Free Historical Cowboy Romance Two Book Box Set - Mail Order Brides by Linda Bridey

has told me
many good things about you and your husband, Charlie,” Tessa said.
She understood that Lydia’s words were meant as a warning and
wanted to put the older woman at ease.
    Tessa extended her hand and gave Lydia a warm
smile. Lydia looked closely at Tessa, searching for any sign of
falsity or malice. Finding none, she took Tessa’s hand and shook
it.
    “Likewise. I like your dress and you have
beautiful hair,” Lydia said.
    “Thank you. Something smells good,” Tessa
said.
    “Aunt Lydia made fried chicken and mashed
potatoes,” Jack told her. “That’s my favorite.”
    Dean laughed. “Almost everything is his
favorite.”
    He had finally been able to speak again after
watching Tessa come into the room. He remembered feeling the same
way about Sarah when he’d first met her and the fact that he was
having similar feelings made him uncomfortable.
    “C’mon and sit down. We’re almost ready to
eat,” Lydia said. To Jack, she said, “Go find your Uncle Seth and
let him know to get his rear to supper.”
    Jack tore out the door, intent on his
mission.
    “Is there something I can do to help?” Tessa
asked.
    “No, no, dear. Please sit. You traveled a
long way and need to rest yourself,” Lydia replied.
    Tessa smiled. “All right, but I intend to
earn my keep, you know.”
    Lydia laughed. “Don’t worry, you will.”
    Supper was delicious. Tessa had never eaten
fried chicken before and wondered at how tasty it was. The mashed
potatoes were creamy and flavored well with butter. There was also
canned corn from the last season. Between her empty stomach and the
stress of meeting Dean and his family, Tessa’s appetite was great
and she cleaned her plate quickly.
    She’d always eaten with decorum but wasn’t
shy about eating her fill, even at social events. Women had
remarked how jealous they were that she could eat like that and
still retain her figure. Tessa told them it was the horseback
riding and a lot of walking, both of which were true.
    Finally, she put her fork on her plate and
dabbed her mouth with a napkin. She leaned back with a contented
sigh. “That was incredible.”
    Dean smiled at her. “It’s always nice to see
a woman eat well and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Not surprised,
though. Lydia’s a wonderful cook.”
    “Yes, she is,” Tessa agreed.
    “Now go on with you both,” Lydia said, but
Tessa could tell she was pleased by the praise.
    Seth said, “Quit acting so shy about, Lydia.
If your cooking stunk, we wouldn’t want you to make stuff.” He
winked at Lydia.
    Tessa smiled. Seth and Dean looked a lot
alike but had different personalities. Marcus and Seth had similar
attitudes. Dean was more serious than the two of them and Tessa
wondered if it had always been that way or if it was only since
Sarah and their baby had passed. She became lost in her musings for
a few moments.
    “Tessa?”
    It was Sadie who brought her back. “Yes?”
    “Will you show me how to braid my hair like
that? I can braid, but yours is different,” the girl said.
    “Of course. I’ll show you tomorrow,” Tessa
promised.
    “Thank you.”
    Tessa looked down into her eager little face
and felt something inside her tilt a little. She had a sudden
feeling that it would be hard for her to deny Sadie anything.
“You’re welcome.”
    “I don’t need my hair braided,” Jack stated.
“What do I get?”
    “Jack!” Dean said. “Mind your manners.”
    “Yes, Pa,” Jack said, but didn’t seem very
sorry.
    Tessa had a hard time not smiling. She looked
at Lydia to distract herself but the other woman seemed to be
having the same problem. “Well, actually, I have a little something
for each of you. I’ll be right back.”
    She rose from the table and hurried
upstairs.
    Dean watched her go, her skirts swishing as
she went. He couldn’t help appreciating her fine figure. He turned
back to the table and saw that both of his brothers were watching
her as well. “Knock it off,” he