His Chosen Bride. Rhonda Gibson

to herself. The other girls had decided it would be fun to come over and smoke a few cigars. The boys always snuck around smoking the horrible things.

      Her friend Charlotte had brought a handful to the shop and said it was time they found out what was so wonderful about them. They’d made plans for the girls to come over later, after the shop had closed, and try them out.

      If only she hadn’t tried to smoke one of the horrible cigars before the other girls arrived. She’d just lit it when her mother had come barging into the house. Millie had panicked and tossed the other cigars out the kitchen window. She’d laid the lit cigar on the windowsill and hurried into the dining room to meet her mother.

      Mother had decided she shouldn’t spend the night alone and forced her to go home. Before Millie could sneak out and back to Mrs. Kelly’s, the cigar had rolled out the window and into the dry ground below. It had set the grass and remaining cigars on fire. The house and dress shop had gone up in flames and burned to the ground.

      Millie lassoed her thoughts with a snap. No use crying over spilt paint. The only thing to do was set things right. And that, she planned to do. Millie shaded her eyes with her hand.

      Granite wasn’t a bad-looking settlement and so far she hadn’t seen a saloon. That was a huge plus in her books. However, she did miss the trees and flowers that lined Main Street in Cottonwood Springs.

      They took a side street that didn’t have as many businesses. Her companion remained silent as they passed Bob’s Mercantile and the Sewing Room.

      Bob’s Mercantile had a window on each side of the open door, with an old flyer advertising the newest parasols from New York City. The plank exterior was newly whitewashed, and Millie could see barrels in the center aisle near the door.

      But the Sewing Room grabbed her attention, and she slowed, trying to take it all in. Every frill imaginable had been showcased in the two windows; a quilt, hankies, ribbons, bonnets...even an apron. A sign hung in the window stating it would soon be closing and everything was on sale.

      “We’re almost there,” Levi finally offered.

      Millie quickened her steps and simply nodded. The smell of baking bread tickled her nose as they passed the bakery and she inhaled deeply. Her stomach rumbled.

      A warm chuckle was the only indication that Levi had heard the sound. Butterflies replaced her hunger pains at the rich sound of his amusement. A dimple flashed in his cheek. She almost groaned aloud.

      He truly was a handsome man. Maybe she should move on to another town once her business with Levi Westland was done. It wouldn’t do for her to fall for a take-charge man and lose her newfound independence.

      * * *

      Levi enjoyed the soft scent of lavender that Millicent Hamilton wore. With each step they took, it filled his senses. He was still a little shocked that she’d arrived six months later than he expected. She’d been so silent in the time they’d been together that he’d had time to do some thinking.

      A little over a year ago, at Christmas, his mother, Bonnie Westland, had surprised him and his brother with the news that she wanted a grandchild and that she expected them to get married and provide her with that child. She’d pitted her boys against one another by stating that the first to marry and have a child would inherit the ranch.

      Levi knew Daniel wanted the ranch more than he wanted to live. So at first Levi had enjoyed playing the game, mainly just to irritate his older brother. He’d never intended to win the ranch. He shook his head at how foolish that sounded now.

      Levi pushed the gate open in front of the boardinghouse and allowed Millie to slip past him. As they walked up the path, his thoughts returned to his mother and the contest she’d started. When Daniel had married Hannah in the fall, Levi had thought that would satisfy their mother. Daniel loved the ranch and so did his wife, but Levi’s mother had informed him that he was still expected to compete for the ranch. Why was it so important to Mother that he marry, too? The question swirled through his mind like a wild tornado.

      Bringing himself back to the present, Levi heard the lacy blue curtains flutter in the breeze. The smell of roasted meat drifted out the open window of the boardinghouse’s restaurant.

      He heard the soft rumble of Millicent’s stomach and said, “The food here is wonderful. Beth is probably the best cook around.” He placed his hand in the small of her back as she climbed the short steps to the entryway.

      “Beth?” Millicent’s blue eyes searched his face as he stepped around her and opened the door to the boardinghouse.

      He pointed to the sign that read Beth’s Boardinghouse and Restaurant. “Mrs. Beth Winters. She runs this fine establishment.” He didn’t mention that he owned the boardinghouse since there would be time enough for that later.

      A bell sounded over their heads as they entered. Levi watched as Beth hurried toward them. She patted her dark brown hair into place and swiped at the flour upon her blue apron. A smile touched her lips and brown eyes as she realized it was him. “Levi, I wasn’t expecting you to be here so early in the day.”

      “I decided to have an early lunch.” He watched Beth’s eyes dart from Millicent back to him. “Beth, I’d like you to meet Miss Millicent Hamilton. She will be staying here for a while.”

      “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Hamilton. So the bags Amos brought in earlier were yours?”

      “Yes, they were,” Millicent replied. A sweet smile of relief graced her pretty heart-shaped face.

      Beth smiled back and then turned to enter the restaurant portion of the boardinghouse. “Levi, your table is ready.” She glanced over her shoulder. At his nod of approval, she continued. “Miss Hamilton, we put your bags in room number four. I hope it is to your liking.”

      She took the reserved sign off Levi’s favorite table, which was in the far corner of the room. From this vantage point he could see everyone who entered and exited the dining room. Levi smiled his thanks and moved to pull out the chair that would sit to the right of him.

      Millicent took the seat Levi pulled out for her. “Thank you, Mrs. Winters. I’m sure the room will be fine.”

      Beth handed Millie a menu once she was seated. “You can call me Beth. Everyone does.”

      Millicent took the menu and smiled. “Please, call me Millie.”

      Millie. The name had a sweet ring to it. So far everything about the woman screamed sweetness—her name, her fragrance and the way she tilted her head when she seemed to be thinking of something, like now as she studied the lunch menu.

      Levi pushed the thoughts away. He would not become enamored with Millie. Having his heart broken by Lucille Lawson had hurt too much. Even before his mother’s contest, he’d asked Lucille to marry him, but once she’d found out he wasn’t going to take over the ranch, she’d broken off their engagement and their friendship. No, his heart couldn’t take another breaking.

      “Millie it is. Are you planning to stay long in Granite?” Beth asked.

      “I was considering it.”

      Levi heard the doubt in her voice. He knew she’d come because of his invitation so what had changed? Had spending an hour with him changed her mind? Maybe she didn’t want to be his mail-order bride. He hoped that was the case.

      “That would be nice. Granite doesn’t have a lot of young women. Another one is always welcome.” Beth assured her. “What can I get you to drink, Millie?”

      “Tea, if you have it.”

      Beth nodded. “Iced? Or hot?”

      Levi got some satisfaction in seeing the amazement in Millie’s face at learning that they served iced tea. He loved cold beverages and had made it a point to get ice delivered every morning. It cost a pretty penny but was worth it to him.

      Millie’s expression turned from surprised to pleased. “I’d love iced, if it isn’t