Read Online Harlequin Historical November 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 by Lynna Banning - Free Book Online Page B

began to pack her valise.
    * * *
    The train from the East was late, held up in Colorado by an avalanche across the tracks, Charlie, the stationmaster, explained. Zane hoped Winifred had a warm winter coat and gloves or a muff to protect her hands. He paced back and forth on the platform, then went inside for hot coffee and the latest news, then began pacing again.
    He guessed he was nervous. He hadn’t been this nervous when Winifred had first arrived in Smoke River last August, but he hadn’t known her then. He shouldn’t be nervous now, but there it was; his heartbeat wouldn’t calm down and his palms were damp.
    When at last the arriving locomotive sounded a warning whistle, Zane stepped forward. The train chuffed to a stop amid a cloud of white steam and sat huffing on the track while the passengers debarked. He held his breath until he saw her, swathed in a long black coat and wearing a black fur hat. She looked so beautiful his chest ached.
    â€œWinifred!”
    She spotted him and waved one hand. They fought their way toward each other through a throng of people, and by the time they were within shouting distance both spoke at once. Steam puffed out of their mouths.
    He stopped a scant foot in front of her and started to laugh. “We look like smoke-eaters,” he said.
    â€œOr polar bears. Oh, Zane, I’m so glad to see you!”
    He said nothing, just stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her. She spoke, but her voice was muffled against his overcoat. Then she raised her face and smiled at him.
    â€œI am dizzy with the altitude again. But this time my corset is not so tight because I do hate your smelling salts!”
    â€œGood,” was all he could say.
    She rubbed her gloved hands together. “Out here in the West you have weather that is too hot and weather that is too cold. Is there nothing in between?”
    â€œYes, we have fall. But you went away before that. And spring is nice. Just right for swimming.”
    She laughed. “You mean you don’t swim now, in the ice and snow?”
    â€œOnly if I’ve had too much hard cider.” In one hand he hoisted her valise—larger this time—and grasped her elbow with the other, steering her toward the waiting buggy.
    When they arrived at the house Zane walked her to the front door, then drove the buggy around back to the barn. Sam met her with Rosemarie in his arms.
    â€œWelcome back, missy.” He held the baby out to her.
    Her heart stuttered as she gathered her niece in her arms.
    â€œOh, you’ve grown so big! And teeth! Let me look—why, you have three, no, four front teeth.”
    â€œAnother come soon,” Sam announced with a dimpled grin. “Much smart baby. Chew on toes.”
    Winifred buried her nose in the child’s soft neck and breathed in the sweet scent of her skin. “Now that I am here, little one, you can chew on my fingers. Would you like that, my darling girl? Would you?”
    â€œOf course she would,” a masculine voice said. “She even likes
my
fingers, which must taste of alcohol or iodine.”
    Sam whisked her valise upstairs and Zane helped her out of the heavy winter coat, laid it over the banister and turned to her. “Are you hungry? Or thirsty?”
    â€œBoth,” she said.
    â€œA sandwich? Or some hot soup? There’s leftover tomato soup from dinner and some cold chicken.” He shucked his own coat while he spoke and laid it over hers.
    â€œBoth,” she said again. “Oh, it is so good to be here!”
    He lifted Rosemarie out of her arms and propped her against his shoulder. “Where did you get that hat, if I may ask?” He reached out and ruffled the dark fur.
    â€œFrom a fancy store in downtown St. Louis. Do you like it?” She took it off and offered it to him.
    â€œMakes you look like a Russian Cossack.”
    â€œ
Da
.” She gave him a mock salute.
    He laughed. “March,” he