Once Upon a Mail Order Bride - Linda Broday Page 0,133

is trying to sort through all this.”

“Let’s take him into town with us. He might like to see Sawyer and Henry.”

For someone just getting their day started, Addie presented quite a picture. Her hair lay in a wealth of golden curls and waves, and her eyes seemed greener than usual. There was a flush to her skin as well. He’d like to capture her likeness and hang it on the wall.

Ridge laid down his fork, a husky tone in his voice. “I have to say that lovemaking certainly agrees with you. I’ve never seen you lovelier than you are right now.”

She sat quietly for a moment, blinking back tears. “Thank you, dear. You look rather handsome yourself.”

They would only have one more morning like this. Then this fairy-tale marriage might come to an end. Suddenly, he wasn’t hungry either.

* * *

Later that morning, they rode into town, and Addie stopped in at the mercantile for a few things.

“Got a letter for you, Mrs. Steele.” Owen Vaughn reached into a mail slot and handed her an envelope.

“Oh my goodness, I wonder who wrote it.” Addie scanned it for a return address but found none. She carefully tore the envelope open, her attention flying to the signature at the end. Shiloh Duke. Her heart lifted. She went to sit on a bench outside to read in the sunlight.

Dear Addie,

I pray this finds you and Mr. Steele well and in good spirits. I’m in a Colorado mining town, singing in a real fancy place. Folks flock every night to listen to me. They call me their songbird and I like that. I’m very careful in making acquaintances, so don’t worry. I sure ain’t looking for love. Anyhow, the miners here only have one thing on their minds and I’m staying clear of them. Don’t need what they’re selling. I make enough to live on with something left over and am finding that I enjoy my life. Tell Bodie that I believe in the power of dreams. Nightmares can’t find me here. I’ll write more soon.

Yours truly,

Shiloh

Addie folded the letter, digesting the news. How wonderful to know that Shiloh was alive and well. The young woman sounded very satisfied with her lot now. Addie wished she could write back to her, but evidently Shiloh wasn’t ready to reveal her location. Addie hoped she would one day though. She didn’t want to lose touch with the girl and had a sudden yearning to tell her about the school-teaching position and the kids that would be starting school in two weeks.

Addie rose and went to visit her mother. Little Nico met her at the door. “Add!”

Smiling, Ingrid came from the small kitchen, her hair in a loose arrangement on top of her head that was very becoming. “Addie, you don’t have to knock. This is your home too.” She studied Addie’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Oh, Mama. I’m afraid for Ridge.” Addie sank into her mother’s embrace. God, how she’d missed her mama’s soft shoulder. She needed the comfort.

“Let’s sit down and you can tell me what this is about.” Ingrid picked up Nico and they sat at the table. Nico laid his head on Ingrid’s chest and stared at Addie.

She told her mother about Judge Greely and her worst fears. “Bodie says as long as Ridge is determined to go, he’s coming too. Ridge stood thinking at the window a long time last night, and I suspect a part of him doesn’t want to go through with this. Mama, I don’t know if I can stand it if the judge throws out Shiloh’s confession and arrests him. They might put him in prison”—she tried to steady herself—“or hang him.”

If that happened, she didn’t know how she could possibly teach school. It would be impossible to focus.

“Child, you have to be brave. Support his decision and try not to let him see your worry.” Ingrid handed her a handkerchief and Addie blew her nose. “I’ve never seen a man love anyone like he does you. Don’t expect the worst. This may very well be a godsend, everything Ridge has wanted.”

“I know, and I’m trying. It’s impossible to see hope when the risk is this great.” But she’d do anything for him, even wear a smile when her heart was breaking.

* * *

Two days later, Ridge walked from the hotel in Mobeetie to the courthouse with Addie, flanked by Bodie and Jack. He felt naked without his Colts and holster he’d left behind in the room. He paused on