Mail Order Brides: A Bride for the Banker (Bozeman Brides Book 1) by Emily Woods Page A

regret, something she hadn’t seen cross his features in a long time. Still, she had to understand. “You were going to help them rob the bank?” she asked gently.
    “No! I didn’t know exactly what they were planning! Honest! I just agreed to meet them because I was kind of worried that if I didn’t…Well, they implied that if I didn’t I might get into some kind of trouble.”
    “God had his hand on you tonight, Jackson,” she murmured as she reached out and touched his cheek. He didn’t pull away from her touch, but he frowned a bit.
    “Maybe,” he said uncertainly. “How’s Theo?”
    They both returned their attention to the doctor and to Theo, who seemed to be coming around.
    “I don’t think it’s that serious,” the doctor stated. “With some rest and care, he should be fine. Get him into bed and let him rest.” He stood and collected his items. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I was in the middle of a delivery when I received the message to come at once. Poor Mrs. Thompson. It’s her first baby. I’ll be three doors down if you need me.”
    Margie watched the man leave and then walked over and knelt over the man whom she desperately hoped would still agree to wed her, especially now when she realized how foolish she’d been.
    “Wha…?” Theo mumbled as his eyelids fluttered open. “Margie?” he croaked. “Are you okay? And Ruth and Robert?”
    “We’re all fine, Theo, thanks to you and Jackson.” She looked up and gave her brother a grateful smile. He flushed and looked away, but not before she saw a shy smile cross his face.
    “Jackson?” he asked weakly, attempting to look around.
    “He’s fine too,” she assured him. “He was the one to get the doctor and to lead the sheriff to your brother and the others, although I don’t know how he managed all that.” She looked up at her brother who gave a slight shrug.
    “Lucky, I guess,” was all he said.
    A slight smile touched Theo’s lips. “Told you,” he mumbled right before he closed his eyes and drifted back into unconsciousness.
    “What’s he talking about?” Jackson asked. “What did he tell you?”
    Margie put her hand on Theo’s and smiled down at him. “He suggested something to me earlier today, but I was too stubborn to listen. Instead, I walked out on him and risked never seeing him again. And, it turns out that he was right.”
    “About what?” Jackson persisted.
    She looked at him for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “No, it’s better if he tells you. He should get the credit for it and see the look on your face. It’s only fair.”
    Her brother started to scowl but then seemed to change his mind and merely shrugged instead. “I guess with those guys behind bars, it’s safe to go out again.”
    A frown creased her brow. “You’re going out now?” she asked in dismay. It was nearly eleven o’clock. There were only a few reasons a young man would go out at this time, and none of them were good.
    “Nah, I’m just teasing you. Besides, I’ve had enough excitement for one night.” His eyes took on that glow again and now Margie saw it for what it was. He was proud of himself for having done something good. Tears threatened to form in her own eyes, but she willed them away and instead looked at him levelly.
    “You did well, tonight. I’m proud of you, proud to be your sister.”
    He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked away, uncomfortable with the praise. “It was nothing,” he muttered.
    “No,” she argued. “It’s the exact opposite of nothing. It was something very brave and important. You may very well have saved some people’s lives, my own included and maybe Theo’s as well, not to mention the Sandersons.”
    A small grin poked out even as he flushed. “You think?”
    “Yes, I do.” Without waiting for an invitation, she rose and put her arms around him. He returned the embrace awkwardly, but she could tell he was pleased with the attention. “You are destined for great