Read Online Kaitlin's Silver Lining by Ciara Gold - Free Book Online Page A

everyone gnawing on the ham instead. Embarrassment
made his necktie seem tighter. He wasn’t used to women giving him the cold
shoulder, and especially one he’d entertained a special rapport with. She sent
mixed signals he didn’t fully understand.
    “What impression did
you mean to give me, Miss Emma?”
    “Don’t be upset,
Bryce.” She held her hands primly in her lap.
    “I’m not upset. I’m
just a little confused. I thought you’d be happier to see me.” He rubbed his
forehead. “I’m not sure I understand. That’s all.”
    “Of course, I’m happy
you came by. I would have been disappointed to discover you were in town, and
you didn’t stop to see me before heading back to Texas. Friends should stay in
touch.”
    Friends? He fingered
the Stetson again. Maybe she’d misunderstood him the first time, or she was
playing hard-to-get. He hadn’t come all this way not to at least make his real
purpose known. “The fact is...well, it’s like this...Oh, heck, Emma. I was
hoping...”
    “Emma? Who’s your
caller?”
    Bryce swiveled toward
the new voice, bristling at the man who walked up the steps with an arrogant
stride. It didn’t take an educated man to see Emma had herself another beau.
    As the man reached the
porch, Emma slid over, making room on the swing for this newcomer. The gesture
wasn’t lost on Bryce. Whoever the man was, he had staked a prior claim. Bryce
had lost the opportunity to court Emma long before entering the game. The
radiant smile Emma bestowed upon the man clearly identified his opponent as the
winner. Bryce’s ego deflated a bit at the thought.
    “Farley, may I
present Bryce Stanton from Texas. His family owns the Double S in Brownwood.
Bryce, this is my fiancé, Farley Kaufmann.” Emma made the introduction,
ignoring Bryce’s momentary look of surprise.
    Bryce shook the man’s
hand, pretending to find joy in her announcement. Humbled, he realized how
presumptuous he’d been to think Emma would still be free after a two-year
absence. She was a beautiful woman, and it was only natural she’d find herself
a husband among the eligible bachelors who resided close by.
    “You’re a long way
from home, Mr. Stanton.” Farley took the offered seat next to Emma.
    “I had business that
needed tending to.” He gazed at Emma who shifted restlessly on the seat.
    “Have you known my
fiancée long?”
    Bryce smiled, forcing
himself to remain cordial, though he felt quite foolish now. “I’ve known Miss
Hood for the past two years. I couldn’t pass up the chance to say howdy.”
    Farley pulled Emma
closer to him, putting his arm around her shoulders. “Cold?”
    “A little. I didn’t
know I’d be receiving guests for any length of time, or I’d have grabbed a
wrap.” She seemed a little stiff within Farley’s embrace. Curious.
    Bryce pulled his own
tweed jacket closer together. He could take the hint. She wanted him to take
his leave, or she would have invited him inside where conditions were a bit
more cordial. He leaned his weight against the railing, entertaining a devilish
need to make the woman as uncomfortable as she’d made him. It didn’t speak very
highly of him, but then again, a smidgeon of retaliation gave him some
satisfaction. He’d spent a lot of time daydreaming about Emma and marriage.
    “I didn’t mean to
impose. Just payin’ my respects while passing through.” Bryce grinned.
    “I’m glad.” Emma gave
him a gentle smile.
    “So what business
brought you to Denver?” Farley asked.
    “A little of this and
a little of that. I became the guardian for a young girl, and I wanted to bring
her to meet her aunt. Other than that, I’ve just bided my time lookin’ up old
friends and the like.”
    “And how did you meet
my fiancée?”
    The man’s voice
carried an obvious note of jealousy. There was something about Farley that
rubbed Bryce wrong, though he couldn’t put a finger to it. “We stumbled into
each other at the bank.”
    Emma chuckled.