Alice: Bride of Rhode Island (American Mail-Order Bride 13) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her husband.
    Men shouted in the distance. Unease rippled through her as she shifted her gaze to the fishing boats beyond. She set the basket down on the stoop of Martel Fishing and moved toward the commotion.
    A sudden explosion blasted through the air, and she fell back. Stunned, she struggled to stand. Racing toward the smoking boat, she bumped into man after man as they yelled and pushed past her. The sight of a body dragged from the water made her heart stop.
    James!
    “Oh no!” She went immediately to his side as his body was hoisted on to the dock. “What happened?”
    Frank crouched across from her, distress pinching his dirty face. “I told him not to go. He was trying to save Freddy from the fire. There was an oil drum...”
    Alice removed her gloves and placed her hands on either side of James’ head, then beneath his nose. “He’s breathing.” She checked the length of him, looking for any serious injury. Black soot covered him, and his clothing was torn, but—thankfully— he was still in one piece. “We need to get him back to the office and call a doctor.”
    Frank shouted to the men milling about, and they soon had hold of James’ unconscious form, carrying him up to the fishing office. Alice followed swiftly.
    With no piece of furniture large enough to hold James’ large frame, Alice searched a sideboard and, upon locating a blanket, placed it onto the floor. The men laid James upon it. She folded a second blanket and slipped it beneath his head.
    “Get the doctor,” she demanded to Frank.
    He nodded and departed.
    Alice went to work locating a cloth and basin of water and began cleaning James’ face. She unbuttoned his jacket, vest and shirt to assess any unseen injury, surprised by the matte of dark hair that covered his chest. As his wife, she should know such intimate details, and the fact that she didn’t filled her with despair.
    Please don’t leave me, James.
    Soon, a man arrived carrying a black bag.
    “Alice, let Doc Sanford have a look.” Frank gently guided her into the outer room.
    She watched the inert form of her husband until someone closed the door.
    * * * *
    James opened his eyes and found himself in his bedroom, but it had a decidedly feminine touch now. The plain white curtains had been replaced with a light purple lace, the coverlet atop him was in hues of yellows and blues, and a vase filled with flowers sat on the nightstand.
    Alice entered the room, and her striped cotton day dress, despite being buttoned to her neck, revealed curves he’d tried his best to ignore. Since the day he’d married her, he’d managed to avoid his wife quite thoroughly.
    She smiled, set a tray on the table at the foot of the bed, and turned to push the curtains wide. “I’m glad to see you’re awake.”
    He scowled. “Why do you have flowers in your room?” Had he really just uttered such a silly question? Her presence addled his brain, not unlike the queasy sensation of seasickness.
    She returned to the tray. “Although I’ve been into Tiverton several times, I actually found a delightful shop in Fall River that grows them indoors. I’m afraid I couldn’t resist. I’ve always had a weakness for flowers. It’s difficult living in an area that smells like rotting fish all the time. You did give me an allowance and said I could use it however I see fit.”
    “I thought you might purchase some gowns for yourself.”
    “I will. But Mrs. Irwin was able to give me several of her daughter’s hand-me-downs and I’m a quite capable seamstress.” She indicated her attire. “These will do.”
    Like a schoolboy, his gaze locked onto her attributes as if he’d never before seen a woman. Mrs. Irwin’s daughter must be much smaller because Alice’s dress was distractingly snug. “How long have I been asleep?” he asked in an effort to break the spell his wife so easily cast over him.
    “For a day.” She picked up a bowl and spoon and moved to the bedside. “Can you eat some