Read Patience: Bride of Washington (American Mail Order Bride 42) for Free Online

ahead on your right, you’ll see my home—soon to be yours, too—in a clearing. My first wife and I added on to it as we were able.”
    “I see it now.” Patience leaned forward and her heart leapt to her throat at the idea of living there. “What a lovely house. Did you choose the color or did she?”
    The large two-story home of pale gray appeared finer than any she’d ever seen, even considering those in which she’d briefly worked. Black shutters framed the windows and bright white covered the other trim. As they drew closer, she could see the front door was dark red.
    Andrew chuckled. “I left all the decorating to her. You may change whatever you wish, of course. All I want is a comfortable place to enjoy with family.”
    “That’s kind and very generous of you. The outside is perfect as it is.”
    “You’ll find it’s a bit higgledy-piggledy inside. Our son has a suite of rooms at one side so he has privacy.”
    “How old is he?’
    “Twenty-eight, and he’s a good-looking man if I do say so myself. He’s a hard worker, too. I’m lucky that he plans to take over the business when I retire. I’ve already let him have a good deal of control.”
    Patience combed her mind for a response. She should say something but she was reeling from the news that her soon-to-be stepson was five years older than she. What an awkward arrangement. What would he think of his father and her marrying? She didn’t imagine he’d be pleased.
    Andrew guided the horses onto the lane to his home. He put on the brake. “I’ll give you a brief tour and then we’ll have our noon meal before we go to the office.”
    He helped her alight and they walked up the steps onto a wide wrap-around porch which had an assortment of wooden chairs and a swing. She glanced over her shoulder and saw a man leading the horse, still hitched to the buggy, around the corner.
    Andrew gestured to the man. “That’s Harvey Schmidt, who lives over the carriage house. Works as gardener and takes care of the horses and carriage.”
    As they climbed the steps, she gazed at the swing. “You must sit out here in the evenings.”
    “In good weather we do. Not as much since my wife died, but I still enjoy watching the sunset over the orchard.”
    Patience was a bit lost, but he gestured to what she thought was west.
    Inside the house, Patience was overwhelmed to learn she’d be living in a house this large. She could hardly wait to write her parents and sister. She hoped Mercy was as fortunate.
    “This is a charming home and so inviting.”
    “Glad you think so. Downstairs we have the front parlor, dining room, kitchen, library, and a back parlor for the family. You’ll meet Emily Potter, our housekeeper. She has a bedroom and sitting room off the kitchen near the screened in porch and pantry. Annie Sinclair, a girl from town, comes in to help with the cleaning.” He took her hat and parasol from her and put them on the hall hat tree.
    They approached the large curved staircase and Andrew said, “There are six bedrooms upstairs. Alice and I hoped we’d have lots of children and grandchildren. She lost three babies. Stone’s the only one of ours who lived.”
    “I’m so sorry, Andrew. How painful that must have been for you both. My mother lost two children between my sister and our younger brothers and one of my brothers died of diphtheria when he was four.”
    Would she and he have children? A shiver skittered up her spine at the idea of relations with this man she didn’t love, yet she wanted children. Many other women managed to live a happy life with a man based on friendship, and she was sure she could do the same.
    A middle-aged woman showed up wearing an apron over a plain gray dress and shod with practical black shoes. She eyed Patience curiously. “Your dinner’s ready and served in the dining room.”
    “Thank you, Emily.” He didn’t make an introduction. Instead, he turned to Patience. “You can see the upstairs another time.