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

week.
    There were no pews as there were in Amber’s church, but someone had set up a row of crude benches. Edna and Amber were some of the first to arrive and they took a seat in the third row.
    “The first two rows are reserved,” Edna explained.
    “Oh, for the richer families?” Amber asked.
    “Oh, my, no!” Edna said holding her hand to her chest. “The first two rows are for the children and the schoolteacher.”
    Amber was fascinated at how informal the people were as they walked in and grabbed a seat, talking loudly to friends, all the while. Back in Richmond, people had more respect for the church and simply nodded to friends once inside the sacredness of the church, rendering it reverently silent.
    She watched as people filled the benches, noticing their unadorned attire, and began to feel a bit out of place in her yellow chiffon dress. Most of the women wore homespun frocks that were neat and clean, but not fashionable. Edna’s apparel was neither homespun nor chiffon, but a simple, black dress made from a glossy fabric. The men wore suits but without ties or stiff collars. Some men even came in wearing overalls, and they slipped into seats at the back of the church.
    When she noticed Garrett Turner come in, she looked behind him to see if Charles had accompanied him. She failed to see him, but Garrett took a seat almost directly behind them. He looked somehow different in his black suit, white shirt, and string tie. He didn’t seem to notice her.
    The service was warm and friendly. The Reverend, who'd introduced himself as James Flannery, dressed pretty much the same as Garrett had. He greeted the congregation and led them in prayer. The sermon was interesting; it was the story of Lazarus. Many of the congregation carried Bibles and turned to the passages when the reverend referred to them. Back in Richmond, no one carried a Bible to church. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see that Garrett had carried a Bible and was listening attentively.
    After the service, the minister made some announcements: Mrs. Johnson had delivered a fine, healthy, baby boy; Mr. Robb was laid up with gout again, and needed prayer, and the church picnic was scheduled for two weeks from Sunday next.
    When she and Edna turned to leave the church, several people approached them asking to be introduced to Amber. She lost sight of Garrett and was relieved she didn’t have to endure his scowls that day.
     
    Each Sunday after church, Edna Smith usually hired a buggy and driver and paid a visit to her granddaughter, who lived about five miles outside of Hunter’s Grove. She invited Amber along, but she declined in favor of being alone for the first time since she'd arrived in Hunter’s Grove.
    She waved Edna off and then sat on the porch with a cool glass of lemonade. It was the perfect location to watch the residents of Hunter’s Grove as they walked around the town. The businesses were all closed except for the saloons and the livery. Several people met in the street talking, and laughing, which Amber found enjoyable to observe. She watched some people walking toward the park, picnic baskets in tow, and wondered what Charles had planned for the today; she hadn’t heard from him since the night before.
    After draining her glass, Amber decided to take a walk herself, hoping to meet a few of the people living in Hunter’s Grove. It was a lovely, late spring day, and the sun was beaming down on the town as if bringing it to life. Charles had told her the town tended to be quiet in the daytime, but at night the town came to life. She realized the truth of his statement last night—loud saloon music, gunshots, laughing, and drunken shouting traveled on the breeze. It was difficult to get used to and especially hard to fall asleep during it all.
    That day was quiet and Amber felt safe enough to set out on a Sunday afternoon walk.
    She'd changed out of her yellow chiffon upon returning home from church, and was wearing one of her