Sarah: Bride of Minnesota (American Mail-Order Bride 32) by Katie Crabapple Read Free Book Online Page B

don't learn. You didn't tell anyone I was hideous today, did you?"
    Karl shook his head. "I think I've learned that lesson."
    "Then we're getting better." She squeezed the hand she still held. "We're learning about each other together. Usually a couple learns before they marry, but we're learning after. It might take longer, but we'll make it work out between us."
    Her attitude made Karl want to run out and buy her flowers right then. He'd heard there was a florist in town. Certainly he could stop by after work tomorrow and get her something appropriate. "Yes, we will learn together."
    Sarah jumped up. "I made some cake today. Does that make you happy?" she asked, a grin on her face.
    He nodded. "See? You already know how to make me happy, and I'm still bumbling."
    She laughed. "But you're my favorite bumbler. That's what matters, right?" She put his plate of cake on the table in front of him, before sitting back down with her own plate.
    He took a bite, closing his eyes as the flavors exploded on his tongue. "It's delicious. Maybe you should burn dinner tomorrow so I'll feel a bit better about myself!"
    Sarah simply laughed as she took a bite of her cake. He may not be perfect, but he was hers, and he was teachable. Why, she couldn't ask for a better man.
    He sat in the kitchen with her, watching her as she did the dinner dishes. He couldn't believe his Sarah, the mail-order bride he'd sent for was so beautiful — both inside and out. He'd expected a marriage that would help him ward off the loneliness of the long winter nights in Northern Minnesota, but instead, God had provided a woman he was attracted to. He hoped love would grow from the initial attraction, because no matter how simple it had seemed to think he could live his life without love before she arrived, now it sounded like his own personal torture. Definitely it was not something he wanted for himself.
    Sarah glanced over her shoulder and saw Karl watching her. "Am I doing something wrong?" she asked, embarrassed.
    Karl grinned at her. "Is there some law against me watching my wife?"
    She shook her head. "It just makes me feel funny."
    "Why? It's my job as your husband."
    "It's your job to watch me? I thought it was your job to provide."
    "And to look at you. You are so much more than I expected."
    "More? What do you mean? Are you calling me fat, Karl?" Sarah stared at him, her mouth slack. Even he had better manners than that, didn't he?
    "Of course not!" Karl was shocked she'd even think such a thing. "You're slender and beautiful. I wouldn't change a single thing about your appearance!"
    She shook her head. "Really?" It was hard to believe he was complimenting her, but that did seem to be what he was doing.
    Karl stood up and walked over to her, removing the plate she was washing from her hands and putting it onto the counter. "You're a very beautiful woman, Sarah." He cupped her face in his hands, leaning down to brush his lips across hers. "I'm a very fortunate man to have found you."
    Sarah blushed, looking up into Karl's blue eyes. "You're a handsome man. If only you weren't a German — " She yelped when he grabbed her by her sides and tickled her. "No stop! I'm sorry!"
    "You are married to a German, and all of your babies will be German. You need to put the idea of a romantic Irishman right out of your head, Sarah!"
    "Or I could teach you to be a romantic German," she said, putting her arms around his neck. "Do you think that would be possible?"
    Karl shrugged. "It doesn't come naturally, but I've always been a quick learner. Sure, teach me to be a romantic husband. If you think you can."
    Sarah grinned. "Well, according to Mrs. Norman it's not possible for a German to ever be romantic. But I will try if you'd like."
    He sighed. "You are never allowed to talk to Mrs. Norman again. The woman is a bad influence on you."
    She laughed. "You would take away my only friend in all of Duluth? How could you do such a thing?"
    "I suppose you may visit her every