Read Online Josie: Bride of New Mexico (American Mail-Order Bride 47) by Kristin Holt - Free Book Online Page B
Book: Josie: Bride of New Mexico (American Mail-Order Bride 47) by Kristin Holt
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Authors: Kristin Holt
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Saga, Western, Short-Story, Religious, Christian, Inspirational, new mexico territory, Bachelor, Marriage of Convenience, Faith, Trust Issues, twin sisters, victorian era, Utah, Forever Love, Single Woman, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, American Mail-Order Bride, Factory Burned, Pioneer, Threats, Opportunity, Two Husbands, Utah Territory, Remain Together, One Couple, Cannon Mining, Bridge Chasm, His Upbringing, Mining Workers, Business Cousins, Twin Siblings, Male Cousins, Forty-Seven In Series
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duty-bound to finish the tale.
“But instead of a yes or no, Mr. Evans asked of young George Cannon, ‘Do tell, Mr. Cannon, what is the purpose of courtship?”
Josie laughed. A sparkling, clear, beautiful sound that pulled a smile from him.
“Why sir, courtship is a time wherein a young man and young woman spend time with one another under the careful watch of mature members of the young lady’s family, to allow the young couple to determine whether they might be suitably matched for matrimony.”
“Oh, no.” More dread and disappointment in Josie’s tone.
“But Grandfather wasn’t done with his response. Before Mr. Evans could tell Grandfather no and send him away grieving, George Cannon looked his would-be father-in-law in the eye and said, ‘Sir, my purpose of courting Miss Lucinda is to allow her to see me. I wish her to see me even while I strive with all diligence to truly see her. I want to see what brings Lucinda joy, what she needs the way flowers need sunlight and water. I would prepare myself in every way so that when I stand before you one year after our courtship begins and ask you for her hand in marriage, you will be eager to say yes the first time.”
Instead of another “oh” or “oh, no” this time Josie’s response was a delighted, satisfied, sigh and a “yes”… and darn if she didn’t lean forward and kiss him.
Just a sweet peck on the lips, over as quickly as it began. But Josie, his sweet wife, had kissed him of her own volition. She’d chosen to kiss him, not simply allowed him to kiss her.
And it was a beautiful, welcome, and special moment he wanted to hold close and treasure.
“I see,” she said softly, as if confiding a secret, “that your grandparents may have had a special courtship. One of those prime examples others hold up for young men and young ladies to see how courtship should be.”
Adam wanted to lean in and kiss his wife more than he’d wanted anything in a long time.
“But that story is not about a great love for the ages.”
“I’m getting to that part.”
“Well hurry up. I may grow old waiting for the tale to resolve itself with a happily ever-after.”
He couldn’t help but smile and want to kiss her.
It may have been selfish, but the tender cocoon that brought the two of them together in a sweet intimacy where the world could not intrude was too precious, too wonderful to allow to pass by. Very slowly, to show her precisely what his intentions were, and to allow her ample time to turn her cheek to his kiss or to say no in any one of many ways, he rose to his elbow— unfortunately pulling his hand from her hip— and still holding her hand, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
He had zero reason to rush. This seemed almost like the beauty of a first kiss. But without the minister watching, without an audience of any kind, he had the luxury of savoring the softness of her lips, the gasp of sweet surprise as his mouth touched hers.
With willful slowness, he dragged his lips over hers, the friction a sending a rush of electric sensation through him. He pulled her lip with gentle suction between his own, marveling at the rush of affection that cascaded through the general vicinity of his heart.
But she seemed to mimic him, now applying a bit of suction to his lower lip and he very nearly lost his heart to her.
Oh, Josie. My wife .
She clung to his hand, but also touched his jaw. She’d reached for him with her free hand and her kisses matched his. Warm and vibrant and filled with the kind of emotion that must mean something. Kisses like these could not be void of affection.
Why had he suspected it might be work to fall in love with his wife? Why ?
She caressed his jawline, then as he remained propped on an elbow, she slipped her arm about his neck, and just as she’d done much earlier that day, tugged him in for a kiss.
If he hadn’t already been kissing her, savoring every magical second, he’d have known precisely what she
“But instead of a yes or no, Mr. Evans asked of young George Cannon, ‘Do tell, Mr. Cannon, what is the purpose of courtship?”
Josie laughed. A sparkling, clear, beautiful sound that pulled a smile from him.
“Why sir, courtship is a time wherein a young man and young woman spend time with one another under the careful watch of mature members of the young lady’s family, to allow the young couple to determine whether they might be suitably matched for matrimony.”
“Oh, no.” More dread and disappointment in Josie’s tone.
“But Grandfather wasn’t done with his response. Before Mr. Evans could tell Grandfather no and send him away grieving, George Cannon looked his would-be father-in-law in the eye and said, ‘Sir, my purpose of courting Miss Lucinda is to allow her to see me. I wish her to see me even while I strive with all diligence to truly see her. I want to see what brings Lucinda joy, what she needs the way flowers need sunlight and water. I would prepare myself in every way so that when I stand before you one year after our courtship begins and ask you for her hand in marriage, you will be eager to say yes the first time.”
Instead of another “oh” or “oh, no” this time Josie’s response was a delighted, satisfied, sigh and a “yes”… and darn if she didn’t lean forward and kiss him.
Just a sweet peck on the lips, over as quickly as it began. But Josie, his sweet wife, had kissed him of her own volition. She’d chosen to kiss him, not simply allowed him to kiss her.
And it was a beautiful, welcome, and special moment he wanted to hold close and treasure.
“I see,” she said softly, as if confiding a secret, “that your grandparents may have had a special courtship. One of those prime examples others hold up for young men and young ladies to see how courtship should be.”
Adam wanted to lean in and kiss his wife more than he’d wanted anything in a long time.
“But that story is not about a great love for the ages.”
“I’m getting to that part.”
“Well hurry up. I may grow old waiting for the tale to resolve itself with a happily ever-after.”
He couldn’t help but smile and want to kiss her.
It may have been selfish, but the tender cocoon that brought the two of them together in a sweet intimacy where the world could not intrude was too precious, too wonderful to allow to pass by. Very slowly, to show her precisely what his intentions were, and to allow her ample time to turn her cheek to his kiss or to say no in any one of many ways, he rose to his elbow— unfortunately pulling his hand from her hip— and still holding her hand, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
He had zero reason to rush. This seemed almost like the beauty of a first kiss. But without the minister watching, without an audience of any kind, he had the luxury of savoring the softness of her lips, the gasp of sweet surprise as his mouth touched hers.
With willful slowness, he dragged his lips over hers, the friction a sending a rush of electric sensation through him. He pulled her lip with gentle suction between his own, marveling at the rush of affection that cascaded through the general vicinity of his heart.
But she seemed to mimic him, now applying a bit of suction to his lower lip and he very nearly lost his heart to her.
Oh, Josie. My wife .
She clung to his hand, but also touched his jaw. She’d reached for him with her free hand and her kisses matched his. Warm and vibrant and filled with the kind of emotion that must mean something. Kisses like these could not be void of affection.
Why had he suspected it might be work to fall in love with his wife? Why ?
She caressed his jawline, then as he remained propped on an elbow, she slipped her arm about his neck, and just as she’d done much earlier that day, tugged him in for a kiss.
If he hadn’t already been kissing her, savoring every magical second, he’d have known precisely what she
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