Free Adam: Braddocks, Book Two by Starla Kaye Page B

ads for mail–order brides.
    “I still don’t understand your problem,” he said curiously to Caleb. “You’ve got your pick of ladies now. There’s more arriving every day. Surely you can––”
    Caleb, usually the more calm and easy–going of the Braddock brothers, turned to level a sour look in his direction. “I don’t appreciate you two butting into my personal business. Sending for a bride for me was…well, damn wrong.”
    “Now, preacher boy, you shouldn’t be cussing like that,” Daniel chastised. He turned from the window and shook his head sadly at his younger brother. “You were being too darn picky about choosing a woman from the ones available around here. We just wanted to give you more choices.”
    “What you’ve done is cause a whole lot of problems. You’ve brought all of these women out here hoping to find a husband–in specific, me–to settle down with.” He eased away from the window, clearly worried one of the women would spot him. “Even if I chose one, there would be a couple dozen other women gravely disappointed.”
    Daniel perked up. “So one of them has caught your notice?”
    Caleb rolled his eyes. “You are missing the point. You’ve brought women here with no means of taking care of themselves, with false hopes. And no, I haven’t found myself a bride. Because I am not interested in looking for one right now.”
    “You don’t have to get all hostile.” Daniel looked annoyed.
    “I ought to pack up and move away. Don’t think I haven’t been seriously considering doing just that.” Caleb glowered at his oldest brother.
    In a way, Adam felt sorry for him, even if he’d had a part in this situation. He didn’t want anyone pushing him to get married again, not that his brothers hadn’t tried. He was trying to hide out from the women, too. It wouldn’t take long for them to learn he was available as well. His thoughts turned to Faith, as they did far too often. She was the worst of the whole lot of husband–hungry females. She’d been after him for too long, fought against accepting his refusal to court her.
    Just as he was working up a good mad, he recalled her quiet “Adam, I love you” spoken even as he’d burned her bottom with the hairbrush a couple of weeks back. Hell. The words had haunted him ever since.
    He shifted in the chair, couldn’t quite find a comfortable position. Again, he’d tried to convince her to give up on him. He remembered exactly what he’d told her: ‘But I cannot love you back.’ He meant it, too. He couldn’t let himself love her.
    “Did you get some letters to the driver?” Caleb asked and pulled Adam from his musings.
    “I figured Adam would take too long writing them up, so I did it. Gave them to my deputy to give to the driver.” Daniel looked from brother to brother, clearly pleased with himself.
    Adam inwardly groaned. Sure they had an abundance of single women running around Dry Fork now. But given time the single men living in the area on the various ranches would probably take care of the problem. He hadn’t been serious when he’d mentioned they should send off for some grooms. If Faith ever found out…
    Naturally, with his luck of late, she came bustling in the open doorway. She shot Daniel and Caleb withering looks before striding over closer to him. Her green eyes sparked with annoyance. Her normally pale complexion was pink with temper.
    “You are such a hypocrite!” she accused, planting her small hands on her shapely hips.
    He sat up straighter, annoyed that his brothers were listening avidly. “What are you talking about?” Of course he was pretty sure why she was angry.
    “My letter. You had the nerve to tear it up, not let me send off for a mail–order groom.” She stretched to her full, still short height. “Yet you decide to send off for grooms for those women.”
    Daniel foolishly stepped into her view. “Actually, Miss Paddington, it was Adam’s suggestion. But I’m the one sending