Read Sarah: Bride of Minnesota (American Mail-Order Bride 32) for Free Online Page A

or state wouldn't make me happy, but going to the store without me is perfectly fine."
    She smiled. "I hope so. I need to go tomorrow. I've got to get some more ingredients if you want me to cook meals that are palatable. I really thought you'd have some of the basic seasonings, but there is nothing here that I didn't bring in."
    "Sorry," he said. "I can take you in the morning before work."
    "Oh, there's no need for that. We're close to the store, and I can walk as well as the next woman. The only mode of transportation I had back East was my feet. I walked everywhere."
    "If you don't mind, that would be good. I hate going in to work late two days in a row."
    "I want to buy fabric for curtains tomorrow." She frowned. "I wish I had a sewing machine. It would lighten the amount I need to do a great deal."
    "I saw one at the store today. Buy it. I don't mind."
    "I'm sure you didn't notice the price. They're terribly dear."
    He shook his head. "I didn't notice the price. Get one. I have more than enough money saved up for you to buy a sewing machine if you want it. And whatever else you're thinking of, I'm sure. You're a frugal woman, and if you think it would help you, get it."
    She bit her lip, thinking about it. While she'd love the machine, she really didn't think he would approve when he realized how much they were talking about. "It's not a good idea."
    He sighed. "Look, I don't have time to go to the store and get it myself, but if I come home tomorrow and you don't have one, I will be angry. I'm your husband. I'm telling you to buy yourself a sewing machine." He shrugged. "I know you probably haven't had time to look at my clothes, but there's very little not in need of repair. If you can do it faster with a machine, then I want you to have one. I want you to be able to cook all the delicious meals I want to eat as well as sew for me."
    She laughed. "So you're not doing it for me, you're doing it so I can do more for you!"
    "Oh, absolutely. I want my wife to be efficient." He grinned at her as he took a bite of the beans. "Think of it as a wedding gift."
    "Karl, you're so romantic!" she said in a mock-swooning voice.
    He frowned. "Are you looking for romance?"
    "Every woman is." She sighed. "My parents were very romantic. My father would walk a mile out of town during the spring after working a ten hour day, so he could take wildflowers to my mama. She would treasure the flowers. And he would sing love songs to her, and they'd dance together across the kitchen." Her eyes sparkled as she recalled the way her parents had been with one another. "I had in my head that all immigrants were like that."
    "My father was never like that. He would bring home special things she needed, and she'd use them. That was all. Do you want me to be more like your father was?"
    "I don't know if you can be. Mrs. Norman says that German men don't have it in them to be romantic. I wouldn't have answered your advertisement if you hadn't been an immigrant, because I was convinced I would have romance."
    "So you want me to bring you flowers? Really?"
    She shrugged. "There are no flowers at this time of year, Karl. Don't worry about it." She wanted him to worry about it, though. So badly. Would it hurt him to be a little sweeter and more romantic? "My father also used to leave my mother notes when she left the house. Mama loved that."
    Karl nodded. Notes, he could do. He might even be able to scare up some gifts, but he didn't tell her that. "I will try."
    "That's all I ask."
     
    *****
     
    Sarah was up early the next morning and in the kitchen cooking when Karl came out of his room, yawning and stretching. He went into the bathroom, and came out after shaving. He walked to her and kissed her cheek. "How did you sleep, wife?"
    Sarah smiled. "Very well, thank you. Thank you for giving me a month before I need to move my things to your room," she said with a slight blush.
    "It is no problem. I'm a romantic husband, after all."
    Sarah shook her head,