Free Texas Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday Page B

with the dog for a while, thinking of all the ways he’d like to kill the animal’s previous owner. If the heartless man hadn’t wanted the dog, he should’ve set it free so it could scrounge for food. Didn’t make sense to watch an animal, or a person either, for that matter, waste away, knowing you could do something.
    â€œRest easy, boy, I’ll watch over you.” Cooper patted Bandit’s head.
    The dog whimpered, then sighed and closed his eyes.
    Other images from the day crowded into Cooper’s mind. Delta Dandridge in particular. The lady had a way of barging into his thoughts, not to mention his life. She’d been equally concerned about Bandit’s welfare.
    She seemed to have a heart as big as the brilliant smile that snuck past all his defenses and filled the ache in his chest with a strange longing.
    He fished in his pocket for the lemon drops and popped one in his mouth.
    All he knew was that Rand had best not break her heart, or he’d answer to him.

Ten
    Over the next week, Delta found being around John Abercrombie almost pleasant. He’d been less grouchy and more obliging. He’d insisted that she take lunch every day, and lo and behold had even given her a five-cent raise. The world must surely be coming to an end.
    And yet it thrilled her to have won the man over. This town might be a wonderful place to settle down.
    She was in the midst of restocking the ladies’ notions one day when a woman came in who, judging from her low-cut bodice and painted face, was clearly a working girl. Her listless gaze hurt a place in Delta deep inside. But for the pure grace of God, this could be her life.
    Delta put on a bright smile and hurried forward. “May I help you, miss?”
    The young girl stared at her feet and mumbled low, “I need a pair of black cotton stockings, please.”
    â€œOf course, right this way.” Delta led her to the selection of women’s unmentionables.
    The bell over the door jingled and another customer walked in. The minute the woman spotted the lady of the evening Delta was helping, she sniffed loudly, turned on her heel and stomped back out.
    The rude behavior stung and sent Delta’s thoughts scurrying back to Cedartown. People there had treated her the same way, and in her case, for circumstances totally beyond her control. Her heart went out to those who lived on the fringes of society. She knew what it felt like.
    â€œI’m sorry,” the stricken girl whispered.
    â€œYou have nothing to apologize for, miss. You have every right to shop in here. People are always going to find a way to treat others poorly.”
    â€œThank you for being so nice.”
    â€œMy name is Delta Dandridge.” Delta stuck out her hand.
    â€œI’m Emmylou.” The beginnings of a tiny smile brightened the girl’s face, replacing the dull, listless gaze.
    â€œIt’s a pleasure to know you, Emmylou.” Delta longed to ask if the girl was in Rand’s employ but she didn’t really want to know the answer. She preferred to think that Rand only sold beer and whiskey, not operated a flesh business. Surely he didn’t. Surely.
    Emmylou paid for her purchase and left. A few minutes later, the customer who’d been so disdainful returned.
    â€œAfternoon, ma’am. What can I help you with?”
    â€œYou can keep the likes of her out of here,” the sour woman snapped. “This is where decent people shop. John runs a clean store. He doesn’t allow that kind of riffraff in here.”
    â€œI’m sorry you feel that way, ma’am, but everyone is welcome here.”
    â€œWhere is John? We’ll just see about that.”
    Suddenly Mr. Abercrombie spoke from behind them. “Miss Dandridge said it pretty plain, Mrs. Hatfield. If you don’t like it, you can trot on over to Corsicana.”
    Mrs. Hatfield gasped. “Why, that’s over twenty miles.”
    â€œYes,