Mercy: Bride of Idaho (American Mail-Order Bride 43) Read Online Free PDF Page B

taking you to town.  I understand you have a dress to make, so you better get to it.  You’ll have all the time in the world to help me out after the shindig’s over.”
    “I’m not used to a life of luxury.  After I graduated from school, I worked in a factory, and of course with a family of six, there’s always something that needs to be done at home.”
    “A few days off won’t hurt you none, then.  I expect you’ll find plenty to do around here once you get settled in.”
    Their conversation was cut short when Harper came in.  “The other two will be here pretty soon.  I got here early to drive Miss Mercy to Henderson.”
    “Thank you,” she said.
    “You’re looking right pretty this morning.”
    She felt her face heat up.  One thing she wished she could control was her blushing, but redheads were cursed with it.  “I’m used to getting up early.”
    “Dig in,” Ray said.  “Eat so’s you can be on your way.” 
    “Shouldn’t we wait for the others?”
    “Naw, they’ll be in whenever their bellies tell them to.”
    “And believe me,” Harper said with a mouthful of biscuit, “that won’t take long.”
    They ate quickly—Mercy only wanted coffee and a biscuit, but Harper ate more than she ate in an entire day.  From the looks of supper the night before, this was a regular occurrence with the Circle ID men.  They didn’t lack for hearty appetites.
    “Ready to go?”  Harper shoved away from the table after taking one last gulp of coffee.  “The store will be open by the time we get in town.  I know Mrs. Hiatt just got a shipment in—with luck, she’ll have a good batch of dry goods and you can find something you like.”
    “I’m sure I will.”  She stood and headed for the coat rack, where she’d hung her wrap and bonnet.  “Oh, wait—I must fetch my reticule.”
    “You won’t need it.  The Circle ID has an account there.  Uncle Ike said you can get whatever you want.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Thank Uncle Ike.”
    “But I still need to get it—I’ve written a letter to my sister and it needs to be mailed.”  She wondered if Harper wanted her around.  She knew Quill didn’t, but then that was understandable.  Neither of them probably approved of her commitment to marry their uncle.
    It took an hour to get to town.  Mrs. Hiatt, a short plump woman with a big gap-toothed smile, greeted Harper with a hug, and Mercy could see she was the sort of person that everyone loved.  “And what do we have here?”
    “Uncle Ike’s mail-order bride, Miss Mercy Eaton.”  He held out his hand toward Mrs. Hiatt.  “Mrs. Hiatt is the owner of this store.  Her husband is the town marshal.”
    Mercy worried that she’d not approve of the age difference.  For that matter, Mercy wasn’t too keen on it, but she’d deal with it.  At least he was a kindly old man—the situation could’ve been a whole lot worse.
    “You can call me Tresa.  I rather like young ladies with red hair.  Used to have red hair myself.”  She took Mercy’s arm.  “Now what can I show you?”
    “Fabric.  I need to make a dress for the roundup party, but I don’t even know what sort of outfit would be proper to wear.”
    Tresa waved Harper away.  “You go on about your affairs, young man.  We have some woman’s business to take care of.”
    After Harper left, Mercy asked, “Does it bother you that Mr. Fairchild sent for a mail-order bride?”
    Tresa winked.  “Don’t you worry yourself, honey.  Everything will work out just fine.”  She headed for the bolts of fabric and Mercy followed.  “Now, let’s take a look at what we have.”

Chapter 5
    Other than taking her meals with the family, Mercy had kept to her room since returning to the Circle ID from Henderson Flats. She loved her sitting room.  The large window let in lots of sunshine and the brightness made the sewing easier, besides cheering her up. 
    And she was truly delighted to find that what she’d thought was