Read BRIANNA: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Mail-Order Brides Club Book 4) for Free Online Page A

was made up.
    “Okay, but at least let me pay you for the dress.”
    “Absolutely not.” Colleen made it clear it was not up for discussion. But still, Brianna persisted.
    “I won’t pick out any fabric unless I can pay for it.”
    Colleen nodded and reluctantly agreed. “All right, you can pay for your material.”
    With that settled, Brianna followed Colleen into the mercantile, said a quick hello to Hannah, who was married to Joshua, the oldest Donovan brother, and then they started looking through the many beautiful fabrics in the back room. She was having a hard time choosing, when Colleen drew her attention to one that she was looking at. “What do you think of this?”
    Colleen held up a length of the most gorgeous soft, blue material that Brianna had ever seen. The shade of blue reminded her of the ocean and she had a fleeting moment of homesickness, thinking of Boston. She reached out and touched the fabric. It was smooth and silky under her fingers and she knew that it would feel wonderful on.
    “I love it.”
    “This is the one, then?” Colleen asked.
    Brianna nodded, and Colleen carried the bolt of fabric over to the front desk and handed it to Hannah who cut the amount that Colleen requested.
    “You’re going to look gorgeous in this dress. Paul is going to fall madly in love with you, if he hasn’t already.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Brianna said. She felt herself blush and then felt guilty for it. Surely, Colleen was joking. It was far too soon for her to even think such a thing.
    “Just wait,” Colleen said with a smile.
----
    T hursday night , Colleen dropped Brianna off at church for choir practice. Pastor Ben welcomed her warmly and introduced her to the others in the choir. There were about a dozen total, seven women and five men. They were a mix of ages. Several of the women were about Brianna’s age or a little older and the rest were in their late 50s and early 60s. The men were mostly older as well, except for one who was about Brianna’s age.
    Pastor Ben handed Brianna a copy of the book of songs that they were using and pointed out the ones that they would be singing in church that Sunday. They spent the next two hours going through all the music and Brianna enjoyed herself immensely. She loved to sing and to lose herself in the music. When they finished and she was waiting for Colleen to return to pick her up, she chatted with Gertie, one of the girls that seemed to be about her age.
    “Have you always lived here?” Brianna asked her.
    “No, I just moved here with my family a little over a month ago. I’m getting used to the area myself.”
    Brianna was intrigued. “Where did you move from?”
    “New York City. I have to admit, I still miss it.”
    “Why did your family move here?”
    An uncomfortable look crossed Gertie’s face. “My father lost his job. It’s a difficult economy still in New York City. Many people are struggling. My uncle moved out here about six months ago, and he wrote to my father and sent train fare for all of us. He loves it here, and he said the area is growing. I’ve never seen my father happier.”
    “I still miss Boston,” Brianna admitted. “I don’t say that to many people, because I’m also very happy to be here. But it is hard to adjust overnight. Especially when you’ve lived your whole life somewhere else.”
    “Well, I’m happy to meet someone my own age here. And especially someone from back east. I feel like we have a lot in common.” Gertie smiled, and then added, “See you on Sunday.”
    Brianna saw Colleen waving at her, and realized that she’d pulled up in front of the church but Brianna had been so busy chatting that she had missed it.
    “My friend is here to drive me home. I’ll see you soon.”
----
    “ S o , how was it?” Colleen asked once they were both settled in the buggy and on their way home.
    “It was fun.” Brianna then told her about Gertie and how she was excited to meet someone else that was