Read A Valentine's Choice: A Montana Sky Series Holiday Novella (The Montana Sky Series) for Free Online

children will be home from school any minute now. Of course, they’ll have to see to their horses, but then they’ll traipse into the kitchen to warm themselves up.”
    Alana accepted the dress, thanked her and left the room.
    The housekeeper stared after her, a frown marring her good-natured countenance. “Your sister’s too thin. I suspect it’s more than the journey, else the two of you would look the same. Unless you didn’t start out the same.”
    “We did. Alana’s pining for home.” For Timkin.
    “Well, some of my good meals should do the trick, if I do say so myself.” The housekeeper pursed her lips and picked up Bridget’s dress—one almost identical to Alana’s because they’d gotten the bolt of cloth at a discount. “Too bad she’s not staying here. I’d fatten her right up. But don’t you worry, Miss Bridget. I’ll send plenty of food along with your sister.”
    “In that case, I won’t be worryin’ about food .” Bridget tried to inject a teasing tone into her words. “But with us parted, I’m sure I’ll still be fretting about her.”
    Mrs. Toffels spread the skirt over the end of the ironing board and picked up the heated iron from the stove. “Well, dear, I’ve lived a long enough life to know that one can spend time fretting over things that never happen. And there’s enough that does. I ought to know. I’ve buried three husbands—all good men. Best leave the worry for when you know there’s a real problem.”
    “Ye are right.” Bridget fell silent, thinking about the woman’s wise words. Perhaps I worry too much about Alana.
    Lost in thought, she didn’t notice Mrs. Toffels had finished the dress. “There you are, dear. I’ll look forward to seeing you two in them. That color will be beautiful with your eyes.” She gave the dress to Bridget. “Just leave the robes on the bed. Once you’re dressed, head to the parlor—down the hall thataway—where everyone will gather before dinner to meet you.” She waved in the direction. “I’ll have someone light a fire in that room.”
    On impulse, Bridget leaned over and kissed the woman’s wrinkled cheek. “I appreciate all ye are doing for us.”
    “It’s a downright pleasure to have young ladies visiting.” With a smile crinkling her face, Mrs. Toffels made a shooing motion. “Now off with you.”
    Bridget hurried upstairs to the guest bedroom, where they’d left their satchels on the big four-poster bed, spread with a pink and green quilt. The room smelled of roses from the dried petals in a crystal bowl on the nightstand.
    Alana had already donned her dress but hadn’t managed all the buttons down her back. She stood in front of a mirror hanging above a chest of drawers, braiding her hair. She smiled, her face reflecting back to Bridget. “Such a lovely big mirror.” She deftly looped the braid over her head, tucking in hairpins. Reddish tendrils escaped to curl around her cheeks.
    Out of long habit, Bridget walked over to her sister, buttoning the middle section and noting how loose the dress hung. But she said nothing. Over the past weeks, she’d nagged at Alana to eat more, to no avail.
    They heard the distant sound of doors opening and closing, voices, and footsteps. The window reflected candlelight from the lamp on the dresser, with only darkness beyond.
    “The children must be home. They would have had a long cold ride today with the snow so deep.” Bridget slipped on her own gown and turned so her twin could button up the back. She used the hairbrush and then started to braid her hair. As the unruly mass dried, the curls tightened but were still slightly damp underneath. She coiled her braid into a bun at her nape and stabbed in the hairpins. Like Alana’s hair, some wisps near her face sprang free. The two of them would never present an elegant appearance.
    “When ye leave ye should take the brush with ye, and I’ll be keeping the comb. Unless ye’d prefer the comb?”
    “We won’t be sharing