Conner's Contrary Bride by Barbara Goss (accelerated reader books .txt) 📗

“So, is it final that we get the four-bedroom floor plan?” Conner asked.

Elsie smiled and nodded.

At that moment, Conner’s heart did a weird flip-flop. They’d finally agreed.

They were walking along the wooden walkway holding hands when Conner asked, “What would you like to do tonight? There’s a barn dance at the Fuller place, and there’s also an opera in the park.”

Elsie stopped walking and looked up at him. “You’d go to a barn dance?”

“As long as you wouldn’t make me dance.”

Elsie laughed. “Let’s go to the opera, then.”

“Seriously?” Conner couldn’t believe she’d say that.

“I’m not a fan, but if it’s something you enjoy, then I’ll try to like it.”

Thrilled, yet confused, Conner asked, “But why?”

She looked down at the walkway and said faintly, “Because I care.”

Conner laughed loudly, which made Elsie look up at him in surprise. “I wanted to take you to a barn dance because... ” he looked down at her and cupped her chin. “I care, too.”

Elsie touched the hand that was cupping her chin. “See? We agree on something.”

Conner took Elsie’s hand. “I know what we’ll do—let’s go down to the river to watch the sunset.”

“What a marvelous idea,” Elsie said.

The couple found a large rock overlooking the river, but the sun hadn’t quite made it to the horizon yet. Not only did Conner enjoy Elsie’s company, but he thrived on it. They laughed together, having become closer since their adventure at the mine.

Conner knew he wanted to kiss her again, but that timing was everything. Was it too soon? Would she think he was rushing her to consummate the marriage? Conner’s heart pounded at the mere thought of consummating their marriage. The physical attraction was there, at least for him. Was she physically attracted to him? He thought it best if they courted a while longer. If he moved too swiftly, she might conk him on the head with a rock. He smiled at the thought and wished he had seen her hit the bandit over the head.

“What?” Elsie said.

“Huh?” Her question had jerked him out of his deep thoughts.

“You suddenly smiled for no apparent reason,” Elsie said.

“I was imagining you hitting that bandit over the head with the rock. I wish I had seen it.”

“Never underestimate a woman, especially when she’s angry.”

“I’ll remember that,” he said, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “Look at the sunset.”

“It’s lovely. I see reds and yellows.”

“And look,” Conner pointed, “a bit of purple over there.”

Elsie looked where he pointed, but when she failed to see the purple, she looked up at him, confused.

Conner kissed her lips lightly. “I just wanted you to look up at me so I could kiss you.”

Elsie let him pull her closer, and she lay her head on his shoulder. “This is better than a barn dance or an opera.”

Conner kissed the top of her head. “I agree.”

As they walked home, Conner said, “Well, the bandits are all locked up, Mac will be buried tomorrow, and the sheriff has promised to board up the entrance to the mine so that no one will ever be able to get in there again.”

On Sunday morning, Conner and Elsie held hands as they walked into the church. Elsie listened to every word of the sermon. It was about forgiveness, which made her feel guilty. How could she forgive Frank when he’d nearly brutally raped her? According to the Bible, she should have turned the other cheek and forgiven him. That wouldn’t be easy. She wondered where Frank was now. Was he alive and still coming for her, or had he found himself a woman somewhere and forgotten about her?

She and Conner had seemed to bond over the past week. The way he looked at her and constantly touched her shoulder or face made her wonder if he returned her feelings for him. She would do anything for that man, even sit through an opera.

In the clinic, they worked well together. She handed him the instruments he needed, and he always complimented her work, and she couldn’t be happier. Whenever he touched her—and especially when he kissed her—she knew she was ready for consummation. She loved him and wanted to please him, body and soul. How much longer would it be before he made that move, and how would he do it? Would he just come out and ask her if she wanted to, or would he just carry her to the bedroom after one of his sweet kisses?

She wished he’d kiss her more—the kisses felt so right.

Conner returned from town before dinner and opened up a letter he’d received. He read it with a frown.

“What is it?” Elsie asked. “Bad news?”

“Not necessarily bad news, but ill-timed news. I need to attend a medical convention in Kansas City next week. That means I’ll be gone for several days as well as a long train ride, two days of boring doctors giving us the latest medical news, and another long train ride home.”

Confused, Elsie asked, “Who will care for the patients while you’re gone?”

“They’ve arranged for a retired doctor from Russell to cover for me. You’ll like him. His name is Benjamin Wadsworth. He’s around seventy, but he’s very spry. He’s covered for me before. Bertie knows him.”

Still baffled, she asked, “Then, why is the timing not right?”

“Because,” he took her hand in his, “I was in the middle of courting you. I feel like if I go, I’ll need to start all over again when I come back.”

Elsie laughed, and she knew it was the last thing he wanted to hear just then. “You can start right where you left off. I love being courted.”

“But, I’d hoped—”

“You’d hoped what?”

“Never mind.”

“No. Tell me what you hoped. Tell me,