Free Dacey: Bride of North Carolina (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 12) by Shanna Hatfield

him, firmly wrapping her arms around his waist.
    The close contact left him mentally off balance, but he relished any opportunity to have her near.
    He rested his hand over hers and turned the horse toward the house. As it meandered back in the direction he’d come earlier, Braxton let his thoughts wander to what might have been.
    The kiss that almost happened made him realize how much he wanted, needed to taste her lips. His grandmother’s tree seemed like a perfect spot to steal a kiss, or a dozen, but Dacey pulled away at the last second.
    A lack of interest hadn’t held her back. The yearning shimmered in her eyes, easy for him to see.
    Something else kept her emotions in check and he wouldn’t rest until he discovered the reason.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Dacey caught Braxton’s frown across the dinner table as Ernie Howell bragged about his exploits in coon hunting.
    She’d tired of the conversation approximately a minute after it started. Ernie and his father erroneously assumed everyone held their disturbing level of interest in treeing raccoons and shooting them for sport.
    Ellie Howell offered Beatrice an apologetic glance as her husband and son dominated the dinner conversation.
    The first time Dacey had met Ernie, she’d pegged him for a worthless braggart who thought he had quite a way with women.
    Although she didn’t find him even remotely as handsome as Braxton, she’d noticed the girls in town flocked around him. They all appeared to admire Ernie’s golden head and come-hither blue eyes. Somehow, they overlooked the cavalier way he treated women.
    Because she liked his mother, she’d been polite to him. However, she was careful not to offer him a bit of encouragement about paying court to her.
    She might be desperate to resolve her situation, but she wasn’t crazy. Saddling herself to that man would mean a lifetime of heartache and irritation.
    Aware that Ernie looked to her for approval as he finished his story, she smiled and courteously nodded her head.
    Lest the Howell men continue their gruesome tales, Daniel quickly gained control of the conversation, asking about the grocer business. Ellie appeared relieved as her husband and son shifted from talking about hunting to the store.
    In the weeks Dacey had stayed at Bramble Hall, the Douglas family often entertained guests. Even so, she thought it strange Beatrice invited the Howell family to dine with them. Aside from the high regard most everyone held for Ellie, she didn’t get the idea anyone was fond of Mr. Howell or Ernie.
    Regardless of the reason for the invitation, Dacey would do her best to be gracious to the guests, even if she still considered herself one.
    Beatrice assured her she didn’t want her ever to leave. However, Dacey couldn’t imagine they’d continue to allow her to work with the horses and help with chores indefinitely.
    In fact, she knew Beatrice preferred she not do any work, but she insisted on doing something to help pay her way.
    Thoughts of all the money Beatrice had spent on clothing for her caused her throat to go dry. Dacey sipped water from a crystal goblet and refocused her attention on the conversation.
    When Braxton caught her eye and made a comical face, she bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. Often, he made a small gesture or offered a whispered word in passing that made her feel like part of the family, as if she belonged, even if she never would. He’d gone out of his way to ensure she felt included throughout the evening.
    After dinner, they all retired to the music room where Beatrice played several selections on the piano. When she finished, servants carried in dessert and tea.
    Ernie somehow finagled his way into a seat beside Dacey. As he leaned across her to pick up a piece of pie from the tray in front of her, his hand brushed against her legs and touched her knee. She frowned at his inappropriate action.
    Despite growing up half-wild on her father’s ranch, her mother had instilled in her