Read Online Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) by P.A. Estelle - Free Book Online Page A

by. She set the ax down and slowly surveyed the yard.
    Between the barn and the cornfield, she spotted a horse and rider. The man nudged his horse forward and stopped a few feet in front of her — Chad Skinner. He looked just like he did the other day, same clothes, same dirty face and hair. She glanced behind him but saw no sign of his older brother. He leered at her, licking his lips. It made her stomach crawl.
    “What can I do for you, Mr. Skinner?”
    He smirked. “I figured you’d remember me.”
    “Yes, I remember you. Why are you here?”
    Chad looked around. “I don’t see Morrison around anywheres. You here all by yourself? This could be my lucky day.”
    “Samuel is in the house. Do you have business with him, Mr. Skinner?”
    His smile was replaced with a sneer. “No, I don’t have business with him, but I surely could have some with you.”
    He began to dismount when Mr. Wiggles started barking and nipping at the horse’s hooves, causing it to rear up. Chad Skinner would have fallen off he hadn’t been able to grab the saddle horn. As it was, it was still a struggle for him to get upright.
    His eyes held a murderous gleam and he pulled his gun. “That worthless cur. I’m going to finish what I started on the road!” Chad snarled.
    Maddie picked up the ax and approached the horse, making it rear again, only this time Chad did fall off. The gun was now on the ground and Maddie picked it up and pointed it at him, growling. “Get on your horse and get off our land.”
    “I need my gun,” he said through gritted teeth.
    “You can pick it up at the Marshal’s office in town. Now,” she said advancing on him with his own gun pointed at his chest, “if you value your worthless hide don’t come back here, ever!”
    “This ain’t the end, lady. You’re gonna be right sorry.” He got on his horse and galloped away.
    * * * *
                 
    Samuel was able to come down for dinner. His fever was gone and his cough had almost disappeared. His cheeks were gaunt but his color was back to normal. Dinner was stewed chicken with potatoes and peas.
                  After not being able to speak to her daddy for a few days, Lizzy talked non-stop. “Mama taught me hopscotch and Ring Around the Rosie. Wait till you see me play!”
                  “Your mama is wonderful, sugar plum.” Her cheeks reddened at the look he threw her way.
                  “I know and you should have seen when she chased that bad man away. He wanted to shoot Mr. Wiggles.”
                  Maddie cringed and closed her eyes. It wasn’t her intention for Samuel to find out about Chad’s visit.
                  “Hannah?”
                  “Samuel, it was nothing.”
                  “Mama scared his horse with an ax and he bucked him off. Then Mama got his gun.”
                  “It doesn’t sound like nothing to me.”
                  “Please, Samuel, can’t we discuss this later.” Maddie’s eyes lit on Lizzy.
                  “Okay, but we will most definitely…discuss it.”
    The rest of the evening was spent with Samuel telling stories of when he was a young boy while Maddie cleaned up and brought in more firewood. It was cold out so Maddie had a strong blaze snapping and crackling in the fireplace.
    Before too long, both Samuel and Lizzy were yawning and rubbing their eyes. “I think it’s time for bed you two.”
    “I think you’re right.” Samuel got up and went to the stairs. “Let’s go, sugar plum.” Before joining her father, Lizzy ran to Maddie and put her arms around her knees, hugging her.
    “I love you, Mama.”
    “And I you, sweet girl.”
    After a few minutes Maddie heard one bedroom shut and then another. With a sigh of relief, she finished up the few things she did in the evenings and then slowly, and as quietly as she could, walked up the stairs, only to