Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) Read Online Free PDF Page A

do, especially when your pa has gotten under my skin.” A plump woman walked out the front door and took Maddie into her arms, giving her a hug. “I am just tickled to death to finally get to meet you.” She was about Maddie’s height and had brown and gray hair pulled back into a bun. She wore a simple long-sleeved beige wool dress, an apron tied at the waist and a small towel thrown over her shoulder.
                  She held Maddie at arm’s length. “You are a pretty little thing, Hannah Brown. My boy is plumb lucky to get someone like you.” Bessie took her hand and led her into the house. “Now I’m Bessie, Sam’s ma, and a course you’ve met Gus. If there is anything at all I can do for you, well, don’t hesitate one tiny minute.”
                  The inside of their home was clean, yet comfortable. An overstuffed couch was across from the stone fireplace. By the window was a small table with two chairs, one on each side. A checkerboard lived on the table. In the corner by the fireplace was a well-worn chair with a small round table next to it, a pair of spectacles sat on top.
    The aroma coming from the kitchen made Maddie’s mouth water. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast and that had only been an apple. She almost died of embarrassment when her stomach started to rumble. She felt her face redden and she covered her cheeks with her hands. “I’m sorry. It just smells so good.”
    Samuel laughed and put an arm around her shoulders. “I hope supper is about done because Hannah and I are ready to eat.”
    “It sure enough is. I’m getting ready to serve it up. By the time you and Hannah go call the others, it’ll be setting on the table.”
    “Are you sure I can’t help you with supper, Bessie?”
    “Heavens, no. Now run along and find the rest.”
    Samuel led Maddie out the back door. A garden, like she’d never seen was fenced and continued so far back she couldn’t see where it ended. On both sides of the garden were trees planted in rows. “Are those apple trees?”
    “Yep,” Samuel replied, “and those over there are cherry trees. Ma sells what they can’t eat to the store in town.”
    “How wonderful that would be,” Maddie said with breathless wonder.
    He chuckled. “If you’re partial to apples and cherries, you’ll get your fill at our place. We have plenty of fruit trees.”
    “Daddy! Daddy!” Sam looked to see his pa carrying Lizzy on his shoulders.
    Maddie’s first thought when seeing Samuel’s daughter was that she looked like a little angelic cherub. Her hair was a tangle of long blonde curls, and the setting sun made the fly-away strands, shimmer. Blue eyes filled the girl’s face and her pudgy cheeks held her father’s dimples, but on both sides of her smile.
    Samuel lifted his daughter off Gus’s shoulders, throwing her in the air. “Hi, sugar plum.”
    He was rewarded with a torrent of giggles and giant-sized hug, her little arms squeezing his neck. “Hi daddy.” She turned in his arms, “Is she my new mama?”
    Maddie’s eyes widened in surprise. She didn’t expect to hear that come out of the little girl’s mouth. Samuel came to her rescue. “Lizzy, this here is Hannah and grandma says it’s supper time.”
    The little imp squirmed to be put down. Her brown dress only came to her pudgy little knees. Long socks, that were supposed to go past her knees, now gathered at her ankles and brown shoes adorned her feet. A coat, with more than one patch on it, finished the outfit.
    Walking to Maddie, she reached up and took a finger. Maddie bent down. “Are you going to be my mama?”
    Maddie ran a hand down Lizzy’s tangled curls. “I surely do hope so.”
    Out came the dimples. “You can sit by me at the table.” Maddie straightened up and let the little girl lead her into the house.
     
    * * * *
     
    Maddie couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed a meal so much. Supper consisted of roast pork, mashed potatoes with gravy,