Read Online Texas Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday - Free Book Online

all the tinkling bells, the door opened and Cooper Thorne sauntered in. Delta’s heart beat a little faster at the sight of the tall cowboy. Raw masculine heat as wild as the vast Texas land that she was coming to embrace radiated from him.
    â€œMr. Thorne, what do you need today?”
    â€œMiss Delta.” His gray eyes held no warmth and the deep lines around his mouth were set. “Came to order some barbed wire. That is, if it can be ordered.”
    â€œI don’t know. I’ll have to ask Mr. Abercrombie.” She looked around the store, but her boss had disappeared. She guessed all the racket had gotten on his nerves. “Is everything all right?”
    â€œThings could be better. Would you mind just getting John?”
    His curt tone set her back on her heels. The irritating rancher’s lack of civility brought a quick reply to the tip of her tongue. But thankfully, she kept the words she itched to say to herself.
    â€œI’ll look in the back. Excuse me.” Though her words came out through clenched teeth, she kept her dignity.
    Delta found Mr. Abercrombie and relayed Cooper’s request.
    â€œDadblast it, I can’t hear myself think with all this infernal bell ringing. Can you just hurry Granny out of here?”
    â€œI’ll do what I can, sir.”
    Abercrombie and Cooper huddled together, then her boss got out a book and they pored over it. She assumed there was trouble of some kind on the ranch.
    She turned her attention to the bell ringer. “Have you found the one you want, Granny?”
    â€œI just don’t know. They sound so much alike.”
    If that was the case, then it didn’t make much difference which one she chose. Delta picked up one that had a red ribbon tied to it. “I’m partial to this one. It has a real jingle.”
    â€œI suppose so.”
    â€œIt’s only a nickel. Can’t beat that.”
    â€œYes, it’ll do, I reckon.” Granny handed her the box of bells. After paying, the woman left and blessed quiet settled over the store. She just prayed Granny would get home with it before someone ambushed her and ripped it out of her hand. The poor lady was a dear, but she could get on a person’s nerves.
    â€œWhen can I expect it to arrive?” she heard Cooper ask Abercrombie.
    â€œTwo weeks, if I lay my hands on some down in San Antonio.”
    â€œFine. Go ahead and order it. Let me know the minute it comes in.”
    Cooper’s spurs jingled when he straightened, but instead of heading to the door, he moved toward Delta.
    â€œDid you find what you wanted?” she asked.
    â€œYep. Just wish it didn’t take so long to get here.” He took off his hat and held it between his hands. “Miss Dandridge, I apologize for being so short with you.”
    â€œNo need. We simply don’t see eye to eye.”
    â€œAll the same, I would still like for us to be friends.”
    â€œWhat kind of friends?”
    â€œThe sort that don’t want to kill each other.”
    She had to admit he’d sorely tried her patience, but the thoughts that invariably kept her awake at night were of kissing, not killing.
    Sudden laughter bubbled up. “My dear Mr. Thorne, I’d never do anything involving blood loss.”
    â€œI feel so much better now.” His mouth quirked up at one corner as if he wanted to smile but wouldn’t let himself.
    â€œYou’re very welcome.”
    â€œSo, this friends business…how about it?”
    â€œFor now, we’ll see how it goes.”
    Cooper nodded, adjusting his worn Stetson back on his head. “Guess I’ll pay a visit to the saloon before I head back.”
    â€œSpeaking of that, I met your brother Rand. He’s quite the charmer. Has lovely manners and is a perfect gentleman. He invited me to take supper with him last evening. We had an interesting conversation.” Let the man chew on that.
    His face darkened.