Read Pioneer Love: Damaged Hearts Head West: Mail Order Bride 5 Bundle for Free Online Page B

much as she could. Yet all the while she could feel Ian’s eyes boring into her and she wanted to look at him, wanted to see him smile.
    Ryan noticed his brother was quiet and after a while turned to Ian. For a second he just looked at him, as if he could discern the problem with just his gaze. "You're really subdued tonight, little brother,” he said at last. “Have you run out of jokes to tell or are you feeling ill?" He winked at his brother.
    Ian didn't even look up to see it. "I’m just not in the mood today," he mumbled into his plate.
    Ryan looked at Anna; she could feel his eyes and lifted her own from her plate. Did he know she wondered? But what was there to know? They had become friends, had enjoyed each other’s company and Ian had gotten jealous when Ryan gave her a gift.
    "Ian, is something the matter?" Ryan asked a little more forcefully.
    "No, never mind me, brother; you mustn't keep our guest waiting. Continue with the cattle story, it is very fascinating,” Ian said his voice thick with sarcasm.
    A puzzled look crossed Ryan's face and Anna wanted to say something. Wanted to apologize or to tell them she would leave. The last thing she wanted to do was cause unrest between these two. Especially now she knew how close they were.
    Ryan seemed to make a decision and turned to her and continued with their conversation. Anna tried to concentrate on what Ryan was saying, but her mind kept wandering to Ian and what his sudden change in attitude meant. As angry as she was at him, she couldn't help but worry about him and she hoped that their little miff wouldn't create any problems between the two brothers.
    The night became more and more uncomfortable and in the end Anna feigned a headache and made her apologise. In her room, she wondered if she should return home. Go back to the agency and Mrs. Hawkins and look for a different husband. But she knew she wouldn’t. No matter how hard life had become she was not one to give in. She had made a choice and no matter what happened she would see it out. That was unless the brothers asked her to leave?
     

     
    The next day Anna woke late and took breakfast in her room. She found she could not eat the food and picked and pushed it around her plate. How could she face the brothers? What should she do? Sipping at her coffee she looked at the Bible on her bedside. It had been a present from her Mother and she had kept it with her always. Picking it up, she knelt on the floor and gave her problems over to God. The prayer made her feel much more in control and much more confident. But no answers came and she did not feel ready to face the brothers. What should she do? She could not spend all day in her room; it would look as if she were sulking. At last she made a decision and stepped out into the corridor.
    It was just a short bracing walk to the stables. She looked at the coat that Ian had bought her, but somehow it felt wrong to wear it. This was such a tangled web and she must sort it all out before she caused such heartache between the two brothers. Shrugging her shoulders against the cold she picked up her red dress and walked out into the snow. There was a fierce wind and it rocked her backward and cut straight through the material of her dress and chilled her to the bone. Should she get the coat? No, it was sheltered in the barn, she would be fine.
    Lighter nickered a greeting as she walked up to his stall. She had become fond of the horse and spent a good amount of time each day brushing his coat, and getting to know him. With long gentle strokes, she brushed down his strong muscular neck, then his flanks and finally across his quarters. She was brushing out his mane when Ian came in.
    Catching his eyes she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach and her pulse kicked up a notch. With a smile on his face, he walked over. She put down the brush and turned to see what he needed.
    He stopped a few feet away from her, his hands clenched together in front of him. "I