Mail Order Mishap: Christian Romance (Kansas Brides Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

western men.
    The place was clean, at least, and the food tolerable. Afterward, Charles took her for a stroll alongside a small creek. She hoped he'd kiss her so she'd be able to tell if they were at least physically attracted to one another.
    Charles led her to a large area near the creek where the land had been cleared and a number of benches had been set so they were at an angle to the creek.
    “This is our park. Garrett and I used to come here and catch frogs on the banks of this creek. People come here often to picnic, mostly on Sundays,” Charles said, as he led her to a bench. He sat down beside her and took her hand. “Our reverend conducts baptisms here too.”
    “It’s lovely,” she told him. In her mind, she tried to compare this park to Richmond’s Gambler’s Hill Park, and found this one lacking, since it hadn’t any statues, pigeons, or paths for buggies here, just a few benches and a muddy creek.
    Charles’s hands felt warm and soft, and she wished with all her might that he’d look at her with some desire. Was it too soon for that?  Should she try to encourage him?
    She turned to him and said, “Charles…”
    And at the same time, he turned to her and said, “Amber…”
    They laughed, and that seemed to break the tension.
    “What were you going to say, Charles?”
    He cleared his throat and squeezed her hand. “I wondered when would you like to marry?”
    “Do you really want to marry me, Charles?” she asked.
    “Of course I do. You’re perfect.”
    “Why do you want me for your wife? I want children and a happy home, yet our relationship so far has been somewhat…detached.”
    “I want to marry you because I like you, your appearance, and your personality. I enjoy being with you, and I think we could be very happy together. Affection will come, before long, I’m sure of it.”
    Amber frowned.
    “What is it?” Charles asked with concern. “Was that the wrong answer?”
    Amber looked down at her hand in his. “How will we know if we're physically drawn to each other?”
    “Don’t worry,” he said with a chuckle. “I have two friends who married women from newspaper ads and they're doing very well. They said it takes time—that you learn to love each other, and the physical desire comes later. I'd planned for us to marry and sleep separately for a while until we both felt that desire.”
    Amber thought about what he'd said, but she wasn't convinced. “I’ll need some time to think about this,” she said.
    “I got the marriage license this morning, so whenever you’re ready, just say the word.”
    “I will, but shouldn’t we kiss or something?” she asked with a shrug.
    Charles’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure we're ready for that step yet, but if it'll help you make up your mind, I’m willing to oblige.” He gave her a boyish smile.
    “I would actually,” she said with a blush.
    Charles shrugged, leaned over, gave her lips a quick smack, and then sat back and smiled as if he'd accomplished something daring.
     
    Early Sunday morning Edna woke Amber up. “C’mon, church starts at nine sharp, and we have to eat first. The coffee is perking.”
    Amber sat up and rubbed her eyes.
    “Unless you’d rather not go. I never did ask if you were a church-goer or not.”
    “Oh, yes, I am. My family has their very own pew at Immanuel…at least, we did before the war. After the Yankees set our church on fire we took turns with other parishioners having services in our homes until a new church could be built.”
    “I am so sorry, dear. War is a horrible thing.” She turned to leave, “Eggs and toast all right?”
    “Yes, that’s fine, Edna.”
     
    Edna and Amber walked the short distance to the church, which turned out to be the smallest church Amber had ever seen. It had no steeple or double doors but was a single floor, square, clapboard building with a huge bell hanging near the front door. Edna explained that the building also served as the schoolhouse during the