Mail Order Bride - Westward Sunrise: Historical Cowboy Romance (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 9) by Linda Bridey Page B

letters from the drawer in which she’d put them.  After they ate, they sat close together at the table as they put their letters in chronological order.  She had used odd numbers to order hers since she’d sent the first letter and he had used the even numbers.  That way they were able to simply flip right through them.  They laughed over some of the sillier things they had said to each other that no one else would get.
                  As they talked, Abby found it impossible not to touch his hand or his arm.  She craved that innocent contact and Elliot seemed to feel the same way.  Elliot tried not to stare at her pretty bow-shaped mouth too much.  He’d have liked to kiss her, but felt it was too soon for that.
                  When seven o’clock rolled around, Elliot announced that they should go over to the bar because things would be getting started at that point.  Abby let out a tiny squeal of excitement before she could stop herself and jumped up.  Elliot was beginning to understand why people said Abby was hyperactive.  It seemed that she was always in constant motion, which he found amusing.
                 
                  Jake smiled as he saw Elliot enter the bar. 
                  “Where’s your girl?” he asked.  “You didn’t bring her to meet us?”
                  “I did, but she’s outside.  I need you to stop what you’re doing and come around the bar and stand in front of it.  Get your wife and have her do the same thing.  Don’t ask, just do it,” Elliot said with a smile, and then went into the barroom and started looking around.  He quickly assembled the people he wanted out by the bar.
                  “Ok, now you can’t tell Abby who you are.  We have a bet going that she can guess who each of your identities.  Jack, take off your badge,” Elliot said.
                  Jack chuckled.  “Yeah, I guess that’d be a dead giveaway.”
                  “Right,” Elliot said.  “I’ll be right back.”
                  When he went out the door, Jake said, “I’ve never seen Elliot like that before, have any of you?”
                  Sammi said, “Nope.  This is a strange start to their relationship, but each to their own.”
                  Lacey said, “I think it’s kind of nice.”
                  Elliot came back in with Abby and she smiled as Elliot introduce her and said, “Now, not a word from anyone unless she guesses who you are correctly.”
                  Abby said, “Before I start, I just want you to know that I’m so excited to meet all of you.  Elliot has told me so many wonderful things about all of you.  Okay, here goes.”
                  As her gaze roamed intently over each of them, Sammi looked at her hair.  She didn’t think it was every woman who could wear their hair short like that and look as good as Abby did.  After giving the group a thorough onceover, Abby closed her eyes a moment and cocked her head as if listening to something.  Then she opened her eyes and started.
                  “Okay, if I guess who you are, move off to the side, please,” she said.  “Ladies first.  Rebecca.  You’re the only lady with black hair.  Um, Sammi.  You’re easily recognizable for obvious reasons. Jamie. You have red hair.  Lacey, and…Hannah,” she said as she pointed at each in turn.
                  All five women moved away from the men as they laughed. 
                  “You’re pretty good so far,” Lacey said.  “This is fun.”
                  Elliot smiled, “Yeah, it is.”
                  “Okay, now the gentleman.  Jake,” she said.
                  “How’d you know?” Jake asked.
                  “Because you have a bar towel on your