Read Josie: Bride of New Mexico (American Mail-Order Bride 47) for Free Online

the prize he intended to win, that he intended to court her, and eventually win her love, made her nearly dizzy.
    Amazing, that he wanted to court her, every day of her life, simply because her love was a prize worth winning. He already had what he needed from her business-wise. She’d married him.that very day, in the eyes of man and God. And marriage was forever.
    She’d seen plenty of miserable women, locked in marriages they could barely abide, to men who mistreated them, refused to adequately support their family, and followed insults with injury.
    As far as she could tell, Adam Taylor was none of those things.
    He wanted to fall madly in love with her.
    “I intend,” he continued, “to court you with everything I am, with all that I have on our wedding trip.” His smile melted her heart. “Will you accept my courtship, Mrs. Taylor?”
    She melted into a puddle at his feet. “Yes.” She was breathless.
    “Yes, Mr. Taylor. Gladly.”
     

     
    “Now that we’re married, and have begun courting…”
    She giggled.
    “May I have permission to address you as Josie?”
    “Yes. Please do.”
    “Will you address me as Adam?”
    He brushed light fingertips over the back of her hand, his touch an intimate caress that caused shivers to skate up her limb. “I realize we’ve barely met, but we are husband and wife. Will you do me the great courtesy of addressing me by my first name?”
    “If it pleases you.”
    He held her gaze, searched her eyes until she couldn’t bear the intimacy any longer and looked away.
    “It would please me very much, Josie, if you’d address me as Adam, at least when we are alone. And I thank you for allowing me the honor of using your given name.”
    Calling him by name would be easy— she’d never set much store by the rules of the wealthy or socially elite. She’d worked long hours with women of her own station who’d seldom relied on the formalities.
    The intensity of his questions, his courtship— it was all too much, too fast. Perhaps a change of subject would be for the best. “Mr. Taylor, Adam, thank you for the kindness you’ve shown me in so many ways. I’d be honored… grateful , if and when you have the time, for your help in relearning my letters.” She swallowed.
    Heat warmed her face. “Your gift of stationery was most welcome and very thoughtful. I recognize you have work to do, that this journey to New Mexico will require a great deal of your time over the coming weeks, but I would like very much to be able to write letters to my sister and friends.”
    “Madam, I’m honored. I would enjoy nothing more. Consider me at your service.”
    His smile, so genuine and full of light and happiness was infectious. She found herself smiling back, the happiness in this secluded journey, the special time they would have alone a gift she’d never anticipated.
    She would do all she could to be a pleasant companion. She’d set aside her homesickness, her longing for lost female friends and the gaping hole Lessie had always filled, to ensure her new husband did not regret his choice.
    Adam leaned across the small table, sunlight seeming to sparkle in his captivating blue eyes.
    Her pulse quickened as he brought his lips ever nearer her own, making his intention understood. He dropped his attention to her mouth then slowly met her gaze once more.
    “Mrs. Taylor, Josie, I would very much like to kiss you.”
    With newfound bravery, Josie found it easy to reply. “Please do.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     

     
    When Josie finally pulled away it was a case of self-preservation. She needed to breathe, didn’t she? Adam’s kisses were almost too much to take and as she looked at the handsome, tousled man beside her, catching his own breath, she wondered if it was possible to fall in love so quickly.
    She didn’t know what to say after the way his kisses set her afire, so she latched onto the first thing she thought of, a continuation of her previous