An Unexpected Love (The Colorado Brides Series Book 5) by Carré White Page B

portion of soil, as they had swarmed off in another direction. Paulina and Hannah’s yield would be greatly diminished this season, although Fanny had declared that their harvest would be shared equally among the families. Other farmers in the area had suffered, while neighboring fields had been left alone. It was a strange and unfair disaster, but everyone hoped the winter freeze would kill any eggs that had been laid.
    My anticipation of Friday evening could not be overstated. I had chosen the dress I would wear, having taken it out of a drawer the night before and hanging it on a hook. When this did not smooth the wrinkles enough, I worked on it in the kitchen, applying a flat iron. The lovely peach and champagne, shot silk gown, which had belonged to my mother, was now ready to wear. My mother had worn it on the night of her engagement. It was slightly out of date, but, with a crinoline and petticoats, it would pass tolerably, especially in a frontier town like Denver City.
    “Well, don’t you look nice,” said Fanny, who had come to peer into the bedroom. “That’s a handsome color. It suits you.”
    I stood before the mirror fixing my hair. “Thank you.” The bodice draped across my chest, exposing a hint of cleavage. I had never worn such a revealing outfit before, although this was still quite modest compared to the gowns I had seen in the fashion plates from Paris.
    “You’ll put us all to shame. I’ve nothing as nice to wear.”
    “It was my mother’s favorite dress.”
    She approached, standing behind me. “I can see why. The material is fine. The Bertha trimming is divine. It must’ve taken her forever to sew it all on.”
    “I remember her working on it.”
    “It’s fortunate you were able to take it with you. I’ve had to leave so much behind when I came out here.”
    “Ladies!” called Jack. “When are we going? I’ve been expecting you for the last ten minutes.”
    “Well, that’s it then,” said Fanny. “You better hurry to finish.”
    Turning from the mirror, I faced her. “You’ve been so kind to me, even when I don’t deserve it.”
    Surprise lit her eyes. “What brought this on?”
    “I’m grateful you took over my guardianship. I’m happy here with you and Jack. You’ve been the best foster parents an orphan could ask for.”
    “Oh, bosh. Stop that now.” She dabbed the corner of her eye.
    “It’s the truth. You put up with me when I was at my worst. The thing is, I can’t promise that I won’t ever make another mistake again. But with you and Jack, I know you’ll always be there for me, if…I do have a mishap or two.”
    “What have you done?”
    “Nothing, nothing at all. I’m just grateful to be here. Thank you for letting me attend the social.”
    “Give me a hug.” She drew me into her arms. “You’ve always been a rather strange and mysterious girl, but I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
    “Thank you, Fanny. I adore you.”
    “I adore you too.”
    “For the love of Pete!” called Jack. “What in heaven’s are you two doing up there?”
    “We’d best get going.” Fanny handed me a pair of satin gloves. “I, for one, am looking forward to a happy distraction tonight. We’ve had a dreadful week with all the grasshoppers and things. I just hope your brothers behave themselves when we’re gone. The last thing I need is my house to burn down.”
    “That won’t happen,” I laughed. I snatched a shawl off a chair. “They’ll read stories and go to bed.”
    “I hope so.”
    We left the house after giving Peter and Connor implicit instructions not to light any candles or the stove, and to make sure the windows were closed in the event of rain, but the skies were clear. In the wagon, I sat with Fanny and Jack on the bench, while my sisters were in the back, chatting happily. For once, we were going to town for pleasure and enjoyment. Fanny was right; we needed a distraction from the events earlier in the week.
    I longed to see Ryan again,