Free BRIANNA: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 4) by Ashley Merrick Page B

typical of a duck.
    “I do. They’re often gliding along the ponds here and I’ve always thought they were beautiful.”
    “You have a real talent at that.”
    “Thank you. I love doing it and it’s relaxing, too.” After a moment, he turned his attention back to carving again and Brianna went back to her book. He was easy to be around and she found herself relaxing and enjoying his company. Perhaps this marriage could work out. It seemed promising so far.

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    T he next month passed quickly and Brianna and Paul fell into an easy companionship. By the end of the day, both were usually exhausted—Paul, from working in the farm from dawn ‘til dusk and Brianna from expecting and from being with young children all day. The students were used to her now and except for the occasional quarrel, they were mostly well-behaved, even Millie and Peter. She still kept an eye on their lunches and always had extra food with her, in case she was hungry, which she often was, or in case any of the students looked like they needed a bit extra. At least once or twice a week, Millie and Peter either had nothing or very little for their lunch and Brianna was able to help. It infuriated her and she wanted to ride out there and talk to their father, but Paul talked her out of it.
    “It’s not safe for you. He doesn’t have much. He’s also a heavy drinker and unpredictable. That could be a dangerous combination. More than likely it would just make things worse for those children. If he’s embarrassed and ashamed, he’ll likely lash out and they could see the brunt of his anger, or you. No, it’s best to leave well enough alone. Just keep bringing extra food. That’s the best way you can help those children.”
    “I suppose,” she’d agreed reluctantly.
    Brianna remembered that conversation as she stepped into the classroom and noticed that Peter and Millie both looked unusually grimy and disheveled. Peter had streaks of dirt across his cheek and Millie’s hair looked matted in the back. They were both quieter than usual and when lunchtime rolled around, they both hung their heads and looked miserable while their classmates started eating. This was the third day in a row that they had no lunch. She called them both up to the front and handed them each a sandwich. She’d packed extras that morning just in case, after being surprised when they’d had no food yesterday. She was concerned now. This had never happened before.
    “Is your father sick?” she asked them. That was the only explanation that she could imagine.
    They looked at each other and then Millie spoke softly.
    “He’s gone. We haven’t seen him in three days. We have no idea where he is.” She tried to sound brave and strong, but a quivering lower lip betrayed her.
    “Your father is gone? You’ve been staying there alone? How did you get here today?” She knew their home was at least four or five miles away.
    “We walked,” Peter said.
    Brianna was horrified that these small children had been staying completely alone and fending for themselves.
    “Did your father mention that he was going somewhere? What was he doing when you last saw him?”
    “He didn’t say anything about going anywhere. He was just drinking, as usual. When we woke up, he was gone.”
    “All right, we’ll look into this for you. You’re both going to come home with me tonight, have a good night’s dinner, and a bath and we’ll see if we can find your father.”
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    B y the time Paul came home for dinner that evening, Brianna had given each child a hot bath and showed them the bedrooms they’d be sleeping in that evening.
    “I have my own bedroom?” Peter was in awe of the big bed with the fluffy pillow and soft blankets.
    “Yes, you’ll get a good night’s sleep so we can have a productive day in class tomorrow. Now, let’s sit down to eat.”
    She was ladling hot soup into bowls when Paul came through the front door. He did a double-take when he saw two blond