The Springtime Mail Order Bride by Kit Morgan Page A

finding hers, and locking. “You’re about the prettiest thing I’ve ever…”
    Samijo screamed as the horses suddenly bolted. Arlan was quick to grab her to him as he fought to slow them.  She clung to his jacket with one hand, and hung onto the wagon seat with the other. Something must have spooked the animals, otherwise why would they have broke into a run?
    “Whoa!” Arlan called to them as he tried to bring the horses under control.  He cursed, but Samijo didn’t care, she was too frightened, and continued to hang onto him for dear life.  The beasts had run halfway down the slope before he got them to slow enough for her to know they were out of danger.
    Once they reached the valley floor, Arlan brought the wagon to a stop, and took a deep breath.  
    “I’m going to beat them silly for this,” he said under his breath.
    “What happened?” Samijo asked, both hands now gripping his jacket.
    He turned to her, pried her hands from him, and then took her into his arms. “It’s all right, nothing to worry about. You’re safe.”
    “Arlan?” she mumbled into his chest.
    It was the first time he held her like this, and he couldn’t bring himself to let her go. “Shhhh, you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” He closed his eyes with the thought. Yes, she was safe. But his brothers weren’t. When he found them, he was going to take a whip to all three for this. He’d heard the slight thump as the rock (he assumed it was a rock) struck one of the horses.  Calvin, it had to be Calvin.  He was the only one that owned a slingshot.
    As much as he hated to do it, Ar lan gently pushed them apart and tucked a finger under Samijo’s chin. He tilted her face up to his own and studied her. “You okay?”
    She nodded. “Yes,”
    They were so close, all he would have to do his lower his face a few inches, and he could kiss her. He closed his eyes and did his best to still his breathing, before she realized the danger wasn’t over. Run away horses were one thing, a run away heart, another. If he kissed her now, he’d take her straight to his cabin and …
    “Well look who’s back!” a voice called from out of the nearest orchard.
      Araln and Samijo looked as a young man was walking toward them from out of the trees.  He reached up and brushed at the lowest branches, his tousled brown hair and hazel eyes shining in the spring sunshine. “Who is that?” Samijo whispered.
    “Benjamin. My brother.”
    “Ah yes. Of course, your brothers,” she stated.
    He looked down at her. “I told you about my brothers, didn’t I?”
    “No, but Mrs. Gunderson did.”
      His face took on a worried look. “Whatever she told you, none of its true,” he pushed out. “Okay, so maybe some of it, but you can’t believe everything someone tells you.”
    She blinked a few times in confusion, and then smiled. “Are they really that bad?”
    Arlan watched as Benj amin began to trot to the wagon. “Sometimes.”
    She turned to look at his brother just as he reached them. “Howdy there,” he said as he studied her.  Sa mijo looked between the two men.  Both had the same thick brown hair and strong features, and from where she sat, she could tell Benjamin wasn’t as tall as Arlan. He was also obviously a few years younger, with eyes as bright as her husbands, but hazel instead of blue. “Hello,” she said.
    “Where’s ma?” Arlan asked.
    “Up at the house ready to bust a gut she’s so excited.”
    “Is she feeling better?”
    Benjamin took on a more serious look. “Yep, but she still needs to rest. I told her to stay in bed, but you know how stubborn she is.”
    Arlan gave his attention back to Samijo. “I’d be much obliged if you’d look after her for a few days, then I’ll have you help me with the farm. Besides, it would give the two of you a chance to get acquainted.”
    Samijo nodded. “Of course.”
    He nodded in return, and then with a flick of the reins, there were off again.  Benjamin leapt