Chevonne: Bride of Oklahoma (American Mail-Order Bride 46) by Leighann Dobbs Page A

hooks over the wooden frame for her to hang her wrap, clothes and towels. After her bath, old Luke would fold it away and empty out the bath water. She’d left him some of the cinnamon-current rolls she’d made for breakfast on the range as a thank you.
    So much thought and precision work had gone into the bath screen, it warmed Chevonne’s heart. It was a beautifully thoughtful gift. It made her feel special in a way that no one had ever made her feel before... except for when he’d kissed her.
    The thought of their kiss sent a shiver of delight through her body. She quickly pushed all thought of it out of her mind. No sense in thinking about that. It was not going to happen again.
    A sigh escaped Chevonne’s lips as she sank deeper into the suds. The water was cooling off and she had to get dressed for church anyway, but she just wanted a few more minutes of relaxing bliss.
    When she finally stood, the water was downright chilly. She dried off and carefully blotted the excess water out of her hair. Then she put on her wrap and slippers, gathered her things, and went to her room.
    Her hair dried quickly in the already warm air. She closed the windows to keep the hot air out while they were in town. From the window and saw Trey driving the buggy out of the barn. She had to hurry.
    Chevonne lowered the window shades and closed the sheer curtains in her room. Trey had hung all the new curtains the minute she had them ready. They made the house look instantly like a home, he’d said with one of his easy smiles, warming her heart.
    She put on one of her favorite dresses—pale blue with a lace bodice and matching edging on the sleeves. She told herself she wore it because she loved it, not because she now knew Trey loved that color.
    Underneath, she dared to wear a scandalous pair of knickers that stopped just above the knees. They weren’t the most risqué design in her grandmother’s repertoire, but they were the only ones that she’d managed to put together thus far.
    She’d had several problems with the designs in getting the right materials and cutting them so that they fit properly. Using drawstrings or buttons seemed to be problematic with the designs. But she had added lace and ribbon adornments even though the undergarment did not feel as comfortable as she knew it should.
    Once she was dressed, she collected Trey’s mother’s reticule, which she had repaired and adorned with a gorgeous piece of black lace, and put it in her handbag.
    Chevonne then hurried downstairs. She had to admit she was looking forward to seeing Celia, and she was curious to see how Trey’s mother reacted to the repair job.
    The buggy was in front of the house as she rushed outside.
    “I see your ankle is better.” Trey sat in a rocking chair on the porch and glanced in the direction of her ankle.
    “Why, yes, it’s like new.” Chevonne had almost forgotten about it. “The bath must have done it some good as there is barely an ache now. I hope we’re not going to be late,” she said as he helped her up onto the buggy seat.
    “We should make it just on time.” Trey’s nose twitched. He climbed aboard and flicked the reins to set the horse going. He leaned over toward her so close that her heart leapt at his nearness. He confided, “I have to admit, I’m not much for churchgoing. But Mama likes me to be there, and sometimes it is just easier to go along with what she wants.”
    Chevonne laughed. “I haven’t been much of a church-goer since Gram passed. We used to go every Sunday.”
    Trey nodded and focused his attention on the road ahead before saying softly, “I can tell you miss her dearly.”
    Chevonne just nodded, too overcome with emotion to reply. She leaned back in the seat and enjoyed the feeling of being with someone who understood her better than anyone in the world in that moment.
    She was relaxed from the bath and with the swaying of the buggy and the sun’s rays warming her, she may have dozed off, because