Sarah: Bride of Minnesota (American Mail-Order Bride 32) Read Online Free PDF

picking out the things she needed. She piled things carefully on the counter. "And I'll need five pounds of flour and the same of sugar."
    When she was finished, Karl paid for everything and smiled at her. "That was very fast. Thank you."
    Sarah nodded. "Just make sure I know how to get here if I need to come back." She thought she'd gotten everything, but with him watching her shop while tapping his foot impatiently, she couldn't be sure.
    Karl paid for her purchases. "Please have everything delivered, Mr. Fredericks."
    "Of course, Karl. We'll have it there within the hour."
    Karl took Sarah's arm and led her out of the store. "We have electricity at my house, and there is an ice box as well. I've rarely used it, but I am sure with you cooking we'll need to start."
    His words startled Sarah. "Electricity? And an ice box? Really?" She'd never dreamed of having such luxuries. Why would a man have an ice box and never use it?
    He laughed. "Yes, really. I know you have these things back East."
    "Yes, but I've never lived anywhere they were." She shook her head. She'd seen his house, and it was much grander than she'd ever lived in, but she was startled to hear that it had electricity. Why, she must have married a rich man indeed.
    He helped her up into the wagon and she waited as he ran around the front to take the reins. "Thank you for taking the time to let me shop so I can cook a proper meal," she said. It occurred to her that the meals she'd purchased food for were meals like she would have cooked for her family or with her friends and roommates, not meals fit for a man who had electricity in his home. She hoped she didn't embarrass him with her frugality.
    He stopped in front of the house, and after helping her down, led the way to the front door, opening it widely for her. "There is much to be done to make it a home," he said by way of apology just before she stepped over the threshold.
    Sarah looked around the house, her heart filling with dismay. He had this beautiful home, and he had let it fall to this state of filth? There was very little decoration, only serviceable furniture. "Will you mind if I make curtains? And hang things on the walls?"
    He shook his head. "I didn't bother with any of that, because I didn't have time, and I knew when I married my wife would want to change it all anyway." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'll get your bags from the wagon, and then leave you to it. Have a good day, Sarah."
    Sarah stood still for a moment, looking at the mess around her. He had a pile of old newspapers he'd read stacked beside an overstuffed armchair. A couch looked as if it had been slept on many times. He didn't seem to be someone who threw trash everywhere, but he certainly didn't know the meaning of the word "clean." She had much to do before she was willing to even cook in this house.
    She heard a thump from behind her as he dropped her bags inside the door. "What time will you be home?" she asked, wondering how long she'd have to try to make a dent in cleaning.
    "Around five thirty most nights unless something keeps me at the office for longer. I work Monday through Saturday." With those words, Karl closed the door behind him.
    Sarah stared at the door for a moment, and then she took her bags to a small room she found at the base of the stairs. Karl obviously used the big room. She changed into a work dress and pulled a big apron on to cover it. She had about four and a half hours before her husband was home, and she was determined to make the most of them.
    She looked into the other room with a closed door there on the first floor and found a small bathroom, and she smiled. She walked to the sink and turned on the water, thrilled to have running water in her home. And a bathroom! She wouldn't have to use a chamber pot, even in the dead of winter. Yes, this was a wonderful surprise.
    She started in the kitchen, working to clean up the mess there. There were few dishes, and most of the mess was from the