Read Online Patience: Bride of Washington (American Mail Order Bride 42) by Caroline Clemmons - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Caroline Clemmons
Tags: Fiction, Humorous, Romance, Historical, Saga, Western, Short-Story, Business, Washington, Religious, Christian, Inspirational, Bachelor, wealthy, Marriage of Convenience, Faith, destined, victorian era, Forever Love, Single Woman, Fifty-Books, Forty-Five Authors, Newspaper Ad, American Mail-Order Bride, Factory Burned, Pioneer, distrust, complications, Forty-Two In Series, Getting Acquainted, Turbulent Period, Older Gentlemen, Respectable Boarding House, Commercial Apple Orchard, Job, Future Stepson, Mother Deceased, Younger Son, Compromise
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expected she’d only play at working, but she’d learned everything he’d asked of her. Her beautiful penmanship and quickly-totaled, neat columns assured him she knew what she was doing.
He couldn’t help questioning why she’d become a mail-order bride. All this time, he’d been under the impression that all those women must be dimwits and plain as the side of a barn or downright ugly, He figured they couldn’t get a man any other way and were desperate. That definitely wasn’t the case with Patience.
Why would an attractive woman her age agree to marry a man Dad’s age if not for money? Once again, he admitted women baffled him. And Dad was too old to start a new family. The idea of a brother or sister so much younger than him unnerved Stone.
He had to grin at her calling him “Sonny”, even though she did so to annoy him and he’d been angry at the time. But then, that’s the reason he’d continued to call her “Miss Eaton” instead of Patience. Obviously, she was not a shrinking violet who cowered at confrontation.
He hadn’t spoken much during lunch or needed to do so. Dad had kept a lively dialogue going and Stone had simply half tuned out the stories he’d heard so many times he could quote them verbatim. Patience commented sensibly at intervals. At least she didn’t chatter all the time or have a silly giggle. That would have been intolerable.
Back at work, Dad said, “I almost forgot to mention the Apple Blossom Festival is Saturday. I hope you’ll accompany me, Patience.”
She hung her hat on the coat tree. “I’d love to. What does the festival involve?”
“It’s like a small fair. There’ll be carnival rides, booths where locals sell apple products, pie contests, cotton candy, crowning the Apple Blossom Queen, all the usual sorts of events you’d imagine at a county fair.” Dad turned toward him. “I hope you’ll go with us, son. You don’t get out enough.”
Halting on the way to his office, Stone stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No thanks, I’m not the third-wheel type.”
“Nonsense.” His dad laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’re well aware I’m always one of the judges. I can’t abandon Patience while I sort through the baked and canned goods. You can escort her around the rides and booths so she isn’t bored half to death. I don’t do well on the rides anyway.”
He caught Patience’s gaze. Was she hopeful? Before he could consider his response, he said, “All right, I’ll go with you.”
What was he thinking? Since Lottie Ames had ruined his good name, he’d avoided events where he was open to confrontation and gossip. He must be losing his mind. As if working with Patience wasn’t enough to upset his equilibrium, he’d agreed to escort her part of the day. Why not just bang his head against the wall?
He hurried into his office and immersed himself in his tasks.
***
Saturday brought sun and a sense of excitement as Patience dressed for the festival. The other boarders had assured her that women wore church-type clothes so she was wearing her second best dress. Everyone at home complimented her on how flattering the dress was for her coloring and figure.
She was proud of having sewn this garment of thin brown, green, gray, and bronze stripes over a bronze skirt with a wide ruffle at the hem. She had matched the stripes carefully to form a V design in front and back of the bodice that flattered her figure. On the side panels, the stripes were horizontal.
In back, the V of stripes continued in soft folds to cascade halfway to the hem. In front, bronze buttons ended at the pointed waist. The sleeves were only the tiniest bit puffy at the shoulder and the stripes straight to her wrist.
On her head, she set a brown hat trimmed in flowers she’d created from leftover fabric. Her cream gloves and a cream parasol made her feel well-dressed in spite of the ensemble’s age.
As she went into the parlor, Agnes exclaimed, “That is the most
He couldn’t help questioning why she’d become a mail-order bride. All this time, he’d been under the impression that all those women must be dimwits and plain as the side of a barn or downright ugly, He figured they couldn’t get a man any other way and were desperate. That definitely wasn’t the case with Patience.
Why would an attractive woman her age agree to marry a man Dad’s age if not for money? Once again, he admitted women baffled him. And Dad was too old to start a new family. The idea of a brother or sister so much younger than him unnerved Stone.
He had to grin at her calling him “Sonny”, even though she did so to annoy him and he’d been angry at the time. But then, that’s the reason he’d continued to call her “Miss Eaton” instead of Patience. Obviously, she was not a shrinking violet who cowered at confrontation.
He hadn’t spoken much during lunch or needed to do so. Dad had kept a lively dialogue going and Stone had simply half tuned out the stories he’d heard so many times he could quote them verbatim. Patience commented sensibly at intervals. At least she didn’t chatter all the time or have a silly giggle. That would have been intolerable.
Back at work, Dad said, “I almost forgot to mention the Apple Blossom Festival is Saturday. I hope you’ll accompany me, Patience.”
She hung her hat on the coat tree. “I’d love to. What does the festival involve?”
“It’s like a small fair. There’ll be carnival rides, booths where locals sell apple products, pie contests, cotton candy, crowning the Apple Blossom Queen, all the usual sorts of events you’d imagine at a county fair.” Dad turned toward him. “I hope you’ll go with us, son. You don’t get out enough.”
Halting on the way to his office, Stone stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No thanks, I’m not the third-wheel type.”
“Nonsense.” His dad laid a hand on his shoulder. “You’re well aware I’m always one of the judges. I can’t abandon Patience while I sort through the baked and canned goods. You can escort her around the rides and booths so she isn’t bored half to death. I don’t do well on the rides anyway.”
He caught Patience’s gaze. Was she hopeful? Before he could consider his response, he said, “All right, I’ll go with you.”
What was he thinking? Since Lottie Ames had ruined his good name, he’d avoided events where he was open to confrontation and gossip. He must be losing his mind. As if working with Patience wasn’t enough to upset his equilibrium, he’d agreed to escort her part of the day. Why not just bang his head against the wall?
He hurried into his office and immersed himself in his tasks.
***
Saturday brought sun and a sense of excitement as Patience dressed for the festival. The other boarders had assured her that women wore church-type clothes so she was wearing her second best dress. Everyone at home complimented her on how flattering the dress was for her coloring and figure.
She was proud of having sewn this garment of thin brown, green, gray, and bronze stripes over a bronze skirt with a wide ruffle at the hem. She had matched the stripes carefully to form a V design in front and back of the bodice that flattered her figure. On the side panels, the stripes were horizontal.
In back, the V of stripes continued in soft folds to cascade halfway to the hem. In front, bronze buttons ended at the pointed waist. The sleeves were only the tiniest bit puffy at the shoulder and the stripes straight to her wrist.
On her head, she set a brown hat trimmed in flowers she’d created from leftover fabric. Her cream gloves and a cream parasol made her feel well-dressed in spite of the ensemble’s age.
As she went into the parlor, Agnes exclaimed, “That is the most
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