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

buckboard seat, Adela chattered like a noisy wren all the way to Crabapple. She kept the cherries bobbing on her dainty hat, and her dark chocolate eyes shone with excitement at the prospect of making new dresses. She explained how she’d helped her friend, Ramee, sew the creations she designed for socially prominent ladies.
    Byron got the impression Adela was trying to convince him of her ability to sew, and that was wasted on him. He’d thought all females were born with the ability, but he read more behind the chatty appeal. She evidently felt a need to prove her worth, that she could pass muster as a farmer’s wife. He might be wrong, but the thought warmed his insides that she wanted to be his wife.
    He was glad she could occupy her time sewing. Adela didn’t handle boredom easily, and who could blame her? Ma refused to trust her in the kitchen, and Byron had discouraged her from exploring the farm until he could be present.
    When they got to Crabapple, Byron tried to see it through Adela’s eyes. One dusty road with weathered buildings running on both sides. Dry goods store on one end, dance hall on the other where the saloon used to be. Temperance had come to the town and drove out liquor, or so they said. Byron suspected there were moonshine bottles carried inside the dance hall where gambling and loose women still flourished.
    He pointed out the various shops along the way—blacksmith, livery stables, drug store, barber shop on one side. Tannery, doctor’s office, land sales, dry goods on the other.
    The bell jingled overhead as Byron held the door at Davidson Dry Goods for Adela. An urge to show her off hit him. “Hey Howard, want you to meet a new customer.”
    Howard Davison glanced over his shoulder where he was positioning clothing items on the shelves that ran along the wall. “Always glad to meet a new customer.” He dusted off his pants and strode toward them.
    “This is Adela Mason, visiting from Massachusetts. She’s done me the honor of allowing me to court her, so treat her good.”
    “Well, I heard about Miss Mason arriving. Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”
    Pride swelled Byron’s chest as Adela greeted Howard with a winsome smile, looking so pretty. “Pleased to meet you as well. I’d like to purchase some calico and sewing notions.” She held the side of her satin skirt. “I find I’m not dressed to work on a farm.”
    “You got her working, Byron?” Howard laughed. “That’s not the way I did courting in my day.”
    Byron laughed too, but Adela took it seriously. “Oh, no, he isn’t requiring me to work. I like it. I mean, I like to stay busy.”
    “That won’t be a problem for a farmer’s wife, will it, Byron?” Howard nudged Byron.
    “No, sir, not at all.”
    “The fabric is over the next aisle, Miss Mason.” Howard pointed the way, and Adela left with a parting smile.
    “I’ll go on to the smithy and get him busy making this part. Take your time, Miss Mason. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Byron told her.
    He hoped they could get the buggy fixed before Sunday. His mind already pictured driving up to church with Adela. If anyone commanded the attention of the congregation more than a new baby, it was a courting couple. He prayed Ma would go with Mr. Lynstrum, so he’d have Adela to himself.
    Byron started for the door, but Howard called to him. “One of your boys got in trouble the other night.”
    Freezing, Byron turned. He could guess which boy. Dick Ray, a sixteen-year-old with nothing to do but get in trouble. “Dick?”
    “That’s the one. Smashed the back window at the dance hall. Nothing was missing. Guess he was looking for liquor or something.”
    “I think I’ll stop by Dick’s place, and see if I can persuade him to come help out with the corn harvest.”
    “Won’t be at his place. He’s in jail.”
    “Jail?” Byron let out a long breath. “Why, if he didn’t steal anything?”
    “Couldn’t replace the window, I guess.”
    Byron would