Page 16 of A Letter to Adaya
“I’d like that.”
So that was what making a fast friend felt like.Adaya couldn’t help but think as they crossed the street to where the other man and Walter were waiting.
As Beau watched Bass, his eyes widened at the sight of Miss Breckenridge. Her youthful aura and delicate beauty were seemingly ageless, yet she carried a strength that was unmistakable. She didn’t appear to be much older than Nate, though he wouldn’t consider himself an expert in judging a woman’s age. She certainly didn’t seem delicate or breakable, like Emily and Georgia, upon their arrival. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad getting to know her after all.
Her steps faltered as she approached her father, and he wondered why it didn’t feel like an authentic relationship between them. She had introduced him by his first name. Her eyes sought his over her shoulder before looking back at Bass.
Oh, this was too good. She was afraid of his brother.
He barely choked his laughter back down before stepping up to her side, quickly setting the lemonade jars down on the wagon floor, along with the sandwiches she handed him. He’d wait to eat until he was sure she’d had enough, as he noted she’d withheld a chicken one.
“Miss Breckenridge, this is my brother Bass, Emily’s husband.”
She backed up a step, and he now understood how his brothers felt. “You’re safe,” he whispered, resting a hand on her lower back.
“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Breckenridge. Walter was just telling me about your travels.” Bass shot him a look and then continued. “Emily will be excited to find out you’re a neighbor. Even if you don’t marry one of my brothers, you’ll still be close.”
“Neighbors?” Adaya’s voice came out as a squeak. She reminded him of a mouse as she looked at Bass with her enormous eyes.
Beau wondered about what Bass had just said, as well. Suddenly, Simon’s words drifted back to him from earlier.There were no coincidences in their lives.
“Yes. Mr. Breckenridge owns the land next to ours. Beau can take you over tomorrow to see it.”
“I-I. I mean, that would be kind of him.”
Her eyes darted between them, and Beau noticed the way her lips compressed into a thin line, as if she was urging her companion not to say anything. Her lips puckered slightly, and Beau suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to kiss her, something he had never experienced before. He could almost feel the warmth of her skin and the soft press of her mouth against his, and he realized with a jolt that this was the source of his hesitation.
“Of course.” He looked at Bass, who seemed very pleased with himself. “Are you riding back with us?”
Bass shook his head. “I’m going to see Nate and Carolina. Maybe grab a cup of coffee with the marshal.”
“I’ll tell Georgia you said I could have the extra apple bread pudding,” he teased.
“Emily will protect my serving,” his brother chuckled, shaking Walter’s hand and giving Adaya a nod before heading off towards the doctor’s office.
Beau rolled his shoulders, then swept Adaya up into his arms and settled her in the back of the wagon. She wasn’t as light as he thought, but her weight was perfect in his arms. He found he didn’t dislike it at all.
“Mr. Walter, you’re up front with me.” He rounded the wagon and climbed up into the driver’s seat, giving his companions a moment to get their bearings and allowing the older man to settle the jars between his feet.
Beau remained silent as they rode out of town, the horse’s hooves clapping against the dirt road in a steady rhythm. He glanced over his shoulder to see her perched in the wagon bed behind him, her expression conflicted.
He had placed her there intentionally, so she wouldn’t disrupt his train of thought with questions like the other three brides before her. Bass had warned him that Emily and Georgia were full of questions and controlled the conversation for the trip to the ranch. By the time they reached the edge of town, he knew what his first question would be.
“If you weren’t expecting someone to collect you, what was your plan?”
“We were told there was a cabin on the property her father bought. It sounds like that might not be the case at all,” Walter answered. “Your family owns a ranch?”
“We do. Our parents were one of the first families here in Flat River, and all five of us were born here. If you’re not her father, what’s your relation?” He heard Adaya make a fussy noise from the back but kept his eyes straight ahead.
“Family history is important.” Walter’s shoulders bunched up. “I’ve worked for her father for over twenty-five years. Right now, I’m the only family she’s got until he gets here.”
“Ah.” Understanding dawned in Beau’s thoughts. “The surrogate uncle, then. We have Aunt Cleo. She was our mother’s best friend, but of no blood relation.”
One mystery solved. That only left one more. As if reading his mind, Walter spoke up with a question of his own. “You didn’t buy some horses recently, did you?”
Beau gave a bitter laugh. “I did. I brought them home about two weeks ago.”
He glanced back, finding her head resting against her trunk, her empty lemonade jar on her lap. He realized then how vulnerable she looked. Dark hair flitting around her round face. The urge to protect her rose strongly in him.
