An Unexpected Mother (The Colorado Brides Series Book 4) Read Online Free

about your true character either. I’ve been with you these eighteen years, my dear. I know how stubborn you can be. It’s time you grew up and accepted adult responsibilities, just like your sisters. They’ve all settled for men beneath them, and they’re quite happy about it. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for you.”
    My ire had been thoroughly stirred. “He’s just as lowborn as those miners, who whistle and call women ‘my purdy darlin’’.” I glared at her, hating her in that moment. She knew all about my stubbornness, but I possessed a wicked temper to boot. “I can’t believe you won’t side with me on this issue. You’re supposed to want the best for me, not…this…this…disgusting person.”
    “Don’t put this off on me.” Now I had angered her. “You were the one who wanted to marry him. You wanted to come to Denver City. I’ve given up my house, my life, and my closest, dearest friends to escort you to this desolate frontier. I have more than supported you, young lady.”
    Tears were in my eyes. “My life is ruined.”
    “It’s just not how you thought it would be. God has other plans, my love. You have to trust in Him. He’s looking out for you. He’s watching over all of us.”
    “He wasn’t this time.” I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling a dangerous swell of emotion that would result in an ugly, heaving, crying fit. “Can I have a moment, please? I need…to be by myself.”
    “I’m sorry you’re disappointed. I hate to see you so unhappy, but…what’s done is done. I’ll speak to your father, but I doubt it would do any good.”
    “This was a horrible mistake. We never should’ve come here.” I flung myself into a pillow, as tears escaped. I couldn’t face any of it at the moment. I just wanted to lie here and die.
     

Chapter Three
     
    I had managed to pull myself together by supper, phlegmatically accepting my fate. I had made a promise; I had given a stranger my hand in marriage, which had been foolhardy, but I was now expected to follow through with the arrangement. I’d rather fling myself into the Laramie River and drown in the swiftly flowing current, but I did not have that luxury. And death surely would have been preferable.
    With a strength I did not know I possessed, I sat next to my husband-to-be and watched as he grasped at chunks of ham, coating the meat in tomato Catsup and tossing it into his mouth. I picked at a red bean pie, eyeing my parents critically, wishing that they weren’t so irritatingly content. My suffering did not seem to bother them in the least.
    “When I’m done with this here food, I’d sure like a taste of that pie,” said Jason. “It’s looks mighty good, Miss Fanny.”
    “It’s fine. You can have it. I’m not all that hungry.”
    “You sure? I don't want to take your food if—”
    “Please, have it.” I thrust the plate in his direction, praying that he would be quiet now.
    “Thank you.”
    The conversation was stilted; my parent’s were frequently the only ones speaking. I had nothing to say, other than commenting on the weather, the travel conditions, and whatever ailments had bothered me. By the time I excused myself for bed, I had developed a crushing headache, the pressure pounding behind my eyes. I longed for the blissful unconsciousness of sleep. Perhaps, when I woke in the morning, all of this would have been a bad dream.
    But…it wasn’t. Little relief arrived with the dawn, and I roused myself early, wanting to take a walk in solitude and pray for some sort of escape from the cruel fate that awaited me. I would be married by noon, with the possibility of a wedding night looming. There was a path that ran along the river, but I wasn’t the only one who had come this way, as there were a few men fishing. The coolness of the morning was a welcome respite, but, as soon as the sun appeared, things would grow uncomfortably heated.
    I found a spot near the riverbank, sitting on a