Ashley Merrick - India: Bride of Indiana (American Mail-Order Bride 19) by Ashley Merrick Read Free Book Online

something. There was apple pie, pumpkin pie, and a rich chocolate pudding. Kay made coffee and tea for those who wanted it, and finally, just before five, everyone began to leave. As Richard drove, India felt thankful for all that she had received. It had been a lovely day, and except for Richard’s mother, everyone couldn’t have been nicer.
    By the time they reached the house, Sammy was fast asleep and Julia was rubbing her eyes. Richard carried Sammy inside and tucked him into bed and India helped Julia get to that as well . Once they were both settled, India and Richard went downstairs and as had quickly become their habit, they went into the den to sit by the fire and read for bit . India stared into the flames, ignoring the book in her lap and thinking instead about how lucky she felt. She thought about her friends and hoped that they were on their way to new and better lives as well.

Chapter 9
    R ichard sat in his soft leather chair and stared into the fire as well. It had been a long day—a long week, actually—and his life had changed dramatically in such a short time. He glanced over at India and saw that she was lost in her thoughts as well. He thought again how beautiful she was as her dark hair fell past her shoulders and the fire threw dancing shadows across her face. She looked up then, caught him glancing her way and smiled, and her whole face lit up. It took his breath away. And it made him feel sad at the same time.
    She was a lovely girl, kind and smart as well as attractive. She shouldn’t be stuck with him. He frowned thinking about it. She could never be attracted to him. He doubted that anyone could. And he didn’t think that he deserved to love again, not after failing to save his own love. He’d almost died trying, though. The smoke had knocked him to his knees and he’d almost passed out when one of his brothers saw his leg and pulled him to safety. It had been too late to save Amy.
    “It was a lovely day, don’t you think? Your family was very welcoming. I appreciated that,” India said.
    Everyone except his mother, that was. Richard loved his mother dearly, but sometimes she frustrated him. Hopefully in time, she would give up this obsession with Olivia. Olivia would have driven him crazy if he’d married her. She was one of those non-stop talkers, who knew everyone in town and everything about them and enjoyed discussing it at length. She was also too showy for his liking, making it known that she associated with important people and was always dressed impeccably. Overdressed, in his opinion. Richard liked a simpler life and valued peace and quiet—something he would have had to give up if he’d married Olivia.
    “Laura invited me to go with her to a women’s group that meeting next Wednesday,” India said.
    “Oh, that will be fun for you. A nice way for you to meet some of the other women in town.” And then he remembered that Olivia as part of that group, possibly even an officer of it. He hoped that she wouldn’t make trouble for India. Another thing that he didn’t care for about Olivia was that she had a bit of a mean streak and was very competitive. Olivia didn’t like to lose. “Stick with Laura. She’ll introduce you to all of her friends. Be careful, too. Some of those women can be gossipy.”
    “Good to know. I am looking forward to seeing Laura again. We had a nice chat at dinner.”
    Richard glanced at Laura, noticing—not for the first tim—how big her dark eyes were, and how lush her lips seemed to be. He looked away quickly, mad at himself for even thinking this way.
    Guilt washed over him as he thought about Amy. He didn’t deserve to have such thoughts, especially for someone who could never possibly think of him in the same way. Richard ran a finger along the side of his jaw. He lightly traced along the bumpy, tight skin that went all the way up to his eye.
    So it wasn’t as bad as it once was. The redness was gone, and the swelling had long since