Montana Bound: A Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical (Mail Order Bride Journeys Book 2) by Claire Holiday Page B

door to introduce themselves to you.”
    I think I may have already found a good man. Grace thought to herself. “And what about you? Do you ever plan to marry?” She asked, trying to sound like she was just making conversation.
    “Actually, there is someone back home in Virginia that I promised that one day I would return for.” Owen answered.
    Remembering the rumor that she had heard from Mrs. Metzger a few weeks earlier, Grace felt herself becoming tense, but tried not to let it show. Though she feared that his answer would confirm that the rumor was actually truth, she had to find out. “Why haven’t you gone back yet? Do you still intend to marry her?”
    “I planned to, but when my brother-in-law came down with the fever and died, I couldn’t just abandon my sister. I’ve stayed to help her with the farm because she doesn’t want to leave and wants to hang on to it.”
    Grace admired Owen’s loyalty to his family. It was a quality that she valued more than any other in a man. “So then you would have gone back already if it were not for your brother-in-law’s death?”
    “I think so.” There was a bit of uncertainty in the way that Owen answered.
    Grace was afraid to push for more detail, thinking that perhaps Owen didn’t want to talk about it. She decided to shift the subject, “Has your sister had any suitors?”
    “She has had a few, but none of them have worked out. There are a lot of men out here, but most are not the type of man a woman would want to marry.” He answered, and then added, “But she does have a suitor now that she seems pretty interested in. You’ll get a chance to meet him soon, as he’ll be along for another visit soon.”
    “Good! I look forward to it. And maybe you’ll be able to return home for your girlfriend soon then.” Grace tried her best to sound happy and encouraging, but inside she felt that she had once again had hope ripped away from her. It worried her. It wasn’t that she had fallen in love with him, but she was interested in him. It worried her that she should feel so drawn to Owen, so quickly. Maybe it isn’t real. Maybe I am just getting desperate.
    “Maybe we should be getting along soon.” Owen suggested. “If you are still wanting some of those apples, we better go pick them now.”
    Grace nodded her assent, and Owen left to retrieve the horses. Once he returned with them in hand, they saddled up and rode across to the field to collect the apples that she needed. Then they took off again.
    Grace wondered what it meant that Owen had not responded to her suggestion that he would be able to return to his girlfriend if Constance married soon. Don’t assume it means anything other than that he doesn’t want to talk about it. She tried to convince herself. The rumor has a ring a truth to it now.
    As they rode along, they suddenly came upon some wild flowers growing on a sunny knoll that they had just ridden upon. She commented on how beautiful they were, and without missing a beat Owen lept from his horse, and picked a few, which he then presented to her.
    “A beautiful woman deserves to have beautiful flowers.” Owen said as he held them out to her, a proud grin spread across his face.
    “Thank you, but you didn’t have to.” Grace said, confused that he would have even thought to have picked flowers for her after the conversation that they had a short time ago. He tells me that he wants to marry someone else, and then gives me flowers? Can’t he tell how hurtful that is to me?
    Owen hopped back into his saddle, looking satisfied, and they rode on. Grace didn’t talk too much on the rest of the ride home, though several times Owen attempted to engage her in conversation. Soon the homestead came into view, and arriving, Grace did not wait for Owen to come around to help her dismount. He looked surprised to find her on the ground as he approached. She handed him the reins to her horse, and spun on her heals without a word, her skirts flying up