Read Online Twice Promised (The Blue Willow Brides Book #2): A Novel by Maggie Brendan - Free Book Online Page B

homey café, but it’ll do for now, I suppose. I never thought I’d be staying in a miner’s cabin.” Would this be the kind of life she’d be forced into? What would happen if Jess didn’t pick her? She would have to find some type of work. She couldn’t continue to work for Jess if he tossed her over for Greta.
    Suddenly her heart squeezed tight in her chest. She couldn’t go home. She couldn’t bear to be humiliated that way. Was she even sure she wanted to be Jess’s wife?
    “Me neither, Cora. But any bed looks good to me at this moment. Let’s just wash our hands so we can eat, then get to bed. Then we’ll both go to the outhouse and stand guard for each other.” Greta giggled.
    Cora wholeheartedly agreed. Though they were vying for the same man, she hoped they would still be friends. She wanted a good friend, but she needed to be careful until she knew Greta better. People were not always what they seemed.

    Zach saw Granny when she drew her wagon to a stop in front of the store. She was no stranger to early rising, and he wasn’t surprised that she was here before the brides had made it in this morning. He put aside the crowbar he was using to open crates so he could assist her. Jess was busy working on the books at his desk in the corner.
    “Mornin’, Granny! You’re out and about mighty early. Here, let me help you down,” Zach said as he reached for her hand.
    She cocked her head sideways to glance at him and smiled. “I’m always up early, you know that. And I suppose you know why I’m here.” She stepped onto the boardwalk and he released her hand.
    Ignoring her last comment, Zach asked, “Did you bring me a slice of pie? Or did Jess eat every last bit?”
    Granny was still spry at seventy. She was fully gray-haired and pleasingly plump but with nice skin, which she protected with a straw hat. The only thing that gave her age away were the deep lines around the blue eyes peering up at him and the stoop of her shoulders.
    “Now you know I brought pie,” she answered, giving him a big squeeze. “Just reach in the back there. I have a whole rhubarb pie.”
    Zach did as he was told. He lifted the pie from a box in the back and peeked under the linen cloth. “Mmm, my mouth tastes it already. God bless you, Granny.”
    When Jess saw them come in, he laid his pencil down. “I thought you’d be coming today, Granny.” He walked over to kiss her cheek.
    “I had to. Needed to see for myself just what’s going on here.” She suddenly became still and clamped her lips together while she gazed about the store. “Heavens above! What happened here?”
    “See, I told you it was the wrong thing to let those two mess with our setup.” Jess cast his comment toward Zach. “They’re like two cleaning fanatics. Everything was just fine as it was until they came.”
    “Not at all—I really like it.” Granny’s thin lips widened to smile at her grandsons. “You said the ladies did it? I don’t believe I’ve seen it look this orderly since your parents died. How did you talk them into that?”
    “He didn’t!” Zach spouted. “Greta decided to make a few changes and Cora followed her instructions.”
    Granny folded her hands together and pressed them into her skirt. “Then she’s one smart young woman. I can’t wait to meet Greta . . . and the other one—”
    “Cora. They should be arriving soon.” Jess strode over to the counter and reached underneath for his apron.
    Granny watched Jess and Zach open another crate. One side held Country Rose dishes. The other held Blue Willow china. Zach picked up a cup and admired its delicate shape.
    “Tell me then, which of you is courtin’ who?” Granny asked.
    “Er . . . well . . . that’s for Jess to choose, and he doesn’t want to do that.” Zach shifted from side to side. Here it comes. She’s about to lambaste me for sending for mail-order brides in the first place.
    Granny sashayed over to look inside the crate, then