Read Adam: Braddocks, Book Two for Free Online Page A

appreciate your offer, but, really, I don’t have that much. I’m not even planning on bringing all of my clothing.” In truth, there were a great many personal items she would like to bring, but the space she was moving into was small and already furnished.
    Angelica nudged him toward the livery, where Faith now saw a buckboard tied up out front. “Your mother came into the store yesterday when you were over at the barbershop, arguing with Adam. She mentioned that she was packing up some stuff to send with you.”
    That caught Faith by surprise. She and her mother had hardly talked about this move, both getting too emotional about it whenever they did mention it. She was going to miss her mother…even her father, gruff as he could be at times.
    “I never did have a chance to ask you, but what were you and Adam arguing about this time?” Angelica asked, her eyes dancing in merriment. “And did I hear you throw something in there? Something that broke?”
    Faith huffed in annoyance at the reminder, noting how Ben slowed down to obviously listen in about her latest run–in with his brother. She didn’t care if he knew. Adam was getting more on her bad side with each passing day. Yes, she had thrown something at him. He’d stood there all smug and determined, telling her his latest idiotic notion. She’d picked up the nearest thing, a ceramic cup holding a shaving soap brush, and tossed it at him. Fortunately, she’d missed him and had been mortified at her behavior. He’d scowled and threatened to burn her butt, yet he’d let her walk away.
    “Faith?” Angelica prodded.
    Tugged back from her embarrassed musings, Faith said, “A shaving mug. I threw it at him, but missed.” She sucked in a breath. “Remember, he asked me to come there and talk to him when I got a chance. That’s why I went. My mistake.”
    She frowned at Ben, as if he were partly responsible for his older brother’s actions. “He told me that he’d made a decision. He’d evidently had some kind of discussion with my father.”
    She bristled all over again at the pure gall of them both. “You know how my father has been talking non–stop about me needing a husband. Evidently Adam feels the same way.”
    Ben glanced across the road at the barbershop and Faith followed his gaze. Between the few riders trotting down the dirt road, she spotted Adam sitting in the chair outside his shop, chair tilted back, sitting with one leg propped over the other knee, casual as you please. He had the nerve to nod in her direction.
    Faith sucked in fury and went back to her explanation. “The wretch told my father that he planned on finding me a suitable husband. Can you believe that?” She raised her voice, “Can you believe that?”
    Adam settled his chair down and yelled, “Maybe you should speak a little louder, Faith Paddington. I think there’re some folks in Dodge City that didn’t hear you.”
    “Oooooo,” she hissed, stomping a foot in utter frustration. Then she stomped the other foot for good measure. “You are despicable.”
    People on the boardwalks and in the street began stopping to stare between them. Ben grinned in amusement. Angelica’s lips twitched. Their reactions only served to make her even more irritated. “This isn’t funny!”
    Finally Angelica composed herself and nodded at Ben. “Go get your wagon.” She stepped down into the road. “I’d better go open the store while you go about your business of moving and getting settled in.”
    With a last disgusted glance at Adam, Faith said, “He’s pretty unhappy about this move, too.” She smiled. “Which only makes it more enjoyable.” Again, she raised her voice, “I appreciate your help, Ben, with the move.”
    To her delight, Adam glowered toward his brother and then strode into his shop.
     
    * * *
     
    Adam tried his best to ignore the rumbling clatter of Ben’s wagon pulling up out front of the mercantile an hour later. He was dead set against Faith moving