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

in next door. No way would he go help. And Daniel didn’t appear to be interested either, since he’d walked in just a couple of minutes ago for a shave and a haircut and didn’t do more than settle back in the barber chair.
    “Good heavens!” Angelica called out, obviously having stepped out of the store. “That’s a lot more than a couple of satchels of clothing.”
    The wagon creaked as Ben must have climbed down from the high seat. He didn’t sound too happy when he explained, “Her mother was determined to set Faith up with a household of stuff. Her father wasn’t too happy about it, but he helped cart out the furniture and trunks. Now it’s up to me to get all of this into that couple of rooms above the store.”
    “Maybe Adam would…” Angelica started to say.
    Faith cut her off bluntly. “You and I can help Ben.”
    Daniel glanced at Adam in the mirror in front of the chair, although he didn’t jump up to go assist their brother.
    Adam shook his head. “Ben got himself into the problem. Let him deal with it.”
    They heard the sounds of the tailgate being lowered and then a fair amount of huffing and puffing as items were unloaded from the wagon bed. A minute later, footsteps echoed on the outside staircase between the mercantile and the barbershop. The sounds of moving continued for a good ten minutes while Adam lathered up the shaving cream and Daniel sat waiting for his shave.
    “I should go over there and tan her bottom,” Adam grumbled as he finally soaped up Daniel’s face. “Crazy woman all but announced to the whole damn world that she’s moving out on her own.” He brushed more lather on barely aware that his brother’s face was almost completely covered. “She doesn’t seem to have a clue how dangerous it is. A woman living by herself.”
    Daniel grabbed Adam’s wrist and spit out soap. “Pay attention to what you’re doing!”
    Adam jerked his hand free but did have the good sense to mumble, “Sorry.”
    He set the shaving mug down and picked up the razor to swipe it on the leather strop hanging next to the chair. With each swipe, he got more frustrated. Faith could irritate him more than any other woman and she’d been doing her best at that for days now. She needed reining in, needed a husband to keep her in line, a half dozen kids to chase around. Maybe then she’d…
    Daniel shifted in the barber chair and captured Adam’s attention. He picked up a flour sack rag and wiped the shaving lather from his face. He stood, frowning. “There’s no way in hell that I’m letting you come near me with a sharp razor in your hand. Not with the mood you’re in.”
    Adam heaved a sigh and let the strop fall against the chair. “That’s probably for the best.” He put the razor down on the wood shelf in front of the row of three chairs. “I can’t seem to focus on anything today but that stubborn woman.” Hadn’t been able to focus on anything else for far too long, in his opinion.
    He heard a Thud! and then Ben swore a blue streak. “I should never have let you talk me into this,” he grumbled and grunted as he obviously picked up something heavy.
    Adam stiffened, worried for a second, then staying put. “He can handle it. Not my problem. Shouldn’t be helping her anyway. He’s as crazy as she is.”
    “I imagine Ben’s just trying to make his woman happy. Angelica can get him to do almost anything.” Daniel smoothed a hand down his right leg; clearly making sure his gun belt was adjusted right. Not that there was a lot of crime in Dry Fork, but his brother liked to be prepared.
    Adam turned away to toss the soiled rag into a small crate near the back door. Angelica was another sore spot, as far as he was concerned. He liked her okay, but he didn’t think she’d make a good rancher’s wife. Not that Ben had ever actually talked about marrying her. But he didn’t see any other women, hadn’t since Angelica had come to town three years ago. “Maybe you should have