Patience: Bride of Washington (American Mail Order Bride 42) Read Online Free PDF Page B

until I meet him tomorrow. Until then, nice to have met you.” Patience turned and left the store.
    Drat her luck anyway, meeting those two when she was enjoying a pleasant outing. She wondered what tidbit of rumor they were dying to tell her. Bad enough her groom was as old as her own father, now she was intrigued about his son. She would like to know what the women were referring to but Andrew Kincaid deserved her trust. After all, he was to be her groom.
    Which raised another problem. She hoped she’d come to hold him in high regard even though there was no instant attraction to him. He was a handsome and a courteous man. Papa had good intentions when he sent her here. Did he have any idea of the position he’d placed her in?
    No, of course not. He’d only planned to insure she had a secure life. She was willing to go through with the marriage based on that. Since Andrew was prosperous, perhaps he would allow her to send a bit of money home to ease her parents’ way.
    Was Mercy meeting similar problems? She hoped her sister would write soon. With a sigh, she strode in to the boarding house.
    Three women sat in the parlor varying in age from a little younger than her to middle-aged. She stopped in and greeted them.
    “I’m Patience Eaton. May I join you? I’ve just arrived here from Massachusetts.” She took a seat at one end of the sofa.
    A pretty brunette with turquoise eyes smiled at her. “I’m Agnes Farrell. I came here from Yakima to work for Sutton and Sutton Attorneys.”
    The stern older woman was also a brunette with her hair pulled into a bun tight enough that it must tug at her face. “I’m Jenny Phifer and I teach the higher grades at school.” She gestured to the petite redhead with sparkling blue eyes sitting at her right, “Harriett Oliver here teaches the younger children.”
    “Oh, how nice, my father is a teacher.”
    The door opened and a blonde of indeterminate age came in. “Hello, I’m Dessie O’Hara and I work at the mercantile. Saw you come into the store but I was helping someone and didn’t get to meet you.”
    Patience repeated her name and where she was from.
    Dessie adjusted her dress over her ample bosom. “Saw those Winfield women chatting you up. Spiteful witches they are so don’t believe a thing they tell you. Especially don’t ever tell them anything you don’t want twisted and spread all over town.”
    “Thank you, Dessie. I’d figured as much about them but I appreciate your warning. I plan to make my home here and don’t want to get off to a bad start.” She glanced at each of the other women. “Now, tell me about Destiny. It appears such a lovely town.” 
    ***
    The next morning at ten, Patience dressed in her best day dress of metallic blue and cream wool plaid trimmed with a draping cream lace collar and small edging of the same at the cuffs. A six-inch wide matching blue ribbon sash fell almost to the hem. Her empire straw hat included the same ribbon artfully formed into flowers. She carried a parasol the same shade as the dress and trimmed with a wide flounce of cream lace.
    The other boarders had gone to work and Mrs. Shaw and the woman who helped her were busy elsewhere in the house. The urge to pace the parlor almost overwhelmed Patience. Instead, she sat on the sofa and reviewed of all the questions she had for her fiancé.
    When Andrew saw her, his face broke into a wide smile. “Ah, you’re ready on time and look refreshing as the sunrise this morning. Shall we go?”
    She took his arm. “I’m looking forward to seeing your home and business.”
    He helped her into the buggy. As they drove through Destiny, Andrew pointed out businesses and homes of his friends. Soon they were out of town and she saw what must be apple trees on either side of the road.
    “I’m fortunate to be here when the orchards are in bloom. The air is so fragrant. Are these your trees?” she asked.
    “Kincaid Orchards begin at the upcoming crossroad. If you focus