Free Mail Order Bride: Westward Christmas Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides, Book 11) by Linda Bridey Page B

pulled his horse back to ride beside her.  “What did you think of the camp?” he asked her.
                  Sasha smiled.  “The children are adorable, especially Brown Otter.”
                  “Yes, he is.  Are you still afraid of going there now that you’ve seen what it’s like?” Ben asked.  It was important to him that she be comfortable with the Lakota.
                  “No, I’m not afraid now.  There was no one who did more than look at me.  Some smiled and Wind Spirit even tried to keep me out of the way when you and Raven scuffled,” Sasha said.
                  Ben smiled.  “Thank you for tipping me off, by the way.  If you hadn’t, it would have been me on the ground instead of him.”
                  Sasha frowned.  “About that; how did you know where to aim?  It could have been anyone coming up behind you.”
                  “See, those Lakota boys like to play games.  Wrestling matches, especially.  Once they know you, they’ll get you any chance they can, so it is always best if you can strike first.  They’re the only ones who do that sort of thing to me.  You’ll see what I mean when we go to the Watering Hole.  Reckless is always getting me or Sammi that way,” Ben said with a laugh.
                  Sasha gave him a startled look.  She knew that Sammi worked there as a bouncer, but to hear that she would be subjected to this kind of treatment was shocking to her.  “He goes after Sammi in such a fashion?”
                  “Yes, ma’am.  Sammi doesn’t want any special treatment because she’s a woman.  Frankly, she doesn’t need any, either,” Ben said.  “I spar with her on a regular basis and believe me, there are times neither of us win and we have to call a draw.”
                  “Is that so?” Sasha said.  She couldn’t fathom such a thing.
                  Ben saw her mind working on that.  “I’ll tell you what; it would be a pleasure for me to make dinner for you.  We could dine and then go downstairs for some entertainment.”
                  Sasha thought that it would certainly be something new.  After living such a boring, uneventful life with Ken, she could stand some adventure.  “Yes, I would like that very much,” she said, and sent him a smile.
                  “Good.”  Ben rode closer and took her hand.  “I have a few questions for you.  If they are too personal, simply tell me and I’ll not continue asking them.”
                  Sasha nodded.  “All right.” 
                  “They are about your late husband,” Ben said, and looked at her to gauge her reaction.
                  Sasha nodded.  “Go ahead.”
                  “Last evening you said that your marriage was mostly in name only,” Ben said.  “How soon after you married did that start?”
                  “A little over a year,” Sasha said.  She didn’t want to answer his questions, but felt that he deserved honesty from her.  It was embarrassing to have to admit that her husband hadn’t wanted anything to do with her.  The man who had promised to love and cherish her had done neither.
                  Ben nodded.  “And how long were you married?”
                  Sasha swallowed and said, “Six years.”
                  Ben inhaled sharply, but that was the only outward reaction he made to what she’d said.  Six years she had been married, five of those spent without affection, without appreciation, without respect.  Ben could feel his nostrils flare as these thoughts created a cold anger inside him.  That a man could trap a woman in a loveless marriage was a horrible thing.  It was one of the things he didn’t miss about high society.  He knew such things happened in any society, but