Read Anna: Bride of Alabama (American Mail-Order Bride 22) for Free Online Page B

then.”
    James laughed, the wheezing chuckle telling him the old man’s health wasn’t what it used to be. “Nothing wrong with having a bit of happiness.” He motioned to the house with a crooked finger. “And nothing makes a man happier than a pretty little thing waiting for him after a hard days work is done.”
    “Unless a man prefers to be alone with his thoughts at the end of the day.”
    James shook his head. “Only a fool would pass up the attention of a willing woman.”
    “Who says she’s willing?”
    “She traveled all the way down here to marry you without even seeing how ugly you were. Anyone willing to take a leap of faith like that is willing to play the role of good wife all the way to the marriage bed.”
    Gabriel laughed. “Leave it to you to make light of the worst situation.”
    “Its easy when its not me. But don’t let what Evelyn did ruin the rest of your life. She’d enjoy that too much.”
    As usual, James was right. Evelyn was probably in her grave laughing her head off at how miserable his life was now. He glanced out across the land his grandfather worked until it killed him, saw the disrepair the plantation house had fallen under and knew that was all his doing. He’d stopped caring the day Evelyn walked out on them and the land followed suit.
    He let out a breath and tried to put the depressing thoughts behind him. There wasn’t anything he could do about it now. What was done was done. As lovely as Anna was, the thought of marrying again caused so much anxiety, he found it hard to breath. He wasn’t sure his heart would ever be willing to trust anyone enough to let them in after his last heartbreak.
    James didn’t mention Anna again and by the time supper rolled around, Gabriel was too tired to talk about her anyway. His muscles were sore, he was filthy and wanted nothing more than to wash up, fill his belly and fall into bed.
    The long walk to the house seemed to take longer than usual. The sun sinking behind the trees cast shadows along the house, the few lights shining in the windows lighting his path. Ruth was in the kitchen, putting food to serving bowls as he passed by. He took the back stairs to his room, washed and changed his clothes and debated on forgoing supper for a nice, long sleep. His grumbling stomach made the decision for him.
    Exiting his room, he paused when he saw Anna making her way to the stairs. She’d changed her traveling clothes for a soft white dress with lace at the sleeves and neck. Her hair was still pulled up but the strands were looser and hung lower on her shoulders. If possible, she was more lovely than she had been earlier in the day.
    He followed behind her, keeping his distance and watched as she peeked into the rooms she passed. She studied the portraits on the walls, the railing on the staircase and took in every small feature he’d long forgotten about.
    When she entered the dining room, he could hear Julia’s happy voice greet her. He stood outside the door listening to them talk until he was interrupted by Ruth as she carried in the serving dishes and sat them on the buffet.
    Following behind her, he took in the table. It had been set with the his great-grandmothers fine china instead of the everyday dinnerware. His place at the head of the table was flanked on either side by two other place settings. Julia smiled as she saw him. His hope of getting dinner over quickly died the moment he saw her face. She’d gone to a lot of trouble this evening. The fancy table setting told him that.
    “Its about time,” she said, as she crossed the room to where he stood. She took his hand and led him to the table. “Anna, you sit there,” directing her new governess to the table setting to the right of his own. “And I’ll sit here.”
    When they were all seated, Julia’s smile was still radiant. “You look very lovely this evening, Anna.”
    Gabriel unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap, forcing himself not to look Anna’s way.