His Prairie Princess (Prairie Brides 1) by Kit Morgan Page A

something that shouldn't be spoken in polite company.  He’d seen that same look on his mother’s face upon occasion. And so what she did next he assumed any lady would do.
    She fled from the room.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Seven
     

    Sadie retreated to the kitchen and thankfully no one was there.  Grandma must have gone upstairs to check on her mother.  She absently took the lid from the stew pot and gave the contents a stir. 
    Why in Heaven’s name was she upset?  Harrison offered to take her back to her ranch.  Her home. Her father ...
    All right, she admitted that part was upsetting.  It would mean seeing her father sooner than expected.  And parting from Harrison sooner than she wanted. 
      She did so enjoy his company and had come to know him over their time spent together. His description of the English countryside fascinated her, and she loved talking of London and his family there.  But she dare no t let herself feel anything for him.  Her mother was more important and she still had to convince her father to let her come live with them at the ranch.  Sadie would not leave her behind in Clear Creek.
    She stirred the stew one last time, checked on the pies, (it was as good a n excuse as any for running from the parlor) and went back to speak with Harrison.  He stood as she entered, his face unreadable.
    “I ... I thought I smelled supper burning,” she stammered. “And I needed to check on dessert.”
    Harrison’s face broke into a warm smile.  “Of course. It all smells wonderful by the way. Come, sit down.”
    She went to the settee and sat.  He joined her and they enjoyed each other in companionable silence for a few moments.
    “Sadie ...” escaped him a low whisper.  Deep and throaty.
    She looked at him and swallowed.
    He cleared his throat and scooted closer.  “I don’t wish to frighten you, but you need a man’s protection. I rescued you and am responsible for you until your father comes.  If he does not come to fetch you it could mean he fell victim to the outlaws as well.”
    Sadie’s mouth dropped open.  “No ...”
    “I’m sorry if that upsets you, but if he doesn't come soon then I feel it’s my duty to see you home.”  He turned to the window, moved a lace curtain aside, and looked out to the street. “You cannot plan to stay here forever.”
    Forever.  The word seemed to hang over them. Sadie had never thought about where she would spend he r foreve r .  Or whom she would spend it with.  Until now.  She studied him as he continued to look out upon the street.  A wagon rolled by and he watched it with feigned interest.  His eyes glued to the horse being pulled along behind it.  He was so different from other men she was familiar with.  His looks were of course striking, but she’d met handsome men before.  No, Harrison Cooke had something the others didn’t.  It was a quiet strength wrapped up in a polite package.  A very polite one.  His English mother no doubt took her job of teaching her sons proper manners very seriously. It was hard to imagine his brothers, falsely accused, locked up in prison. But at the same time, she knew these men wouldn’t hesitate to do what ever was necessary to protect a woman. To protect her.  This was not some fancy English dude she’d heard tell of or read about in a novel.  This was a man who’d spent the last eight years taming the Oregon prairie with other men of his ilk.  Pioneers who wanted a better life and were willing to pay the price to get it. 
    “I have no doubt my father will turn up eventually.  Until that time I plan to take care of my mother and see she gets well.”
    He at last looked at her.  His eyes fell to her mouth.  He swallowed as if he found it difficult to speak.  “I shall continue to look after you then,” his eyes found hers.  “And check daily on you