The Widow Finds Love (Mail Order Bride Series) by Susan Leigh Carlton Read Free Book Online

her eyes at the mention of her children, as she continued to  gently rub the old woman’s hand.
     
    After they left the room, Clint said, “It breaks my heart to see her this way.  She was always so full of life, and fun to be around.  She was hard to keep up with not too long ago.”
     
    “I’m grateful both of my parents are still in good health.  I’ve been blessed to come from stock that is long lived.  Mama was always my best friend.  Papa is quiet, but he surprises me sometimes with his compassion.  I really dreaded telling him I was leaving Carolina, but he told me he thought it was best for both Rebecca and me, and he gave me his blessing.”
     
    Are you about ready to go home?” he asked.
     
    “I am.  I’m anxious to see the farm.  Should we have gone to the general store before leaving town?”
     
    “I think we’ll be all right.  I laid in a store of canned goods, and Suzy always cans a lot more than they can use, and shares it.  Mama was a wonderful cook and Suzy learned most of her tricks.  Let’s round up the girls.  It’s only about ten or fifteen minutes to the house.
     
    “Cassie, are you about ready to go?  Get Rebecca and let’s go home,” he said.
     
    “We’re ready, Papa.  I’ll race you to the wagon, Rebecca.”
     
    Rebecca won, but Cassie had held back to make sure.  Clint boosted both of them into the wagon and took Sarah’s hand to assist her.  He flicked the reins and the almost family headed home.  He allowed the horse to plod along as he pointed out where Arthur and Suzy’s property ended and his began.  The young cotton plants had broken through the soil and reached for the sun.
     
    “Back home, our fields weren’t even planted when I left,” Sarah said.  You have a long growing season.  Can you get in two crops?” she asked. 
     
    “I’ve never really tried to do that.  Getting it picked and to the gin is a lot of work.  When the railroad is finished, I might give it a try, he said.
     
    “The railroad is coming through?” she asked. 
     
    “It started a few years back, but stopped during the war.  Then the rails were torn up, bent and badly damaged, so until the government comes up with some money to finish it, I don’t think it’s going much of anywhere.  The line is supposed to run from Shreveport to Dallas.  It would give us a lot bigger market for the cotton and probably better prices, if the demand comes back.”

Chapter 10:  This Is Our Farm
    “It’s beautiful,” Sarah said as they pulled into the yard.
     
    “Thank you,” Clint said.  “I’m glad you like it.  I think you will be happy here.  Cassie, why don’t you show Rebecca your room?”
     
    Cassie jumped down from the wagon, and Clint lifted Rebecca from the wagon.  “I’ll put the carriage away, and give the horse some grain and water.  I’ll milk the cows in a few minutes.  Why don’t you go on in?”
     
    “I’ll wait for you,”Sarah said.  “I’d like for you to show it to me.  I can help milk, I did it at home, before we lost the farm.”
     
    “I’ll do it today.  I’ll just be a few minutes.”
     
    In the house…
     
    “Do you like it?” Cassie asked
     
    “It’s pretty,” Rebecca said.  “Where did you get the butterflies on the wall?”
     
    “My Mama painted them before she died.”
     
    “I like them.”
     
    “This is your room, too.  You’re going to sleep in here with me.  You don’t have to be afraid,” Cassie said.
     
    “I won’t be afraid.  I slept by myself at Grandmama’s.  Do you want to see my doll?  Santa Claus brought it for Christmas.  Her name’s Lizzie.”
     
    “I got a doll for Christmas too,” Cassie said.  “We can play house.  I’ll be the Mama and you can be the little girl and the dolls can be our babies.”
     
    “Okay.  Can I be the Mama sometimes?”
     
    “You can be the sister and I’ll be the big sister, and our Mama will be in the garden.”
     
    * * *
     
    “We