Lessie: Bride of Utah (American Mail-Order Bride 45) Read Online Free PDF Page A

got plenty of time. Let us walk over to the dressmaker’s on 25th and see if she has something pretty all made up you ladies would like to wear for the ceremonies.”
    Immediately, he knew he should’ve asked Adam to charm the ladies into accepting.
    Lessie folded her arms. “No thank you, Mr. Cannon. We have everything we need.”
    He’d furnished little things of comfort for her at home, such as a brush and comb, a vanity table, creams and lotions, but no clothing. He’d had no idea what to have made or where to begin. Women came in so many shapes, sizes, and heights.
    He’d have to correct that misstep, right away.
    Didn’t all women want what men— especially their men— could provide? Richard shot a questioning glance at Adam but found the poor fool grinning at his bride. He whipped his attention back to Lessie. “Didn’t our advertisement ask specifically for good-natured women to apply? Cooperative and desirous of marital harmony?”
    She glared at him darkly, “You don’t understand much about women, Mr. Cannon, do you?”
    “Apparently I do not.” What was he supposed to do? Go home and change into workman’s clothes to stand up in the church and wed his bride?
    Without saying another word, Miss Sassy Lessie Anne followed her sister out of the restaurant.
    Only her twin had taken Adam’s arm and sported the happiest of grins upon her face.
    Ah, look at that. His own bride could be a beauty… if only she’d smile.
    And suddenly, he had no greater objective, nothing he wanted more than her smile, directed at him .
    Let her stand up in the church, marry in a working dress that’d seen at least six years’ hard washings and even harder wear, and worse, had obviously been made for someone with wider shoulders and a more generous curves… a decade ago. Fine. Whatever the lady wanted the lady would have.
    But she would smile. She’d look at him, and she’d offer an honest, genuine smile.
    One way or the other, that’s exactly what Richard Cannon would make happen.

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     

     
    The First Baptist Church stood on the corner of 24th Street and Grant Avenue, not far from Union Station. A short drive, but long enough Richard noticed his bride-to-be kept her attention on the donkey-pulled trolley cars, other carriages, the various houses and buildings… anything but him. Nor did she pay much heed to her happy sister or Adam in the back seat.
    Was she nervous? Fearful? Doubting her decision to wed a stranger?
    Ditto. In that moment he couldn’t remember what had possessed him to offer marriage via telegram and sight unseen.
    So upon arrival at the church and introductions to Pastor Moody, Richard had most definitely not expected Miss Sassafras Lessie to smile at him so readily.
    He’d been prepared to work for it.
    She’d greeted the minister then turned to him, and her uncertain, timid smile revealed a glimmer of what made her tick.
    Oh, yes. Definitely w orry. Fear. Doubt.
    He understood all three, far too well.
    Understanding what lay behind the bluster and quick tongue, refusal of a meal and a simple change of clothes… it all made sense.
    She wanted— no, she needed— reassurance.
    Against his will, compassion for this girl flooded his mind and his heart.
    He could give her a sense of safety, protection, and so much more. He could ease her fears, see to it her worries faded. One of a husband’s greatest joys in life came from sheltering his wife from concerns of the world. This tough-spirited young woman hadn’t had the protection of a man in a very long while. If ever, for all he knew.
    No wonder.
    He lowered his head, leaned near her ear so only she could hear. “I promise you, Miss Hadley, everything will be fine. I swear it.”
    In easing her fears, his own doubts about marrying the independent Miss faded. Things would be fine. He would see to it.
    “Marriage licenses?” Pastor Moody knew enough to turn to Adam for such details. “You’ll serve as one