Mail-Order Bride Ink: Dear Mr. Weaver Read Online Free PDF Page B

town was big enough to have a mayor. “Who is that?” she asked.
    Sheriff Hughes turned, spied the woman and said in a low voice, “That’s Nellie Davis. She’ll probably know where folks are. She makes it a point to know everything that goes on in this town.”
    The driver snorted in response, pulling Ebba’s attention from the woman. She looked at him as he quickly composed himself. “I’ll just … get your bags.” He scrambled up to the top of the stagecoach.
    Ebba looked again at the woman, who was looking down her nose at her in disdain. Now why would that be?
    “Mrs. Davis!” the sheriff called. “Have you seen Leona or any of the Weavers around?”
    “Last time I saw any of them, they were down at Hank’s restaurant having coffee,” she said loftily.
    Ebba suddenly felt self-conscious. She dabbed at her nose with the handkerchief. Why was her intended drinking coffee when he knew she was arriving?
    The sheriff pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open. “Well, I’ll be – we’re fifteen minutes early! How about that?” He turned to Ebba. “What say we go down to Hank’s and surprise them?”
    Ebba smiled at the suggestion for three reasons. She’d be meeting her intended. Her scratchy throat could desperately use a hot drink. And it would get her away from the piercing gaze of this Nellie Davis person. “Yes, that’s a good idea, Sheriff.”
    As soon as their bags hit the ground, he picked them up and nodded toward the end of the street. “Hank’s is this way – follow me.”
    “Welcome to Nowhere,” Mrs. Davis called condescendingly.
    Ebba looked at her and wondered what had happened to the woman that she would be so hostile to a stranger. “Thank you,” she said as politely as she could.
    Mrs. Davis looked her up and down, then spun on her heel and marched into the mercantile.
    Sheriff Hughes watched the door slam shut. “I wonder what’s in her craw today?” He shook his head. “Something always is. You’ll want to watch out for her. All in all, Nellie Davis is harmless, but she can get uppity. Her daughter Charlotte used to be just like her, but she’s changed into a right fine woman. She works in the mercantile with her husband Matthew – who happens to be the cousin of the man you’re going to marry.”
    Ebba smiled. “You know everyone in this town, don’t you, Sheriff Hughes?”
    He thought a moment. “Pretty much. Now let’s go find your intended, shall we?”
    She smiled again. “Yes, let’s.”
    The sheriff led Ebba up the street. She took note of the buildings and the townspeople as they went about their daily business. Several waved at Sheriff Hughes, who waved or called out a greeting in return. It was quite apparent that everyone knew him.
    But no one asked who she was. Instead they stared in curiosity or (at least from the women) looked at her similarly to Mrs. Davis. Did the people here not like strangers? They certainly weren’t making her feel very welcome.
    “Here we are!” the sheriff announced as they reached Hank’s Restaurant. He stuck one bag under his arm so he could open the door, then motioned for her to precede him. With her heart in her throat, she stepped inside.

Chapter 4
    N o one noticed the sheriff and Ebba as they entered the restaurant. Ebba took the opportunity to search for her intended. But which one was he? There were quite a few men seated at the various tables. And every table looked full – not surprising, as it was lunch time.
    “Land sakes, what are you doing here?” a woman exclaimed as she stood. She was older, probably around the same age as the sheriff and with a similar face. His sister, perhaps?
    “Leona!” he said with a smile and quickly crossed the room to her, dropping the bags as he gave her a hug. Two men seated at the table stood, went to the sheriff and gave him the same sort of greeting.
    Ebba stood quietly to one side and watched, then noticed that others weren’t watching the sheriff and his