Free His Bewildering Bride (The Brides of Paradise Ranch - Spicy Version Book 3) by Merry Farmer

Travis’s back. He had a bad feeling he’d find out as soon as Bonneville handed him the contract he was supposed to sign.
    “I’m willing to overlook your poor choice in wives,” Bonneville went on. “Even though I had hoped that you would look to one of my daughters.”
    Travis’s brow flew up. That was news. But then, the Bonneville girls weren’t getting any younger, and rumors were beginning to circulate that all four of them would end up as spinsters if they didn’t sweeten their attitudes.
    Still, Travis had no idea what to reply. He shifted his weight, rubbed his neck, and mulled over the wisest response he could make without looking like he didn’t really want the job.
    “Why, a dress shop is a lovely idea.” Katie Murphy’s loud proclamation from the conversation behind them split through the thoughts Travis was forming into words. “Haskell is in sore need of a feminine touch. I suppose that’s what comes from a man founding a town.”
    “I know I would buy dresses from you,” Lucy Faraday added in a voice as loud as Katie’s.
    Travis hadn’t noticed her arrival in the group behind him. He hadn’t noticed Howard and Elizabeth Haskell joining them either. In fact, while he’d been talking to Bonneville, the small cluster of friends had turned into a large circle of curious well-wishers and distant neighbors. Wendy was now the focus of the room. Travis abandoned Bonneville and stepped up to her side to show her support.
    “I…I have hopes of starting a dress shop only,” Wendy emphasized to the rapt crowd now studying her. “It was just an idea Travis and I were discussing the other day. In truth, I believe it would take a lot of work to launch a business.”
    “Perhaps, but that kind of business is badly needed around here,” Katie said.
    “I’m sure you would have a loyal clientele in no time,” Estelle added.
    Wendy glanced to Travis. Her eyes were full of thanks that he had returned to her side. He subtly offered his arm in support, and she took it. Her fingers dug into the flesh of his arm, but her face didn’t betray a lick of fear. Travis’s heart beat harder, he was so impressed with his wife’s aplomb.
    “What’s this about a dressmaker?” The calm and easy mood of the conversation was shattered by Vivian Bonneville’s shrill demand.
    The already large circle widened as Vivian and her sisters and Rex Bonneville wedged their way into the conversation.
    “This is Mrs. Wendy Montrose,” Katie took the reins of the conversation and explained. “She’s new to Haskell, and she’s a seamstress.”
    “Isn’t her dress today just lovely?” Emma asked. Several people responded with hums of approval.
    “My dresses are lovely too,” Melinda insisted, a little too loud. “See? Piper Strong is wearing one of the dresses I made right now.”
    As one, women in the circle twisted to look across the church to where an energetic young woman with strawberry-blonde hair was wrangling a herd of small children, her nieces and nephews.
    “What lovely work,” Wendy complimented the dress. Travis grinned at her diplomacy.
    “Of course it is,” Melinda barked. “I was trained by the finest couturiers in Paris.”
    “You made me translate that French book of fashion and then show you how to cut out the patterns,” Honoria mumbled.
    “Shut up, Honoria,” Melinda and Vivian snapped at the same time.
    Most of the group didn’t hear Honoria’s comment and were startled at the retort she was given. The moment of stunned silence was broken by Howard.
    “That settles it,” he said. “Mrs. Montrose is new to our town and she has skills that are sorely needed. There is plenty of space in the buildings already constructed in Haskell, so I will personally endorse and fund a dress shop under her care and management.”
    A wave of gasps and delight passed through the group. Wendy sagged against Travis. His alarm lasted only as long as it took for him to see the joy in her eyes, the flush