Read Online Second Chance Brides by Vickie Mcdonough - Free Book Online Page A

company, but she’d best get used to the idea. At least she’d have a chance to get to know him better. But was that what she really wanted?
    Yes, he’d been kind to her, but, no, he didn’t fit her idea of the perfect husband. At least Dan should be a good protector, built like he was. She waited several minutes until he paid the man who’d brought the sacks, and then Dan Howard walked toward her, his near-black eyes capturing hers as he moved lithe and steady in her direction. “I’ll carry that for you, ma’am.”
    She handed over the basket and tried to swallow, but it felt as if she had a biscuit stuck in her throat. Goodness.
    She peeked at him as they fell into step together, walking toward his house. She liked how it felt to walk next to a man and could almost pretend he belonged to her. He stood a solid eight inches taller that she, and with his hat back on, even more. His long, brown hair was pulled back and tied with a leather strand. Though only near noontime, his beard had already started growing back in. She guessed his age to be somewhere around the midtwenties.
    She stumbled on a rock, taking several quick steps to keep from falling, and his hand shot out, gently clutching her arm and stabilizing her. Heat stormed to her face. If she hadn’t been gawking at him, she wouldn’t have missed a step. “I, uh, thank you for assisting me.”
    His lips turned up on one side. “My pleasure.”
    At the porch steps, he handed her up, then followed. With him on the covered entryway with her, the area seemed to shrink in size. Dan opened the door, and stood back, allowing her to enter first. His steady gaze made her squirm, and she broke eye contact and stepped into the dim parlor. Heat slapped her in the face, and she wondered if a fire was burning in the stove.
    Dan entered behind her leaving the door open. He went straight to the front window and lifted it open. The lacy curtains fluttered on the light breeze. “Sorry about it being so hot in here. When Ma has one of her spells, she keeps things closed up.” He shook his head, walked through the dining room and into the kitchen, and opened the back door.
    Dan set the basket on the kitchen worktable. “I’ll check on Ma and be right back. Have a seat if you’d like.”
    “Don’t make her get up on my account,” Leah called as he disappeared around a corner. She looked around the Howard home. In the parlor, a sofa and two wingback chairs faced the fireplace. Though the furniture looked old, the room was tidy. Against one wall was a table covered in harnesses, bridles, and tools she didn’t recognize. A dining table and hutch resided in the next room, which sported faded floral wallpaper. The house smelled musty, with the lingering scent of leather polish. Leah tugged at her collar as sweat trickled down her chest. How could Mrs. Howard stand this heat? And if she was so ill, how did she manage to keep her house clean?
    A rustling sounded just before Mrs. Howard shuffled into the room with Dan close on her heels. A wide smile graced the woman’s wrinkled cheeks. “Welcome, my dear. I’m so glad you could visit.”
    Leah pulled out a chair at the table, and Dan helped his mother to sit. “I’m happy to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Howard.”
    “Sit down, dear. Dan doesn’t mind fixing the food, do you, sweetie.”
    Leah glanced up at Dan. She hadn’t planned on staying to eat and preferred to leave the food and go, but she didn’t want to disappoint this kind woman. Dan shook his head and turned to go in the kitchen. She leaned toward Mrs. Howard. “Excuse me for a moment, if you would.”
    Leah followed Dan into the large kitchen, and he turned around, surprised to see her. “Let me do this, and you go sit down.”
    His thick brows lifted. “That wouldn’t be proper. You’re our guest.”
    Leah shook her head. “Nonsense. I came to help. Show me where the bowls are and then go visit with your ma.”
    He opened a cabinet and pointed at the