Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) by P.A. Estelle Read Free Book Online Page A

hopeful.
    “Sure enough. I’m right partial to fruit pie.”
    “I’ll do my best.” She put her hand through his arm. “All this corn, all the three sides that border your house, is all yours?
    “Yes, ma’am. And the parcel across the road.”
    Maddie saw fenced acreage but it was free of crops. She did see cattle dotting the area.
    “For the last few years I’ve dabbled with beef. I enjoy it and it’s something a little different,” Samuel continued.
    Maddie slowly twirled around, taking in all that was to be her new home. “It’s a wonderful place, Samuel.” What could go wrong here? It was her new Garden of Eden. Samuel put an arm around her and they walked to the house.

Chapter SEVEN
     
    The next morning Maddie was the first one up. She quietly put on a robe and went downstairs. After tying her hair back, she got busy putting wood in the kitchen stove to heat up the house. While waiting for the coffee to be ready, she whipped up starter dough for biscuits. Finally, sitting at the table, her shivers began to subside.
                  The creaking of the floor overhead let her know Samuel was awake. He came into the kitchen, doing up the last button on his pants. They were pulled over a one piece, red pair of long underwear.
                  “Morning, Hannah.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Would you rustle me up some coffee while I take care of some business outside?” 
                  Maddie had coffee and breakfast ready when he came in. “When it warms up a bit, I want to go into West Liberty. We need a few things and you can meet sis and her husband. It’s not too far.”
     
    * * * *
                 
    The ride into West Liberty took just a little over an hour. The sky was clear but it was chilly. Maddie bundled Lizzy up and held her on her lap, all the while the child talked non-stop.
    The town consisted of several wide roads with different businesses running along each side — Favorite’s Canning Factory, Cedar Valley Creamery, Morris Stove and Tin Shop, Hise Brothers Hotel, and a poultry and egg shop.
                  Samuel pulled the wagon by Swain’s Grocery Store. “The only canned foods we have were given to me by my sis because she took pity on me. We need some supplies.”
    Mr. Swain was a jolly old gentleman with a smile and cigar hanging out of his mouth. He was almost as wide as he was tall. When Samuel introduced Maddie, Mr. Swain put his arm around her shoulders and said, “West Liberty always needs pretty girls. Too bad, Sam got a look at you before me!” He winked at Maddie. “I guess it’s about time old Sam here took himself a wife to look after him.”
    Mr. Swain continued talking Maddie’s ear off until the flour, sugar, coffee, and other essentials were boxed and loaded into the wagon.  She was grateful when the three of them started for his sister’s place.
    Samuel laughed when she rolled her eyes his way.  “Swain does tend to go on!”
                  At the far end of town, there was a blacksmith and next to that was a fenced area with fire equipment in it. “In 1884 our only hotel burned to the ground on a twenty-eight-degree day. The town got together and bought that equipment and built two cisterns. Frank, my sister’s husband, is the chief of the Volunteer Fire Department.”
                  “Your sister married a man of importance. I hope I know how to curtsey.”
                  Samuel let out a hoot. “He would love that, but he is full of himself enough as it is.” They passed a few wagons and everybody waved as they rode by.
                  A man on horseback rode up. “Hey, Doc,” Samuel said, pulling the team to a stop. “Haven’t seen you around too much.”
                  “Folks around here been keeping me busier than a one-toothed man eating a cob of corn.”
                  “Doc,” Samuel