Free A Convenient Wife by Carolyn Davidson

company for a while. In case her father comes back, I’d just as soon she wasn’t alone at my place.”
    â€œYou going to church next Sunday?” James asked as Win stepped over the threshold, bringing him to a halt.
    â€œYou got some reason for asking?”
    â€œIf you take Ellie with you, it’ll set folks talking, you know.”
    â€œThey’re probably already hashing me over,” Win said defensively. “If Ellie wants to go to church, I’ll take her.” He stomped across the sidewalk and headed for the livery stable, where he kept his horse and buggy. And then paused midstep. He’d forgotten his bag with all the to-do about Ellie and her father.
    It didn’t look to be a wonderful day, he decided glumly, heading for home.
    Â 
    Church had been barely tolerable, Win thought, walking beside Ellie as they left the small, white chapel. They’d been the focus of all eyes, even though he’d been as decorous as possible, speaking when spoken to, and ignoring the sidelong looks of the women in the congregation. Ellie, oblivious tothe attention they’d garnered, had sung with a sweet soprano voice, and listened intently to the minister’s sermon.
    â€œWell, we managed to raise a few eyebrows,” Win said gruffly, slowing his pace for Ellie’s shorter steps. Hands shoved into his pockets, he knew he was being taciturn, but being the subject of gossip didn’t set well with him.
    â€œI know I’m not dressed for church,” Ellie said quietly. “I probably shouldn’t have gone till I could afford a new dress. It’s just that Pa didn’t take much stock in church-going and I didn’t get to attend service very often. Only if he was in a good mood or one of the men had to go to town on Sunday and I could hitch a ride.”
    â€œHe let you out and about with a ranch hand?” Win asked, his brow lifting as he considered the idea.
    â€œThey knew not to make advances,” Ellie said softly. “Pa would have fired them on the spot if they looked crossways at me. Not that there’s much to look at.”
    The girl honestly didn’t know how pretty she was, Win decided. She wasn’t a great beauty, but with decent clothes to wear and the healing of her bruised face, she’d be more than presentable. Her hair alone was enough to make a man sit up and take notice.
    She’d brushed it early this morning, there on the back porch, while she thought he was still abed, and again he’d watched her through the screen door, his gaze devouring the heavy tresses that waved the length of her back. She’d been so unaware, so innocent of guile, her body moving in an unconscious rhythm, and Win had found himself yearning to bury his hands in the depths of those rich, brown curls. He’d warrant not another man alive, not counting George, had ever seen the sight, and a twinge of satisfaction brought a smile to his face.
    â€œWhat’s funny?” Ellie asked suspiciously. “Are you laughing at me?”
    Win shook his head. “Far from it, Ellie. I’m just remembering how beautiful your hair looked when you brushed it, out on the back porch this morning.” He met her gaze and his only thought was to banish the look of wariness she wore like a second skin.
    â€œYou’re a lovely woman. Any man would be proud to have you in his home.”
    â€œYou must be blind in one eye and can’t see outta the other,” she scoffed, and yet a blush tinged her cheeks with a rosy hue.
    â€œI’m not blind, Ellie. I’ve seen more pleasingly arranged features than yours, perhaps, women who spent long hours to make themselves attractive. I’ve known females with elegant wardrobes, and the money to buy jewelry and pay for fancy hairdos.” He hesitated at her stricken look, and then reached for her hand, squeezing it gently as he turned to face her.
    â€œYou don’t understand,