Train Station Bride by Holly Bush Read Free Book Online Page A

course.”
    “It has been a very trying day,” Julia said.
    Will and Harry came in the kitchen and turned around just as quickly and ran outside. Flossie smiled at Julia as their laughter rang through the kitchen. “Our husbands have taken great joy from Jake’s marriage pursuits.”
    “Pursuits?” Julia asked. She looked up over her shoulder to Jake’s face. “Have you been married before?”
    Before Jake could answer, Flossie stood and pointed to Julia’s trunks in the hallway. “You’re not even settled.” Flossie yelled out the open window. “Will, Harry, come carry Julia’s things upstairs.”

Chapter Five
    Julia was ushered up a dark staircase. Will and Harry carried her trunks and bags. The men left the room as quickly as they entered leaving Julia alone with her new sisters-in-law. A light colored quilt covered the bed. Flossie was busy opening windows and pulling back curtains.
    “This was my room, growing up,” Gloria said. “Seems like a hundred years ago.”
    “You’ve been married and out of this room less than a year,” Flossie said.
    Gloria trailed her hand over the spread on the bed. She seated herself with a groan and looked at Julia. “Do you like it?”
    “It’s very nice.”
    Nothing like her room back at home but still sunny and pleasant. Julia wanted to blurt out questions about her new husband but opted instead to smile pleasantly as if she moved into a new state, a new home and married the wrong man everyday.
    “Jake wasn’t married before,” Flossie said and told a story about a woman named Valerie Morton to Julia.
    “Jake’s a wonderful man. The best brother, the best uncle but he’s not inclined to trust or forgive mistakes easily. Especially ones he makes,” Flossie said. “I suppose ‘cause he had to grow up so quick when Ma and Pa died. Mistakes could cost crops or livestock or a life out here.”
    “I’m a mistake then?” Julia asked.
    “I don’t think so. But I’ll bet he’s rethinking taking the minister to the train station,” Flossie said. “More so cause I was here this morning trying to talk him out of it.”
    “I wish you’d succeeded,” Julia said. She looked at the uncomfortable faces before her. “I didn’t mean any insult to your brother, but it is quite a drastic change in my plans.”
    Flossie sat down beside her. “Tell us your plans. What brought you all the way here to marry Mr. Snelling?”
    “Well,” Julia said, blushing, “I imagine that’s obvious. I am twenty-seven.”
    “You felt you had to come to South Dakota to marry?” Gloria asked. “Weren’t there any men in Boston to marry?”
    Flossie laughed. “You sound as if you’re asking if there were chickens to buy, Gloria. Maybe Julia didn’t like any of the men in Boston.”
    “You know what I mean. And anyway,” Gloria said as she picked up the edge of Julia’s gown, “looks like your folks were comfortable. Weren’t there parties and what not?”
    “Many parties. But I was hardly the belle of ball,” Julia said. “I have three sisters.”
    “Not the belle of the ball? With your hair and clothes? You’re so pretty. There must have been plenty of men interested,” Gloria said.
    “That’s kind of you to say,” Julia said. It had been a while since she heard such a sentiment. And spoken honestly like Jillian or Eustace would have done. “My sister’s are very beautiful. Suitors seem to flock their way.”
    Flossie let out a deep sigh. “Well, this is hardly what you planned. But as for Jake’s plans, it isn’t much different than he intended.”
    “He was going to marry a woman he had never met. Knew nothing about. That’s what I’ve gathered from his comments and yours. Is it true?” Julia asked.
    “That pretty much sums it up,” Gloria said, shaking her head.
    Julia wondered about the man that was to be her husband for better or worse. He would be satisfied knowing nothing about his lifetime mate before marriage.
    “I find it hard to imagine