Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) by Maya Stirling Page A

"And you thought it might be a good idea to take it to her?"
    Aaron frowned. These two women certainly had the art of making a man feel uncomfortable down to a tee. "I guess so," Aaron said.
    "You figuring on spending much time in that there room, alone with Eva?" Mrs. Lang demanded.
    Aaron felt his jaw drop and his throat felt suddenly, inexplicably tight. He got their meaning.
    "If you're hinting that there might be something inappropriate..." he began to say, but he was interrupted by Mrs. Lang.
    "I'm not hinting at anything Aaron Stewart," she said. "I'm being straight with you about the fact that a single man cannot just inhabit the room where an unmarried woman is currently trying to recover her strength," she declared. Mrs. Lang's tight bun of grey hair, pale skin and plump features gave her a forbidding and intimidating aspect. Aaron had relied on her for so much over the years. She'd proved to be a powerhouse of persuasion and indispensable when it came to keeping affairs in the Stewart ranch house running smoothly. One thing Aaron had learned was never to challenge his beloved housekeeper's judgment. He quickly figured, this time was not going to be an exception.
    "Eva and I are hardly strangers, Mrs. Lang," Aaron offered.
    Mrs. Lang shook her head. "I know you and her go way back. I've known that for longer than you think," she said with the raise of an eyebrow. "I've known there was something between you both. Even if you were the last to admit it," she said emphatically.
    Mrs. Bell nodded. "Seems like the men on these ranches don't know how to pay proper attention to a woman," she said.
    Mrs. Lang nodded. "You're right there, Mrs. Bell," she admitted. Mrs. Bell looked at Mrs. Lang and nodded.
    Aaron frowned. He couldn't believe that the two women had finally found something they agreed on. Even if it was over his own failure to be absolutely honest about himself and Eva.
    "Are you seriously saying I can't take some soup up to Eva," Aaron asked.
    Mrs. Lang tossed her cleaning cloth down onto the kitchen table. "What I'm saying is that we're going to be keeping a close eye on you," she said. "Isn't that right, Mrs. Bell?"
    The other woman nodded vigorously.
    Mrs. Lang turned and ladled out some soup into a plate and placed it onto a tray. She handed it to Aaron. "Just you keep that bedroom door open, so we can hear what's going on between you and that sweet young woman," she said giving him a stern look that nevertheless had the faintest of smiles in it.
    Aaron took the tray and headed out of the kitchen as fast as he could. Upstairs, he knocked gently on the closed door. From inside he heard Eva's soft voice bid him enter. Aaron pushed the door open and stepped into the bedroom.
    Eva's eyes widened when she saw who it was. "Aaron!" she exclaimed pulling the bedclothes up to her chest. Aaron immediately noticed that her color was improved. The pale cheeks of earlier had been replaced by a much healthier rosy color. She looked so much better, but there was still a tiredness in her eyes. The shadows hadn't quite disappeared, and he wondered whether they were caused only by physical exhaustion or by the worry she was so obviously enduring.
    "I thought you'd like some soup," he said looking at the tray. "You have no idea how much trouble this little plate has caused between Mrs. Lang and Mrs. Bell," he said with a smile.
    Eva tried to respond with a smile of her own, but Aaron could see how much effort it caused her in the attempt. "It smells delicious." she said raising herself up higher against the pillows at her back. "Even from here. I was wondering what they were cooking up," she said.
    The fresh air from the slightly open window made the room smell fresh and feel cool. Aaron went to the side of the bed and laid the tray down on the side table. He glanced at Eva. Up close she did look much improved. She'd pulled her hair back into a neat bun, and her collar was buttoned up tight.
    Eva straightened the bedclothes