Mail Order Bride Leah: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Montana Mail Order Brides Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

children of their own together. The idea of things not working out in Montana was too fearsome, too dreadful to think of. She posted the letter and went home to tell her family. She had told Jane in whispers of course, confiding her regard for Henry, but had sworn her to secrecy.
    Anxious and blushing, Leah told them at supper just as she was dishing up the soup she’d made. She had relied on the Irish maid to do the cooking for herself and her father when they lived alone, but even she could manage a simple soup.
    “I’m to be married, Walter. I know you didn’t quite approve when I told you I was corresponding with a gentleman out in Montana, but I hope you will soften toward the idea when I tell you that I am to make my life there.”
    “You have been writing to him all these weeks? Leah, I thought this was a whim, some odd turn of yours. I’d no idea it was still going on.”
    “We’ve exchanged many letters. I know you would like him if you knew him. He’s an innkeeper and he trains horses and has a stable with sixteen horses in it—“
    “Give me the letters,” Walter demanded.
    “No!” Leah said, her voice trembling.
    “Now, now, dear,” Jane cautioned. “We want you to be happy, but Montana Territory is very far away and this is quite a desperate hazard. I’d no idea you’d taken it this far myself. Just let Walter read the letters so we can protect you and make certain this man is honorable and sincere. What would you do if he were cruel or a drunkard and you were out there alone with no family to help you?”
    Leah’s face crumpled. She had counted on Jane for enthusiastic support of the scheme. She couldn’t show Walter and Jane her letters from Henry. They were too personal, too private, meant to be kept between a man and his bride. For Walter, her prosaic and practical brother, to intrude in those words and take them apart to judge the man who wrote them felt so wrong, such an invasion.
    “If you had seen his letters you would know what sort of man he is, that he would never be cruel. He does not take strong drink at all,” she murmured, growing quieter in her desperation as tears crowded her eyes.
    “You won’t let me see the letters, so how would I know that?” Walter snapped, brushing past her toward her room.
    Leah trailed after him, horrified. He would search her things! Oh , she thought rashly, I wish I’d burnt the letters rather than allow him to ferret them out and paw through them! He lifted her pillow but found only the composition book of her mother’s. Rifling through a drawer, he dug around in her gloves and handkerchiefs carelessly.
    “Now, Walter. You mustn’t get angry,” Jane said in her conciliatory way.
    “My sister is keeping secrets from us in my own home!” he thundered.
    Jane looked apologetically at Leah, who was weeping now. Leah sat on the edge of her bed, trembling, not knowing how to stop him, afraid to argue any more. Nothing, nothing in Montana could be worse than this! A bullying brother who didn’t understand her, a search of her room as if she were a criminal.
    Walter opened another drawer but, seeing his sister’s underthings, had the sense to turn away in embarrassment.
    “Just give them to me. This whole shameful display could have been avoided if you weren’t so secretive. Where are the letters?” Walter demanded again.
    “I can’t, Walter. Please. I’m going tomorrow. Just leave me be. I’ll be no more trouble to you,” Leah said in her soft, courageous voice.
    Jane sank down on the bed beside Leah and put a comforting arm around her.
    “You must understand that your brother is trying to protect you.”
    “You’re my responsibility now that Pa is unable—I won’t allow it, Leah. If you don’t let me see those letters, give me the satisfaction of knowing that you go to meet an upright Christian man, I’ll forbid you to get on that train!” Walter threatened.
    Aghast, Leah shut her eyes. She’d never dreamt that her family