Libbie: Bride of Arizona (American Mail-Order Bride 48) Read Online Free PDF Page A

placed it at the head of the table where five plates were stacked. “Take your seats, please, everyone.”
    Dell scooted his chair close and glanced at the food resting in his mother’s painted earthenware dishes. Beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, and rolls—one of his favorite meals.
    After the blessing, William carved slices of meat and set them onto plates that were passed around the table. The next several minutes were spent in silence as everyone served portions onto their plates and tasted the delicious food. Inconsequential topics of weather and prices at the mercantile filled the air.
    When his plate was half empty, Dell figured the time was right to share his news.
    Maida set down her water glass and then turned to her left. “Dell, are you coming to town for the Harvest Dance next Saturday night?”
    Dang, he’d plumb forgotten about that event. But a community activity sounded like a great opportunity. This might be the opening I need . He cleared his throat.
    “Well, I heard Guy from the Bar S asked to escort Miss Lydia Farnell from the millinery shop.” Maida’s eyes lit up as she glanced around the table. “And there’s a music competition with prizes put up by the Goldwater and the Bashford & Burmister general stores.”
    “Prize money ought to bring in lots of competitors.” Hazel held up the bowl of potatoes. “Seconds, anyone?”
    Skip leaned back, hooking an elbow around the chair’s upright. “I’d heard that, too. Thought I’d bring along my harmonica and participate, if the mood strikes.”
    “Sure, Mom, pass down the bowl.” Dell held out his hand.
    “Mama, do we have time to spruce up my green calico and make it look a bit fresher?” Maida shook her head over an offer of more potatoes.
    “Maida, don’t get started on laces, ribbons, buttons, or all that fancy stuff. You and Mom can save that talk for later.” Shaking his head, Skip rested a forearm on the table. “Dad, you ought to consider playing your fiddle.”
    William chuckled. “You think so?”
    Conversations swirled about Dell, and he ducked his head to focus on trickling gravy over his potato mound. Nothing of what was being said was extraordinary, but the easy-going exchanges resulted from years of familiarity. With one decision, Dell would be changing this dynamic—forever. This dinner was possibly the very last time his family would exist as he now knew it. For several seconds, he glanced around at his loved ones then ran patterns with his fork through the dark gravy. Why on earth hadn’t he asked their opinions before making a decision that would expand the Stirling family?
    All of a sudden, Dell realized the voices had grown silent. He glanced up to see the others staring in his direction. “What did I miss?”
    “Something wrong with my food?” Hazel eyed his plate and met his gaze, an eyebrow cocked upward.
    “No, ma’am.” He scooped up a heaping forkful and shoved it in his mouth, forcing a tight-lipped smile.
    “You got awful quiet after I mentioned the dance.” Maida touched a striped napkin to her lips.
    Dell ate one more bite which almost caught in his dry throat and then pushed his plate toward the center of the table. “I do have an announcement. But now that the time is here, maybe Mom should serve the pie and coffee before I share the news.”
    “I’ll decide when I’m ready to do that.” Hazel grabbed a roll and broke it in two, her blue eyes narrowing. “Maybe I’m still eating.”
    Nervous energy flooded him and Dell stood, moving behind the seat and holding tight to the top rung of the ladderback chair. “Well, I guess you’d say congratulations are in order. At least, most folks usually offer theirs at a time like this.”
    “Best to come out with it, son.” William spoke in a low tone.
    Dell winced at the commanding note in his father’s voice. After taking a deep breath, he turned toward his sister. “To answer your earlier question, I will be attending the Harvest