Shameful Celia (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 3) Read Free

certain I had found him. He strode towards me, his expression hopeful.
    “Miss Wellington?”
    I smiled. “Yes.”
    His grin revealed a handsome face. “Earnest Hobart.” He held out a hand. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
    “And you.” I shook his hand. “It’s raining buckets here.”
    “It is. Let’s get out of the elements, shall we?”
    “Certainly.” I moved to the side, exposing my width, although it wasn’t evident that he noticed.
    “Did you have a safe journey?”
    “I did. It was nice. I slept a good bit. Those trains sure are comfortable.”
    He gave me a look. “Really? I always get a stitch in my neck. I can never sleep with all the ruckus either. People talking and babies crying. It gives me a headache. I’ve been in a Pullman car once. It was tolerable.”
    Cushioned seats were a novelty for me, because the only chairs I had ever sat on were made from wood. “A sleeping car sounds divine. I’d like to travel like that some day.”
    “My carriage is over there. We should hurry. It’s not getting any better out here.”
    I met him stride for stride. “Yes, sir.”
    “Do you have luggage somewhere? Is that bag everything?”
    “Yes, it is. I travel … light.”
    “I see.” We had reached the carriage, and the driver hopped down from his perch to open the door. “I hired a cab for the ride to town. I assumed it would be better than horseback or wagon.” He grinned. “I wanted to make a good first impression.”
    “Oh, you certainly have. You’re far better looking than I thought you’d be. I worried you might be ugly.” Lloyd had been rough in manner and appearance, which I had not found to my liking.
    This seemed to amuse him. “I’m glad you think it. You’re quite lovely yourself.”
    “Er … thank you.” I was handed up into the carriage, finding the interior warmly appointed with polished wood and fine leather. “Oh, lordy, this is nice.” Sitting on a cushioned seat was always a luxury, and my aching back thanked me. The bag remained in my lap, effectively hiding my “delicate” condition.
    Earnest grasped the handle, closing the door. “Now then, that’s so much better. Do you need a cloth? You’re a bit wet.”
    “No, I’m fine.” I glanced at the damp sleeves of the dress. “It all sank in pretty good.”
    He sat across from me, removing his hat, which exposed thinning hair. “I hope you don’t mind, if we go straight to the church. Pastor Kinsley is waiting and so is Mrs. Hershey. They’re eager to meet you. They’re eager to see me married too.”
    “I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you that last time.” His fiancé had run off with his best friend. Angered and embittered, he had wallowed in his resentment, vowing not to become engaged again. He had confessed all of this in a letter.
    “My parents are delighted I’ll finally marry and carry on the name. They would’ve wanted to be here, but they’re not healthy enough to travel. My father’s gout is troubling him again.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. My pa used to soak his feet in Epsom Salt for that. Did that help your pa?”
    “I’m sure he’s tried it. He’s tried everything. He’s been drinking a great deal of water and eating strawberries. Nothing seems to help.”
    “Sounds like it’s rather serious.”
    “Yes.”
    I glanced out the window, as we passed the last building in town. We were nearly free of the city limits, and there were no other conveyances heading in this direction. “How long until Boot Creek?”
    “Twenty minutes or so.”
    The rain had stopped, the clouds opening to reveal blue skies and sunshine. “It’s dry here.”
    “Our weather doesn’t last long. It’s always good to have rain, but we need more. It’s mostly arid in this part of the world.”
    The comfortable, light conversation had eased whatever worries I’d had, but I had yet to confess the pregnancy. I would have to do so before we arrived at the church, but fear seemed to have