbuttoned, his shirt pulled taut against his broad chest. A belt with a large buckle cinched the jeans at his narrow waist. His legs were long but judging by how tight his pants hugged his thighs, they were also muscular. She sighed loudly. The man was more handsome than she’d dreamed despite the scar on his face. She swallowed hard and tentatively stepped towards him.
“Mr. Franklin, I’m Cora” Her voice was husky with nerves and she offered a shaky, gloved hand.
“But, the porter called you, Miss Brown.” John was confused, he ignored Cora’s hand and his beautiful blue eyes narrowed. “I assume you have an explanation. I can’t abide liars.”
The tone of his voice was more serious than angry but it still caused Cora to tremble and step back a pace. What if he didn’t understand and sent her back?
“Mr. Franklin, I promise I can explain if you give me a chance. Is there somewhere we can go and talk?”
John heard the pleading note in her voice and his annoyance settled. “Very well.” She was so beautiful it took his breath away. He couldn’t stay mad. He spun around and spoke to another man standing nearby. “Sam, can you get Miss Ancelet’s luggage to the wagon? I’ll take her to Lilly’s for tea so we can talk.”
“Sure thing, John. Henry, Frank and me will grab a drink at the saloon while we’re waiting.” Sam ambled away with the two other men.
John placed his arm on Cora’s elbow to escort her away. A jolt so powerful caused stars to dance in front of her eyes, she became breathless and stumbled. His arm whipped around her waist to steady her and he gazed into her eyes questioningly. Had he felt it too?
“Sorry,” she murmured. “I felt a little light headed. I must have been affected by the long journey.”
“No need to apologize.” His deep voice caressed her. “Maybe you need something to eat.”
They left the station arm in arm.
***
John had been watching carefully as the train drew to a stop. This is it. My wife is on this train. He scanned the carriage doors as they opened and passengers alighted. When a beautiful girl appeared in a doorway and hesitated, his heart skipped a beat. Was this her? The way she had described herself didn’t fit but he sure wished it was her. Cora had told him she was plain with dull brown hair. This gal was anything but plain and her hair shone in the morning sun. He couldn’t drag his eyes from her.
Her eyes were as grey as a stormy, winter sky. Her skin was ivory white, unprotected by a stylish but useless bonnet perched atop her head. Her hair was drawn up revealing her milky white neck. Could this vision be her? He noted she was searching for someone. Could he be so lucky? He stepped towards her. His heart hit his boot straps and he stopped when the porter addressed her as Miss Rose Brown.
He tore his eyes from her as she stepped onto the platform and continued his scanning. He was startled when a few moments later a voice with a musical lilt spoke his name.
He spun around and there she was. His spirits soared until he remembered she was either travelling under a false name or had given him a false name in her letters. Why? Annoyance settled over him. He hated liars. She assured him her real name was Cora and asked for a chance to explain. He felt he at least owed her that after she had travelled so far.
He would escort her to Lily’s for tea and if her explanation sufficed, he would take her to the hotel. If not, she would be on the first train
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