Read Montana Bound: A Sweet Mail Order Bride Historical (Mail Order Bride Journeys Book 2) for Free Online Page A

Grace was thrilled that she had been asked to help with the decorating. It was something that she always enjoyed doing. As a little girl, it was always something she looked forward to helping with for the holidays and birthdays.
    She was also glad that the vantage point from where she was working allowed her to be able to see Owen, as he worked on the stands. She didn’t know how long the other man had been working before Owen arrived, but he had made little progress on the first one. Well meaning, though she was sure he was, he did not seem to have as strong of an aptitude for that type of work as Owen did, and seemed very happy to follow Owen’s lead. Grace watched as Owen took over the project, and instructed the other man on what he needed to do. Such a strong leader. She thought. She imagined Owen providing that same type of leadership to his sons, their sons.
    Mrs. Metzger seemed to almost read her mind. “He definitely is a handsome man. Isn’t he?”
    “Huh? Who?” Grace said, embarrassed.
    “Don’t play coy with me.” Mrs. Metzger grinned as she spoke. “I may be a happily married woman, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t recognize a handsome man when I see one. And I’ve noticed you noticing Mr. Miller.”
    Grace was embarrassed at being caught, but Mrs. Metzger really didn’t seem to judge her at all. To the contrary, Grace could tell that Mrs. Metzger enjoyed teasing her a bit, but it was all in good fun. “Alright, you have me.” She admitted. “I doubt there is a single girl around here that hasn’t noticed how handsome he is.”
    “There are a lot more single men in these parts, than there are single girls. But you are right, it would be hard for any of them not to have noticed him. Mr. Miller is not only one of the more handsome men out here, but he is also a very honorable man. That is a quality that many of the men that move out here don’t share, and one that should be very prized by women.” Mrs. Metzger said.
    Grace knew that it was true. It didn’t take long to discover how that he was a very sincere, honest man. His reputation was his badge, and he wore it proudly. He did have a quick temper, but even that he was not proud of, and worked hard to overcome.
    “Why is it that you think he hasn’t married yet?” Grace couldn’t believe she was asking the question, but Mrs. Metzger did have a way of making her feel completely comfortable around her. “I would think that every eligible girl would have done their best to get his attention after he arrived.”
    “Well, there are not that many eligible girls that live out here. I have to agree though, that I’m surprised that he hasn’t married anyone though.” Mrs. Metzger said, as she tied off a streamer onto a rafter of one of the finished stands. “He’d be a great catch for anyone. I did hear a rumor that he has a girl back east though. I’ve no idea if there is any truth to that.”
    Grace felt her heart sink. Owen has a girlfriend? She couldn’t believe the words that she had just heard from Mrs. Metzger’s mouth. Surely it wasn’t true. It must be just rumor, probably started by some broken-hearted girl that Owen had passed on the opportunity to court. He had never mentioned a girlfriend to her before, in all the long conversations that they had. Surely it couldn’t be true. He wouldn’t hide something like this from me.
    Mrs. Metzger must have recognized the shock on Grace’s face. “It’s probably not even true. I just heard some of the other ladies talking about it, and you know how that can go sometimes. I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s not like me to gossip.”
    “It’s okay. I mean, he and I are not involved with each other in any way.” Grace said, her heart dropping even more as she heard her own words emerge from her mouth. It’s true. We’re not. She thought. Maybe that is why he hasn’t expressed an interest in courting me.
    They didn’t get to continue the conversation, as Mrs. Metzger