Read Online Mystic Montana Sky (The Montana Sky Series Book 6) by Debra Holland - Free Book Online Page B

edged with lace. Although the clothes were handed down from her older sister, Mary May, they were in almost pristine condition compared with the faded garments Maggie had made for Charlotte, even if every stitch was set with love. She’d laundered those tiny pretty dresses and dreamed of her own baby wearing them.
    Charlotte and baby Darcy would have grown up to be friends. With another sigh, Maggie thought of the friends she’d made in Morgan’s Crossing and how much she’d miss them.
    Frowning, Caleb glanced at her. A wrinkle furrowed between his brows. “Are you in pain? Do you need me to stop?”
    She gave him a reassuring smile. “Just thinking.”
    He obviously didn’t believe her, for his eyes narrowed, making his handsome features look intimidating. Despite her pain and melancholy thoughts, his attempts to pry more information made her chuckle. “Does that work with other people?”
    His expression changed to puzzlement. “What?”
    “That narrow-eyed, studying-you-until-you-confess-all-and-do-what-I-say look.”
    Caleb laughed. He seemed about to answer, then shook his head and laughed again. “Apparently not with you, Magdalena Petra.”
    Maggie shifted in her seat and lifted her chin. With a smile of mock condescension, she agreed. “Not with me.”
    Their teasing exchange lifted her spirits, and Maggie realized that if she chose to make a home in Sweetwater Springs, she could make new friends. She’d already developed a deep bond with this man, and maybe her next friend would be the sister he’d spoken of. Or perhaps I can return to live in Morgan’s Crossing. The thought captivated her. How wonderful to have choices!
    From under her eyelashes, again she glanced at Caleb’s handsome profile. Yet living in Sweetwater Springs also possesses definite appeal.

CHAPTER FIVE
    T hey plodded toward Sweetwater Springs at a snail’s pace, the top of the surrey blocking the strong morning sunlight from shining into their faces. Caleb had never driven so slowly in his life. If it weren’t for Maggie, whether they were riding in companionable silence or engaging in teasing conversation, he would have gone out of his mind with boredom. Between the bank, the hotel, and the civic concerns and activities he was involved in, he seldom was without mental and physical occupation.
    Luckily, he found Maggie’s presence both soothing and stimulating, although he wasn’t sure how she’d managed to make him feel both. Maybe because in the two days he’d known her, she hadn’t once complained, although she certainly had reason to. Even during her labor, her talk of charley horses and stabbing knives held no hint of a whine or self-pity. If his sister had been through a tenth of what Maggie had endured, she would have peppered him with her august opinion and a litany of complaints. He’d long since learned to close his ears to her, while nodding as if listening—something that tended to infuriate Edith when she caught on to his inattention.
    Speaking of Edith, should I warn Maggie about my sister? How she can be difficult?
    Maybe ease into the topic.
    He glanced at her. “Have I mentioned my widowed sister Edith Grayson lives with me?”
    “That must be nice,” Maggie said, her tone wistful.
    “It has its moments.” A true statement, for there was affection between Caleb and his sister, even if he often had to delve for the feeling. “We grew up in Boston and in some areas of the West. My father was a. . .wanderer.”
    “A Gypsy like me,” she said, her eyes teasing.
    “Something akin to that. Black Jack was a gambler with cards and business investments that inevitably paid off, adding to the family coffers—although that often upset the townsfolk, making another move imperative.” Even as he said the words, Caleb marveled that he’d just shared something so private.
    Maggie listened with wide eyes, her mouth slightly parted.
    “Edith married Nathaniel Grayson and settled in Boston—a life that suited