Brazos Bride Read Free Page A

lived with John’s parents, Judge and Mrs. Tom Henderson, Micah’s misgivings almost outweighed his curiosity. Although a circuit judge had ruled at Micah’s trial, Judge Henderson packed plenty of influence hereabouts and had spoken in his defense.
    John rode around to the Henderson barn, but Micah and Zach stopped at the hitching post near the front gate. Micah dismounted, then took off his hat and slicked back his hair with his fingers. Dang, he wished he’d made time to shave. Both he and Zach looked more like they’d come to rob the bank than visit a fine lady in Judge Henderson’s home. He stood staring at the gray frame house, wondering why Hope needed his help. He registered the white gingerbread trim across the porch’s roof, the white rail across the front, the two chairs near a wooden swing, the bowed window on the house’s other side.
    Zach started through the gate, then stopped and turned. “You rethinking this, or you going inside?”
    Micah gathered his courage. “We’ve come this far. Let’s see what she has to say.” He strode up the walk, onto the porch, and knocked.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Theresa Henderson opened the door. Inside the house, Micah’s heart hit his boots when he saw Hope. One of the first things he’d noticed the day they met was her thick, glossy black hair that shone with red and gold in the light. Now it looked dull even in the sunshine pouring through the window.
    Her robust beauty had reminded him of a china doll with rosy cheeks, full pink lips, and smooth-as-satin skin. Today she offered him a thin smile that failed to light her wide eyes. Dark circles shadowed her cheeks beneath her sad gaze. The rose colored chair she sat in contrasted to her skin, creating an effect that more resembled a death mask than the vibrant woman he recalled.
    Remembering her striking figure, he thought she had lost at least twenty pounds. He reckoned he did a poor job of hiding his shock because, when she met his gaze, her sherry brown eyes shone with what he took for understanding tinged with sadness.
    His dirty hat clutched to his chest, he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Miss Montoya, you sent for me?”
    “ Thank you for coming, Mr. Stone.”
    Back straight and head high, she sat with her delicate hands folded on her lap. Whatever was on her mind didn't stop her from conducting herself like a queen. But then, she'd always been an elegant lady. Too good for a man like him.
    Theresa indicated the rose velvet sofa. “Please, won’t you gentlemen sit down? Mother Henderson asked you to excuse her absence, but she's supervising something in the kitchen.”
    Micah nodded. That explained the tempting aromas that reminded him that he and his brothers had hardly taken time for breakfast before sunup. "John said he needed to get back to the newspaper office. He'll work through until the paper's ready to print."
    Theresa laughed. “As I expected. He lives there more than here.”
    Zach perched on one end of the fancy sofa as if he feared it would break. Micah took the other end with as much caution. He and his brother were each big men packed with plenty of muscle. When he didn’t hear cracking wood, he exhaled and eased back.
    Though Hope’s eyes no longer sparkled, she smiled at him. His heartbeat increased and he offered her a grin. Damn, he probably looked like a sappy schoolboy. He sure as hell felt like one. His heart beat a tattoo and a tornado twirled through his stomach simply from being in the same room as Hope Montoya.
    He hadn’t seen her since the horror of his court trial. “Your note—“
    She held up her hand to stay further conversation. "Theresa and her mother-in-law have offered the judge's study to allow us privacy. Mr. Stone"—she glanced from Micah to his brother—“Mr. Micah Stone, perhaps you will offer your arm?"
    Micah leapt up while Hope rose slowly and looped her hand around his arm. Her slight weight tugged when she leaned on him for support.