Perfectly Matched (The Blue Willow Brides Book #3): A Novel by Maggie Brendan Page A

She wondered about Edward’s list.
    She dried her hands on her apron and fished the list from her pocket. Today was market day, and she was lookingforward to getting out of the house. She’d have time to tidy her appearance, then go shopping. Edward had been in his shop since breakfast, and she longed to have someone to talk to. He’d been quiet when they ate, and she’d watched how slowly and deliberately he’d spread the butter and then the jam on his toast, making sure they spread to the edges, and being certain that the toast on his plate never came in contact with the eggs. Earlier he’d insisted on putting the bacon on a separate plate. She wondered why that was so important to him, but she didn’t ask.
    She changed from her homespun brown work dress to a woolen navy skirt and stiff Battenberg lace blouse with a navy velvet ribbon tied at the throat. Slipping on sensible walking shoes, she picked up her purse from the dresser, donned her bonnet, and set out for the walk to the store. She drank in the fresh morning air, feeling quite happy to be outside with the sun’s rays warm against her face. Late September was becoming colder with each passing day, but she didn’t mind. Especially when she’d have someone to snuggle with once the ten-day postponement of marital consummation ended. She almost blushed at the thought and felt a quiver in her belly. She wasn’t given to vapors, but the thought of lying in Edward’s arms as his wife, and their coming together to strengthen their vows, caused her to be short of breath. It must be the thin air and altitude , she thought.
    Admiring the fall leaves against the vibrant blue sky with their shades of gold, orange, and red, she walked briskly, humming a tune. The street was a flurry of morning activity, from horse-drawn carriages and wagons to people on foot going about their day-to-day activities. Anna decided that she liked the air of excitement the town had to offer beneath thebackdrop of the gorgeous mountain range. It was the best of both worlds—not too far to traipse to the foothills, but still connected to a bustling community.
    A commotion across the street caught her eye. A portly gentleman had started up the steps to the bank when a large, reddish-brown dog moved toward him stiffly and began to sniff at his pants. The man shouted at the dog and motioned as if to hit it with his walking stick. The dog stepped sideways but only for a moment, then stood in front of the bank’s door. Anna had never seen a dog so large, but she couldn’t help but notice its thinning sides and matted, dirty coat. Suddenly the man kicked the dog in the side—not once but twice—and the pitiful dog yelped, then limped down the stairs with its tail tucked under and its floppy ears flat.
    Anna felt her throat constrict with pity for the dog and anger at the man. Shopping would have to wait. “You there!” she yelled, waving her hand in the direction of the man. He paused as she hurriedly crossed the street, barely sidestepping a moving team of horses pulling a laden supply wagon. “Wait just a blasted minute!”
    The older gentleman peered down at her from the top step while adjusting his finely stitched vest and topcoat. “May I ask what the devil for?” He cocked one eyebrow disdainfully, eyeing her from top to bottom.
    “How dare you kick that old dog! Can’t you see it’s sick?” she spat at him, her voice cracking with emotion.
    “I beg your pardon? And what business is it of yours, I might ask?”
    “I make it my business if I see an animal in danger.”
    The man snorted loudly. “Ha! That old good-for-nothing dog? He’s always hanging out around here. It’s not good for customers at my bank. Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .” Heturned to enter the door, but Anna was quicker and put her hand on the doorknob.
    “Animals are God’s dumb creatures entrusted to our care,” she said.
    “ Dumb is right, but not entrusted to my care. If it matters so much to