Read Online Madeline: Bride of Nebraska (American Mail-Order Bride 37) by Mia Blackwood - Free Book Online

the frying pan before turning around to face them. It was always hard for her to admit when she was wrong, but she knew that she owed Caleb an apology. Once she had properly swallowed her pride, she picked up the flapjacks and turned toward the table.
    Both she and Caleb spoke at the same time.
    “I’m so sorry,” she said as she set the plate on the table.
    “I’m sorry about before.”
    They looked at each other and smiled. They had managed to survive their first argument and had made up before the first meal of the day. Maybe their marriage had some hope of survival after all.
    George looked from Caleb to Madeline to Caleb again, confused as to why no one was feeding him. He gave an exaggerated sigh and reached for the plate of flapjacks.
    Caleb pulled the plate out of George’s reach. “Whoa, there. We’ve gotta say grace first, buddy.”
    George pouted, looked up at Madeline, and pointed across the table to the empty place setting. “Sit,” he commanded, a serious look on his face.
    Madeline’s mouth twitched and she looked at Caleb. She was certain that laughing would not be an appropriate response to George’s bossiness, but he certainly was adorable.
    “Now, George. That’s no way to speak to a lady,” Caleb gently corrected his nephew. He then demonstrated to George how it should be done. He got up from his seat, walked around the table, and pretended to pull an imaginary chair out from the table.
    Caleb then motioned for Madeline to take her seat with a murmured, “My lady.”
    Madeline smiled broadly and sat down with an exaggerated flourish. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
    George clapped as Caleb came back around the table and sat down. The moment Caleb took his seat, George folded his hands and bowed his head, clearly ready to say grace.
    Caleb said the blessing, then quickly handed George a flapjack. George tore into it like he hadn’t eaten in days.
    Which, when Caleb thought about it, other than a little broth Walter got him to drink yesterday, he hadn’t.
    Madeline, slightly surprised at the voracity of the little boy, blinked and looked back at Caleb. “Will this be enough to eat or should I go and make some eggs as well? I was going to, but didn’t know how you liked them cooked.”
    Caleb looked at her, surprised. “I eat them however Cookie makes them,” he admitted. He loved how his mother used to make them sunny side up, but didn’t want her to go to any bother. He still felt bad for yelling at her earlier. “There’s plenty of flapjacks here. You don’t need to make anything else.”
    “If you’re sure,” Madeline replied warily. She wanted to smooth things over from their argument earlier and if cooking would do it, she would happily make him some eggs.
    Caleb nodded, then helped himself to several flapjacks. Madeline had found a bottle of maple syrup in the cupboard and placed it on the table, and he poured a generous amount over the top.
    Madeline watched his face as he took his first bite. She hoped he would like her cooking, but was worried that he might find fault with it. When he closed his eyes happily, she knew he liked the flapjacks and finally relaxed and enjoyed her meal as well.
    Partway through the meal, she remembered what Hank had asked her earlier. “Oh, Hank wanted me to tell you that he had everything under control outside. He said you should just take care of George today.”
    Caleb nodded. “Hank’s a good man. I’ll thank him later.” He paused as he remembered how Madeline had looked when he had found her outside earlier. “And I take it I should thank you for milking ol’ Bessie?”
    Madeline blushed as she remembered how she had looked after her ordeal. It was not her finest moment, but she was proud that she had finally accomplished her goal and without any help to boot. A simple nod of acknowledgement was all she could manage at the moment.
    Caleb could not help but tease his wife. “It looked as though the two of you were in a fight or