Free Montana Bound: A Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical (Mail Order Bride Journeys Book 2) by Claire Holiday Page B

could move out.
    Her thoughts were interrupted as Constance spoke, inviting everyone inside to catch up over cookies and milk. Virgil took Constance’s hand and the two of them walked inside first. Owen gestured with his hand, indicating that he would follow Grace in to the house, and as she turned to walk back in, she felt his hand briefly settle onto the small of her back. She felt her herself swoon. Yes, this is much too dangerous for me. I need to find somewhere else to live as soon as possible. She thought to herself.
     
    ***
     
    November 3, 1896
     
     
    The next morning Owen rose from bed early and walked out to the barn to collect some fresh milk for breakfast. Virgil hadn’t stayed too late because he still had not checked into his room, but promised to return in time for breakfast. He had invited Virgil to go fishing with him at his favorite fishing hole, which was located a short distance past the opposite side of the town from where he lived. Grace, hearing the conversation, had asked if they could drop her off in town. What he found troubling though, was the fact that she told them that her purpose for going to town was to look for a job.
    He had not slept well that night, feeling uneasy and confused. He thought that Grace was integrating herself as a solid member of the family and that she was happy staying with them. Perhaps she was just thinking of the future, and desirous of allowing his sister and Virgil to have their privacy, should they soon marry as all expected they would.
    Still, he couldn’t shake the heavy feeling that had descended upon him. He didn’t want her to leave. He didn’t want to be apart from her. He knew that he shouldn’t have those feelings, it wasn’t fair to his girlfriend, whom he had never had any doubt he would return for… until now.
    As he walked to the barn, he paused to take a bale of hay from the stack just outside the door. He gave a few leaves to the horses before entering the stall that Millie, his jersey cow, was kept in. He gave her the balance of the hay, and gave her a few gentle strokes of his hand across her back before setting up his stool and bucket to milk her.
    He felt guilty. What kind of man would allow himself to be in the place to develop feelings for another woman in the absence of the girl that he loved? He had never even entertained a doubt that he would marry his girlfriend before. He had always taken pride about how jealously he guarded his heart and worked to preserve his love for her. Then this beautiful woman walked into his life out of the blue, and from the first day he could not get her out of his mind. Am I really that shallow of a man?
    Owen was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard a horse whinny in the distance. Sure enough, seconds later he could see a buggy come around the corner toward the house, and knew that it was Virgil coming to pick them up.
    He headed to the house to alert Grace that Virgil was almost there, when suddenly she emerged with a small basket in hand.
    “I was just on my way to tell you that Virgil is almost here.” Owen said.
    “Yes, I was watching from the front window and saw that he was approaching, so I came outside.”
    “If you’ve just been sitting there staring out the window, why didn’t you come out and join me. I thought you were asleep.”
    “You looked like you were lost in thought, so I didn’t want to disturb you. But I wasn’t just staring out the window… I also packed some biscuits and jelly to take along with us. Figured you hadn’t eaten breakfast and you’d be starved.”
    Always looking out for me . Owen thought to himself. He was in fact quite hungry, but hadn’t realized it until then. “Thanks, I am hungry. I guess I forgot to eat this morning.”
    “I noticed.” Grace said with a sly smile.
    “Miss Russell? Can I ask you something?” Owen asked, but then was grateful when Virgil had pulled up and hollered out his greetings, distracting them from their