Read Jedadiah's Mail Order Bride for Free Online Page B

people meeting the train.  Among those were a young man and woman, and another nervous looking man.  The man detached himself from the other couple and came over to her.  "Are you Sarah?" he asked.
     
    "Yes, I'm Sarah Harding.  Are you Jedadiah?"  She looked into a face that was unfreckled, and had a small scar on the right cheek.  His eyes were dark pools of blue, and looked straight at her.  "This is a man of strength," she thought.  When he smiled as he greeted her, he revealed a warmth that seemed to envelop Sarah.  "He certainly fits the self description he sent," she thought.
     
    "I am, and welcome to Laramie.  It won't compare to what you are accustomed to seeing in New York, but I'm sure you will find the people to be as friendly as those anywhere else.  I'd like for you to meet two of them now.”  He turned and called out, "John, Grace, come meet Sarah."
     
    They came over, both smiling.  Grace held her arms out and hugged Sarah.  "Welcome to Wyoming.  I'm so glad to see you.  I hope you like it," she said.  She also whispered in Sarah's ear, "Jed is a fine man.  You didn't make a mistake coming.  He will make a wonderful husband.  He's one of the kindest and most considerate men I know.  Sarah, this is my husband, John Carruthers.  John, Sarah Harding."
     
    Sarah extended her hand.  John took it in both of his in a warm handshake.  "Welcome", he said.  "I hope you have a chance to join our congregation."
     
    "Thank you both.  I appreciate the warm welcome.  This is such a beautiful place.  It seems so fresh."
     
    "Sarah, John and I would like for you and Jed to stay with us for a couple of days over Christmas while you get acquainted with each other and you decide what you want to do.  Is that all right with you?" Grace asked.
     
    "It sounds wonderful and I appreciate your hospitality.  I just have this bag and one other."
     
    Jed said, “I'll get it.  Since there's only one left, that must be yours.  I'll put it in the wagon."
     
    Grace said, "Jed is a hard worker.  When he came here from the gold fields, he had a stake he had saved, along with what he had earned back in Pennsylvania.  I think he lived on beans for two years.  He showed us the letters before he mailed them, so I don't think you know he slept in his barn for the year he's been working on his cabin.  Luke and some of his ranch hands and some of our congregation helped raise the walls and to put a roof on, but the rest is all his work.  I haven't seen the cabin since the wall raising, but I'm sure it's good."
     
    The four of them rode in the wagon to John and Grace's home behind the church.  After dinner, the hosts left the two of them alone.  At first, it was a strained silence.  Jed said awkwardly, "I've been around only men since I left Lebanon.  I've lived alone all this time and I guess I'm not a good conversationalist.  I don't know what to say.  On the J-Bar-B, there's  only my horse, the hogs and some chickens.  I don't speak any of their languages so it's kind of quiet except when a hen lays an egg, then she gets pretty excited.  Clara, that's my neighbor Luke's wife, says I'm too quiet, but Luke and I talk about ranching things.  He's the one taught me all I know about what I'm doing.  He's a really  good friend as well as a good neighbor.  He helped me get a contract with the Army to buy my cattle and we mix my cattle in with his and drive them to Laramie.
     
    Would you just listen to me run on?  You don't want to hear all of the ranching things.  What would you like to know about me?"
     
    "You're doing fine", she said.  "If I'm going to live here, then I'll need to learn those things won't I?"
     
    "I want you to know, if there's anything that makes you uncomfortable, you let me know and I'll try to fix it.  If you change your mind, I'll give you transportation back to New York."
     
    "Jedadiah, do you mind if I call you Jedadiah instead of Jed?  I think it suits who you