Michelle: Bride of Mississippi (American Mail-Order Bride 20) Read Online Free PDF Page A

they both scrambled down from the bed. “Nothing. Nothing at all,” said the one without the freckle.
    “Hm. Somehow I don’t believe you. Nevertheless, Mable said it’s cookie time.”
    He’d barely got the last word out before the twins squealed, pushing past him as they raced down the hall.
    Michelle lifted her hand to her chest, unable to contain her smile. “My, they certainly are full of energy.”
    Mr. Chandler pushed himself away from the door jamb and leaned out the door, looking at the twins as they disappeared down the stairs.
    “I see you found your room all right. I hope it’s comfortable.”
    Michelle realized she was sitting on the bed with a strange man in the room--even though it was her future husband--and she jumped down the step stool, smoothing her skirt. She’d taken off her coat and thrown it on the chair in a hurry when the girls had pulled her in.
    “It’s very comfortable, Mr. Chandler. Thank you.”
    “And I trust that you were able to find suitable clothing.”
    Heat crept into her cheeks as she looked down at her dress. She and Josephine had had a wonderful time shopping, and she’d tried to buy some things that were both sensible and lovely.
    “Oh, I ought to have thanked you when we first spoke.”
    He walked over to the nightstand and picked up the white leather gloves she’d worn. “You thanked me in your letter telling me when you’d arrive, but I’m glad to see for myself that you have fine taste. You look lovely.”
    Her cheeks must be crimson by now but she looked up at him. “Well, I do feel it appropriate to thank you once again, Mr. Chandler.”
    He cocked his head as he regarded her. “Please, call me Anthony.”
    She cleared her throat and gave him a small curtsy. “Then you must call me Michelle.”
    He laughed, his eyes twinkling, and she felt a tug at her heart. She’d worried she might find a house of doom and gloom, having so much loss recently, and she was pleasantly surprised at the warmth she felt at his laugh, and the happiness that he’d clearly been able to provide for the twins.
    “That seems appropriate, especially as we are to be wed tomorrow.”
    Michelle’s heart leapt to her throat and she gasped. “Tomorrow?”
    He stiffened and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Is that not all right with you?”
    “I...it’s just...it’s so sudden.”
    Anthony looked down at his feet then back up at Michelle, his eyes softening. “I know it must be a very strange thing to be here, Michelle, and be wed so quickly. But it wouldn’t do for you to be in the house, even with Mable here, if we weren’t married. I can’t take much time away from the shop, and tomorrow’s Sunday. And since that’s why you came...”
    Michelle wished Josephine was with her. She would know what to say. But she wasn’t, so she gathered her courage and squared her shoulders.
    “I’ll be fine, Mr.--Anthony. It is a lot to take in.” She looked around at her room, a far cry from her thin mattress with springs poking through. “But I am grateful to be here. Tomorrow, it is.”
    Anthony smiled and her heart warmed. She may not have a job in Lawrence anymore, and she missed sewing and her friends, but this family needed her help. And it was help she wanted to provide.
    He stepped away from the door as the housekeeper had rushed by when she’d arrived carried in two large buckets of steaming water.
    “Thought you might want a bath, ma’am, and Mr. Anthony brought the tub up here to your room for you.” She set the buckets down as she nodded at Michelle, her wide smile brightening up her face. She tucked an escaped strand of gray hair back into her chignon and wiped her hands on the white apron covering her black dress. She turned to Anthony, her eyebrows raised and her hands settling on her wide hips.
    Anthony looked from the housekeeper to Michelle. “Oh, I didn’t get to introduce the two of you before the girls brought you inside. Mable, this is Miss Blake. This is