A Love of Her Own Read Online Free Page B

beard. “Excuse me for saying so, but you don’t look the part.” His eyes traveled over her smart traveling dress and shoes.
    “Don’t let my looks fool you,” she said, reaching out to stroke one of the horse’s withers.
    Morgan strode to the front of the stagecoach. “Please go ahead and get back in the coach. Mrs. Reed will be back any second, and we’ll be ready to leave.”
    “I hope we won’t get behind schedule, Mr. Kincaid, because of her and our having to trudge that long road.” April’s eyes flashed at him. “I’m supposed to be at my brother’s wedding late tomorrow afternoon. I will be sorely upset if I miss it because of this! I had no idea this trip would be so hard. I’m covered in dust and getting bounced around like a US mailbag.”
    Like the world revolves around her , Morgan thought. He gave her a level stare that spoke volumes and cleared his throat. “I always do my best to stick to the schedule, and I’ve been late only a few times because of weather. Changing a baby’s diaper, and your complaints, won’t stop us from making it.” He touched the brim of his hat to her, then signaled to Leon to get started as he climbed back to his perch on the coach. He hoped that would stop her griping. She needed to learn a few lessons about life. Too bad she didn’t know Miss Margaret. She could teach April a lesson or two.
    Morgan knew he hadn’t heard the last of Miss McBride by a long shot. There would be more complaints when she had to eat Abigail’s beans and potatoes. He chuckled under his breath, and Leon cast him a quizzical look. “Never mind me, Leon. Something just struck me funny!”

    When the stagecoach finally pulled away from the roadhouse after a brief respite, April found herself anxious to get back on the road toward Lewistown. The roadhouse was little more than a primitive log cabin with a kitchen and large open room where they all shared a questionable meal of beans, potatoes, and tough roast beef.
    The cook was known as Abigail, a rotund, middle-aged woman with a gregarious nature. She piled their plates high and served them coffee and water.
    April had tried her best to eat, but about the only thing she could keep down were Abigail’s biscuits. The coffee was bitter and the boiled potatoes had little taste. She shuddered when she thought about where they would be spending the night before driving on to Lewistown. Her body was already sore from being tossed about on the rough road. And if she had to listen to May’s and Willard’s ailments for another day, she thought she might lose her mind. She cocked her head. Apparently this was the couple’s usual way of conversing. Was that how things were when you’d been married a long time? She did not want her marriage—if she ever got married—to be like that.
    She’d tried to talk to Beth when they walked outside after lunch before boarding, but she wasn’t very friendly and seemed intent on seeing to Anne. April looked at the baby now curled up in her mama’s arms. Her eyes were slowly drooping, now that she’d had her bottle and a diaper change. Soon she was fast asleep with the rocking of the stage. April had to admit that Anne was a cute little one, and even Mark had commented to Beth that the baby was indeed a beautiful child.
    This time April sat facing forward with the older couple next to her. April closed her eyes, feigning sleep to keep May’s constant chatter out of her ear.
    By late afternoon, everyone was tired and cranky, and they had only one other brief stop before traveling on again. Even the good-natured doctor showed signs of fatigue. April felt the stage slowly roll to a halt, and she looked out the window as Morgan and Leon walked over and opened the coach doors.
    “Folks, this is where we stop for the night. Supper is served at 5:30 sharp. The cost of a room with cots is two dollars. We’ll be pulling out at 6 a.m. sharp once again. Enjoy your respite,” Morgan announced.
    The passengers