Read Online Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire - Free Book Online Page B

understanding that you wanted a wife in name only. Isn’t that what you advertised for? It’s certainly what I agreed to.” she said, bluntly.
    “What? Well, I thought—.” Frustrated, he shook his head and turned away. “I’m going for a walk. I’ll be back.”
    Boone walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, and took something out of it before leaving the house, closing the door quietly behind him.
    Boone walked purposefully toward his barn. Once inside he sat on his workbench and opened the letters from Elizabeth Miller and Gabrielle that he’d brought outside with him. He read over them carefully.
    Wisely, he’d chosen to save his notes from the letter he’d sent to Miss Miller and Gabrielle. He read over his choice of words. What was he thinking? At the time it seemed that it’d be so easy to have a woman in his home, to live together in peace as partners, or even as brother and sister would do.
    But Gabrielle! He chuckled, realizing he’d finally remembered her name. She was unaware of how beautiful she was. He’d been stealing glances at her while she worked. Tall and beautiful, she moved gracefully and with purpose. He never expected his mail-order bride to be so beautiful. He was a man, after all. How could he not be drawn to her pale skin which contrasted so strikingly with her dark brown hair? When the sun shone on it at certain angles, he could see auburn in it. And those eyes! Each time he looked into them, it was hard to look away.
    He reread the letters and sighed loudly. He was a man of his word. He’d proven himself as such, both as a businessman and in all of his personal dealings.
    He’d need all the resolve a man could muster.  He knew right away that he’d not be strong enough in and of himself to follow the ridiculous stipulations they’d both agreed to. He sat quietly and then bowed his head.
     
    *******
    Boone came noisily into the house, so as not to startle her. Her bedroom door was closed, so he knocked gently. When she invited him in, he found her sitting on the bed, writing some sort of letter.
    He wondered if she was writing Elizabeth Miller, asking her for a way to get out of the marriage. Surely not. They were getting along, weren’t they? At least until he’d tried to touch her.
    He liked the way she looked sitting atop the bed. He looked away briefly, before asking, “Gabrielle? Would you please come out here and sit with me? Let’s talk about what happened.”
    The sound of her name on his lips brought a smile to her face. She set her items down as she stood up and moved out of the room. “Well, okay, but I’m sitting over there.” She pointed to a straight-backed chair, and sat down. The only other place to sit was the sofa, so Boone walked over and made himself comfortable.
    She looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to start the conversation.
    He leaned forward on the sofa, his knees spread apart slightly, and rested his forearms on his thighs, interlocking his fingers.
    “I want to apologize to you. I don’t want to blame my concussion, but I’ll admit I guess I sort of forgot about the details of our agreement. I went out there and reread the letters, the one you sent to Elizabeth Miller and the one she sent to me.  I’m willing to stand by what we both agreed to, but I need to ask you a question.”
    He thought she looked relieved. “Thank you. I accept your apology. After all, you’ve been through a lot and you haven’t really done anything wrong,” she said compassionately. “So, what’s your question?”
    “Well, you’ve been here several days now, enough I think, to realize how you feel about our situation. I want to give you a chance to change your mind.” He stopped talking. Boone cocked his head to one side and raised his eyebrows, waiting for her answer.
    Gabrielle seemed flustered. “Change my mind? Does this mean you’re not happy with me? Have I not pleased you with all I’ve been doing? I’ve been working my fingers to the