Read Online Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) by Clara Kincaid - Free Book Online Page B

Johanna’s shoulders, and she didn’t flinch away that time as he promised her, “Tomorrow, for sure.”
    Johanna was lost in Paul’s eyes and her pulse raced until Paul dropped his arms to his sides. He put a hand against the small of her back and led her outside where a buggy waited. This one was smaller, and there wasn’t anyone lingering nearby to handle the horse.
    At her curious look, Paul explained, “I thought it would be a lovely day for a buggy ride.”
    Paul helped Johanna up and took his place next to her. With a snap of the reins, off the horses trotted, making way onto the cobblestone road. The wind felt wonderful and they passed Victorian homes that were all quite different. Since they weren’t on foot this time, the buggy took them to the other side of town. They passed a few taverns with men wearing denim pants and plaid shirts, stumbling into the street.
    “Isn’t it a little early for men to be at taverns?”
    “It is for many men, but if a lumberjack is in town, he just came back from a camp.”
    “Do they work all year?”
    “They do now. In earlier years, they only worked in the winter when horse-drawn sleighs were used to transport the logs to the frozen rivers. In the spring, the logs then made the trip to the mills where they were cut into boards.”
    “How are logs moved now?”
    “Tracks have been built and trains haul the logs into town.”
    Johanna was impressed. “This is really interesting. It makes you think differently about where the wood comes from for buildings to be constructed.”
    “Lumbering has built this country and made this town what it is today.”
    “It certainly is much bigger than I thought it would be. I expected to move to the middle of the wilderness.” She laughed.
    “Then again, I led you to believe I was a lumberjack, not that I’ve never done that. You’ll find out I’m very hands-on, even though I’m a lumber baron. It’s not a name I’m comfortable about, I assure you.”
    “But you have servants working for you.”
    “I have a big house and I didn’t have a wife at the time, but I consider them my staff, not servants. They are offered room and board and paid quite well. I value them just as much as I do the men who work at the mill.”
    “How did you get your start?”
    “I was a lumberjack myself in the beginning. I just didn’t spend my money on alcohol and women.” He smiled. “Sorry.”
    “I understand what you meant, and I’d never judge anyone who did choose to do that. Women don’t have many options as working-class women.”
    “I daresay many have found husbands here. I even prefer to hire married men.”
    “Why is that?”
    “Married men are much more reliable. They have wives and children to support. I have cabins built for them to live near the mill. You’ll see when I take you there.”
    Johanna could hardly wait until then. She already had a better understanding about Paul and lumbering.
    The buggy came to a stop and a young man raced over. “I’ll take your buggy over to the livery stable.”
    Paul hurried to jump off and helped Johanna down. They walked through a door with only the signage that read, ‘seamstress.’ A lively and red-faced older woman rushed over to them. “Hello there, Mr. Worthington.”
    “How many times have I told you to call me Paul, Mabel?”
    “I just can’t do that. Natasha would have my head if I did.” Johanna laughed. “Who do we have here?” she asked, indicating Johanna.
    “This is my wife, Johanna.”
    “Wife?” Mabel strutted over to a door and opened it, shouting, “Natasha, get out here. Mr. Worthington is here with his new wife.”
    “New?” Johanna asked.
    “I didn’t mean like he had one before, just that we saw him in here with his mother last week and he wasn’t married then. Mr. Worthington’s mother told us he expected his wife to arrive soon.”
    “Oh.”
    The door flew open and a vivacious woman with a scoop-neck red dress appeared, showing more