Read Online Laurel: Bride of Arkansas (American Mail-Order Bride 25) by Carra Copelin - Free Book Online Page A

countertop. After emptying the contents, he said, “At the risk of raising your hackles again, what business is your father in?”
    While she truly enjoyed a good verbal sparring session, and Griffin seemed to be an equal partner, she chose to back down for now. “He owns and runs Weidner Car Supplies .”
    “You mean the millionaire trolley car owner?”
    “No, as far as I know, we’re not related, although father insists they’re cousins somewhere along the way. Father’s company makes and sells parts for trolley cars. I think the similarity in names has helped the business do well.”
    “I’m sure it didn’t hurt.” He stepped to the back door and looked out into the backyard. “It’s just about dusk, do you want to go with me to close up the coop?”
    She wanted to say no in the worst way. Going willingly into a flock of aggressive feathered stalkers wasn’t her idea of a fun evening, but she knew they had to prevent predators from killing the chickens.
    “All right, I’ll go with you, but I’m taking the broom to shoo them away.”
    “They’ve probably already gone to roost,” he said with a grin. “But I like a woman who’s prepared.”
     
    ***
     
    Forty-five minutes later, Griffin stood the broom by the wash tubs. He’d shown Laurel how easy it was to collect the eggs after the hens had gone to bed, and then, after he closed the door to the coop, they secured the barn for the night. He shut the back door behind them, after she’d gone into the house, and when he turned around, she stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hands clasped together.
    “I’m dying to try a slice of Edna’s pound cake, how about you?”
    “Yeah, I’ll have some with you. Although, I have to warn you it’s addictive.” He was amused at her enthusiasm over the thought of cake, and he enjoyed watching her. He knew from her second letter she was twenty years old, but right this minute, she seemed much younger. “Is there any coffee left from this morning?”
    “I think so.” She went to the pot on the stove and checked. “There’s enough for each of us to have a cup. I love coffee with cake.”
    After a few minutes, Griffin sat beside her on the floor in front of the fire he’d built, enjoying the moment, along with his coffee and cake. He finished both quickly and then watched her as she ate hers.
    “Do we really need the fire?” She tried to mask her anxiety, but her eyes darted toward the fireplace, betraying her.
    “The house seemed damp and a bit chilly, and I thought you might enjoy it. Are you too warm?”
    “No, it’s all right.”
    He wondered if she was telling him the truth, because for his part, he was sweating and it had nothing to do with the fire.
    The firelight danced across her face, highlighting her eyes, and setting her hair ablaze. He’d been a gentleman so far, but he swore if she licked her fingertip one more time to gather cake crumbs from her plate and then lick them off, he would either take her right here or die on the spot. To keep from doing either, he cleared his throat and picked up their conversation from earlier.
    “How’d you end up in Massachusetts?”
    She licked her finger again to pick up the last crumb. Her lips wrapped around the tip of her finger and she glanced up at him with a smile. “I know that isn’t lady-like, and if I were still at home, my mother would rake me over the coals for it. But I just couldn’t leave any bits on the plate.”
    For his part, he’d be better off if she’d left the crumbs alone and quit licking her finger with that cute pink tongue of hers. He didn’t know how much more he could take. His groin tightened and he settled his plate strategically on his lap. He drew in a ragged breath. “I understand that. I like sweets, too.”
    She leaned against the settee and turned slightly to face him. “Now, let’s see, why did I leave home? The reason is quite simple actually. My father began to make his plans for my future and I