Adela's Prairie Suitor (The Annex Mail-Order Brides Book 1) by Elaine Manders Read Free Book Online

that and move out of my way.” Mrs. Calhoun playfully slapped Hilda Jane’s arm. “Let me get this cornbread in the oven.”
    Adela hadn’t felt as much like a wallflower since her first social. She backed out of the kitchen, knowing the women wouldn’t miss her. She hoped Byron would come in by way of the parlor so she could get a few words alone with him.
    She was disappointed. Byron came in the back way and appeared only to escort her in to supper. Before they were seated, Byron introduced her to an older man dressed in overalls and plaid shirt. “Miss Mason, this is Lem. He helps out around the place.”
    “Pleased to meet you, little lady.” Lem nodded as they all found their seats. Byron held Adela’s chair. Both Hilda Jane and Mrs. Calhoun were already seated.
    Byron took his seat at the head and delivered the grace. Even before they were all served, Hilda Jane dominated the conversation. She questioned Lem about the corn crop then moved easily into a discussion with Mrs. Calhoun about the sewing circle.
    It seemed to Adela each time Byron opened his mouth to speak, Hilda Jane had something else to say. Maybe that’s why he’d ended his courtship with her. The young woman couldn’t keep her mouth shut.
    The stew was delicious, but Adela had lost her appetite, if she had one to begin with. Not one thing had happened yet that made her feel welcome or comfortable. She sat pondering her situation and was surprised when Hilda Jane directed a comment to her. “Your dress is striking, Miss Mason. What color is it? I saw Sadie Jenkins in that same color the other day.”
    Surely Hilda Jane was joking. No one could mistake the color of her dress. “It’s pink. Is Sadie Jenkins a friend of yours?” Adela hoped she might have something in common with at least one woman in this town.
    “I should say not. Sadie deals cards in back of the Watering Hole Saloon.”
    Heat burned Adela’s face until she knew it must be at least two shades darker than a poppy. Finding some calico to make herself a few everyday frocks became her top priority. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt moisture gathering in her eyes. She grabbed her water glass as if it were a lifeline and gulped as Hilda Jane went off into another description of the dress she was making for the church social.
    Adela hazarded a glimpse to Byron, and their eyes met. “I think your dress is lovely,” he said so low no one else would have heard him over Hilda Jane drivel.
    The look and the compliment warmed her all the way to her fingertips, and her lips wobbled into a smile. “Thank you.” If they had been alone, she could think of so much more to say. Instead, she turned her attention back to her food and let her mind go over the situation.
    She wasn’t concerned about Hilda Jane. The woman was as transparent as a newly washed window pane. As a rival, a woman scorned posed no danger.
    Byron’s mother was another matter entirely. How could Adela live with someone who held such obvious dislike? She would not only have to win Byron’s affection, s he’d have to win over Mrs. Calhoun as well.
    “I couldn’t eat another bite.” Lem’s chair scrapped the wood floor as he pushed back.
    “Oh, I bet you could find room for some pie,” Mrs. Calhoun said. “Hilda Jane, be a dear, and get the pie out of the safe…oh, and grab the knife.”
    Hilda Jane cut and served the pie, then sat down to another round of discussing the merits of apple versus cherry pie.
    Adela toyed with her overly large piece. Then something Hilda Jane said caught her attention. “I should be getting on back home with Pa’s supper. He’s probably hungry as a bear by now. Byron, could you bring the milk out to the buckboard. I have to carry the basket.”
    Mrs. Calhoun began gathering the dishes. “Byron, you’ll have to escort her home. It’s full dark out by now. I declare the days are getting shorter and shorter.”
    Adela sighed. She wouldn’t get a chance to speak to