The Mail Order Midwife's Secret (Wanted: Wives In The West 2) by Trinity Ford

and she desperately wanted to do the same, but it was too dangerous. If she offended the townsfolk, they might force her to leave, and she’d have nowhere to go but back to Henry, an option that was worse than death to Millie.
    “Well, I come from Kansas, as you know,” she began. “I was born and raised there—an only child. I was married before, and worked as a midwife, which I love doing.” Millie’s face flushed with embarrassment of how fake and positive she sounded. She had to fight the urge to blurt out the truth to John—whose blue eyes felt so inviting and safe. “I was married, but he passed away a year ago.” John sat silent, staring at Millie as if he were waiting for the rest of the story. Gentleman that he was, he wouldn’t pressure her, and for that, she felt grateful.
    “Enjoying Texas so far?” he asked.
    “Oh, yes,” she said. “I came here because I love a good adventure, and I didn’t want to stay in Kansas grieving.” The grief was real, but the reason for it would stay hidden in Millie’s heart forever. She’d much rather have experienced and suffered the loss of a great love than had to endure the abuse Henry doled out on a daily basis.
    “Look at us,” John said, taking Millie’s hand in his. “Two broken hearts mending together.” Millie suddenly realized what she was doing. Her heart begged to feel this connection with another soul, but the reality of the situation was that she was married, and this couldn’t happen. She slid her hand out of John’s and stood up abruptly, averting her eyes from the pained look John had on his face. Her heart felt heavy hurting him that way, but it was for the best.
    “It’s been a long day,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “I’d best be getting back to the house and rest up before tonight.”

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    John stood and gathered up the picnic before helping Millie up into the carriage. He had hoped she’d trust him enough to let her guard down, but the moment he showed affection for her, she’d startled. What’s she been through that’s caused her so much pain?
    He drove the carriage to Doc’s house and walked Millie to the door. He took her hand in his. “Thank you for a beautiful day,” he said, bowing and gently kissing her hand before turning to walk back to his carriage.
    As he hopped into the wagon to head home, he looked at Millie standing in the doorway. She waved goodbye and he tipped his hat. The feel of her soft hand in his faded as he gripped the reins of the carriage. Butterflies. Haven’t felt that in a long time. John laughed to himself as he remembered this feeling of admiration for a woman. His whole adult life, he’d either been single or with Rose, but it felt good to experience this nervousness again—the anticipation of getting to see her again later that night in the Acre. Of course he didn’t wish anyone to get hurt, but a minor scrape she could fix up would give him the chance to see her smile, hold her hand as he helped her out of the wagon, and help her build trust in him.
    John went home and slept during the rest of the day. When he awoke, the sun was setting and it was time to get dressed for work. He affixed his sheriff’s badge to his vest and put on his hat. He caught himself adjusting everything to make sure it looked just right and laughed out loud. What are you doing, John? Acting like a lovesick schoolboy . He stopped rearranging his attire and headed toward the Acre.
    It took about two hours, but eventually Doc had to be called in for an accident. Some of the boys were shooting pool and a scuffle had broken out over whose turn it was. It didn’t take much to rile up a group of cowboys when they were drunk. “He’s as crooked as a dog’s hind leg!” one man shouted as the sheriff led him from the saloon to the street to calm him down.
    “I know,” said John. “But you can’t be pulling out your knife just ‘cause someone said it’s their turn.” The other man