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

fresh green beans, biscuits with apple jelly and butter, and cherry pie for dessert. Ever since her father died, there had never been enough food to fill her stomach and when Jeb came into the family, they went without supper many times.
    Not only was the food plentiful and delicious, there was laughter and pleasant conversation at the table. Gus and Bessie were always sure to include Maddie. At first, she only responded with one or two word answers, but by the end of supper, she was joining in, just like one of the family.
    Maddie helped Bessie with the dishes when supper was over, while Samuel and Gus went outside to light up cigars, with Lizzy on their heels.
    “Bessie, that dinner was so nice. I want you to know how much I appreciate you treating me like part of the family.”
    “Well land sakes, you will be afore long.”
    Maddie smiled. “I do hope it all works out. I’m not sure how this mail order bride thing actually works.”
    Bessie took her hand and led her to the table. The older woman’s words were spoken with care. “It was such a hard time for Samuel when Martha died. She was a sweet, loving girl, but was always sickly. In the winters, Martha seemed to be in bed with one thing or another, most of the time.
    When we all found out she was in a family way, Gus and I were plumb overjoyed, but we could tell Samuel didn’t share our enthusiasm. He would hardly let her out of bed. He was just plain scared and as it turned out, he was right to be. The pregnancy was hard on her. The delivery was normal, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop.” Bessie’s eyes were full of pain when she looked up at Maddie. “I did everything I knew how to do.”
    Maddie scooted her chair closer to grasp the woman’s hands. “Oh Bessie, I’m sure you did. I hope you don’t blame yourself.”
    “Fact is, I did at first, but Samuel talked me out of it. He said if the doctor couldn’t save her then it was just God’s will and he was ready for Martha to come home.” Bessie sat up straighter. “Now let’s discuss this marriage. I told Samuel he would have to give you time. You just can’t rush things like this.”
    She laughed when Maddie expelled a long breath of relief. “Don’t you worry none, Hannah. He understands. Tonight you can sleep in the room where Samuel normally sleeps and he can sleep on the old couch in the front room.”
    “Oh Bessie, I can sleep on the couch. It’s hardly fair to kick him out of his own room.”
    “Won’t hear of it. And to put your mind at ease, there’s a spare room at the farm. You can stay in there until you feel you are ready to be man and wife.”
    Lizzy threw open the door and ran to the kitchen. “Hurry, mama, come and see the fireflies. They are everywhere.” She pulled Maddie by her hand toward the front door.
    Maddie turned and mouthed the words thank you to the woman who would be her mother-in-law before being pulled out of the house.
    The sun had gone down and the five of them sat on the porch. It was chilly but Samuel had brought a thin blanket for Maddie to put around her shoulders. He was drinking a cup of coffee and almost spit it out when Lizzy asked, “Can I sit on your lap mama?”
    “Lizzy!” Samuel snapped. The little girl’s head whipped around to look at her father. Her bottom lip started to tremble. His voice dropped immediately. “Lizzy, I’m sorry, but…”
    Lizzy looked to Maddie, her big blue eyes swimming in unshed tears. “Did I do something wrong?”
    She pulled Lizzy up on her lap and covered her with the blanket. “Not that I know of.”
    Samuel shook his head and said nothing else. It didn’t take more than another ten minutes before Lizzy was asleep. Maddie was yawning too. It had been a long and stressful day for her. She was ready for some sleep.
    “I think I’m ready to turn in, too,” Maddie said.
    “We all need to call it a night. We leave early tomorrow and travel all day.” Samuel picked up Lizzy and carried her to her room.