A Bride for Keeps Read Online Free PDF Page A

else.”
    The skin on his neck crawled. Everett’s third mail-order bride most likely wished
     she hadn’t left him for Ned. The man worked her like he worked his oxen—into the ground.
     It would have been better for Helga if Everett had learned his lesson after Kathleen
     and not sent for another bride.
    Ned spit, this time making it in the bucket. “You don’t know anyone I can hire, do
     you?”
    “No.” He’d not advise his worst enemy to work for Ned Parker.
    Ned rapped on the counter bell. “What do I got to do to get some service?”

    “What do you think about this one, Miss Lockwood?”
    Julia fingered the fine pink-sprigged lawn, silky and untextured. “Combed yarns. Very
     nice feel to it. I think it would make you a fine dress, Miss Lenowitz.”
    “Wish I could have something as fancy as yours with those ruffles all the way to the
     top. Maybe you could help me with my sleeves?” The young lady looked as if she were
     debating on fabric for her first ball gown, not a light summer dress. Was the girl
     old enough for a debut? Did they even do that in Kansas?
    Julia swallowed hard. Even if they did, she couldn’t help this girl—she had no idea
     how to sew. Looking around at the men and women surrounding her in homespuns and dyed
     calicos, she knew that her dress probably cost the equivalent of their entire closets.
     Every dress. She had nothing like what they were wearing—and all their work dresses
     and shirtwaists showed signs of wear. Her silks and sheer lawns most likely wouldn’t
     last a month out here. Should she even be encouraging this woman to buy this? It was
     the most expensive bolt of fabric on the table. “I’m afraid I’m not good at sewing
     something this intricate. Perhaps I could lend it to you for a pattern.”
    The girl’s eyes flashed, and several of the ladies sucked in air and started murmuring.
     But Miss Lenowitz shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to part with a dress for so
     very long. We don’t come into town but once a month, and I live in the opposite direction
     from Mrs. Stanton.”
    What Julia really needed was to give Miss Lenowitz thisdress in exchange for one of hers. But she wouldn’t dare bring up such a thing and
     embarrass the girl in front of this crowd. Nor had she the courage to admit she’d
     come west with not one work dress. But she’d need several if she was staying, wouldn’t
     she?
    If she were staying . . .
    Julia absently played with a bit of lawn. Everett hadn’t looked her way since he’d
     walked in.
    At the counter, Everett strode away from the man who’d leered at her since she’d entered
     the store, grabbed some candy, and walked toward a stand of hats. “Put two molasses
     chews on the tab, Carl,” he called over his shoulder.
    “Miss?” A man with a ragged beard and huge eyes swiped off his hat.
    She pulled her attention from Everett and tried to keep from wrinkling her nose at
     the farmer’s stench.
    “I’m here to buy my wife enough fabric for a shirtwaist, and I don’t have a good eye.
     Would you mind picking one? These women seem to think you have a knack for it. She’s
     got green eyes with specks of gold in them and red hair, well more orange-like, but
     she don’t like me saying so.”
    “Hmm, I’m sure a deep green or blue—”
    “And I can’t spend too much on it.”
    She nodded and fished out a teal calico with white-sprigged daisies. “This ought to
     bring out her eyes and complement her auburn tresses.”
    “A fine choice, Lincoln.” The store’s proprietor grabbed the fabric and escorted the
     farmer to the counter, where the leering, impatient man threatened to ring the bell
     a second time.
    “I don’t believe the Hampdens have sold this much fabric in a week,” Rachel whispered.
     “Watch out or Mr. Hampden will be offering you a job.”
    Julia smoothed a creased corner of gingham. A job in the mercantile? Now, that she
     could do. But not in Salt Flatts.
    From this