Mail Order Bride - Westward Secrets: A Clean Cowboy Romance Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 13) by Linda Bridey

been so long since she’d been out with a man, but she tried to remember what she’d been like with Tony when they’d been courting.  She’d been saucy and vivacious according to Tony. 
    She’d certainly been more confident, but that was before she’d lost a husband and had been caring for two young children largely by herself.  But she decided that, for tonight, she was going to be her old self and have a little adult fun.  She put aside her anxiety and went back out to the foyer.
    Rick wasn’t sure what had changed about Gina, but he felt it immediately.  There was a new assuredness in her body posture and in her gaze.  His male nature responded.
    “I would love to go, but I need to change.  Is there time?” Gina asked.
    Rick’s easy smile flashed.  “Certainly.  Go right ahead.”
    “I won’t be long,” Gina said and gave him a smile.
    As she went to change, Rick smiled and was looking forward to the evening even more than before.  When Gina reappeared, Rick’s eyes widened a little as they roamed over her.  The deep blue dress emphasized her curvy body, which he had been privileged to hold for a short while that day.  The color was the perfect foil for her slightly dusky complexion, dark eyes and sable hair.
    “Well, don’t you look lovely, Miss Gina?” Rick said.
    “Thank you, Deputy Westlake,” Gina responded as she walked over to him.
    Lacey ran into the parlor, pressed a coat into Gina’s hands, smiled at Rick and ran back out.
    Rick laughed softly.  “I think Lacey’s enjoying this.”
    “She’s not the only one,” Gina said as she held up the fine black coat Lacey had given her.
    Rick took it from her.  “Allow me,” he said and held it for her.
    Tony used to do things like that and Gina thought it nice to have a gentleman do it for her again.
    When they went outside, she saw that he’d brought a buggy. 
     
    Gina enjoyed riding under the moon with Rick.  He coaxed her into telling him about her upbringing and amusing stories about the kids.  At one point, she asked him about his formative years and Rick grew silent for a moment.  He opted for the truth.
    “We moved around a lot.  My stepfather was a missionary and we travelled all over the world,” Rick said.
    “That must have been so exciting!” Gina said.  “Seeing all those different places and experiencing a lot of different cultures.”
    An image flashed in his mind and Rick pushed it away.  “It was sometimes.  I’ve been on every continent except Australia.”
    “Do you have a favorite place?” she asked as she rode a little closer to him.
    Another flash.  “No.  Too many to count.  Although I did enjoy Asia quite a bit.”  Rick silently took in a slow breath and released it. 
    “What do they eat there?” Gina asked.  She’d always wanted to travel so to talk to someone who had actually done it interested her very much.
    “A lot of fish and rice dishes and various vegetables.” Flash! Rick knew he had to stop this conversation.  “So what’s your favorite Italian meal?”
    Gina laughed.  “You’re going to find this strange, but I don’t care for a lot of Italian dishes.”
    “What?  But you’re Italian,” Rick said.  “You’re right; I am surprised.”
    “I know.  I was such a disappointment to my parents because I preferred to eat other ethnic dishes like bigos.   In fact, I love anything made with sauerkraut.  My mother hates it and refused to cook it.  I would go next door to Mrs. Majewski’s and eat dinner with her family a lot,” Gina said.
    Rick laughed.  “An Italian who prefers Polish food.  That’s funny.  Bigos is a wonderful dish.  Some people know it by Hunter’s Stew, though.  Do you know how to make it?”
    “Yes.  Mrs. Majewski gave me a lot of recipes.  She was a great woman and I miss her,” Gina said.
    “I’d love to eat some again.  I haven’t had it since I was in Poland,” Rick said.
    “Then I’ll make some, if I can find all