Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26)
to be greedy and use all of it.
    She gazed into the small mirror, grumbling to herself about how horribly tangled her dark hair was. Johanna used her fingers to loosen the knots, making her way back to the bunk where her suitcase was. There, she found Gretchen shaking-0, reading her letter from Paul!
    “What are you doing?” she asked, snatching it away from her.
    “I-I’m sorry, but I think I should tell you just who your husband-to-be is.”
    “I don’t care,” Johanna said, putting her belongings into her suitcase. “You had no business going through my things like that.”
    Gretchen’s breathing was rapid and she exclaimed, “I’m so sorry. Please, don’t be angry with me. I just was curious about who your husband was. I thought I might know who he is, and I do.”
    “I don’t need you to taint my view of my husband before I have the chance to meet him, don’t you understand? I need for this to work out. I don’t have anywhere to go.”
    Gretchen frowned. “I’ll stay out of your way then. I didn’t mean to make you angry, and I won’t say a word about your intended.”
    Johanna felt bad for being so cross with the woman, but she was frightened enough about meeting Paul. She slid across for Gretchen in the main car and said, “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I overreacted.”
    She took Johanna’s hand. “You had every right to do that. I just don’t want you angry with me. I had hoped we had become friends.”
    “Yes, I think so. But you won’t be in Saginaw that long, will you?”
    “It all depends, but I hope we can meet up somewhere before I leave. If your husband allows it.”
    “Allows it?”
    “You do know when you marry a man, you swear before God to honor and obey him, right?”
    “I-I guess I haven’t given it that much thought.”
    Gretchen smiled. “You remind me of one of my other brides. She had a hard time adjusting to her life as a married woman, and it took some time before they were happy. It’s better to know what’s expected of you.”
    “Thank you for that, but I’m sure I’ll figure out things as I go.”
    “We’re coming up to Saginaw now,” the conductor exclaimed.
    Johanna stared out the window, but she wasn’t able to see much more than buildings. Where Lawrence’s buildings were made of stone and brick, most of these ones were all wood.
    The train whooshed to a stop and Johanna rushed to be the first to come off the train. She stepped off and moved a few feet, keeping a tight hold on her suitcase. From her viewpoint, there was a river not far away. There was also a bustle of activity on the streets of men and women, even children. Some were dressed in their finery, yet others were working-class. The men who came into view were dressed in suits, not what she expected at all. She thought all the men would be wearing denim pants and plaid shirts. They’d make plenty of noise and rush in and out of the taverns, which she hadn’t seen any of so far. Smoke billowed from behind the trees and with her knowledge of factories, she expected it might be a mill of some sort, but at least the air was fresh with the thick smell of pine. She shivered slightly at the gentle breeze. It was much cooler than Johanna expected.
    Gretchen came over to stand alongside her. “So, what do you think?”
    “It looks great. I mean, I couldn’t exactly imagine how it would look, but it’s certainly nothing like Lawrence.”
    “You have that right. Here, you can breath in deeply and take in the fragrances. I’m looking forward to a cup of coffee. It’s a staple up here.”
    Johanna made a face. “I detest coffee. I’d much rather have tea.”
    “I’m sure your new husband will be able to get you whatever you desire.”
    Johanna thought that to be a strange comment, but just then, Gretchen elbowed her slightly in the ribs. She glanced up at the sound of horses as an open, black buggy moved forward. A man dressed in a black suit jumped down, helping an older woman down. As
Read Online Free Pdf

Similar Books

One Under

Graham Hurley

Jillian Hart

Lissa's Cowboy

The Mermaid Chair

Sue Monk Kidd

Royal Pain in the Ass

Heather Trudy

Will & Tom

Matthew Plampin

Lawless

Alexander McGregor