Read Online Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire - Free Book Online

going to do that every time?     
    When he was done praying out loud, he looked into her eyes. “It sure looks good—.” He stopped abruptly, a nervous look on his face.  “Yes, indeed. It looks real good. Thank you.” He picked up his fork and started eating quickly.
    Her blue eyes flashed at him.  Has he forgotten my name again? How could he have married me and not remember my name after I told him what it is so many times?
    “Thank you. I hope you enjoy it, Boone.” She paused for a few seconds, then commented. “Boone is such a unique name. So is mine. Did you know mine has two l’s in it?”
    He looked up, questioning. “No, I don’t guess I really paid attention to how it was spelled. How is it?”
    “G-a-b-r-i-e-l-l-e. Gabrielle.”
    She noted relief in his expression and smiled sweetly. “A man ought to know how to spell his own wife’s name correctly, don’t you think?”
     
    *******
     
    During their first week together the couple developed a routine. Boone rested but gradually made his way up and around. He complimented and thanked Gabrielle multiple times as his home looked brighter and became more functional with a woman’s touch. He marveled at the amount of work she found to do in a home he’d thought to be suitable enough to meet his needs.
    He’d invited her to accompany him on his chores and slowly taught her the ins and outs of living in the country. She became less squeamish around the chickens and learned how to milk the cow, although she wrinkled her nose in disgust at the smelly chores. She was a strong-willed woman though, and refused to complain about anything.
    Boone came inside for lunch one day and mentioned he’d made a trip into town to replace a tool he needed for his work.
    “I didn’t realize you’d be going to town,” she said, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. “How often do you go?”
    He scratched his head. “Oh, I don’t have a schedule. Since it’s not too far I just head out anytime I need supplies. I enjoy the ride.”
    “I can only imagine,” she said, frustrated he hadn’t invited her. Men are so inconsiderate. That was just downright mean!
    She opened her mouth to say she wouldn’t have minded accompanying him when he reached into his pocket, and pulled out an envelope. “Oh! That reminds me. I almost forgot. I picked this up at the post office.”
    Her eyes lit up with excitement when she read the return address. “Oh! This is from one my old roommates. She must’ve received the letter I sent before I left my mother’s home.”
    Gabrielle tore into the envelope and read silently while Boone watched. 
     
    Dear Gabrielle,
     
    I'm so glad you found me!  God was looking out for both of us when he helped you think of Miss Miller as a way to contact me.  I miss you dreadfully, you and Poppy, and Roberta.  I feel like I'm in another world, separated from my dearest friends.
     
    Karl is a kind man.  He's not the romantic Irishman I always pictured myself with, but he's a good husband to me, and more importantly, he's a Christian.  The local congregation is small, but everyone has been kind.
     
    Roberta is in Wisconsin.  We'd hoped we'd be close by picking states that were so close to one another, but I was on a train for almost a day longer than she was.  I fear we'll never see one another again, but I try not to dwell on that, for fear I'll fall into melancholy.
     
    I'm so sorry to hear about your mother.  Whether you like it or not, I'll be praying for God to bring you peace about her passing. 
     
    I think you are making the best choice about being a mail-order bride.  I think we'll all be better off when we have a man to share our burdens with us.  That was God's arrangement from the beginning, as he showed us with Adam and Eve.  Just remember that not all men are like your step-father.  Give the man you marry the benefit of the doubt and treat him like a good man, instead of like you think he's