Read Online Ashley Merrick - India: Bride of Indiana (American Mail-Order Bride 19) by Ashley Merrick - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ashley Merrick
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Saga, Family Life, Western, Short-Story, Religious, Christian, Indiana, Inspirational, Bachelor, Sisters, Marriage of Convenience, Faith, Community, widower, victorian era, Forever Love, Single Woman, Fifth In Series, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, American Mail-Order Bride, Factory Burned, Pioneer, Two Children, South Bend, Burn Scarred, No Romance, Name-Only Marriage, Financial Security, Best Friends Daughter, Mother Disappointed, Adversary
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drapes lined the floor-to-ceiling windows. When the hotel manager showed them the ballroom where the event would be held, she let out an audible gasp.
“I told you it was nice!” Laura said with a laugh.
“It’s beautiful.”
Kendra, the hotel manager, smiled proudly. “Thank you. We feel that our hotel is the best in all of South Bend.” She showed them around and India took in the large dance floor, glittering crystal chandeliers and the gold-plated molding that lined the walls and ceiling. They sat down at one of the tables to discuss the menu and decorations.
“Fresh flowers are always nice,” Kendra said and then added, “Of course, we can’t get fresh ones this time of year, but we have some lovely dried arrangements that look very nice. And we can tie wide ribbons around all the tables to contrast with the white linens. Purple might look nice, unless you have another color you’d prefer.”
“No, purple is fine,” Laura said and looked at India, who nodded in agreement.
“And for food, we’ve agreed on cheese platters, sliced meats, bowls of nuts, and passed appetizers, which is what we need to decide on. We have stuffed mushrooms, spinach and cheese turnovers, shrimp cocktail, Swedish meatballs, cucumber sandwiches, and salami rolls. And of course there will be bread and our famous cheese spread.” Laura had explained that the hotel was famous for their creamy cheddar horseradish cheese spread. India’s stomach grumbled just thinking about it. The grumbling was quite loud and India was embarrassed, hoping that no one heard it.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Kendra said as a server arrived with a large tray filled with an array of hot appetizers. “There’s a sampling of each item, so you can try them and then decide which ones you’d like to have.”
India had no idea that they’d be trying the food. By the look on Laura’s face, it was a surprise to her as well.
“I’ll leave you two ladies alone for a few moments. Help yourselves and enjoy. I’ll be back in a bit to see what you’ve decided on.”
“Did you know they were going to feed us?” India asked as she popped a stuffed mushroom in her mouth.
“I had no idea. But how wonderful!” They tried everything and though it was all good, their favorites were the stuffed mushrooms, spinach turnovers and the meatballs.
Kendra approved of their choices when she returned. “Those are all popular items. You’ve chosen well. The hotel is also going to donate a platter of sliced ham, in case any guests would like to make sandwiches. There will be plenty of bread and other accompaniments.
“That’s so generous of you!” Laura exclaimed.
“The hotel likes to support local charities whenever possible. Of course, you’ll spread the word about our donation?”
India smiled. “Of course!”
When they left the hotel, Laura turned to her and said, “Are you ready for round two? Soliciting the silent auction items?”
India suddenly felt nervous. “Sure. What, exactly, does that entail?”
Laura smiled. “Follow me. You’ll see. We’ll do an easy one first.” India followed her into the mercantile and they walked over to the counter, where Irene was ringing up a customer. The store was quiet, so after she was done with that customer, Irene came over to them.
“What are you girls up to? You look like you are on a mission?” she asked them.
“We are. We’re making the rounds of local businesses to collect gift certificates and other items for the silent auction. You’re our first stop. Is there anything you’d like to donate?”
Irene thought about that for a moment and then a gleam came into her eye. “How about something fun? A year’s supply of bacon?”
“I love it!” Laura said.
India agreed. “It’s a wonderful idea.”
Irene wrote out a gift certificate for them, and then they walked up and down Main Street, stopping in all the shops, from Evan the butcher to Joe at the shoe store, and just about
“I told you it was nice!” Laura said with a laugh.
“It’s beautiful.”
Kendra, the hotel manager, smiled proudly. “Thank you. We feel that our hotel is the best in all of South Bend.” She showed them around and India took in the large dance floor, glittering crystal chandeliers and the gold-plated molding that lined the walls and ceiling. They sat down at one of the tables to discuss the menu and decorations.
“Fresh flowers are always nice,” Kendra said and then added, “Of course, we can’t get fresh ones this time of year, but we have some lovely dried arrangements that look very nice. And we can tie wide ribbons around all the tables to contrast with the white linens. Purple might look nice, unless you have another color you’d prefer.”
“No, purple is fine,” Laura said and looked at India, who nodded in agreement.
“And for food, we’ve agreed on cheese platters, sliced meats, bowls of nuts, and passed appetizers, which is what we need to decide on. We have stuffed mushrooms, spinach and cheese turnovers, shrimp cocktail, Swedish meatballs, cucumber sandwiches, and salami rolls. And of course there will be bread and our famous cheese spread.” Laura had explained that the hotel was famous for their creamy cheddar horseradish cheese spread. India’s stomach grumbled just thinking about it. The grumbling was quite loud and India was embarrassed, hoping that no one heard it.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Kendra said as a server arrived with a large tray filled with an array of hot appetizers. “There’s a sampling of each item, so you can try them and then decide which ones you’d like to have.”
India had no idea that they’d be trying the food. By the look on Laura’s face, it was a surprise to her as well.
“I’ll leave you two ladies alone for a few moments. Help yourselves and enjoy. I’ll be back in a bit to see what you’ve decided on.”
“Did you know they were going to feed us?” India asked as she popped a stuffed mushroom in her mouth.
“I had no idea. But how wonderful!” They tried everything and though it was all good, their favorites were the stuffed mushrooms, spinach turnovers and the meatballs.
Kendra approved of their choices when she returned. “Those are all popular items. You’ve chosen well. The hotel is also going to donate a platter of sliced ham, in case any guests would like to make sandwiches. There will be plenty of bread and other accompaniments.
“That’s so generous of you!” Laura exclaimed.
“The hotel likes to support local charities whenever possible. Of course, you’ll spread the word about our donation?”
India smiled. “Of course!”
When they left the hotel, Laura turned to her and said, “Are you ready for round two? Soliciting the silent auction items?”
India suddenly felt nervous. “Sure. What, exactly, does that entail?”
Laura smiled. “Follow me. You’ll see. We’ll do an easy one first.” India followed her into the mercantile and they walked over to the counter, where Irene was ringing up a customer. The store was quiet, so after she was done with that customer, Irene came over to them.
“What are you girls up to? You look like you are on a mission?” she asked them.
“We are. We’re making the rounds of local businesses to collect gift certificates and other items for the silent auction. You’re our first stop. Is there anything you’d like to donate?”
Irene thought about that for a moment and then a gleam came into her eye. “How about something fun? A year’s supply of bacon?”
“I love it!” Laura said.
India agreed. “It’s a wonderful idea.”
Irene wrote out a gift certificate for them, and then they walked up and down Main Street, stopping in all the shops, from Evan the butcher to Joe at the shoe store, and just about
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