Read Online Mail Order Bride – Charlotte's Summer: Clean Sweet Western Cowboy Romance (Seasons Mail Order Brides Book 1) by Annie Lane - Free Book Online
Authors: Annie Lane
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see the double gates of Thomas’s property appear just up ahead of them. Mabel pulled the horse toward the left side of the drive and then followed the trail high up over the crest of a hill, coming to a stop in front of a mighty fine homestead made of hard-wearing timber and stonework nicer than Charlotte had ever seen before. There was barely a bloom to be seen or a potted plant by the door, but the yards were maintained and the stables off to one side looked as neat as a pin.
“Thomas!” shouted Mabel, making Charlotte jump. “Thomas, we’re here!”
When there was no movement about the house, Charlotte thanked Mabel for the ride and promised she would see herself inside without concern. She climbed from the wagon with a small hop, making sure not to catch her skirt in the wheel.
Mabel felt her shoulders slump. She’d been hoping she might have been invited inside, but since Thomas still hadn’t bothered to make an appearance, she couldn’t very well just welcome herself into his home without his consent.
She’d never seen the interior of the Ackerman property and she wondered some at what it might be like. Making a slow go of turning the wagon about in the opposite direction, Mabel finally had no reason to stall any longer, and flicked the reins. After another agonizing minute, watching and waiting, she finally steadied herself in the seat and headed back to town the exact same way she’d just come.
Charlotte looked all about the yard, taking everything in. She made her way closer to the house and then started some at the sound of clanging pots and pans. She wasn’t positive, but as her eyes narrowed and her ears strained toward the front door, she thought she heard Thomas laughing.
As far as she was aware he was the only person on the property, so maybe she was still dreaming. She’d dreamed a lot the previous evening. Images of Thomas had flashed behind her eyelids, over and over again. She’d heard his laugh in her dreams, but it didn’t sound as wonderful as the real thing. Husky, deep, masculine, yet somehow far more playful than Charlotte ever imagined Thomas could be.
But then it happened again, and Charlotte knew it to be true. Being that she hadn’t ever heard it before in real life – in fact she’d never even seen him smile – Charlotte stood there a while longer enjoying the sound. Thomas Ackerman had a really nice laugh.
“Aw, c’mon Rosy, don’t look at me like that,” said Thomas, his voice carrying out through the open window. “It’s a special occasion and all, so look away if you can’t bear to watch. I’ve told you a thousand times … you can’t just come sneaking in the back way like you own the place.”
Charlotte’s entire body became rigid. Rosy? She didn’t like the sound of that in the slightest. She felt like she’d just been punched in the gut. Before she could fully register the emotion behind it, she heard Thomas laughing again before saying, “I know you’ve always been my girl, Rosy, but Charlotte’s here to stay so you may as well get used to the idea.”
Anger raced through Charlotte’s veins and she had to take a moment to consider why it was she felt that way. Could she be jealous? She’d never felt anything like it before and the idea of spinning on her toes and running as fast as she could toward the hills sounded more appealing by the second. But her sense of dignity took over and she stood her ground, clearing her throat so as to announce her arrival. She planted her hands on her hips and called louder than she thought polite for any young lady, but she couldn’t hold her fury inside her a moment longer. “Excuse me, Mr. Ackerman, but if you plan on entertaining young ladies in this house while I’m in your company, then I will happily…”
Charlotte suddenly squealed and leapt a yard when Thomas threw open the front door. She jumped feet first up onto a wicker chair that was sitting right beside the stairs. She couldn’t believe her
“Thomas!” shouted Mabel, making Charlotte jump. “Thomas, we’re here!”
When there was no movement about the house, Charlotte thanked Mabel for the ride and promised she would see herself inside without concern. She climbed from the wagon with a small hop, making sure not to catch her skirt in the wheel.
Mabel felt her shoulders slump. She’d been hoping she might have been invited inside, but since Thomas still hadn’t bothered to make an appearance, she couldn’t very well just welcome herself into his home without his consent.
She’d never seen the interior of the Ackerman property and she wondered some at what it might be like. Making a slow go of turning the wagon about in the opposite direction, Mabel finally had no reason to stall any longer, and flicked the reins. After another agonizing minute, watching and waiting, she finally steadied herself in the seat and headed back to town the exact same way she’d just come.
Charlotte looked all about the yard, taking everything in. She made her way closer to the house and then started some at the sound of clanging pots and pans. She wasn’t positive, but as her eyes narrowed and her ears strained toward the front door, she thought she heard Thomas laughing.
As far as she was aware he was the only person on the property, so maybe she was still dreaming. She’d dreamed a lot the previous evening. Images of Thomas had flashed behind her eyelids, over and over again. She’d heard his laugh in her dreams, but it didn’t sound as wonderful as the real thing. Husky, deep, masculine, yet somehow far more playful than Charlotte ever imagined Thomas could be.
But then it happened again, and Charlotte knew it to be true. Being that she hadn’t ever heard it before in real life – in fact she’d never even seen him smile – Charlotte stood there a while longer enjoying the sound. Thomas Ackerman had a really nice laugh.
“Aw, c’mon Rosy, don’t look at me like that,” said Thomas, his voice carrying out through the open window. “It’s a special occasion and all, so look away if you can’t bear to watch. I’ve told you a thousand times … you can’t just come sneaking in the back way like you own the place.”
Charlotte’s entire body became rigid. Rosy? She didn’t like the sound of that in the slightest. She felt like she’d just been punched in the gut. Before she could fully register the emotion behind it, she heard Thomas laughing again before saying, “I know you’ve always been my girl, Rosy, but Charlotte’s here to stay so you may as well get used to the idea.”
Anger raced through Charlotte’s veins and she had to take a moment to consider why it was she felt that way. Could she be jealous? She’d never felt anything like it before and the idea of spinning on her toes and running as fast as she could toward the hills sounded more appealing by the second. But her sense of dignity took over and she stood her ground, clearing her throat so as to announce her arrival. She planted her hands on her hips and called louder than she thought polite for any young lady, but she couldn’t hold her fury inside her a moment longer. “Excuse me, Mr. Ackerman, but if you plan on entertaining young ladies in this house while I’m in your company, then I will happily…”
Charlotte suddenly squealed and leapt a yard when Thomas threw open the front door. She jumped feet first up onto a wicker chair that was sitting right beside the stairs. She couldn’t believe her
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