Read Online Katie: Bride of Virginia (American Mail-Order Brides 10) by Sylvia McDaniel - Free Book Online Page B

she didn't need Mother O'Malley telling Daniel he'd been here. She would tell him when he came home.
    “I've heard you're doing a lot to the old house. Are you certain the first Mrs. O'Malley would approve?”
    Katie gazed at the man her uneasiness growing. “If you're referring to Eloise, she's dead.”
    “Yes, I know. But what about the older Mrs. O'Malley?”
    What was the man trying to say to her? What was he doing? “As Mr. O'Malley's wife, I am in charge of the household. Is there something else you need?”
    Katie wanted him out of here.
    “I just wanted to check on Mr. O'Malley. Nice to meet you, ma'am.”
    “Yes, you too,” she said and watched him go out the same door he'd come in. He didn't even knock, but rather just opened the door and came in. He was probably a perfectly nice man, but she didn't want anyone just opening the door and walking in.
    An hour later the kitchen door opened again and her handsome husband walked through the doorway. He hadn't been gone as long as she'd expected.
    “You're home early.”
    Funny normally she didn't see much of him during the day, but just knowing he wasn't out in the fields, she'd missed him more today than usual. But after her guest, she was glad to see Daniel home.
    “It didn't take as long as I thought,” he said kissing her on the cheek. He glanced around the room. “It looks so much better. Just cleaning it made the difference?”
    “I did rearrange the cabinets a little and gave everything a good scrubbing. In the spring, I'd like to start giving the walls a fresh coat of paint,” she said, pushing back a stray lock of hair that had fallen onto her face.
    “How's Mother been today?”
    What could she say? Your mother is a mean-spirited woman who I've tried to be nice to, but I'm reaching the end of my reserves? Or did she just nod her head?
    “Good. She's been in her room most of the day, but that was because I threatened to let her help me with the cleaning.”
    He laughed. “You're good for her.”
    Katie smiled. “Feeling sorry for yourself only brings yourself and everyone around you down. I want our home to be a happy place for us and our children.”
    If they ever had children. She kept reminding herself that she should allow her husband his rights if she wanted babies. And yet, she wasn't quite ready. Soon.
    Pulling her into his arms, he stared down at her. “I think we should get started on creating these babies.”
    Feeling his body against hers, felt right. Spirals of warmth were trickling through her and she laid her head on his shoulder. “In time.”
    She leaned back in his arms. “I better get busy or you won't have any supper.” She stepped out of his arms. “I need to tell you that I had a visitor this afternoon.”
    “Who?”
    “Your foreman, Jack Edwards, came through the back door without knocking. Does he normally do this?”
    Daniel frowned. “He's never done it while I'm here.”
    “Maybe he got confused because he was looking for you.”
    “Maybe,” Daniel said. “I told him I was going into town.”
    “I wanted to tell you since I knew how you felt about me being alone in the house with a man. He stayed about five minutes. He asked to see the changes to the house that I was making, but I told him today was not a good day.”
    “Thank you,” he said.
    “He's a strange man.”
    “But he knows vineyards and that's why he's here.”
    Maybe he was good with wine, but right now, Katie felt weird with him around.
    “I better get started on supper.”
    “Oh,” he reached back behind him and pulled some envelopes out of his back pocket. “These were at the post office for you.”
    Taking the envelopes from his hand, her heart started to race and she squealed. “It's letters from Genny and Julia.”
    Quickly she stepped away from him, sank down in a chair and ripped the first envelope open and began to read.
    November 1, 1890
    Dear Katie and Julia,
    I hope you don't mind that I made the letter to the two of you. I