“Lynn, get her inside where it’s warm. Jake and I’ll take care of the horses.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” Emily protested. “I’m going to the barn with you.”
“I agree,” said Lynnette. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Christian scowled down at Emily. “Bring the horses, Jake,” he said without looking up. He turned Emily toward the barn. “I just want to talk to him about where you’ve been the last several days,” he said in a low voice.
“I know Jake,” Emily said quietly, glancing back to see that they were well ahead of him. “He’s going to take the blame for everything, and you’ll believe him like you always did.”
Christian chuckled as they entered the barn. “Em, I never believed him.”
Emily groaned. “Then don’t give him a hard time.”
Jake entered the barn, leading the two horses.
Lynnette walked beside him, looking quite pleased. She smiled up at her husband. “Why don’t you and I take care of the horses and let Jake and his bride go inside?”
“Bride?”
“Bride,” Emily confirmed, grinning up at her incredulous brother.
“Bride,” Jake echoed, apology evident in his voice.
“Bride,” Christian repeated in defeat.
Lynnette laughed, drawing Emily away from Christian and toward Jake. “You two get inside where it’s warm.” Her voice dropped to a whisper as she added, “Don’t expect us in anytime soon.
Emily and Jake hurried through the falling snow. At the door, Jake drew her into his arms. He planted a tender kiss on her lips before he said, “I can’t blame Christian for being upset.”
“He’s not upset, just surprised,” Emily said, pretending to be cold as an excuse to snuggle closer.
“He wants the best for his sister, and an almost-broke deputy is hardly the best.”
Emily shook her head. “I know the best when I find it.” She drew him toward her for another kiss. “And I’ve found it.”
* * * * *
CASSANDRA AUSTIN
From time to time since I was in junior high school, I imagined myself as a novelist. I began seriously pursuing that dream in 1985 writing during my four-year-old’s naps and at other stolen moments. My first published novel, Wait for the Sunrise, was released by Harlequin Historicals exactly five years ago. I am honored that my fifth book is part of their tenth anniversary celebration.
My husband and I live on a farm in Kansas, the same farm where he grew up. We have three grown-to-nearly-grown children. I would love to hear from you. Write to me at Box 162, Clyde, KS 66938.
eISBN 978-14592-6133-4
FLINT HILLS BRIDE
Copyright © 1998 by Sandra Detrixhe
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills. Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any Individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks Indicated with
® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and In other countries.
Printed In U.S.A.
Flint Hills Bride Page 24