West For Love (A Mail Order Romance Novel) by Karolyn James, Claire Charlins Page B

meant to marry that man. The way he came off the porch to
greet you, take that as something romantic, all things considered.”
    Anna opened her mouth but Jo looked
down at Thomas Jr. and continued talking.
    “Now, if you’ll excuse me for a
moment, I’m going to put Thomas Jr. down. Then we’ll enjoy a cup of tea, okay?”
    “Okay,” Anna nodded.
    Jo turned but stopped. She looked
back and smiled. “Not to put you on the spot, dear Anna, but you are making
dinner tonight, correct?”
    “Dinner...?”
    “It is your house now,” Jo said.
“It would be certainly a pleasure if I could have my job and nothing more.”
    “Dinner,” Anna whispered, nodding.
    “The way to Thomas’s heart besides
your beautiful looks, dear Anna, is through a warm meal. I’m sure you’ll do
just fine.”
    Jo left from the room and Anna
stood by herself for a few minutes. She slowly crept out of the room and walked
the house, skipping the room she would begin to share with Thomas, working her
way to the kitchen. There she stood, comparing it to the kitchen at home. Well,
her old home. Not that kitchens were very different, but the setup had an
unique look and feel. Anna walked to the window and stood there, looking out to
the large fields. Far, far away she could see Thomas.
    Working.
    Suffering.
    That alone was commendable and it
made Anna want to be the best woman in the world for him. A man that went
through what Thomas did but yet gets up for work, that’s a real man. A man who
could survive the pain and the loss, a man who could love again.
    Anna just wanted to be that woman
standing there when it all came together for Thomas.
    And she swore to herself she would.
    She had something in her bag for
Thomas.
    She would share his bed. She would
allow him to do anything he needed. If he needed to touch her, slowly and
gently at first, ease his way. If he wanted to wait a day, two, even a week
before actually getting married. Of course, there would be no playful touching
before that time, but even still, as far as Anna was concerned, the moment she
allowed Jo to bring her to Thomas’s home and property, that’s when her
commitment began.
    With that buried in her mind, Anna
let out a long breath and smiled. She looked around the kitchen, gathering
ingredients for a good home cooked supper.
    The more she cooked, the more
settled she felt. But one thought started to bother her. One that wouldn’t go
away.
    When
would Thomas commit to her?

Chapter Eight
     
    Thomas came inside just as Anna had
finished cooking. It was really a simple meal - chicken, potatoes, vegetables -
but it had the house smelling wonderful. Even Anna found herself hungry as she
cooked, something that rarely happened. She loved being in Thomas’s kitchen and
she loved that Thomas worked hard enough to provide such enjoyable ingredients.
    When Thomas entered the kitchen,
Anna heard the thud of his boots and turned to see him again.
    Sweaty and dirty, he looked
amazing.
    His eyes were a little weary, but
his muscles were still strong, like pieces of iron tucked into his skin.
    “Hello,” Anna said, hoping she
wouldn’t fall over this time.
    Thomas was going to be her husband,
she’d have to learn to speak to him, right?
    “Everything smells good,” Thomas
said. “I was going to talk to you about supper...”
    “It’s okay,” Anna said. “Jo fed
Thomas Jr. and put him down for a nap.”
    Thomas nodded. “Thank you.”
    “I held Thomas Jr. for a minute,”
Anna said. “But he cried.”
    Thomas’s face dropped. His eyes
diverted elsewhere, and Anna felt uncomfortable.
    “It’s ready to be enjoyed,” Anna
said. With her hands on her hips, she forced a smile and then nodded to the meal.
    “Good,” Thomas said. “I’m hungry.”
    Anna then stared at Thomas,
wondering where the man in the letters was. This version of Thomas stood quiet
and reserved. Maybe Anna’s presence brought a new world of reality to him. But
one thing Anna knew for sure; the