Desperate Lola (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 2) by Carré White Page A

the door, letting down the steps. “Let’s go.”
    Understanding dawned, as things suddenly became clear. I hid a smile. He felt exactly as I did, but he did not rejoice in this knowledge. It puzzled him, but the situation confused me too. Lust. Was that the feeling that vibrated through my body, drowning out all other emotions? Would this disappear once we had been together in an intimate fashion? That would be a shame, because it had lifted my spirits greatly.
    People waited in the hotel to greet us, all of whom I did not know. Mrs. Hershey and her husband, Mayor Hershey, were nearest to the door, while Pastor Kinsley spoke with a couple towards the back. We were in the restaurant, where a table had been set with plates and spoons. A white cake sat in the middle, waiting to be cut.
    “Hello, my dear,” said an older woman. “I’m Teresa Butterfield. My husband and I own the mercantile. Welcome to Boot Creek.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Congratulations on your marriage. You’ve made quite a catch. We were all wondering when Mr. Kelly would remarry. It’s been too long to be all alone.”
    Jack stood behind me, his hand resting possessively on my shoulder. “Thank you, Mrs. Butterfield.”
    “She’s terribly pretty. I keep telling Doris to stop that mail order bride nonsense, but she feels it’s her duty to play matchmaker. The last wedding was rather unfortunate, because the groom was a drunkard. I told her to be more careful in the future. Such an omission is grossly unfair to a potential bride.” She smiled brightly. “But it managed to work itself out in the end. The man died from hanging, and Chastity married someone more suitable, but his past was rather questionable too.” She frowned. “Oh, goodness. I’ve been talking too much, haven’t I?”
    “It’s all right,” I said. “I’m glad it worked out in the end.”
    “You must come to the ladies’ luncheon on Saturday. That way you can meet everyone. We’ve important issues to discuss, such as the Widows and Orphans Society bake sale and the Ladies Reading Club and things. There’s always something happening. I invite you to join all of these organizations. It’s important for the moral welfare of Boot Creek.”
    “I think I’d like that.”
    “Excellent. I’ll tell them that you’ll be there.”
    I glanced at my husband, who stared at the door. A woman had arrived dressed in a green velvet, princess cut outfit that molded to her figure. She wore her dark hair beneath a green satin boater with a black feather plume. Everyone had stopped talking to look at her, and I felt a prickle of unease. The hand on my shoulder squeezed me gently. Jack was not thrilled by this woman’s arrival in the least, his eyes hardening. She smiled gaily, making a beeline towards us, passing the table with the cake.
    “I heard the news,” she breathed. “Congratulations.” She smiled at me. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Vanessa Lowell.” She held out a black-gloved hand.
    That name rang familiar, because I had heard it mentioned this morning. “Hello.” I shook her hand, as my spirits sank.
    “I was skeptical of the mail order business, but, after seeing you, perhaps, it’s an ingenious idea after all.”
    “I think we should have the cake now,” said Mr. Kelly. “It’s getting later by the hour.” His frown was pronounced.
    “I do hope I’ll be seeing you soon, Jack,” she purred throatily. “People have been asking about you.”
    Mrs. Hershey, having seen whom we spoke to, hurried over. “Well, then. Let’s cut that cake. I’m sure the happily married couple will want to take their leave soon.” She glared at Vanessa. “Is there a reason you’re here, my dear? Are you acquainted with the wedding party?”
    “Just the groom.”
    My mood plummeted, while I stood there staring at this elegant, vibrant woman. She was a madam or a prostitute, I presumed. She knew my husband, and she fully expected to continue to know him. The shine had