Grace: Bride of Montana (American Mail-Order Bride 41) Read Online Free PDF Page B

involved.
    I, too, have strong views of the sanctity of matrimony. Grace had to swallow the lump that rose in her throat, just thinking how Victor had almost made her complicit in adultery. The whole thought of what she’d done to his poor wife—even if the woman didn’t know—made her feel ill. Mentally she added a line, I have seen the pain that violating the sixth commandment can bring. She shook her head, deciding not to put such a revealing detail into words, and continued to write.
    If this match is to your agreement, please send a train ticket with your response. I’ll be arriving with few possessions—a portmanteau containing clothing, toiletries, and my small but cherished library, as well as a hatbox and satchel.
    I look forward to hearing from you,
    Sincerely,
    Grace Amelia Dickinson

    Her vision clouded with tears. Not wanting the writing blurred by moisture, she blew on the last words until the ink dried and folded the paper into threes. She couldn’t have tears marring the words. After tucking her response into the envelope, she addressed the front and left it on the table. Leaning forward, she blew out the lamp, welcoming the darkness.
    With a sad sigh, Grace moved to her bed, climbed under the covers, and pulled a handkerchief from under her pillow. After the interminable hours since learning the horrible news, she finally welcomed the release of tears.

CHAPTER FOUR

    On the morning of his wedding, Frey was up at dawn and already at work on his home. An unexpected job to lay the brick pathways in the park-like backyard of the Livingston mansion had sidelined his progress on the foursquare. Consequently, his own place wasn’t yet fit for a bride. At least with full pockets from Mr. Livingston’s prompt payment he could better afford a wife.
    Although there was still much to do, especially with the house missing all the decorative molding and cabinetry and most of the furniture, Frey had one finishing touch to complete—a stained-glass window transom to be placed over the front door. He hoped the bright artwork would help Grace overlook what features his home lacked.
    For this decorative touch, Frey had traded work with the stained-glass craftsman who’d made the windows for the Livingston mansion. He’d taken the train to Crenshaw to build some fancy brickwork walkway for the man’s home in return for the transom.
    Carefully, Frey studied the rectangular window—a stylized white water lily with long, leafy tendrils ending with smaller orange lilies. Gold and green blocks containing filigree designs formed the border. Yesterday, he’d affixed the window into the jamb frame, installed the molding, assembled the whole unit, and then painted the wood to match the white trim on the rest of the house.
    Today, he removed the temporary wood panel over the transom. Even though he’d built the door higher to accommodate his height, he could still reach to install the colored glass without standing on a ladder. He fitted the window into the slot above the door, applying the sealing.
    Once Frey was finished, the sun was up. He stepped back to admire his handiwork for a moment before glancing down at Gertie, who was supervising from the corner of the porch. “We’d better clean the place and get on over to the bathhouse,” he told the dog. “The Flanigans will be here before you know it.”
    Gertie tilted her head as if contemplating his words.
    “I know. We have a perfectly good bathroom, here. And yesterday, I scrubbed every inch. I have no time to do so again.”
    He knelt to hug Gertie. “You are about to have another person to love. I hope Grace likes dogs. I didn’t think to put that requirement in the letter. Or what if she likes dogs but doesn’t want you in the house?” He frowned. What if I have to part with my dog to have a happy wife? He couldn’t bear the thought.“Just in case, I’d better leave you at home. Consider this a Sunday, same as when I’m attending church.”
    Gertie’s