A Bride for Logan by Barbara Goss (free children's online books TXT) 📗

“Was your life so unhappy, then?”

“Yes, it was. I’d just lost my best friend in the entire world before I'd recovered from losing my parents. Then, I found myself in a strange town where I knew no one and had nowhere to go. A saloon woman offered me a job and a place to live. I really didn’t have much choice, but that’s not to say I liked it.”

Logan felt a pang of sympathy for Emma. How sad her story was. He was glad she’d accepted his offer and vowed to make sure she had a better life. He’d never thought about how saloon women became saloon women before. He supposed many of them had similar stories.

“You will have a better life; I guarantee it.”

Tears streamed down Emma’s face. “Excuse me,” she said, pushing away from the table. “Goodnight.” She ran up the stairs and—he supposed—to her room.

Logan left early the next morning to meet with his attorney. He didn’t see Emma until he returned at lunchtime, when he joined her for soup and sandwiches. “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

She smiled up at him. “Like a baby.”

It relieved him to see her happy despite the tears she'd shed the night before. “Are you ready to take a ride out to the hunting cabin?”

Emma nodded. “I went out to the stables this morning and found them impressive. A man named Owen showed me around.”

“Owen’s a good man. He’s been with us for about five years.”

“I chose a horse.”

“I’m eager to hear which one you chose.”

“Owen told me her name is Lady.”

“Lady! Good choice. I named her that for a reason. She’s probably the most polite horse I’ve ever seen. She’ll stop and let other horses by when they tried to maneuver into a tight space, and she has manners.”

“Manners?" Emma giggled. "How does a horse have manners?”

Logan decided that he liked Emma more when she was happy because her eyes sparkled when she laughed. “While the other horses gulp down their food, she nibbles.”

Emma chuckled. “I can’t wait to see her eat, then.”

Logan pushed his plate away and stood. “I’ll meet you at the stables in an hour, if that works for you.”

“Yes, it’ll be fine.”

“Good. I’ll have the horses saddled and ready.”

Emma’s treatment of the horses and how well she rode impressed Logan. “You’re no stranger to horses and riding, are you?” he asked as they trotted to the north end of his land.

“My family owned several horses, and I’ve ridden since I was four.”

“You have me beat. I didn’t ride until I was six.”

“What about your mother?” Emma asked.

“I’d rather not talk about her,” he said. He kicked his horse’s side gently. “Let’s give our horses their heads.”

When they reached a large copse of trees, Logan slowed his horse and Emma followed his lead. “The cabin is just beyond those trees. If you feel too cut off from the world, I could clear a few of them.”

Emma stroked Lady’s mane. “I don’t mind being cut off from the world as long as I have my horse and a gun.”

“You shoot, too?”

Emma smiled. “Yes, of course. My father and I used to target shoot every Sunday afternoon after church.”

Her accomplishments surprised Logan. “Let’s tie our horses and walk from here.”

~~~**~~~

Emma’s first view of the cabin left her uninspired. It was, indeed, small and painted a dark green. Someone had shuttered the windows, giving it a dismal, dark look.

Logan unlocked the door and held it open for her. She stepped inside, surprised at how roomy it was. The kitchen and sitting room were a single, big room, filling the front of the cabin. A door opened at the middle of the cabin to a bedroom. While tastefully furnished, it lacked a feminine touch like curtains and knickknacks.

“What do you think?” Logan asked.

“I think I see room for improvement and a woman’s touch, but I like it.”

“You can ride here any time you like and give it your personal touch. If you need to buy things, just charge it. I have an account everywhere in town.”

“It seems dark. What does it look like with the shutters open?”

“I’ll open them so you can see.” He did, and she was happy to see the place had brightened up. She envisioned curtains on the windows and matching covers on the settee and chair.

“Would you happen to have a sewing machine in the house?” she asked.

“No, but I can get you one.”

Emma smiled at him. “In that case, I accept your offer. I’ll live here.”

Chapter Five

When she wasn’t riding Lady, Emma was sitting on the front porch, embroidering. Irma had gotten her started on the project, and she found it relaxing. As she slid the needle in and out of the pattern, she thought about her situation. She hadn’t fared too badly. Logan wasn’t the Prince Charming she’d hoped for, but she liked him well enough to stick with the six-month plan. He stayed in his room and made no advances toward her—she’d worried about that part of the deal. At first, she felt his disapproval because he'd thought her to have been a saloon woman, but little by little, he started to treat her better. She could live with the arrangement; it could have been worse.

She glanced up at the sound of a buggy barreling up the lane leading to the house from the main road. Whoever was in the buggy, they were their first visitors. Emma put her sewing aside and stood to watch for who would climb out of the buggy. She was surprised to see a stylish woman step out with the help of the driver. The two women stood and stared at each other for several seconds before Logan