Violet: Bride of North Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 39) Read Online Free PDF Page A

ticket and left her standing alone at the train station.”
    “A train ticket?” Amelia’s eyes widened. “You’re a mail-order bride?”
    Hesitantly, hoping Amelia wouldn’t look down on her, Violet nodded.
    “Who sent you the ticket?” asked Sven, looking genuinely interested.
    “James Evans,” Daniel said before Violet could utter the name, and he made the name sound like something you’d scrape off the bottom of your shoe. “And now, if you ladies will excuse me, I will go retrieve the groom.”
    He stomped back out into the snowstorm, which looked to be worsening.
    Why did Violet feel so bereft as he left? She didn’t know, but she couldn’t give in to despair. His sister seemed nice enough.
    If only this nightmare were over.
     

     
    Dear Diary, Tonight I had the interesting experience of seeing my confirmed bachelor brother look at a young woman he brought home, just like the wounded birds he’d always brought home as a child to fix their wings—and light up like the northern lights. It seems he’d like to now help Violet fly. Since James Evans is in the mix, I’m going to enjoy watching this play out. P.S. I like her very much. I hope he can get over the hurt Opal gave him and follow his heart.
    (Journal Entry, Amelia Lund Halvorson, October 15, 1890)
     
    Violet caught Amelia’s gaze. A gentle smile curved the other woman’s lips. “Do come sit at the table and let me fix you some supper. It will warm you right up. You must be frozen and exhausted after your travels.”
    “Thank you kindly.”
    She stopped. “Where did you travel from?”
    “Lawrence, Massachusetts.”
    “Did you hear that, Sven? This poor girl has been traveling for days!”
    Girl? She suspected she was only a couple of years younger than Amelia. She smiled.
    Sven nodded kindly and sat back down at the table. He picked up his fork and started eating.
    Amelia looked at him fondly and told Violet, “Sven is working evenings, in addition to his day work. We’re saving up to have a baby.”
    “Congratulations. When are you...?”
    Amelia smiled and patted her stomach. “She won’t be here—“
    ”— he ,” interjected Sven, but his voice was teasing, and then he kept eating.
    “—for another seven months, about mid-May.”
    “My birthday is May 15,” Violet said. “It’s a good time of year for a birthday.”
    Amelia nodded. “I think so, as well.”
    “Do you have other children?”
    Amelia shook her head. “Sven and I have only been married eighteen months.”
    That didn’t matter to the many couples who got pregnant on their honeymoons. Violet hoped that didn’t happen to her. She hoped for time to get acquainted with the baby’s father a little before they added a child into the mix.
    Amelia motioned for Violet to sit at the other end of the table from Sven and next to Amelia’s plate.
    Amelia disappeared into the kitchen, walked past the cutaway in the wall, and a moment later came back, carrying a plate of food. “Roast pork loin with salted potatoes and onions, and some tart red currant jelly that makes it delicious.”
    “It looks absolutely delectable.” Amelia set the plate before her, and Violet was overcome with gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness.”
    Amelia’s smile grew larger. “You’re very welcome. Now eat.”
    So she did. The food was delicious—the best she’d had in days. Longer than that, even.
    Amelia said, “So you came all this way to marry?”
    “Yes.” Violet hesitated to say more. She didn’t want to be gossiped about and she didn’t yet know if Amelia was a person who would pass on information given in confidence.
    Amelia shook her head. “You’re far braver than I am, then.”
    Surprised, Violet smiled. “I doubt that. Besides, you are already wed and you are already out West. Where would you have gone?”
    “California, perhaps,” Amelia teased with a glance at her husband.
    Amelia’s husband snorted. “California, indeed. Do you suppose you would