Judith: Bride of Wyoming (American Mail-Order Bride 44) by Hildie McQueen Page B

expecting.
    Once Judith thought about it, she realized it had been almost two months since her last monthly flow. “Oh, my goodness.” She looked to where Sean stood and almost as if feeling her regard, he turned to her.
    Immediately warmth enveloped her and she flushed.
    “You two are certainly in love,” Lorna said with a wide smile. “He is enamored with you.”
    “Very true,” Eloise added. “They can’t keep from looking to one another. A bit sickening at times.” She shook her head.
    Judith laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
    Eloise’s soft smile told she agreed. “You’re right. I am so very happy for Sean. He’s always been such a good man and brother. Deserves to be happy.”
    It took Judith by surprise when Sean tapped her shoulder and extended his hand. “I am stealing my wife for a short walk if you ladies don’t mind.”
    “Of course we don’t,” Lorna replied giving Judith a knowing look.

    Sean wondered why the women all exchanged conspiring looks when he’d neared to ask his wife to take a walk with him. He’d spied a family of rabbits he knew Judith would love to watch and planned to walk with her. Nothing pleased him more than to see her excited over the smallest of things. From her, he learned to appreciate the beauty he’d otherwise not notice. Just like the moment seeing the rabbits in a thicket had taken his attention where before he would have ignored it.
    “Oh, my,” Judith said breathlessly already kneeling to admire the rabbits, who scurried away. “How beautiful they are!” She smiled brightly at him. “I hope they are warm enough.”
    She took his hand and tugged him down to sit beside her. “I have something to tell you.” Her fingers tightened on his hand sending alarm immediately through him.
    “Is something wrong?”
    Judith laughed. “We have to stop thinking something is wrong when someone has news. I caught myself doing the same thing when Lorna announced she had a surprise for me.” She hesitated. “It was a new bolt of beautiful fabric.”
    Sean relaxed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. His lips lingered on her temple and she closed her eyes soaking in his attentions.
    “I hope you never stop being so wonderful. Especially when I grow round.”
    His chuckle rumbled deep. “I will love you when you are plump if that happens.”
    “Oh, it will,” Judith said with conviction and he looked to her with a curious expression. “In the next few months.”
    Sean wasn’t sure why she predicted the weight gain, but instead of trying to figure out how women thought, he went along with it. “Very good. Do you want me to help you gather some flowers before we go back to the group?”
    Judith didn’t move. She kept her head bowed. “You haven’t asked me what I want to tell you.”
    He scrambled to remember what she’d said earlier. Not quite knowing what to expect, he took her hand and looked into her beautiful, shining eyes. “Tell me.”
    When she swallowed visibly, he did his best not to fret. “Well, I suspect…I’m pretty sure I’m expecting.”
    “Go on.”
    “With what?”
    This was not going well, he could see it by the way her brows came together in a frown. “With what you are going to tell me.”
    “I did.” Judith pushed away, both hands flat on his chest. “Did you not hear me? I’m expecting.”
    He forced himself to be patient. “Dearest. What exactly are you expecting?”
    Her mouth fell open and he waited for her to snap at him. Instead, she began laughing. Mirth-filled eyes met his and she burst into guffaws. When she tried to talk, once again laughter would take over until he, too, joined in, unable to resist.
    Finally, she stopped laughing and wiped at tears that threatened to spill. “You are so adorable.” She kissed him then and he wished they were alone so he could take advantage of the wonderful curves that now leaned against him.
    “I’m sorry if I don’t understand what you’re saying,” he told her and