Read Online Michelle: Bride of Mississippi (American Mail-Order Bride 20) by Cindy Caldwell - Free Book Online Page A

portrait in the stairwell of the young Anthony and Adelaide. She set the tray down on the small table in the foyer and took two steps up to look at the portrait more closely.
    Whoever had painted the portrait must have known the children quite well. From what Anthony had told her so far, Adelaide was a bit of a pistol, and Mattie took after her--and in the portrait, Adelaide had the same mischievous look in her eye that her daughter had.
    In the largest portrait, Adelaide sat on some steps, a puppy in her lap and a pink ribbon in her hair. Anthony stood beside her, his hand on her shoulder as he held a puppy of his own. The lush, green grass was surrounded by brightly colored flowers, the trees overhead heavy with green leaves.
    Her eyes fell on Anthony. She gazed into his eyes in the portrait and saw a much different Anthony than the one she’d married earlier. The Anthony she’d met at the train station was kind and seemed genuinely concerned for his nieces and his family home.
    But the Anthony in the portrait had a twinkle in his eye, too, just as his sister did. Maybe not the mischievous look, but definitely a twinkle. A much happier Anthony.
    “She was a wonderful artist, Mrs. Chandler.”
    Michelle jumped as she heard Mable’s voice behind her. She turned, her hand at her throat, tugging her eyes away from the portrait--and Anthony’s eyes. “You startled me. I thought you’d retired for the evening.”
    Mable sighed. “Not quite ready.”
    Michelle squinted at the portrait. “Their mother painted this?”
    Mable walked over to the portrait and pointed to the signature in the bottom. “She sure did. Signed and everything.”
    Michelle stepped back and took in the steps that the children sat on and the huge white columns on each side of them. On each side of the brick stairs were azalea bushes, ablaze in pinks and whites, and she recognized the front of the Robbins’ Nest.
    “Oh, goodness. It’s right out front where they were sitting.”
    Mable reached for the tray and turned toward the kitchen, shaking her head as she walked slowly. “They sure did love this house. Everything about it.”
    Michelle turned and followed Mable into the kitchen, the door swinging behind her. She’d not been in it yet as Mable had insisted on serving her, and she looked around with wide eyes.
    The large, white enamel stove in the kitchen was at least three times bigger than any she’d ever seen, with six places for pots on top. Copper pots hung from a rack attached to the ceiling, and a large ice box stood next to a pantry big enough to walk inside.
    “Careful. You’re gonna get flies in your mouth if you leave it hanging open like that,” Mable said, laughing as she set the tray down on the long, wooden counter and began to put things back in their places.
    Michelle flushed as she reached out for the sugar bowl on the silver tray. “I’m sure I appear silly. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” She looked down at the silver bowl in her hand, gleaming in the low light. “The silver or the house.”
    Mable looked around the room and up at the pots and pans. “It sure is a fine kitchen. Not surprised you think so. Most folks don’t have houses quite like this here in Corinth, but we have our fair share of fine ones.”
    “I think most people in most cities don’t have houses like this. At least they didn’t where I came from.”
    Mable leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed over her ample bosom. “No, I don’t suppose so.”
    “Where should I put this sugar bowl?”
    Mable reached for the bowl. “Here, I’ll set it back to rest. You don’t need to be worrying about things like that.”
    Michelle frowned as she handed the bowl to Mable. “I do want to help, Mable. May I, please? I need something to do while Anthony goes to work every day.”
    Mable smiled. “You don’t think you’ll have enough to do with Missy and Mattie? I have a feeling you’ll wonder where all your time went