Read Online Second Chance Bride by Jane Myers Perrine - Free Book Online

after he’d placed his daughter next to John. Amanda had laughed and teased her father about his matchmaking but accepted John’s help into the surrey while Elizabeth hopped in the back.
    “Where are you from, Miss Cunningham?” Mr. Hanson asked as they left town.
    Annie felt relieved that the ride was short, and therefore, the conversation would be, as well. She was a terrible liar—clearly she hadn’t inherited that skill from her father.
    “East Texas,” she replied. That sounded general enough. “Now tell me about your ranch and this town. How long have you lived here?”
    “All my life. This is my family’s ranch. I brought my bride here thirty years ago. She died last year.” He turned toward Annie with a smile. “I’ve been a very lonely man since then.” His gaze suggested she could alleviate that.
    Oh, dear, not a lonely widower. She must not allow herself to drive with him again or he might believe she encouraged him. He launched into a lengthy description of his land, cattle and enormous worth, which lasted until they arrived at the Sullivan home.
    The long, two-story stone house had a wraparound porch and large windows with dark green shutters. Green hills towered in the background, creating a magnificent setting for the lovely house that was far grander than any home she’d seen before.
    John held the door open for them and Annie entered a front hall that opened to a parlor on each side. Tables filled with lovely bric-a-brac and cabinets displaying a wealth of beautiful possessions covered every inch of the parlor not already occupied by lovely, plump davenports and beautiful chairs upholstered in gold velvet.
    “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen such a beautiful home.”
    “Yes, it is nice,” Amanda agreed. “John’s wife, Celeste, helped design the house and furnish it.”
    “A very talented woman.” Annie turned to look at John. “And a loving wife and mother,” he said with a solemn expression. “Elizabeth, would you please take Amanda and Miss Cunningham to your room to wash their hands?”
    As she followed Elizabeth through the house and upstairs across beautiful carpets, Annie became slightly overwhelmed by the Sullivans’ wealth.
    “John’s wife ordered all the furniture in the house from Boston. It’s the finest you’ll see in the state,” Amanda explained as they entered Elizabeth’s bedroom.
    Indeed, it was. There was a washstand with inlaid patterns on the drawers and a matching armoire. A delicate spread covered the intricately carved bed.
    “Belgian lace,” Amanda whispered.
    The chamber looked more like a museum than a child’s bedroom.
    Against the wall stood a full-length mirror. Annie approached it hesitantly. She’d never seen her entire body before—only her face in a small, dull mirror the women in the brothel had shared.
    The view surprised her. She looked thinner than she’d thought she would. Maybe a little pretty, although it was hard to think that while standing next to Amanda.
    Annie turned all the way around, studying herself. The basque fit a little oddly—tight around her arms, which were apparently more muscular than Matilda’s had been, and a bit loose around her waist. Nonetheless, it looked plain and neat and clean, all of which suited a teacher very well. She attempted to smooth an escaped curl back into her bun.
    “Miss Cunningham, look at my toys.” Elizabeth pulled her to the bed. Five beautifully painted china dolls leaned against the pillows, dressed fashionably in pastel dresses with large-brimmed hats.
    “Elizabeth, aren’t they lovely?” Annie longed to pick one up one but feared she would drop it or muss the lovely gown. “Do you play with them?”
    “When I was younger, but now I prefer to read.”
    After Annie poured water from the china ewer into the matching basin, she washed her hands and dried them on a soft towel embroidered in flowers.
    “Miss Cunningham, you may wish to go in here before we go to dinner.”