Read Online Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot - Free Book Online Page A

door opened and a woman stepped onto the porch.
    “Come in, my dear.” Mrs. Bramble greeted Sarah with such enthusiasm that it appeared she and Thea had been expected. It wasn’t the welcome and the broad smile that gave Sarah that impression but, rather, their neighbor’s clothing. Sarah didn’t claim to be an expert on Ladreville fashion etiquette, but surely the navy silk with white lace trim wasn’t something a woman wore unless she was going to church or expecting important visitors. Perhaps Clay had stopped by the ranch earlier this morning to say that Sarah would be coming.
    “Good morning, Mrs. Bramble.” Sarah climbed down from the wagon and lifted Thea into her arms. “I’m—”
    “Sarah Dobbs, Austin’s fiancée.” The tall woman whose dark hair was only lightly threaded with gray gave Sarah an appraising look, her brown eyes seeming to take in every detail of Sarah’s appearance. “I reckon you’re even prettier than your miniature,” she said at last. “And this must be Thea.”
    To Sarah’s surprise, when Mrs. Bramble reached for Thea, her sister went willingly into the older woman’s arms. At home—in Philadelphia, Sarah corrected herself—Thea was normally shy with strangers, but she’d displayed no reticence around Clay and now with their neighbor. Sarah felt the knot of tension that had caused her head to ache begin to unravel. The first hurdle was passed. Thea had not taken an immediate dislike to Mrs. Bramble, and the older woman appeared to like children.
    “Your sister’s gonna be a beauty when she grows up, just like you.”
    Sarah blinked in surprise. Mama had been beautiful. Papa told her that every day. But not once had anyone claimed Sarah was beautiful. When people described her, it was as “that girl with the unfortunate limp.”
    “Don’t fret none. You’ll find yourself another suitor soon,” Mrs. Bramble continued. “Why, my David will be sorry he missed you. There ain’t many pretty girls in Ladreville, you know.”
    Sarah didn’t want another suitor. Though love hadn’t been part of the plan, on the long journey West, she had admitted to herself that she was more than halfway in love with the man who’d written those wonderful letters, the ones she called her paper roses. As she’d traveled, she’d dreamed of happily-ever-after. Sadly, those dreams had died along with Austin, and now that she’d had a brief taste of love, Sarah knew that marrying someone else was something she’d consider only if she could find no other way to protect Thea.
    She gave Mrs. Bramble a noncommittal smile.
    “What kind of neighbor am I, leaving you standing on the porch?” Mrs. Bramble ushered Sarah inside. “Come and visit for a while. I have some cool tea and a coffee cake ready.” It hadn’t been Sarah’s imagination that Mrs. Bramble had been expecting visitors. Clay must have been here.
    “Your home is very pretty,” Sarah said as she took a seat in the parlor. To Sarah’s relief, Thea seemed content to sit on the floor and play with her doll, leaving Sarah to admire her surroundings. Unlike the Bar C, which was a purely masculine abode, this room bore feminine touches. Crocheted antimacassars protected the chairs; a bouquet of dried flowers graced an end table; delicate watercolors hung on two walls.
    Mrs. Bramble smiled. “Thank you. It’s too big for just David and me, but it’s our home. Now,” she said, “if’n you wait a moment, I’ll be back with refreshments.”
    “Please, don’t bother on our account.”
    The older woman shook her head. “Nonsense. I’m glad to have the chance to meet you before you go back East.”
    Before Sarah could explain that she and Thea would not be leaving Ladreville, Mrs. Bramble left the room. When she returned, she was carrying a silver tray laden with a pitcher, glasses, and a plate of delicious-smelling cake. How on earth was Thea going to manage such adult fare without making a mess? Seeing Sarah’s worried