Read Online Libbie: Bride of Arizona (American Mail-Order Bride 48) by Linda Carroll-Bradd - Free Book Online

bodies. “How was the journey?”
    “Five-and-a-half days and nights long.” Her answer came out in a hesitant tone, because she wasn’t sure what had changed.
    “Did you have any major delays?” He slid an arm over the back of the bench. “I’ve read the track switches in Wichita can be slow.”
    “Yes, we were delayed in that city.” The introduction of polite conversational topics almost made her smile. “The first part of the trip went too fast. From Boston, I shared a seat with a delightful woman named Grace Dickinson, and we chatted away the miles. In Chicago, right before I wired you, we said our goodbyes. The second part of her trip took her to Montana, and she was traveling for the same reason I’m here.” After switching to the southbound line, her own journey had been so quiet, and almost lonely, without her friend’s company.
    At least it gave Libbie plenty of time to study the recipe book and the household guide Mary packed into her satchel before leaving Aunt Betje’s house. Libbie sat upright and turned to glance at him, a sudden realization widening her gaze. “Her trip was shorter in miles, and by now, she might already be Mrs. Grace Foster. Oh, that would be quite grand.”
    “Uh, huh.” Dell’s head dipped downward. A soft whooshing came from under his hat.
    Libbie stiffened, disbelief making her jaw drop. She leaned forward and peeked under the brim of his hat. Her soon-to-be husband had just fallen asleep while listening to her stories.
    Could this day get any worse?

Chapter Four
     
    Pain stabbed his neck, and Dell shifted against the hard, unforgiving surface, wondering why he’d fallen asleep in his office chair. Faint sounds of conversations… harnesses jingling…footsteps on boards—all filtered into his thoughts. No, he shouldn’t be home on the ranch. Not yet. He was supposed to be somewhere else, someplace important.
    Heart pounding, he jolted awake and on instinct, his hand went to his hip. Blinking fast, he focused on the chalkboard listing the train arrival and departure schedules that hung on the opposite wall. Train depot…his bride. Jerking to his feet, he made a complete circle to assure himself that the impossible was actually true. Except for him, the room was empty.
    Scrubbing both hands over his face, he forced himself to think hard. Had Libbie mentioned anything about leaving or an errand she needed to complete? A visit to the mercantile or a dress shop? Nope . Fool that he was, he’d fallen asleep listening to her conversation. That lilting accent was so soothing.
    Dell strode to the ticket window and leaned down to look through the barred opening. “Simon, you in there?”
    “Ah, I see you’ve awakened.” The clerk stepped around an interior corner of the small office, several pieces of mail clutched in his hands.
    “Did Miss Van Eycken say where she was going?”
    Simon bit back a smile. “She said lots of things, but most were grumbled in a language I do not speak.” He shrugged. “But no translation was needed to see that young woman was mighty angry.”
    Or the word might be peeved . “Dang it. I’ve been up since three a.m. riding after rustlers and then herding those cattle back to the ranch.” He pounded a fist on the counter. “Can I help it if I dozed off for a few moments?” His protests were weak, and he knew it.  No excuse was valid for what he’d done, or the embarrassment his action probably caused.
    Lifting a single finger, Simon pointed upward. “More like twenty minutes.”
    What the—? Leaning back, Dell glanced up at the Regulator clock that hung above the ticket window. Sure enough—the time read ten minutes after twelve. Less than an hour to give Libbie a tour of her new hometown, introduce her to his family, and then meet the pastor at the Congregational Church at one o’clock.
    But first, he had to find his bride-to-be.
    Dell smoothed the collar of his duster and straightened his hat. Then he strode through the door